Insurance Licensure
Program Summary
Most people have their first contact with an insurance company through an insurance sales agent. These workers help individuals, families, and businesses select insurance policies that provide the best protection for their lives, health, and property. Insurance sales agents who work exclusively for one insurance company are referred to as captive agents. Independent insurance agents, or brokers, represent several companies and place insurance policies for their clients with the company that offers the best rate and coverage. In either case, agents prepare reports, maintain records, seek out new clients, and, in the event of a loss, help policyholders settle their insurance claims. Increasingly, some are also offering their clients financial analysis or advice on ways the clients can minimize risk.
Insurance sales agents, commonly referred to as “producers” in the insurance industry, sell one or more types of insurance, such as property and casualty, life, health, disability, and long-term care. Property and casualty insurance agents sell policies that protect individuals and businesses from financial loss resulting from automobile accidents, fire, theft, storms, and other events that can damage property. For businesses, property and casualty insurance can also cover injured workers’ compensation, product liability claims, or medical malpractice claims.
Employment Trends
- More than 90% of all establishments in insurance employ fewer than 20 workers, but a few large establishments had nearly 40% of all workers.
- Growing areas of the insurance industry are medical services and health insurance and the industry’s expansion into the broader financial services field, including mutual funds, retirement funds, and securities.
- Despite slower-than-average growth, job opportunities should be good for college graduates and persons with proven sales ability or success in other occupations.
- Successful agents often have high earnings, but many who assume agent jobs fail to earn enough from commissions to meet their income goals and eventually transfer to other careers.
Program Objectives
- Successful completion of each course earns a Certificate of Completion
- Skills development and preparation leading to certification exams to become a licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Agent in the State of Maryland and/or DC
Program Curriculum
- Attendance of 100% of the class time and a passing exam grade of 70% or higher is required to pass each class. There are no make-up days and no exceptions. Please reschedule in the next available section.
- In order to receive certification for both DC and MD additional class hours and tuition are required.
- To receive certification from the District of Columbia, candidates must also attend 4 Sunday afternoon sessions instead of 4 of the 32 evening sessions.
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Crs #
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Course Name
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Hrs
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For Maryland Licensure
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INS302
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Property and Casualty Insurance (delivered in the classroom)
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96
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OR
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INS307
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Property and Casualty Insurance (delivered primarily as a correspondence course)
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96
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For District of Columbia Licensure
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*
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Same courses as required for Maryland licensure PLUS
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*
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Candidates must also attend 4 Sunday afternoon sessions instead of 4 of the 32 evening sessions. This effectively “swaps out” the Maryland and DC lessons on law practices.
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Program total
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96
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Continuing Education
PGCC also offers continuing education for those holding Maryland insurance licenses. A minimum of 16 approved hours is required in order to recertify. Licenses with odd numbers must be renewed by June 30, of the next odd numbered year, i.e., 2005. Licenses with even numbers must be renewed by June 30, of the next even numbered year, i.e., 2006. Please see the Schedule of Classes for specific offerings.