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    Course Applications

    Resources

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Requirements and application forms for obtaining pre-license education, continuing education, subsequent offerings, and course renewals.

    Education Provider Procedures Guide

    This guide explains how to qualify and apply for approvals associated with Minnesota insurance, real estate, and appraiser licensee education.

    Pre-License Course Approval

    Information on pre-license education course approval requirements for provider/coordinators.

    Forms

    Course Application Instructions

    Note: out-dated applications will be returned.

    1. Complete one of the Course Approval Application forms per course and/or instruction method.
    2. Submit A current, correctly and fully completed application and fee to the Commerce Department at least 30 days before the initial proposed offering of the course. Please note that an incomplete or deficient submission, or the faxing a copy of an application with a note that the original application and fee will follow, does not meet this requirement. If incomplete or deficient applications are submitted, or complete applications are postmarked later than the 30-day requirement, the application will be reviewed; however, if the course is subsequently approved it will not be made retroactive.
      • The Initial Course Approval Application fee is $10 for each hour or fraction of an hour of education course approval sought.  See MN Statute 45.23 (1)

    Material Requirements and Submission Details

    These items are required with the applications:

    1. Course Materials: Core Matrix completed by Topic, Course Description, Timed Course Outline, Learning Objectives, Instructional Material for Students (textbooks, notebooks, etc.), Materials for Instructor Use (Overheads, etc if applicable), Examination and Answer Key
    2. Policies Covering: Course Prerequisites, Instructor Qualifications, Attendance, Cancellation & Refund
    3. Miscellaneous: Copy of proposed advertising including outline, Course Schedule, Students Course/Instructor Evaluation Form, Instructor's Resume/Bio, a copy of proposed Student Course Completion Certificate showing the Required Core Curriculum hours completed.
    • Pre-License Education must consist of courses that contain the required topics as listed in Insurance MN Statute 60K.361, Real Estate MN Statute 82.60, or Appraiser MN Statute 82B.13 Subd.6. .
    • The burden of demonstrating that courses impart substantive knowledge related to the Insurance, Real Estate, or Appraiser fields is upon the person seeking approval or credit.
    • Qualified Pre-License Instructors must have one of the following qualifications:
      • a four-year degree in the industry for which the course is being taught;
      • a four-year degree with three years full-time experience in the industry for which the course is being taught;
      • a four-year degree with three years full-time experience in the business or profession relating to the subject being taught;
      • a postgraduate degree and completion of 45 hours of continuing education in the industry for which the course is being taught;
      • a two-year degree in the industry for which the education is being given and completion of 45 hours of continuing education in the industry for which the course is being taught;
      • a two-year degree or certificate with five years full-time experience in the industry for which the course is being taught;
      • a degree or certificate with five years full-time experience in the business or profession relating to the subject being taught; or
      • eight years of recent experience in the subject area being taught in the eight years immediately preceding the first course offering taught.
    • Failure to have only qualified instructors teach an approved course will result in loss of course approval.  Providers must pay particular attention to the Instructor Qualifications and Contact page.  Our office uses all of the data submitted when we research and verify each instructor’s individual experience and qualifications.
    • Each course must have at least one approved Provider Coordinator, who is responsible for compliance with Minnesota education laws and regulations. Provider Coordinator Approval Application forms and instructions are available by clicking the appropriate heading under "Education for Providers & Coordinators." MN Statute 45.31.Subd.1
    • Coordinator approval may not be transferred to an individual who has not already been approved as an additional coordinator for the applicable license type for the providership in question. An individual must be approved as a coordinator by the commissioner before acting on behalf of an approved education provider. MN Statute 45.31.Subd.2.(b)
    • The Provider Coordinator must immediately notify the Commerce Department in writing of any change in the information in this application for approval, including any addition or change in the name of instructors who will teach the course.  MN Statute 45.31. Subd.3.(11)
    • Courses may not be advertised before approval, unless the application has already been submitted to the Commerce Department and the course is described in the advertising as "approval pending."
    • The number of approved hours must be accurately displayed on any advertisement for the course, and if the course offering is longer than the number of approved education hours, any advertisement must be clear that education credit is not earned for the entire course.
    • Education courses cannot be offered or renewed when either the content of an approved course or its method of instruction changes, the course is no longer approved for license education credit. A new application must be submitted for the changed course if the education provider intends to offer it for license education credit.
    • Provider Coordinator must advise us to terminate the old course number when they reapply for a new course.
    • Required education must be reported in a manner prescribed by the commissioner within ten days of the course completion.  Each failure to report an individual licensee's course completion in the manner prescribed by subdivision 1 constitutes a separate violation.  The commissioner may impose a civil penalty not to exceed $500 per violation upon an education provider that violates subdivision 1. MN Statute 45.43
    • The commissioner reserves the right to audit subject offerings with or without notice to the education provider. MN Statute 45.39
    • The commissioner reserves the right to audit a licensee’s education records. MN Statute 45.40
    • Pre-License Education: Appraiser course must be at least 15 hours in length; Real Estate Salespersons Course 1, 2, 3, and the Broker Course must be 30 hours each; Closer course must be at least 8 hours in length; Insurance courses must consist of 20 hours of education per line of authority. Lines of authority are: Life, Accident and Health, Property, Casualty, or Personal Lines.
    • Appraiser Pre-License education must include the AQB approved, 15 hour USPAP Course (or its equivalent).
    • The qualifying/Pre-license Appraiser course application shows each of the required modules and the hours approved for that module. Please note that course certificates issued to students MUST indicate the number of hours approved per module.
    • There have been ongoing important changes regarding Appraiser qualifications. Please contact the Appraisal Foundation at www.appraisalfoundation.org for current publications such as "Real Property Appraiser Qualification Criteria," and "Appraiser Qualifications Q&As."
    • Provider Coordinators of educational courses should have a copy of Minnesota Statute Chap. 45. These laws relate to both pre-licensing and continuing education for Appraisers, Real Estate, and Insurance licenses. Laws may be obtained on-line at www.leg.state.mn.us or by contacting the Minnesota Bookstore at https://www.comm.media.state.mn.us/bookstore/mnbookstore.asp or (651) 297-3000 or 1-(800) 657-3757.

