COVID-19 is disrupting daily life, but a new executive order should make it easier for some Arizonans to continue work. On March 26, Governor Ducey issued Executive Order 2020-17, Continuity of Work. This order should provide relief for insurance agents and other licensed professionals in the state of Arizona.
Continuity of Work
As people are urged to stay home, businesses close their doors and social distancing becomes essentials, meeting in-person testing and education requirements for licensing may become impossible. As a result, people may lose income and the ability to offer essential services.
Arizona’s Continuity of Work executive order addresses this problem.
Under this order, any state agency or board that licenses individuals or entities will defer requirements to renew licenses or complete continuing education in certain circumstances.
- Requirements to renew licenses that are set to expire between March 1, 2020, and September 1, 2020 will be deferred by six months from the expiration date unless the renewal requirements can be completed online.
- Requirements to complete continuing education will be deferred by six months unless that requirements can be completed online or if the nature of the license makes the deferment impractical.
The executive order makes the additional changes as well:
- Any rules preventing or limiting online or alternative learning hours to issue or renew licenses will be suspended.
- Electronic or remote examinations for licenses will be implemented where feasible.
- If an applicant has met all other requirements under Arizona law but cannot take an examination because of testing site closures and a lack of remote or electronic examinations, a provisional license will be issued, unless it is prohibited by federal law.
- State agencies and boards have discretion to waive fees.
What Does This Mean for Insurance Agents?
The executive order applies to multiple boards and agencies, including the Department of Insurance.
According to the Arizona Department of Insurance, all Department of Insurance license renewal requirements can be completed online. This means that you must complete your renewal requirements by the license expiration date. You may complete insurance continuing education online, and the post-course examinations will not need to be proctored while social distancing recommendations are in place. The Department of Insurance is developing a process to provide provisional licenses when needed under the order.
