Agent Education Study Materials Under Rules 31 And 50 For Prelicensing And Continuing Education Of Agents, Brokers, & Consultants

ARKANSAS INSURANCE DEPARTMENT LEGAL DIVISION 1200 West Third Street Little Rock, AR 72201-1904 501-371-2820 FAX 501-371-2629 BULLETIN 12-99 October 29, 1999 TO: ALL REGISTERED COURSE PROVIDERS FOR EDUCATION, ALL LICENSED INSURERS, LICENSED HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATIONS, LICENSED HOSPITAL & MEDICAL SERVICE CORPORATIONS, LICENSED FARMERS' MUTUAL AID ASSOCIATIONS, LICENSED FRATERNAL BENEFIT SOCIETIES, AND AGENT TRADE ASSOCIATIONS FROM: ARKANSAS INSURANCE DEPARTMENT RE: AGENT EDUCATION STUDY MATERIALS UNDER RULES 31 AND 50 FOR PRELICENSURE AND CONTINUING EDUCATION OF AGENTS, BROKERS, & CONSULTANTS The purpose of this Bulletin is to direct all course providers registered in Arkansas under Rules 31 and 50 or other applicable rules and laws for pre-licensure and continuing education to update study and training materials provided to individuals seeking new or renewal licenses in Arkansas from this Department. The Department has had legitimate complaints that individuals have purchased course provider services and then received out-of-date materials. Some license applicants have alleged that the study materials, which were not updated after the past two (2) legislative sessions in Arkansas, were the primary reason the applicants failed to obtain an acceptable score on a pre-license test or exam, preventing the applicants from obtaining a license in our State. The Department prepares summaries of new laws every two years. Those are available for the last few legislative sessions from the Legal Division at the Department. We are re-constructing our Department web page to provide those summaries and companion rules and regulations for electronic access in the future. If you are not now receiving our legislation bulletins or directives, please write to the Legal Division. Full text of new 1999 Arkansas Acts can be obtained from the Arkansas Secretary of State, State Capitol Building, State Capitol Grounds, Little Rock, Arkansas, 72201, or 501-682-1010. Electronic [Internet] access to full texts of Acts is available with a link to the State General Assembly Home Page on the State's Web at www.state.ar.us which is also available through a link to the Insurance Department's Home Page at www.state.ar.us/insurancedept/ Failure of any course provider to update materials for use by applicants or licensees in Arkansas may constitute sufficient grounds to disapprove the provider's registration in Arkansas under Department Rules 31 and 50. Please quickly review your materials and handouts to individuals; and update for legislation through 1999. Please direct questions to Mr. Fred Stiffler, Director, Agent License Division, attention Ms. Judith Jones, at the Department's address or at Insurance.License@mail.state.ar.us Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. _________________________ Mike Pickens Insurance Commissioner