    Continuing Education Course Approval

    Information on continuing education course approval requirements for Providers/Coordinators.

    Forms

    Course Application Instructions

    Note: out-dated applications will be returned.

    1. Complete one of the Course Approval Application forms per course and/or instruction method.
    2. Submit A current, correctly and fully completed application and fee to the Commerce Department at least 30 days before the initial proposed offering of the course. Please note that an incomplete or deficient submission, or the faxing a copy of an application with a note that the original application and fee will follow, does not meet this requirement. If incomplete or deficient applications are submitted, or complete applications are postmarked later than the 30-day requirement, the application will be reviewed; however, if the course is subsequently approved it will not be made retroactive.
      • The Initial Course Approval Application fee is $10 for each hour or fraction of an hour of education course approval sought.  See MN Statute 45.23 (1)
      • Note that a course containing additional course content because the provider is offering concurrent breakout sessions the total required fees will increase as all portions of course content must be reviewed and preapproved by Minnesota Commerce before being offered.  Fees must be paid for all of the course time that the provider wants reviewed regardless of the total credit hours sought.  For Example: 3 separate concurrent 1-hr (1PM-2PM) sessions would cost $30 for us to review the 3 sessions.  A Minnesota licensee would choose only 1 session to attend for 1-hr credit.

    Material Requirements and Submission Details

    These items are required for each application

    1. Course Materials: Course Description, Timed Course Outline, Learning Objectives, Instructional Material for Students (Textbooks, Notebooks, etc.), Materials for Instructor Use (Overheads, etc if applicable), Examination and Answer Key
    2. Policies Covering: Course Prerequisites, Instructor Qualifications, Attendance, Cancellation & Refund
    3. Miscellaneous: Copy of proposed advertising including outline, Course Schedule, Students Course/Instructor Evaluation Form, Instructor's Resume/Bio, A copy of proposed Completion Certificate for Student if offered
    • Continuing Education must consist of courses that impart substantive knowledge that is appropriate and related to the Insurance, Real Estate, or Appraiser field.
    • The burden of demonstrating that courses impart substantive knowledge related to the Insurance, Real Estate, or Appraiser fields is upon the person seeking approval or credit.
    • Minn. Statute 45.30, Sub. 5 provides a list of non-approved courses. The following will not be approved for credit:
      • Courses designed solely to prepare students for passing a license examination.
      • Courses in mechanical office or business skills, including typing, speed reading, or other machines or equipment. Computer courses are allowed, if appropriate and related to the industry to which the courses are directed.
      • Courses in sales promotion, including meetings held in conjunction with the general business of the licensee.
      • Courses in motivation, salesmanship, psychology, time management, or communication, except as prescribed in pre-license training.
      • Courses related to office management or intended to improve the operation of the licensee's business. This item does not apply to building contractor continuing education courses.
      • Courses that are primarily intended to impart knowledge of specific products of specific companies, if the use of the product or products relates to the sales promotion or marketing of one or more of the products discussed.
    • Except for the following two exceptions, all course offerings must be open to any interested individuals. Attendance cannot be restricted to any particular group of people, and is permitted to be restricted only on the basis of class size.
      • Courses that are sponsored by a Real Estate Broker company are permitted to be held on the company premises; however, they must be open to any interested individuals.
      • Courses that are sponsored by or affiliated with an Insurance Company or Agency are permitted to be held on company premises, and are permitted to restrict attendance to producers of the Insurance Company or Agency. Courses that have restricted attendance or are held on company/agency premises are considered to be "Company-Sponsored" courses.
    • Instructor qualifications for continuing education are:
      • a four-year degree in any area plus two years practical experience in the subject area being taught
