This page is intended to address some of the most commonly asked questions regarding the Bureau's licensing procedures and requirements.

1. What are the requirements for obtaining a resident insurance license? Information regarding the pre-licensing requirements may be found in the Insurance Licensing Candidate Handbook.
2. What are the requirements for obtaining a Title insurance license? You must complete a 16- hour pre-licensing study course and pass the Title examination within one year of the date of completion of the study course. After you pass the examination, apply for the license online at http://www.scc.virginia.gov/boi/online.aspx. Information regarding the pre-licensing requirements may be found in the Insurance Licensing Candidate Handbook. Currently, Florida and Pennsylvania statutes require nonresident agents to pass their Title exam for licensure. As such, the Virginia Bureau of Insurance requires Florida and Pennsylvania Title agents to pass the Virginia Title exam for licensure in Virginia. Virginia statutes do not require nonresident agents to take Virginia’s pre-licensing study course prior to taking the Title exam.
3. I am moving to Virginia from another state. What is required to apply for a license? If you were not licensed in your former state of residence, you are required to pass the pre-licensing examination prior to applying for the license. If you have resided in Virginia for less than six months and you were not licensed in your previous state of residence within the last 90 days, you must submit a current, no more than 90 days old, criminal history record report from your previous state of residence. If you have resided in Virginia for more than six months, you must submit a current criminal history record report from the Virginia State Police.
   
   If you were licensed in your former state of residence within the last 90 days, please review the requirements for individuals moving to Virginia in the Insurance Licensing Candidate Handbook.
4. What are the requirements for licensing an insurance agency? Information regarding agency licensing requirements may be found in the “Licensing Requirements for Corporations, Limited Liability Companies and Partnerships” pamphlet at http://www.scc.virginia.gov/boi/pro/lic_proc.aspx.
5. How do I obtain a copy of my license? You may print your license online through Sircon’s Compliance Express at www.sircon.com/virginia.
6. Can I verify that my license has been issued? Yes. Producer licensing information can be confirmed through the Bureau’s website at http://www.scc.virginia.gov/boi/ConsumerInquiry/ProducerSearch.aspx. There is a one day delay from the licensure date and the day the information is available on the Bureau’s website.
7. What is my Virginia license number? Effective 09/16/2008, the Bureau of Insurance assigned new license identification numbers to all producers. These license identification numbers may be accessed through the Bureau’s website at www.scc.virginia.gov/boi/ConsumerInquiry/ProducerSearch.aspx.
8. How do I inform the Bureau of my address change? Update addresses online through NIPR or Sircon at http://www.scc.virginia.gov/boi/online.aspx.
9. How do I change my name? Download and properly complete the Bureau’s Service Request (5001) Form at http://www.scc.virginia.gov/boi/pro/formapp.aspx. A copy of the marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order is required. Please include your Virginia License Number or National Producer Number (NPN) with your request. The producer must sign all Name Change requests. The Bureau will send you a duplicate license when we have processed your name change.
10. How can I obtain a Criminal History Record Report? Contact the Virginia State Police at (804) 674-2000 or visit its website at www.vsp.state.va.us to download Form SP-167. When you receive the report from the State Police, fax it to the Bureau at (804) 371-9290.
11. How do I obtain a Letter of Certification? You may print your Letter of Certification online at www.sircon.com/virginia.
12. How can I view and/or update an agency’s associations? Association Maintenance Services are now available online through Sircon's Compliance Express at www.sircon.com/virginia.
13. My company has provided me with a copy of the appointment form submitted to the Bureau of Insurance. Will I receive an acknowledgement of appointment from the Bureau? NO. The Bureau of Insurance does not provide notice to a producer regarding a valid appointment by an insurer. The insurer must notify its producer if the Commission notifies the insurer that the attempt to appoint the producer was invalid. The insurer's notice must be provided within five business days of receipt of the invalid appointment notice from the Commission. Any producer who sells or solicits insurance on behalf of the insurer after being notified of an invalid appointment shall be in violation of Virginia law. An appointment may be verified by utilizing the Bureau's Producer Lookup feature at www.scc.virginia.gov/boi/ConsumerInquiry/ProducerSearch.aspx.
