The insurance education requirements that must be met by anyone seeking a job as a broker are usually unfamiliar to those outside the profession. In addition to the basic educational requirements required for licensing, there are also ongoing courses that must be taken to ensure that licenses are kept up to date. This coursework should be an important factor that every prospective insurance agent considers.
What it takes
Though there are no hard and fast legal rules that mandate formal college degrees for those who sell these instruments, there are industry requirements. These industry standards now expect that each candidate have obtained at least an Associate's degree to qualify for the job. Individual companies have their own additional standards that must be met as well.
To become a licensed agent, there is a variety of coursework that must be completed. This course of study can vary depending upon the institution, but generally includes a variety of classes related to finance and business management. Business and tax law, investment planning, math, and business administration are commonly required.
In most instances, it is also necessary to pursue a variety of communication and presentation courses, as well as accounting. The industry is a complicated one, and all of these areas of study help to prepare prospective brokers for their future careers. And, as one might expect, the diversity of study enables students to prepare for and seek careers beyond brokering as well.
additional career outlets
Many people who pursue this educational path ultimately end up in jobs outside of traditional brokering. The brokering license can form the foundation for a career as a stock broker, or as an underwriter. Other career paths can lead licensed brokers to careers as actuaries or as retirement planners. The bottom line is obvious: a brokering license can be the key to a wide variety of career doorways.
Continuing the educational process
Like other professional careers, brokers must always work to update their skills and remain competitive on the information front. To accomplish this goal, and to maintain their licenses, a certain amount of continuing educational work must be performed each year. These classes enable these professionals to remain knowledgeable about all current regulations and other changes in their chosen industries.
The bottom line is that these professional agents are trained, not born. The profession involves high levels of technical expertise in various areas of financial planning, and thus requires a great deal of primary and ongoing coursework to ensure competency. For anyone who is thinking about or planning on becoming a broker, it is essential to understand the complexities of the insurance education that will be required.
What it takes
Though there are no hard and fast legal rules that mandate formal college degrees for those who sell these instruments, there are industry requirements. These industry standards now expect that each candidate have obtained at least an Associate's degree to qualify for the job. Individual companies have their own additional standards that must be met as well.
To become a licensed agent, there is a variety of coursework that must be completed. This course of study can vary depending upon the institution, but generally includes a variety of classes related to finance and business management. Business and tax law, investment planning, math, and business administration are commonly required.
In most instances, it is also necessary to pursue a variety of communication and presentation courses, as well as accounting. The industry is a complicated one, and all of these areas of study help to prepare prospective brokers for their future careers. And, as one might expect, the diversity of study enables students to prepare for and seek careers beyond brokering as well.
additional career outlets
Many people who pursue this educational path ultimately end up in jobs outside of traditional brokering. The brokering license can form the foundation for a career as a stock broker, or as an underwriter. Other career paths can lead licensed brokers to careers as actuaries or as retirement planners. The bottom line is obvious: a brokering license can be the key to a wide variety of career doorways.
Continuing the educational process
Like other professional careers, brokers must always work to update their skills and remain competitive on the information front. To accomplish this goal, and to maintain their licenses, a certain amount of continuing educational work must be performed each year. These classes enable these professionals to remain knowledgeable about all current regulations and other changes in their chosen industries.
The bottom line is that these professional agents are trained, not born. The profession involves high levels of technical expertise in various areas of financial planning, and thus requires a great deal of primary and ongoing coursework to ensure competency. For anyone who is thinking about or planning on becoming a broker, it is essential to understand the complexities of the insurance education that will be required.