      • five years practical experience in the subject area being taught
      • a college or graduate degree in the subject area being taught
    • Failure to have only qualified instructors teach an approved course will result in loss of course approval.  Providers must pay particular attention to the Instructor Qualifications and Contact page.  Our office uses all of the data submitted when we research and verify each instructor’s individual experience and qualifications.
    • Each course must have at least one approved Provider Coordinator, who is responsible for compliance with Minnesota education laws and regulations. Provider Coordinator Approval Application forms and instructions are available by clicking the appropriate heading under "Education for Providers & Coordinators." MN Statute 45.31.Subd.1
    • Coordinator approval may not be transferred to an individual who has not already been approved as an additional coordinator for the applicable license type for the providership in question. An individual must be approved as a coordinator by the commissioner before acting on behalf of an approved education provider. MN Statute 45.31.Subd.2.(b)
    • The Provider Coordinator must immediately notify the Commerce Department in writing of any change in the information in this application for approval, including any addition or change in the name of instructors who will teach the course.  MN Statute 45.31. Subd.3.(11)
    • Courses may not be advertised before approval, unless the application has already been submitted to the Commerce Department and the course is described in the advertising as "approval pending."
    • The number of approved hours must be accurately displayed on any advertisement for the course, and if the course offering is longer than the number of approved education hours, any advertisement must be clear that education credit is not earned for the entire course.
    • Education courses cannot be offered or renewed when either the content of an approved course or its method of instruction changes, the course is no longer approved for license education credit. A new application must be submitted for the changed course if the education provider intends to offer it for license education credit. MN Statute 45.30.Subd.6.(d)
    • Provider Coordinator must advise us to terminate the old course number when they reapply for a new course.
    • Required education must be reported in a manner prescribed by the commissioner within ten days of the course completion.  Each failure to report an individual licensee's course completion in the manner prescribed by subdivision 1 constitutes a separate violation.  The commissioner may impose a civil penalty not to exceed $500 per violation upon an education provider that violates subdivision 1. MN Statute 45.43
    • The commissioner reserves the right to audit subject offerings with or without notice to the education provider. MN Statute 45.39
    • The commissioner reserves the right to audit a licensee’s education records. MN Statute 45.40
    • Classes must not be offered to any one student for longer than eight hours in one day, excluding meal breaks. MN Statute 45.25.Subd.3 A Minnesota licensee must not receive credit for more than eight hours of continuing education in one day. MN Statute 45.30.Subd.4.(c)
    • Continuing Education courses: Appraiser must be at least 2 hours in length, while Real Estate and Insurance must be at least 1 hour in length.
    • Appraiser Continuing Education must include the Appraiser Qualifications Board (AQB) approved, 7 hour, Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) Update (or its equivalent) with every two year renewal. Course must have been taught by an AQB approved 7 hour USPAP approved Instructor and the Instructors name and AQB ID# must be included.
    • Real Estate Continuing Education must include 1 hour each of Fair Housing and Agency Law with every two year renewal.
    • Real Estate Continuing Education must include any assigned required module hours as part of the credit hours each licensing year.  Required module titles and credit hours are subject to change each year.
    • Insurance Producer and Insurance Adjuster Continuing Education must include 3 hours of Ethics with every two year renewal.
    • There are no Continuing Education requirements for Closers.
    • Provider Coordinators of educational courses should have a copy of MS 45. These laws relate to both pre-licensing and continuing education for Appraisers, Real Estate, and Insurance licenses. Laws may be obtained on-line at www.leg.state.mn.us/leg/statutes.asp or by calling the Minnesota Bookstore at (651) 297-3000 or 1-(800) 657-3757.

