(a)

1. (1) A producer shall not solicit the sale of an annuity product unless the producer:

   1. (A) Has adequate knowledge of the product to recommend the annuity; and
   2. (B) Is in compliance with the insurer's standards for product training.
2. (2) A producer may rely on insurer-provided product-specific training standards and materials to comply with this subsection.

(b)

1. (1)

   1. (A) A producer who engages in the sale of annuity products shall complete a one-time four (4) credit training course approved by the State Insurance Department and provided by the department-approved education provider.
   2. (B)

(i) Producers who hold a life insurance line of authority on the effective date of this part and who desire to sell annuities shall complete the requirements of this subsection within six (6) months after the effective date of this part.

1. (ii) Individuals who obtain a life insurance line of authority on or after the effective date of this part may not engage in the sale of annuities until the annuity training course required under this subsection has been completed.
2. (2) The minimum length of the training required under this subsection shall be sufficient to qualify for at least four (4) CE credits, but may be longer.

3. (3) The training required under this subsection shall include information on the following topics:

   1. (A) The types of annuities and various classifications of annuities;
   2. (B) Identification of the parties to an annuity;
   3. (C) How product specific annuity contract features affect consumers;
   4. (D) The application of income taxation of qualified and nonqualified annuities;
   5. (E) The primary uses of annuities; and
   6. (F) Appropriate standard of conduct, sales practices, replacement, and disclosure requirements.

4. (4)

   1. (A) Providers of courses intended to comply with this subsection shall:

      1. (i) Cover all topics listed in the prescribed outline; and
      2. (ii) Not present any marketing information or provide training on sales techniques or provide specific information about a particular insurer's products.
   2. (B) Additional topics may be offered in conjunction with and in addition to the required outline.

5. (5) A provider of an annuity training course intended to comply with this subsection shall register as a CE provider in this state and comply with the rules and guidelines applicable to producer continuing education courses as set forth in:

   1. (A) Arkansas Code § 23-64-301 et seq.; and
   2. (B) Continuing Education for Producers and Adjusters, 23 CAR pt. 18.

6. (6) A producer who has completed an annuity training course approved by the department prior to January 1, 2021, shall within six (6) months after January 1, 2021, complete either:

   1. (A) A new four-hour credit training course approved by the department after January 1, 2021; or
   2. (B) An additional one-time one (1) credit training course approved by the department and provided by the department-approved education provider on appropriate sales practices, replacement, and disclosure requirements under this part.

7. (7) Annuity training courses may be conducted and completed by classroom or self-study methods in accordance with:

   1. (A) Arkansas Code § 23-64-301 et seq.; and
   2. (B) 23 CAR pt. 18.

8. (8) Providers of annuity training shall comply with the reporting requirements and shall issue certificates of completion in accordance with:

   1. (A) Arkansas Code § 23-64-301 et seq.; and
   2. (B) 23 CAR pt. 18.
9. (9) The satisfaction of the training requirements of another state that are substantially similar to the provisions of this subsection shall be deemed to satisfy the training requirements of this subsection in this state.
10. (10) The satisfaction of the components of the training requirements of any course or courses with components substantially similar to the provisions of this subsection shall be deemed to satisfy the training requirements of this subsection in this state.

11. (11)

    1. (A) An insurer shall verify that a producer has completed the annuity training course required under this subsection before allowing the producer to sell an annuity product for that insurer.

    2. (B) An insurer may satisfy its responsibility under this subsection by obtaining certificates of completion of the training course or obtaining reports provided by:

       1. (i) Insurance Commissioner-sponsored database systems or vendors; or
       2. (ii) A reasonably reliable commercial database vendor that has a reporting arrangement with approved insurance education providers.