What you need to do to get your Maryland life insurance license back
If your Maryland life insurance license has lapsed or been suspended, you can reinstate it through the Maryland Insurance Administration (MIA). The process depends on how long your license has been inactive and whether it was suspended for a specific reason or straightforward expired. Most reinstated licenses require you to pay a fee, pass a background check, and sometimes complete continuing education hours you may have missed.
The MIA handles all reinstatement requests and will tell you exactly what documents and fees explore to your situation. You cannot reinstate through an insurance company or a third party — you must contact the MIA directly.
Key Takeaways
- Contact the Maryland Insurance Administration directly to start a reinstatement; they will tell you which requirements explore based on how long your license has been inactive.
- You will need to pay a reinstatement fee, which varies depending on whether your license expired or was suspended and how long ago.
- If your license lapsed more than a few years ago, you may need to retake the life insurance licensing exam rather than straightforward reinstate.
- Continuing education hours you missed during the inactive period may need to be completed before or after reinstatement, depending on MIA rules at the time.
- The MIA processes reinstatement requests by mail and online; expect the process to take several weeks from submission to approval.
How long your license has been inactive matters
Maryland treats a recently lapsed license differently from one that has been inactive for years. If your license expired within the last year or two, reinstatement is usually straightforward — you pay the fee and submit the paperwork. If it has been inactive for longer, the MIA may require you to retake the licensing exam to prove your knowledge is current.
The exact threshold depends on MIA policy at the time you explore, so ask when you contact them. Some states have a hard cutoff (for example, "more than three years inactive requires retesting"), while others evaluate case by case. The MIA staff can tell you when ready whether you need to test again or can reinstate directly.
Reinstatement fees and what they cover
Maryland charges a reinstatement fee separate from the regular license renewal fee. The amount varies based on your license type (life insurance only, or life plus other lines) and how long the license has been inactive. As of recent years, reinstatement fees have ranged from around $100 to $300, but you should confirm the current amount with the MIA because fees change.
The fee covers the administrative cost of processing your reinstatement and updating the MIA's records. It does not cover any exam fees if retesting is required, or any continuing education courses you need to complete. Those are separate costs you pay directly to the course provider or testing vendor.
Continuing education requirements during reinstatement
Maryland requires life insurance agents to complete a set number of continuing education (CE) hours every two years to keep their license active. If your license lapsed, you may owe CE hours for the years you were inactive. The MIA will tell you how many hours you need and whether you must complete them before reinstatement or within a set period after.
You can take CE courses through any MIA-approved provider. Most providers offer online courses that take a few hours to complete, and you receive a certificate of completion that you submit to the MIA. Some reinstated agents are allowed to complete their CE hours after reinstatement as long as they do so before the next renewal important date; others must finish before the reinstatement is final. Ask the MIA which applies to you.
Steps to request reinstatement from the Maryland Insurance Administration
Start by contacting the Maryland Insurance Administration's licensing department. You can reach them by phone, mail, or through their website. Tell them your name, license number (if you remember it), and that you want to reinstate your life insurance license. They will pull your file and tell you exactly what documents and fees you need.
Most of the time, you will need to submit a reinstatement form (the MIA will provide it), proof of identity, the reinstatement fee, and proof of any continuing education you have already completed. If you are reinstating after a suspension rather than a straightforward expiration, you may also need to provide a letter explaining the circumstances. Mail everything to the address the MIA gives you, or submit it online if they offer that option.
Keep copies of everything you send. The MIA will send you a confirmation when they receive your request and will contact you if they need more information. Processing typically takes two to four weeks, though it can be longer during busy periods.
When suspension — not just expiration — is the reason your license is inactive
If your license was suspended by the MIA (rather than straightforward lapsing because you did not renew), reinstatement is more involved. A suspension usually happens because of a complaint, a violation of insurance law, or failure to meet a requirement like CE hours. The MIA will not reinstate a suspended license until the reason for suspension is resolved.
If you do not know why your license was suspended, the MIA can tell you. You may need to take corrective action — such as completing a specific CE course, paying a fine, or providing documentation that you have corrected the underlying problem — before reinstatement is possible. In some cases, you may need to request a hearing with the MIA to dispute the suspension or show that it should be lifted.
What happens after your reinstatement is approved
Once the MIA approves your reinstatement, you will receive a new license certificate or a confirmation letter stating that your license is active again. You can then begin selling life insurance in Maryland. Some employers require you to show proof of an active license before you can start work, so keep your approval letter or certificate in a safe place.
Your license will be set on the same renewal cycle as other Maryland agents — usually a two-year cycle. You will need to renew it on schedule and pay the regular renewal fee to keep it active. The MIA will send you a renewal notice before your license expires, so you do not have to track the date yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sell life insurance while my reinstatement is being processed?
No. You cannot legally sell insurance or hold yourself out as a licensed agent until the MIA officially approves your reinstatement. If you need to work when ready, ask your employer whether you can do non-licensed work (such as administrative tasks) while you wait for approval.
What if I cannot find my old license number?
The MIA can look up your file using your name and date of birth. You do not need the license number to start the reinstatement process, though having it speeds things up. Provide as much information as you can when you contact them.
Do I have to retake the licensing exam to reinstate?
It depends on how long your license has been inactive. If it lapsed recently (usually within one to three years), you can reinstate without retesting. If it has been inactive much longer, the MIA may require you to retake the exam to show your knowledge is current. They will tell you which applies when you ask.
Can I reinstate my license if I was suspended for a complaint or violation?
Yes, but you must first resolve the reason for suspension. This might mean completing a required course, paying a fine, or providing proof that you corrected the problem. The MIA will explain what you need to do before reinstatement is possible.
How much does reinstatement cost in total?
The reinstatement fee itself is typically $100 to $300, but the total cost depends on whether you need to retake the exam (around $100 to $150) or complete CE courses (which vary by provider, usually $50 to $200 per course). Ask the MIA for a breakdown of what you owe before you submit your request.