    Course Offerings & Student Rosters

    For Insurance Education Providers only

    The Minnesota Department of Commerce has partnered with Sircon for States to create an electronic licensing system for insurance licensees. As part of this system, education sponsors are required to set-up an account with Sircon. To do this, please visit Sircon's Web-portal at www.sircon.com and create a username and password. You will be able to access your Minnesota Insurance education provider and course approval information only after you have set up your user account.

    You will also be responsible to use the Web-portal to electronically enter subsequent offering dates and locations for your approved courses at least 30 days before the course is to be held. Furthermore, you must submit student attendance roster information through the Web-portal, once the course is completed.  Note: Required education must be reported in a manner prescribed by the commissioner within ten days of the course completion.  Each failure to report an individual licensee's course completion in the manner prescribed by subdivision 1 constitutes a separate violation.  The commissioner may impose a civil penalty not to exceed $500 per violation upon an education provider that violates subdivision 1. MN Statute 45.43

    If you have any questions about setting-up your account, please contact Sircon at 517-381-3860.

    For questions regarding education policies and procedures, please contact licensing education staff at 651-539-1599 or via e-mail at education.commerce@state.mn.us. Also be sure to review Minn. Statute 45 to learn more about your responsibilities as an education provider.

    For Appraiser and Real Estate Providers only

    The Minnesota Department of Commerce has partnered with PSI to create an electronic licensing system for real estate and appraiser licensees. You can schedule your exam at PSI's website or by calling 866-395-1006. You will be able to access your Minnesota Real Estate and/or Appraiser education provider and course approval information only after you have set up your user account.

    You will also be responsible to use the Web-portal to electronically enter subsequent offering dates and locations for your approved courses at least 30 days before the course is to be held. Furthermore, you must submit student attendance roster information through the Web-portal, once the course is completed.  Note: Required education must be reported in a manner prescribed by the commissioner within ten days of the course completion.  Each failure to report an individual licensee's course completion in the manner prescribed by subdivision 1 constitutes a separate violation.  The commissioner may impose a civil penalty not to exceed $500 per violation upon an education provider that violates subdivision 1. MN Statute 45.43

    If you have any questions about setting-up your account, please contact PSI at 1-866-395-1006.

    For questions regarding education policies and procedures, please contact licensing education staff at 651-539-1599 or via e-mail at education.commerce@state.mn.us. We also encourage you to review Minn. Statute 45 to learn more about your responsibilities as an education provider.

    Note: Minn. Rule 2809 was repealed and is not MN Statute 45.

    Course Renewal Approval

    Education providers are responsible for keeping track of when their courses renew by checking the appropriate online website for their license type. Providers who have approved Insurance courses to renew must renew them online at www.sircon.com, while those who have approved Real Estate or Appraiser courses to renew must renew them online at www.pulseportal.com.

    The first step in renewing your courses is to set-up an account with Sircon or PSI. If you have already done so, you may use your account to log-in and select the courses that you would like to renew. Payment of the renewal fees will also be done on-line, so please have a major credit card ready.

    Insurance Course Renewal

    Set up an account with Sircon at www.sircon.com: 

    Please call 517-381-3860 and speak to a customer service representative. After your account has been established, you can complete the course renewal process online at www.sircon.com.

    Real Estate and Appraiser Course Renewal

    Set up an account with Pearson VUE at www.pulseportal.com:

    • To register a new account, you need your state ID number and your PIN. You can get these numbers by calling PSI at 866-395-1006. After your account has been established, you can complete the course renewal process online at www.pulseportal.com.
    • If you have questions regarding how the website works, please contact a PSI customer service specialist at 866-395-1006.

    The courses that have been selected for renewal by the education provider will be automatically renewed upon completion of the online process (including payment of the fees).

    RENEWAL NOTE: Education courses cannot be offered or renewed when either the content of an approved course or its method of instruction changes, the course is no longer approved for license education credit. A new application must be submitted for the changed course if the education provider intends to offer it for license education credit. MN Statute 45.30.Subd.6.(d)

    Renewal Fees

    The course renewal fee for the two-year renewal cycle is $10.00 per course plus a credit card processing fee.

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