Renewal, CE, and the Unapproved Ethics Webinar
Jordan is a Pennsylvania resident producer with property and casualty authority and a surplus lines broker license. Her license expires May 31, 2025. In April she completes 24 hours of continuing education: 18 hours from approved P&C courses, 3 hours from an approved ethics course, and 3 hours from a "surplus lines ethics" webinar that the vendor says is "state-approved" but does not appear on the Department's approved-course list. On May 20 she files her renewal and uploads all 24 hours. Separately, on March 1 she moved her office from Harrisburg to Camp Hill and began using the DBA "Liberty Risk Advisors"; she has not updated the Department. She has a $250,000 surplus lines property renewal for a client effective June 15. Jordan asks whether she can rely on the 24 hours and whether she can bind the June renewal while the renewal is pending.
1. Will the Department accept the 24 hours as filed? What must Jordan do to complete the CE requirement?
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The Department should credit only 21 hours, not 24. The approved P&C courses provide 18 hours and the approved ethics course provides 3 hours. The 3-hour webinar is not on the Department's approved-course list, so it does not count toward Pennsylvania CE even if the vendor calls it "state-approved." Jordan still needs 3 additional approved hours.
She should not assume the renewal is complete because the application was submitted. She must complete 3 approved hours, ensure the provider reports them or she retains certificates, and submit the corrected transcript before the license expires if possible. The address change and DBA are separate licensing issues: she must update the Department promptly through the producer licensing system and confirm whether the DBA must be registered. CE approval and license maintenance are not the same process.
2. What are the licensing and compliance risks for the June 15 renewal, and what should Jordan do before binding?
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A pending renewal is not a license. If Jordan's license expires May 31 and is not renewed, she cannot transact insurance, including surplus lines, until the license is reinstated or renewed. Binding the June 15 renewal while unlicensed would expose her to regulatory action, E&O exposure, and possible issues with the carrier's appointment or eligibility records. She should verify her license status in the Department's system before June 15.
Before binding, Jordan should: complete the missing 3 approved CE hours; update her address and DBA; confirm the renewal has been approved; and document the license status. If approval will be delayed, she should not bind personally. She should arrange for another properly licensed producer to handle the renewal or ask the client for an extension, rather than rely on a pending application. She should also correct any renewal certification that overstated the approved hours.