Downgrading a producer license means the lines of authority on the license are changed from full lines (life, disability, property, casualty or personal lines) to limited lines (surety, credit or travel).
Upgrading a producer license means the lines of authority on the license are changed from limited lines (surety, credit or travel) to full lines (life, disability, property, casualty or personal lines).
Neither process may be completed online.
A license may not be downgraded or upgraded if it is within 90 days of the license expiry date. The license must be renewed before any changes to the lines of authority can be processed.
There is no fee to downgrade a license. When upgrading a license, a $35 difference-in-license fees are due (a limited-lines license is $20 and a full lines license is $55, making the difference $35).
The license-effective and -expiry dates do not change when you downgrade or upgrade a producer license.
Only the lines of authority, renewal fees and continuing education requirements (for residents) change when a license is downgraded or upgraded.
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. Remember: even if we upgrade your business entity (BE) license, the BE cannot transact full-lines business until they have an affiliate with at least one common full line.
- The $35 upgrade fee. Make checks payable to Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner.