Downgrading a producer license means changing the lines of authority on the license from full lines to limited lines.
Upgrading a producer license means changing the lines of authority on the license from limited lines to full lines.
Full lines are life, disability, property, casualty, or personal lines. Limited lines are surety, credit, or travel.
Whether you're upgrading or downgrading a license
- You cannot complete this process online.
- You cannot downgrade or upgrade your license if it is within 90 days of the license expiry date. If your license is in the renewal period, you'll need to renew before you can change the lines of authority. See how to renew your license.
- The license-effective and -expiry dates do not change when you downgrade or upgrade a producer license.
- When you downgrade or upgrade your license, the lines of authority, renewal fees and continuing education requirements (for residents) will change.
- If you're upgrading the license, you cannot transact full lines business until you've affiliated at least one producer with a full lines license. The producer needs to have at least one like line of authority with the business entity.
For a license downgrade
Resident and non-resident business entities should submit:
- An NAIC uniform paper application (www.naic.org).
- A cover letter requesting a downgrade of your license.
For a license upgrade
Resident and non-resident business entities should submit:
- An NAIC uniform paper application (www.naic.org).
- A cover letter requesting an upgrade.
- A $35 upgrade fee. Make checks payable to Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner.