Pennsylvania insurance continuing education requirements
Last updated
After you pass the PSI exam and get your Pennsylvania producer license, you must keep up continuing education (CE) to renew it. CE rules also tie to the exam: section 1.0 Insurance Regulation cites 40 P.S. 310.1 and 310.3 to 310.14, the licensing sections that include license renewals. [1] This page sets out the rules from the Insurance Department Act, the Pennsylvania Code and PSI's candidate bulletin.
The basic requirement
- 24 credit hours every two years: "A licensee shall successfully complete 24 credit hours of approved continuing education for each two-year license period as a condition for license renewal unless modified by the department by regulation." [2]
- Ethics: at least three of the 24 credit hours must be on ethics. [2]
- Carry forward: a licensee may carry forward excess credit hours, up to a maximum of 24, from one license period to the next. [2]
- Credit hour: fifty minutes of classroom instruction or the equivalent as determined by the Commissioner. [3]
Timing
PSI's bulletin tells producers not to take approved CE until they receive their license, because no credit is given for CE completed before the license issue date. [4] The Department notifies a producer 90 days before the license expiration date of the credit hours still needed. [5]
If you miss it
Failing to complete CE by the license expiration date "shall be deemed a voluntary termination of the insurance producer's license." [5] The PSI bulletin says the same in plain terms: missing the 24 hour requirement during the two year cycle results in termination of the license. [4] Knowingly falsifying an education report can lead to suspension or revocation and civil penalties. [6]
Rules on earning credit
- The Commissioner sets the credit hours for each approved offering, not counting meals or breaks. [7]
- You must complete all requirements, including any exam, to earn credit. [7]
- You cannot earn credit for taking the same offering again in the same licensing period. [7]
- An instructor earns twice the approved credit hours, but not for teaching the same offering again in the same period. [7]
- Keep records of credits for at least the two most recently completed licensing periods plus the current one. [7]
Who is exempt
The Insurance Department Act exempts, among others: a licensee continuously licensed for a line since before January 1, 1971; a business entity; a licensee with only a limited line of authority; and a nonresident who has met the home state's CE requirements if that state recognizes Pennsylvania's on the same basis. [2]
Separate product training
Some product training is separate from the 24 hour CE requirement:
- Annuities: a producer with authority to sell annuities must complete at least four CE credits of annuity training. [8]
- Long-term care: a producer must be licensed for accident and health and complete at least 8 hours of long-term care training before selling it, then at least 4 hours in every later 24 month licensing cycle. Those who sell partnership policies must include 1 hour on the Medical Assistance Program (Medicaid). [9]
FAQ
How many CE hours do Pennsylvania producers need?
24 credit hours each two-year license period, including 3 hours of ethics. [2]
Can extra hours count next time?
Yes, up to 24 excess hours may carry forward to the next license period. [2]
What if I am short at renewal?
The license is treated as voluntarily terminated. [5]
Getting ready for the exam first? Try our Pennsylvania insurance law practice test.
Prep Retention does not offer continuing education or CE credit.
Prep Retention is independent and is not affiliated with PSI or the state.
Sources
Laws and exam documents quoted as of October 2026.
- PSI, Pennsylvania Life outline, Series 16-01 (effective 3/1/2026): https://proctor2.psionline.com/media/programs/PAINS/16-01xx.pdf
- Insurance Department Act of 1921 (Act of May 17, 1921, P.L. 789, No. 285), Section 608-A: https://www.palegis.us/statutes/unconsolidated/law-information/view-statute?iFrame=true&txtType=HTM&SessYr=1921&SessInd=0&ActNum=0285
- 31 Pa. Code 39a.1: https://www.pacodeandbulletin.gov/Display/pacode?file=/secure/pacode/data/031/chapter39a/s39a.1.html&d=reduce
- PSI, Pennsylvania Insurance Department candidate information bulletin (effective 1/22/2026): https://test-takers.psiexams.com/api/content/bulletin/7282
- 31 Pa. Code 39a.10: https://www.pacodeandbulletin.gov/Display/pacode?file=/secure/pacode/data/031/chapter39a/s39a.10.html&d=reduce
- 31 Pa. Code 39a.12: https://www.pacodeandbulletin.gov/Display/pacode?file=/secure/pacode/data/031/chapter39a/s39a.12.html&d=reduce
- 31 Pa. Code 39a.7: https://www.pacodeandbulletin.gov/Display/pacode?file=/secure/pacode/data/031/chapter39a/s39a.7.html&d=reduce
- Insurance Company Law of 1921 (Act of May 17, 1921, P.L. 682, No. 284), Section 403.1-B: https://www.palegis.us/statutes/unconsolidated/law-information/view-statute?iFrame=true&txtType=HTM&SessYr=1921&SessInd=0&ActNum=0284
- 31 Pa. Code 39a.9: https://www.pacodeandbulletin.gov/Display/pacode?file=/secure/pacode/data/031/chapter39a/s39a.9.html&d=reduce