Licensed insurance professionals need to periodically earn continuing education credits in order to maintain their professional status. These days there are choices that one can make in regards to how this is accomplished.
Prior to the advent of the Internet, the only way credits could be earned was to physically attend classes in a location, usually away from the office. Today there are companies that specialize in providing online classes. When you compare the cost and convenience benefits to traditional methods of training, it would appear to make a lot of sense to investigate online continuing education as an option.
Finding an online insurance CE vendor is as simple as logging onto your computer and using a search engine. Unfortunately, it is not always easy to tell from a vendors web site which one will best meet your requirements. One factor to consider is the price of the course that you need; however, purchasing what appears to be the lowest priced course may not be the best option as there may be hidden fees and additional charges that are not revealed up front.
There are several questions you should ask that can help you determine which online continuing education vendor is right for your needs.
You will want to determine the format in which the courses are presented. Course material can be offered in several different ways, with some presentations as simple as a screen text presentation. This basic format can be difficult to follow and remain focused on. If a sample or demo course is offered, you should take it before committing to a vendor since it should be a good indicator of the type of materials offered. If you find the course presentation not to your liking, it is highly likely that the actual course you purchase will be equally disappointing.
Does the presentation follow the format of a slide show, with illustrations, diagrams, and bullet points? Many people learn best when presented with a varied set of visual reinforcements that help them understand the course material.
Do the courses support audio? Different people learn different things in different ways. Some people are visual learners and need to see examples, pictures, and bulleted text. Others tend to learn primarily through audio presentations. Most people use a combination of visual and auditory cues to assimilate knowledge. Some vendors provide audio with every slide in a course. This is very advantageous, especially if the audio can be downloaded in MP3 format or to an iPod, which allows the student to listen while driving, for example. This can be a real timesaver.
Most people tend to learn effectively when courses are broken down into smaller lessons, like sections or chapters in a book. If these lessons are followed by sample questions, this can help the student to understand how much of the material they have retained, and it gives them an indication as to which areas may need further review. This can provide the confidence one needs to help decide when they are ready to take the final exam.
When searching for an education provider, you should determine the total cost of earning your insurance CE credits. Some online providers charge an additional fee for the exam or for retakes if you do not pass on the first attempt. Others will allow you to use the course materials for an unlimited time and will allow test retakes at no extra cost to you. Try to find the vendor that maximizes your value, and not the profits of the vendor.
Do the course fees include reporting to your state insurance department? Most, but not all, states allow the training vendor to report the student's credits; however, these states charge a fee to record the credits. In some cases, the student is required to pay this recording fee in addition to the course tuition. This is another example of a hidden charge. Other vendors include the reporting in the overall course fee.
Many states require insurance CE credits be completed on a periodic basis, typically every two years. Some vendors provide a means for the students to check on the status of their credits and be able to track them over time. You should inquire as to whether the vendor you are interested in using has an online interface whereby you can view your certifications and print a report on the credits achieved and when they were submitted to the state insurance division. This can be helpful, especially if you change employers during your career.
Once you have decided to choose an online vendor for your training needs, the outline presented should help you to make a well educated choice in helping you obtain your insurance CE credits.
Author Resource:
Bruce MacMillian is the President and CEO of CEU.com. CEU offers multimedia-rich online courses to help licensed insurance professionals maintain their online insurance continuing education credits requirements.
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