14. How do I notify the Bureau of a Trade (Assumed or Fictitious) Name? Download and properly complete the Bureau’s Service Request (5001) Form at http://www.scc.virginia.gov/boi/pro/formapp.aspx. You may fax your request to 804-371-9290 or email to bureauofinsurance@scc.virginia.gov. The Bureau will mail the producer a notice when the Trade Name request has been processed. Corporations, limited partnerships and limited liability companies are required to file with the Clerk of Court and with the Clerk of the Commission.
15. How can I find out how many Continuing Education credits I have accumulated and my compliance status? You may access the Virginia insurance continuing education website at www.virginiainsurancece.com and click on Review 2011-2012 CE Transcript to get up-to-date transcript information. For the protection of your privacy, you will be required to enter your Virginia License Number (not your SSN) and your last name to access this information online.
16. What are the requirements to obtain a permanent exemption from continuing education? You must be 65 years or older and have 20 continuous and uninterrupted years. You may email your request for proof of licensing to bureauofinsurance@scc.virginia.gov. For detailed information regarding the CE requirements for residents and nonresidents, please visit www.virginiainsurancece.com. Questions regarding CE should be directed to the Virginia Insurance Continuing Education Board’s administrator, Pearson VUE, at virginiainsurancece@pearson.com.
17. I’ve applied for the wrong license type on my application, how can I correct this? You will have to submit a new application for the correct license type and you will be required to pay the appropriate application processing fees. Application processing fees are non-refundable and non-transferrable.
18. I am moving from Virginia to another state. What do I need from the Bureau? A clearance letter, which when processed terminates all active licenses and appointments in Virginia, is required when moving to another state. Please complete the Service Request (5001) Form and fax it to (804) 371-9290. The form may be downloaded at http://www.scc.virginia.gov/boi/pro/formapp.aspx. If you wish to be licensed in Virginia as a nonresident after obtaining a license in your new home state, you may apply online at http://www.scc.virginia.gov/boi/online.aspx. Pursuant to Virginia Code § 38.2-1869 H of the Code of Virginia, if a resident agent moves his residence to another state between July of every even-numbered year and September 1 of the following odd-numbered year and has not provided proof of CE compliance for the biennium prior to his license termination, such agent shall not be permitted to apply for a new license of the same type until he has either satisfied the 90-day termination period or paid a $1,000 administrative penalty. http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?000+cod+38.2-1869
19. I no longer need my insurance license in the Commonwealth of Virginia. What do I need to do? You must notify the Bureau in writing that you wish to have your licenses terminated. Include your Name and Virginia License Number or National Producer Number (NPN) or Tax Id Number with your request. The producer must sign the request. An officer from the agency must sign the request for agency terminations. We will send notification to the companies you are currently appointed with that you are no longer doing insurance business in the Commonwealth of Virginia. We will also notify the producer when this transaction has been processed. You are not required to return your license. Please allow 5-10 business days for us to process your request. Pursuant to Virginia Code § 38.2-1869 G of the Code of Virginia, if a resident or nonresident agent voluntarily surrenders his license without prejudice during a biennium and has not provided proof of CE compliance for the biennium prior to his license termination, such agent shall not be permitted to apply for a new license of the same type until he has either satisfied the 90-day termination period or paid a $1,000 administrative penalty. http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?000+cod+38.2-1869
20. What are the rules governing the Long-Term Care Insurance Partnership Program? You may review the rules at http://www.scc.virginia.gov/boi/pro/index.aspx. Nonresident agents who comply with their home state requirement need only take a two-hour Virginia specific course to meet the requirement in Virginia.
21. What are the Federal training requirements for Flood Insurance? You may review the requirements at http://www.scc.virginia.gov/boi/pro/index.aspx.
22. May I pay referral fees to an unlicensed individual? Section 38.2-1821 1 B 8 of the Code of Virginia specifically allows for the payment of referral fees to an unlicensed individual provided certain requirements are met. Producers who wish to pay referral fees to unlicensed individuals should carefully comply with these provisions in order to avoid any violation of the Code of Virginia. It is the Bureau’s position that a “one time nominal fee” cannot exceed $25 per referral. The statute can be reviewed at http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?000+cod+38.2-1821.1.
23. What is considered rebating? Rebating is defined under Section 38.2-509 of the Code of Virginia. The statute can be reviewed at http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?000+cod+38.2-509. You should review pertinent rebate information in “Common Problems Found During Agent Investigations” on the Bureau’s website at http://www.scc.virginia.gov/boi/pro/enf.aspx.