23 CAR § 204-105 – Continuing education

(a) Number of course hours. Upon the effective date of this part, any nonexempt persons licensed as title insurance agents shall, annually on or before their birthdays, complete those courses of continuing education instruction approved by the Insurance Commissioner and equivalent to a total of six (6) hours of instruction, which must include one (1) hour of ethics.
(b) Exemption period. Newly licensed title insurance agents must be licensed for one (1) full year prior to renewal of the license before continuing education requirements are imposed. Example: If a new title insurance agent becomes licensed in June of 2010, and the expiration of the license is February 2, 2011, the producer must pay the renewal fee, but continuing education is not due until February 2, 2012, because the exemption period of one (1) year has not been reached prior to the 2011 expiration date.
(c) Penalties.
1. (1) Upon failure of any title insurance agent to comply with Arkansas Code § 23-64-301 et seq., the commissioner shall take the steps enumerated in Arkansas Code § 23-64-304(d) against such individual’s license.
2. (2) Failure to comply with this part may result in imposition of penalties contained in Arkansas Code § 23-64-216, as amended, or other applicable laws or rules.
(d) Course approval and valuation.
1. (1) Subject to submission and approval of the commissioner, the courses or programs of instruction successfully completed that shall be deemed to meet the commissioner’s standards for title continuing education requirements and meeting the continuing education requirements of Continuing Education for Producers and Adjusters, 23 CAR pt. 18, are:
  1. (A) Any title insurance-related course approved by the commissioner and offered by an accredited college or university;
  2. (B) Any course or program of instruction, seminar, or meeting sponsored by any:
(i) Authorized insurer;
1. (ii) Recognized title insurance agent association;
  1. (iii) Insurance trade association; or
    1. (iv) Independent program of instruction;
  2. (C)
    1. (i) Subject to approval by the commissioner, the active annual membership of the licensed title producer in local, regional, state, or national professional insurance organizations or associations may be approved for up to two (2) annual hours of instruction.
    2. (ii) These hours shall be credited upon timely filing with the commissioner by roster from the member organization or association;
  3. (D) Any title insurance correspondence course with a proctored exam that meets the standards of a correspondence course established in 23 CAR pt. 18; and
  4. (E) Any part of the study for an industry recognized professional designation for title insurance professionals.
2. (2) Course hour valuation. The commissioner shall assign the number of continuing education hours for which approved courses qualify based on standards established in 23 CAR pt. 18.