Should You Take Insurance Continuing Education Online?
Personnel in the professional services industries are often required to meet their licensing requirements by periodically completing a required amount of training. Insurance professionals maintain their skill set and remain up to date with the latest regulations and best practices through Insurance Continuing Education (CE) training. This is required in order to maintain a professional license, although the specific requirements vary somewhat from state to state.
In general, states require a certain number of Insurance Continuing Education credits be earned every two years. Providers of insurance CE training must themselves be certified to provide such classes by the state in which the insurance agents they train are licensed.
Insurance CE training has historically been offered in a traditional classroom setting or in hotel conference rooms. The licensee attends lectures which are followed by an exam. Once an exam is passed the results are submitted to the states licensing board where the credits are recorded. A minimum number of credits must be passed within a two year period in order to renew their license.
Receiving training in a classroom-like setting has its benefits. Most people are comfortable with this style of learning and there is direct contact and discussion with the other class members. Students can network, and compare notes. Lessons can be discussed and questions asked. In spite of these merits, classroom training has disadvantages which may make it an unattractive option for those seeking to maintain their insurance license requirements.
The cost of classroom training is high due to the need to hire a professional trainer, rent a classroom, hotel room or a conference room. In addition, students need to consider the cost of travel, lodging and meal.
The insurance field is very competitive and time spent away from the office may result in lost opportunity for new business.
Classes are usually in session during what would normally be the work day. Productivity is lost during this time.
The insurance professional is required to report their training credits to the state insurance board themselves, potentially resulting in lost time away from work.
Online Insurance continuing education training offers an option that counters many of the shortcomings of classroom training.
The cost of training is lower than a classroom based course. Often it is a percentage of the usual cost.
Training can be undertaken at any time of day or night. One is not locked into being present at any particular time, allowing studying to take place when their schedule allows for it.
Students can move through the lessons at their own pace or revisit previous modules to reinforce a concept.
Insurance professionals who are licensed to work in several states can fulfill their CE requirements at one time and place.
Some online insurance CE schools permit the student to re-take their certification exams until they are passed, at no additional cost.
Many insurance CE providers report achieved training credits to the licensing board automatically, in the states where this is allowed.
Individual insurance CE deadlines are mailed to the license holder as a reminder to complete their licensing requirements before the deadline occurs.
Companies that sign up for online CE training in bulk can monitor the training requirements and status of every licensed employee via the Internet.
Online insurance CE classes are usually delivered as a multimedia or slide presentation in a computer browser. Most everyone either knows how to use a web browser or can easily learn, as no special training is needed.
Some online Insurance CE courses now provide multimedia support that augments the presentation slides. Insurance professionals should choose an online Insurance CE provider that includes audio training as a complement to on-screen slides. For example, the audio can be downloaded as a podcast and the insurance professional can listen and learn while driving to an appointment.
If you are an insurance professional and are considering using an online provider to complete your insurance CE, you may be able to find special deals that offer unlimited courses for a fixed price. This can save you a lot of time and money, not to mention the convenience of being able to study at the location and time of your choosing. - 23211
In general, states require a certain number of Insurance Continuing Education credits be earned every two years. Providers of insurance CE training must themselves be certified to provide such classes by the state in which the insurance agents they train are licensed.
Insurance CE training has historically been offered in a traditional classroom setting or in hotel conference rooms. The licensee attends lectures which are followed by an exam. Once an exam is passed the results are submitted to the states licensing board where the credits are recorded. A minimum number of credits must be passed within a two year period in order to renew their license.
Receiving training in a classroom-like setting has its benefits. Most people are comfortable with this style of learning and there is direct contact and discussion with the other class members. Students can network, and compare notes. Lessons can be discussed and questions asked. In spite of these merits, classroom training has disadvantages which may make it an unattractive option for those seeking to maintain their insurance license requirements.
The cost of classroom training is high due to the need to hire a professional trainer, rent a classroom, hotel room or a conference room. In addition, students need to consider the cost of travel, lodging and meal.
The insurance field is very competitive and time spent away from the office may result in lost opportunity for new business.
Classes are usually in session during what would normally be the work day. Productivity is lost during this time.
The insurance professional is required to report their training credits to the state insurance board themselves, potentially resulting in lost time away from work.
Online Insurance continuing education training offers an option that counters many of the shortcomings of classroom training.
The cost of training is lower than a classroom based course. Often it is a percentage of the usual cost.
Training can be undertaken at any time of day or night. One is not locked into being present at any particular time, allowing studying to take place when their schedule allows for it.
Students can move through the lessons at their own pace or revisit previous modules to reinforce a concept.
Insurance professionals who are licensed to work in several states can fulfill their CE requirements at one time and place.
Some online insurance CE schools permit the student to re-take their certification exams until they are passed, at no additional cost.
Many insurance CE providers report achieved training credits to the licensing board automatically, in the states where this is allowed.
Individual insurance CE deadlines are mailed to the license holder as a reminder to complete their licensing requirements before the deadline occurs.
Companies that sign up for online CE training in bulk can monitor the training requirements and status of every licensed employee via the Internet.
Online insurance CE classes are usually delivered as a multimedia or slide presentation in a computer browser. Most everyone either knows how to use a web browser or can easily learn, as no special training is needed.
Some online Insurance CE courses now provide multimedia support that augments the presentation slides. Insurance professionals should choose an online Insurance CE provider that includes audio training as a complement to on-screen slides. For example, the audio can be downloaded as a podcast and the insurance professional can listen and learn while driving to an appointment.
If you are an insurance professional and are considering using an online provider to complete your insurance CE, you may be able to find special deals that offer unlimited courses for a fixed price. This can save you a lot of time and money, not to mention the convenience of being able to study at the location and time of your choosing. - 23211
About the Author:
Bruce MacMillian is the President and CEO of CEU.com. CEU offers multimedia-rich online insurance ce to licensed insurance professionals and organizations.
posted by X - Men @ 3:07 AM
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