The North Carolina Department of Insurance (NCDOI) is taking steps to continue licensing insurance agents in the state as quickly as possible amid the shutdown of application processing centers due to the pandemic, according to a statement.
Working with Pearson Vue, the department’s third-party licensing vendor, NCDOI said it has come up with a temporary licensing solution that includes:
- Applicants will need to complete the pre-licensing education (PLE) and pass the PLE exam.
- Applicants should complete the license application through the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR).
- Applicants will need to schedule an appointment to take and pass the state exam. NCDOI said it anticipates Pearson Vue’s professional testing centers to open on May 1st at 50% testing capacity to maintain social distancing. In addition, they will also be working to provide additional testing sites across the state.
- Once an applicant has successfully passed the exam, the NCDOI Agent Services Division will issue a “temporary” license. This license will remain in effect for 120 days. The applicant will be required to complete the fingerprinting process, as required by law. If the results meet the guidelines of NCDOI, then a permanent license will be issued. If the results do not meet the licensing guidelines of NCDOI or the fingerprints are not submitted within the 120 days, then the licensure status will be changed to inactive and the licensee will be advised by email.
- The conversion to permanent licensure will not require additional fees or reapplication.
- If a license is made inactive, licensees may request a review.
- Should the licensee fail to pass the state exam, a refund will not be issued.
NCDOI said there are three pathways in which Pearson Vue will begin operations starting May 1, 2020 dependent upon the guidelines in place within each jurisdiction across the U.S.:
- Pearson Vue will open test centers in areas where there are no restrictions prohibiting operations. Pearson Vue must be able to outfit our test centers with appropriate social distancing measures and health and safety necessities, such as hand sanitizer, disinfectant, etc.
- Pearson Vue will not open test centers in any areas where government mandates dictate extended closures or lockdowns, or where it does not have the necessary supplies or staff.
- Essential Services exam delivery is an exception in many states that are currently under operational restrictions. Pearson Vue will deliver Essential Services testing where allowed.
Pearson Vue will continue to monitor changing recommendations from local and state authorities and modify its test center availability accordingly.
Questions or concerns should be directed to the NCDOI Agents Services Division at ASD@ncdoi.gov
Source: North Carolina Department of Insurance
Topics Agencies North Carolina
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