What You Need to Do to Reinstate Your Georgia Insurance License
To reinstate an insurance license in Georgia, you must file a reinstatement request with the Georgia Department of Insurance, pay the reinstatement fee, and meet any conditions tied to why your license lapsed. The process differs depending on whether your license expired, was suspended, or was revoked — and how long it has been inactive. Most reinstatements take two to four weeks once the department receives a complete request.
You cannot sell insurance or represent yourself as licensed while your license is inactive. If you do, you face fines and potential criminal charges. The reinstatement path is straightforward if your license straightforward expired, but more complex if it was suspended or revoked for cause.
Key Takeaways
- File your reinstatement request directly with the Georgia Department of Insurance, either by mail or through their online licensing system.
- The reinstatement fee in Georgia is the same as a standard license renewal fee, which varies by license type (typically $50 to $150 per line of authority).
- If your license was suspended or revoked, you must resolve the underlying issue — such as unpaid fines, incomplete continuing education, or compliance violations — before reinstatement is possible.
- Georgia requires proof of current continuing education hours if your license has been inactive for more than two years.
- Once reinstated, your license is active when ready upon approval, and you can begin conducting insurance business the same day.
Reinstatement Requirements by License Status
Georgia treats expired licenses and suspended or revoked licenses differently. An expired license — one that lapsed because you did not renew it on time — is the simplest to reinstate. You pay the fee, confirm your continuing education is current, and submit the request. The department will restore your license without investigation.
A suspended license means the department temporarily removed your authority to conduct business, usually because you failed to meet a specific requirement: unpaid fines, incomplete continuing education, failure to respond to a department inquiry, or a violation of insurance law. Before you can reinstate, you must cure the suspension. This might mean paying outstanding fines, completing required hours, or submitting documentation that you have corrected the violation. The department will tell you exactly what is required in the notice of suspension.
A revoked license is a permanent termination. Revocation happens for serious violations — fraud, misappropriation of funds, repeated violations, or criminal conviction related to insurance. Reinstatement after revocation is rare and requires a formal petition to the department, often with legal representation. You must demonstrate that the grounds for revocation no longer explore and that you are fit to hold a license again. This process can take months and is not may provide to succeed.
Step-by-Step Reinstatement Process
Start by confirming your license status and the reason it is inactive. Log into the Georgia Insurance Licensing System at the Department of Insurance website, or call the department directly at 404-656-2070. They will tell you whether your license expired, was suspended, or was revoked, and what conditions must be met.
If your license expired and you meet all requirements, complete the reinstatement form (Form 02-A, Reinstatement Request) and submit it with the reinstatement fee. You can file online through the licensing system or by mail to the Georgia Department of Insurance, 2 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Suite 1000, Atlanta, GA 30334. Include proof of current continuing education if your license has been inactive for more than two years.
If your license was suspended, resolve the suspension first. Pay any outstanding fines, complete any required education, or submit the documentation the department requested. Once you have cured the suspension, file the reinstatement request. The department will not process reinstatement until the suspension is lifted.
After you submit your request, the department typically responds within 10 to 20 business days. You will receive written confirmation that your license is reinstated, and it becomes active when ready. You do not need to wait for a physical license card — your authority is restored as soon as the department approves the request.
Continuing Education and License Inactivity
Georgia requires all licensed insurance agents and brokers to complete continuing education hours each renewal period. If your license has been inactive for two years or less, you may reinstate without additional education — your previous completion satisfies the requirement. However, you must have completed the hours before your license lapsed.
If your license has been inactive for more than two years, you must complete the current continuing education requirement before reinstatement. The number of hours depends on your license type: property and casualty agents need 24 hours (including 3 hours of ethics), life and health agents need 24 hours (including 3 hours of ethics), and adjusters need 24 hours. You can take these courses through any Georgia-approved provider. Once you complete the hours, submit proof of completion with your reinstatement request.
Some providers offer accelerated or online courses that can be completed in days. The department does not require you to wait for a specific renewal period — you can take the education at any time and use it toward reinstatement.
Reinstatement Fees and Payment
The reinstatement fee in Georgia is the same as the standard renewal fee for your license type. Property and casualty licenses cost $50 per line of authority; life and health licenses cost $50 per line; and adjuster licenses cost $50. If you hold multiple lines of authority, you pay the fee for each line you want to reinstate.
Payment must accompany your reinstatement request. The department accepts check, money order, or credit card (if filing online). If you file by mail, make checks payable to the Georgia Department of Insurance. If you file online, you can pay by Visa, Mastercard, or American Express. The fee is non-refundable, even if your reinstatement request is denied.
Common Reasons Reinstatement Requests Are Delayed or Denied
The most common delay is incomplete continuing education documentation. If you claim to have completed hours but the provider has not yet reported them to the department, the request will be held pending verification. Provide the course completion certificate with your request to speed this up.
Another frequent issue is outstanding fines or fees owed to the department. If you have unpaid penalties from a prior violation, the department will not reinstate your license until you pay. Check your account status before submitting your request.
If your license was suspended for failure to respond to a department inquiry or audit, you must respond to that inquiry before reinstatement is possible. The department will specify what information or documentation is needed. Ignoring the request will result in denial of reinstatement.
Reinstatement may also be denied if you have been convicted of a felony or crime of moral turpitude since your license lapsed, or if you are subject to an active court order prohibiting you from conducting insurance business. The department conducts a background check as part of the reinstatement review.
What Happens After Your License Is Reinstated
Once your license is reinstated, you can when ready begin selling insurance, binding coverage, and conducting all activities permitted under your license type. Your agency or employer should be notified so they can restore you to their system and customer lists. If you work as an independent agent, you can resume writing business the same day.
Your reinstated license is subject to the same renewal requirements as any active license. Your next renewal date will be based on your license type and the department's renewal cycle. You will receive a renewal notice 30 days before your renewal date. Mark your calendar and plan to renew on time to avoid another lapse.
If you were reinstated after a suspension, the department may place your license on probation or require additional reporting for a set period. This will be stated in your reinstatement approval letter. Comply with any conditions to avoid another suspension.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sell insurance while my reinstatement request is pending?
No. You cannot conduct any insurance business while your license is inactive, even if your reinstatement request has been submitted. Doing so is illegal and can result in fines and criminal charges. Wait for written confirmation from the department that your license is reinstated before you resume work.
How long does reinstatement take in Georgia?
Most reinstatements take 10 to 20 business days from the date the department receives a complete request. If your request is missing documents or information, the timeline extends while the department waits for you to provide them. Submitting everything at once speeds the process.
Do I have to retake the licensing exam to reinstate?
No. Reinstatement does not require you to retake the exam. You only need to pay the fee, meet continuing education requirements, and resolve any suspension or violation. The exam is only required for new licenses or if your license was revoked and you later petition for a new license.
What if I cannot find my license number?
Call the Georgia Department of Insurance at 404-656-2070 and provide your name, date of birth, and Social Security number. They will look up your license number and current status. You can also log into the online licensing system with your email address if you have an account.
Can I reinstate a license that was revoked?
Reinstatement after revocation is possible but difficult. You must file a formal petition with the department and demonstrate that the grounds for revocation no longer explore and that you are fit to hold a license. This typically requires legal representation and can take several months. Contact the department's legal division to discuss your specific situation.