How Many Hours of Continuing Education Do Georgia Life Insurance Agents Need?

How many hours must life insurance agents complete for continuing education in Georgia?

• A. 20 hours
• B. 24 hours
• C. 30 hours
• D. 40 hours

Answer: (B)

In Georgia, life insurance agents are required to complete 24 hours of continuing education every two years to maintain their license. This requirement ensures that agents remain knowledgeable about current laws, industry practices, and more, thus enabling them to provide adequate service to their clients. The 24 hours of continuing education must include at least 3 hours of ethics training. This standard is set to emphasize the importance of ethical practices in the insurance industry while also ensuring agents are updated on any changes that may affect their practice or the products they offer.

Georgia Life Insurance CE: 24 Hours Every Two Years, with a Must-Have Ethics Slice

If you’re a life insurance professional in Georgia, you’ve probably heard the phrase “continuing education.” It sounds a little abstract, but it’s really about keeping knowledge fresh, honoring your clients, and staying on the right side of state rules. Here’s the straightforward truth: Georgia requires life insurance agents to complete 24 hours of continuing education every two years, and at least 3 of those hours must be ethics training. That’s the backbone of how the industry stays fair, informed, and responsive to changes that touch the products you offer and the people you serve.

Let’s unpack what that means in a way that’s easy to follow—and useful in your day-to-day work.

What the rule actually says, in plain terms

• The cadence: You must complete 24 hours of continuing education over a two-year cycle. Think of it as a twice-yearly tune-up rather than a one-and-done sprint. The two-year window helps keep knowledge current without turning your calendar into a full-time classroom.

• The ethics requirement: Of those 24 hours, at least 3 have to focus on ethics. No skirting around this—ethics isn’t a checkbox; it’s about doing the right thing for clients, maintaining trust, and upholding professional standards that protect people when they’re making important financial decisions.

• Who it covers: The rule applies to licensed life insurance agents in Georgia. It’s designed to reflect evolving laws, market practices, and consumer protections so that you and your clients are better served.

• Reporting and renewal: Hours are reported to and tracked by the Georgia Department of Insurance. When your renewal window opens, you’ll want to have your CE credits in order so there aren’t surprises.

Why this matters beyond “checking a box”

Ethics training isn’t just a required line item. It anchors daily decisions you make with clients, carriers, and regulators. For example, ethics modules often cover conflicts of interest, accurate disclosure, fair treatment of customers, and handling of premium payments and policy loans. When you’re clear on these issues, you reduce the likelihood of misunderstandings or miscommunications that can erode trust. In a field where a single misstep can ripple through a client’s financial life, that clarity pays off in the long run.

And the knowledge you gain goes beyond compliance. You’ll encounter updates on state laws, product changes, and evolving standards in the industry. That’s not just theory—it translates to better conversations with clients, more precise product recommendations, and a smoother service experience. When clients feel informed and protected, they’re more likely to stay engaged and refer others to your services.

A practical look at how the hours break down

Here’s a sensible way to think about those 24 hours:

• Ethics credits (at least 3 hours): This is non-negotiable. It keeps you grounded in integrity, transparency, and client welfare. It’s the “how we do things” part of your role.

• Core topics (the remaining hours): The rest of the time can cover a mix of topics that keep you sharp about the products, laws, and market practices that affect life insurance. Expect subjects like:

• State laws and regulatory updates that impact policy illustrations, disclosures, and producer conduct.

• Product knowledge updates, including riders, policy features, and exclusions.

• Sales practices, client suitability, and fair dealing principles.

• Carrier-specific training that helps you stay aligned with what partnering insurers require.

• Application processes, underwriting guidelines, and claims basics.

• Flexibility in delivery: The 24 hours don’t all have to come from one block. You can mix live courses, webinars, self-paced modules, and carrier-provided sessions. The key is ensuring the content is approved by the Georgia Department of Insurance and properly tracked on your transcript.

