How to reinstate your Georgia insurance license after it lapses
To reinstate a Georgia insurance license that has lapsed, you file a reinstatement request with the Georgia Department of Insurance, pay the reinstatement fee, and meet any continuing education requirements that came due while your license was inactive. The process is faster than getting a new license because you do not need to retake the licensing exam — you are restoring an existing credential rather than starting over. The timeline depends on whether your license lapsed recently or years ago, and whether you have completed the required continuing education hours.
Georgia treats reinstatement differently based on how long your license has been inactive. If your license lapsed within the last three years, you can usually reinstate it by submitting a form and paying a fee. If it has been inactive for more than three years, Georgia may require you to retake the licensing exam, though you can contact the Department of Insurance to confirm the current rule for your specific license type.
Key Takeaways
- Contact the Georgia Department of Insurance directly to confirm your license status and the exact reinstatement steps for your license type, since requirements vary by agent type and how long the license has been inactive.
- You will need to complete any continuing education hours that were due during the time your license was inactive before you can reinstate.
- The reinstatement fee is separate from the renewal fee and varies depending on your license type; the Department of Insurance can tell you the exact amount when you call.
- If your license has been inactive for more than three years, you may need to retake the licensing exam rather than straightforward reinstate, so verify this before you begin the process.
Steps to reinstate your license
Start by contacting the Georgia Department of Insurance at 404-656-2070 or through their website to confirm your license status and get the exact reinstatement form for your license type. The Department can tell you when ready whether your license is still within the reinstatement window or whether you will need to retake the exam. They can also tell you which continuing education courses you need to complete and how many hours are required.
Once you know what you need, complete any outstanding continuing education through an approved provider. Georgia recognizes courses offered by major insurance education companies, and you can take them online. After you finish the courses, you will receive a certificate of completion that you will need to submit with your reinstatement request.
Fill out the reinstatement form the Department provided, attach your continuing education certificates, and submit it along with the reinstatement fee. You can mail it or, if the Department accepts online filing for your license type, submit it through their portal. The Department will process your request and notify you when your license is active again.
Continuing education requirements you must complete
Georgia requires all active insurance agents to complete continuing education hours every two years. If your license has been inactive, you owe the hours that came due during that period. For example, if your license lapsed two years ago, you likely owe one full cycle of continuing education (the specific number of hours depends on your license type — life and health agents have different requirements than property and casualty agents).
You do not have to take the courses before you submit your reinstatement request, but you must complete them before the Department will set up your license. Some people complete the courses first to speed up the process; others submit the reinstatement request and then take the courses while waiting for approval. Either way, the courses must be finished before you can legally sell insurance again.
The Georgia Department of Insurance maintains a list of approved continuing education providers on their website. Most providers offer online courses that you can complete at your own pace, and you will receive a certificate when ready upon passing the course exam.
Reinstatement fees and what they cover
The reinstatement fee is a one-time charge separate from your regular renewal fee. The amount varies by license type — a property and casualty agent's reinstatement fee differs from a life and health agent's fee. The Department of Insurance can quote you the exact fee for your license type when you call or check their website.
The reinstatement fee covers the administrative cost of processing your request and restoring your license to active status. It does not cover continuing education courses, which you pay for separately to the education provider. Some people budget for both costs at once to avoid surprises.
What happens if your license has been inactive for more than three years
If your license has been inactive for longer than three years, Georgia may require you to retake the licensing exam instead of straightforward reinstating. This is not automatic — the Department of Insurance makes this information based on your specific situation and the current rules for your license type. The best way to find out is to call the Department directly and ask about your license.
If you do need to retake the exam, you will study using the same materials and testing procedures as someone getting a new license. You can take a pre-licensing course through an approved provider, then schedule your exam through Pearson VUE, the testing company Georgia uses. Once you pass, you submit your exam results to the Department along with the reinstatement fee and any continuing education certificates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does reinstatement take?
Processing time varies, but the Georgia Department of Insurance typically completes reinstatement requests within two to four weeks after they receive a complete process with all required documents and fees. If you are missing continuing education certificates or have not paid the fee, the timeline extends until those items arrive.
Can I sell insurance while my reinstatement is being processed?
No. You cannot legally sell insurance or hold yourself out as an agent until your license is active. If you need to work when ready, ask your agency whether they can place you on a temporary basis under another agent's license while your reinstatement is pending, though this is not standard practice.
What if I do not remember which continuing education courses I took before?
You do not need to remember. The Georgia Department of Insurance has a record of all courses you completed while your license was active. When you call to start the reinstatement process, they will tell you exactly how many hours you owe and which courses satisfy the requirement.
Do I have to retake the exam if my license lapsed?
Not if your license has been inactive for three years or less. You can reinstate without retaking the exam. If it has been longer than three years, contact the Department of Insurance to find out whether the exam is required for your license type, as this can vary.
Can I reinstate my license if I have an outstanding complaint or disciplinary action against me?
Contact the Georgia Department of Insurance directly. Disciplinary history does not automatically block reinstatement, but the Department will review your file to may support there are no active enforcement actions or unresolved complaints that would prevent you from returning to active status.