CDI OFFERS NEW ONLINE LICENSE APPLICATION SERVICE:

The California Department of Insurance (CDI) is now offering an Internet license application service that will allow online applications for a license to act as an insurance agent or broker. FLASH (Fast Licensing Applicant Services is Here) reduces the timeline for processing a license application by at least two weeks and helps applicants complete the application more accurately to ensure speedy processing. The service is now available on the CDI Web site at www.insurance.ca.gov. “One of my principal goals is to improve the efficiency of the regulatory process,” said Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi. “FLASH illustrates how this Department can use technology to reduce regulatory costs and provide better services to consumers and the insurance industry.” Applicants, when applying online using FLASH, will pay their license-filing fee using a credit card with no applicable surcharges. Credit card transactions are encrypted and only the applicant and his or her credit card company will have access to the credit card number. Applicants will receive an e-mail within 24 hours confirming that CDI received the FLASH application. This e-mail will also provide the applicant with a link to CDI’s Online Examination Scheduling service that the applicant utilizes to schedule their examination. The Online Examination Scheduling service is also available to those applicants who need to re-take the examination. Applicants without computer access may still mail an application and applicable fees to CDI’s Producer Licensing Bureau, P.O. Box 1139, Sacramento, California 95812-1139. For all questions regarding the application process, call the CDI Producer Licensing Bureau’s toll-free number at 1-800-967-9331 or (916) 322-3555. Also, questions and concerns can be submitted via e-mail by accessing the following link: www.insurance.ca.gov/LIC/plbemail.htm.