Where to find legitimate CE opportunities

You don’t need to hunt for hours in the dark. There are plenty of reputable pathways to meet this requirement:

• Online CE providers: Platforms like WebCE and CE Source specialize in insurance CE courses, with Georgia-approved options. They’re convenient if you’re juggling appointments, client calls, and file reviews.

• In-person seminars: Live sessions offered by regional associations, local insurance chapters, and some carriers can be a good fit if you prefer the interaction of a classroom setting and the accountability of a scheduled date.

• Carrier-specific training: Many carriers offer their own CE modules or sponsor seminars that address their product lines and guidelines. These can be especially practical because they’re tailored to what you’ll be selling.

• State resources: The Georgia Department of Insurance maintains guidance on approved providers and catalogues the kinds of topics that count toward your CE credits. It’s a good idea to bookmark their site so you can verify eligibility before you invest time and money.

A quick note on timing and planning

• Renewal cycles matter. If you’re starting to think about your CE a few weeks before your two-year window closes, you’re in good shape. Procrastination tends to make the process feel heavier than it needs to be.

• Keep good records. Save certificates of completion and transcripts. If the department ever asks for proof, you want a clean, easy-to-share record.

• Don’t assume all hours count the same. While you have some flexibility in what you study, ethics hours have to be clearly identified as such. If you’re ever unsure whether a course fits, check with your CE provider or the Georgia Department of Insurance before you commit.

Ethics in practice: a few everyday reminders

• Transparency with clients: If a product has significant trade-offs, ensure you discuss them clearly and document the conversation. Clients deserve to know what they’re buying—and why it fits their goals.

• Fair treatment: Treat every client with respect, explain options in plain language, and avoid steering toward a product that isn’t the best fit, simply because it’s what you carry or are most familiar with.

• Compliance as a habit: Regularly review your processes to ensure disclosures, illustrations, and disclosures align with current rules. Small daily checks beat big fixes later.

What happens if you miss a deadline?

The system is designed to help you stay current, but life happens. If you slip on a deadline, contact the Georgia Department of Insurance or your provider as soon as you realize there’s a gap. Depending on circumstances, you may need to complete late CE credits to bring your file up to date before renewing your license. The key is proactive communication and catching up as soon as possible. A bit of planning now can save you a lot of stress later.

Bringing it back to the bigger picture

Continuing education isn’t a nuisance; it’s a yearly reminder that this field evolves. State rules shift, new consumer protections emerge, and product features change. The 24-hour requirement, with at least 3 hours of ethics, is a practical ceiling so you can stay relevant without becoming overwhelmed. It’s a commitment to professionalism that benefits you, your clients, and the broader insurance ecosystem.

If you’re curious about more Georgia laws that shape how life insurance professionals operate, you’ll find helpful context by exploring topics like licensing requirements, disclosures that consumers rely on, and the basics of how claims are handled from first notice to settlement. These threads connect to the CE framework in meaningful ways, offering a fuller picture of what it takes to serve people well in Georgia.

A friendly nudge to keep the momentum

The clock doesn’t stop ticking on your license, and neither should your curiosity. The 24-hour CE rule is a gentle nudge to stay informed, ethical, and capable. Consider it a regular tune-up that helps you show up for clients with clarity, confidence, and care. When you approach it that way, the hours feel less like a burden and more like an investment in your professional future.

If you want a hand mapping out a simple plan for meeting the Georgia CE requirements—one that fits your workload, your preferred learning style, and your calendar—start by listing a few reputable providers you trust. Then sketch a two-year calendar with a mix of ethics courses and other topics. A little planning goes a long way, and you’ll notice how smoothly the renewal cycle flows when your credits are already in place.

In sum: Georgia requires 24 hours of continuing education every two years for life insurance professionals, with at least 3 hours focused on ethics. It’s a practical framework that helps you stay current, act with integrity, and serve clients with confidence. That mix of competence and character is what clients notice—and what ultimately builds lasting trust in a field that hinges on clear, candid, and responsible guidance.