Pennsylvania insurance CSR license requirements
Pennsylvania spells out what unlicensed agency employees may do, which makes the line easier to see.
A CSR at a Pennsylvania agency who sells, solicits or negotiates insurance needs an individual insurance producer license with the right lines of authority. Under 40 P.S. § 310.3, unlicensed employees who earn no commission can answer questions without recommending coverage, forward requests to a licensee, help complete applications in the office, collect expiration dates and receive premium payments.
What unlicensed staff can and can't do
Pennsylvania's producer licensing law, 40 P.S. § 310.3(b)(3), exempts employees of a producer who receive no commission on Pennsylvania policies and whose work is only indirectly related to sales.
Unlicensed staff may
- Answer questions without recommending specific coverages, products or rates
- Forward requests to a licensed producer
- Help complete applications at the licensee's office
- Collect expiration dates
- Receive premium payments
Unlicensed staff may not
- Sell, solicit or negotiate insurance
- Recommend specific coverage, products or rates
- Receive commission
In practice: an unlicensed Pennsylvania CSR can do intake, applications and payments. The moment a client asks "which one should I pick?", it goes to a licensed producer.
Getting licensed in Pennsylvania
| Step | Detail |
|---|---|
| Exam | PSI |
| Fingerprints | Required for new resident producers, through IdentoGO, after passing the exam and applying |
| Application fee | $55 resident |
| Renewal | $55 resident; $165 if lapsed |
| Continuing education | 24 credit hours per 2-year cycle |
Pennsylvania's pre-licensing education rules have changed recently. Check the Insurance Department's initial licensing page for the current requirement before you enroll anyone.
Remote and out-of-state staff
Nonresidents apply through Sircon or NIPR. The Insurance Department lists the nonresident fee as $110, and reciprocal nonresidents are exempt from fingerprinting.
Check a Pennsylvania license
The Insurance Department's agent research page links to the public license lookup. You can also check the person's NPN in NIPR.
Where Humai fits
Humai matches U.S.-licensed agents who hold Pennsylvania licenses, checked in NIPR, to work in your AMS under your agency's name. Keep unlicensed staff on intake and payments; send quoting and advice to licensed agents.
Questions agency owners ask
Does Pennsylvania have a CSR insurance license?
No separate CSR license. Agency staff who need a license hold an individual insurance producer license with the lines of authority for their work.
What can unlicensed staff do at a Pennsylvania agency?
Under 40 P.S. § 310.3(b)(3), employees who receive no commission and whose work is only indirectly related to sales can answer inquiries without recommending specific coverages, products or rates, forward requests to a licensee, help complete applications at the licensee's office, collect expiration dates and receive premium payments.
What can't unlicensed staff do in Pennsylvania?
They can't sell, solicit or negotiate insurance, recommend specific coverage, products or rates, or receive commission.
Who runs the Pennsylvania insurance exam?
PSI. New resident producers are fingerprinted through IdentoGO after passing the exam and applying.
How much does a Pennsylvania producer license cost?
The Pennsylvania Insurance Department lists $55 for a resident application and $110 for a nonresident application.
How many CE hours do Pennsylvania producers need?
24 credit hours per two-year cycle. Missing the minimum can result in the license being terminated.
Sources
- 40 P.S. § 310.3 (license requirement and exceptions)
- PA Insurance Department: Apply for or renew a producer license
- PA Insurance Department: Initial producer licensing process
- PA Insurance Department: Continuing education requirements
- PA Insurance Department: Company and agent research
Licensing rules differ by state. This article is general information, not legal advice. Check with your state's department of insurance.