2006 Louisiana Laws - RS 22:1191 — Registered insurance agent and bail agent prelicensing program

PART XXV-A.  PRELICENSE AND CONTINUING

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS

§1191.  Registered insurance agent and bail agent prelicensing program

A.(1)  The commissioner shall certify an educational program that meets the requirements of this Part and any rules or regulations promulgated pursuant to this Part as a registered insurance agent or bail agent prelicensing program. Any person who satisfactorily completes an educational program which has been certified as a registered insurance agent or bail agent prelicensing program pursuant to this Part shall satisfy the preexamination educational requirements of R.S. 22:1135(C).

(2)  For purposes of this Part, "bail agent" shall mean any person, corporation, or partnership which holds an insurance license and has a contract and an appointment from an insurance company licensed and authorized to provide surety in Louisiana.

B.  The commissioner shall promulgate rules and regulations setting forth guidelines and requirements for the content and conduct of a registered insurance agent or bail agent prelicensing program and for the procedure for certification of an instructional program as a registered insurance agent prelicensing program. The commissioner shall also promulgate, after consultation with the Insurance Education Advisory Council, rules and regulations specifying the qualifications which each instructor in a registered insurance agent or bail agent prelicensing program shall possess. All such rules and regulations promulgated by the commissioner shall be promulgated pursuant to the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act.

C.  Each registered insurance agent or bail agent prelicensing program shall be conducted by one of the following:

(1)  An insurance trade association;

(2)  An insurance company admitted to do business in Louisiana;

(3)  An accredited public or private college or university; or

(4)  An organization recommended by the Insurance Education Advisory Council and certified by the commissioner of insurance.

D.  Each instructor in a registered insurance agent prelicensing program shall possess the qualifications promulgated by the commissioner of insurance for instructors in such programs.

E.(1)  Each registered insurance agent prelicensing program for life or health and accident insurance agents shall provide instruction by a qualified instructor in a structured setting with a minimum of sixteen hours of supervised instruction, including instruction in applicable insurance principles, state laws and regulations, and ethical practices.

(2)  Each registered insurance agent prelicensing program for insurance agents other than life or health and accident insurance shall provide instruction by a qualified instructor in a structured setting with a minimum of thirty-two hours of supervised instruction, including instruction in applicable insurance principles, state laws and regulations, and ethical practices.

(3)  Each registered bail agent prelicensing program shall provide instruction by a qualified instructor in a structured setting with a minimum of eight hours of supervised instruction, including instruction in applicable underwriting principles, state laws and regulations, and ethical practices.

F.  While instruction is in progress in a registered insurance agent or bail agent prelicensing program, the instructor shall permit the commissioner, any member of the Insurance Education Advisory Council, and any employee of the Department of Insurance to attend any educational session.  Such access shall be for the purpose of monitoring the instruction and program and shall not be disruptive to the instruction. Any person who attends any educational session pursuant to the authority of this Subsection shall do so in an official capacity only.  No information or materials shall be used for any personal reasons or gain.

G.  The director or supervisor of each registered insurance agent or bail agent prelicensing program shall submit its current course materials to the commissioner of insurance for his review upon his request but no less frequently than every three years.

H.  The commissioner may cancel or suspend the certification of any registered insurance agent or bail agent prelicensing program which does not meet the requirements of this Part or of any of the rules or regulations promulgated pursuant to this Part.  Such cancellation or suspension shall be made after notice and an opportunity for hearing.

Acts 1988, No. 840, §1, eff. July 18, 1988 (and May 1, 1989); Acts 1992, No. 1039, §1; Acts 1993, No. 142, §1; Acts 1993, No. 952, §4, eff. Jan. 1, 1994, H.C.R. No. 4, 2002 1st Ex. Sess.