For those of you who have been following the PIB regarding the recent changes occurring both nationally and within Oregon, I have some more news for you! The Oregon Insurance Division has recently released more specific information on what exactly is changing in Oregon in the insurance licensing arena. Please note that these changes are going to go into effect soon and all Oregon producers need to be aware of these changes. Most changes are to the testing and candidate approval process… read on for details!
Here are some of the more important changes that will be effective January 1, 2011 (courtesy of the Oregon Insurance Regulator news bulletin, Fall, 2010 edition- not available online as of this article):
The Insurance Division is transitioning to electronic notification of license renewals. They are discontinuing the use of paper renewal coupons and will send licensees an e-mail reminder that the license is due for renewal with instructions on how to renew this license. If order for this change to be successful, it is important that you keep the division informed of your current e-mail address. The Division encourages producers to complete their renewal through the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR). Although agents must still submit evidence that CE has been completed, the Division is seeking scanned copies be emailed as opposed to the current method of sending in originals or copies of certificates of completion.
The Division asks that CE certificates be faxed to 503-378-4351 or scanned/emailed to web.insagent@state.ur.us
This method will save the state more than $12,000 annually in just postage costs alone.
Streamlined Resident Application Process
Oregon is changing the order of the resident license application process so that producer applicants take any required examinations before submitting an electronic application through NIPR to the Insurance Division.
Currently, resident applicants schedule and take a licensing exam only after they submit the application, fingerprint card and background check request form to the Division. The Division reviews and approves the application and then notifies the applicant and testing vendor that the applicant is approved to take the test.
Beginning January 1, 2011 resident applicants will first schedule an appointment with the exam vendor to take the exam. Once they pass the exam, applicants will be able to submit fingerprints and apply for a license directly from the testing facility. This will not eliminate the need for prelicense education that is required of certain candidates.
I recently had the chance to speak with James Thompson, the Licensing Manager for the Oregon Insurance Division regarding some of the changes Oregon is instituting next year.
The PIB: Thank you for speaking with us Mr. Thompson. Recently the Division announced some fairly significant changes to the licensing and testing process. Could you explain the reasons for some of these changes?
James Thompson: The Licensing division is tasked with making sure the insurance candidate has every opportunity to successfully complete their licensing process as painlessly as possible. By changing the current process to a “test first, then apply to the state” method, we’re ensuring the licensing candidate does not have to wait a period of time for their application to be approved in order to actually take their test. This method allows the candidate to complete their education, study and then test within a much shorter period of time. As well, this will also eliminate the examination window of 180 days that says the candidate must pass within that period of time or the application process must be started all over again.
The PIB: Why did we change to a different testing vendor? We have had Thompson-Prometric for some time now. Why the switch to PSI and what are a few of the things you consider when looking at testing vendors?
James Thompson: We have statutory requirements to solicit new exam vendors periodically, and PSI was awarded the next contract through the Insurance Division. Some of the things we consider are locations and access to testing centers, staffing ability, experience within the insurance testing marketplace and their ability to update exam material as required by the Insurance Division.
The PIB: When will PSI be taking over and will there be changes to the content being tested?
James Thompson: We are anticipating a start date of January 1, 2011 for PSI. With a new vendor will come a new examination. We are in the process of looking at the exam right now and expect to have more information as soon as possible. We’ll make sure to get this critical piece of information out to our educational partners as soon as we can.
So…there you have it. New things are on their way! Look for a separate article regarding PSI!