SB171 By Senator Ward RFD Banking and Insurance Rd 1 09-FEB-16

SYNOPSIS: Under existing law, an individual who holds a title insurance agent license must complete continuing education courses on a regular basis.

This bill would allow a title insurance agent who is also an attorney to meet continuing education requirements by providing certification that he or she is in compliance with mandatory continuing legal education course requirements of the Alabama State Bar Association.

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT

Relating to title insurance agents; to amend Section 27-25-4.4, Code of Alabama 1975, by allowing a title insurance agent who is also an attorney to meet continuing education requirements by providing certification that he or she is in compliance with mandatory continuing legal education course requirements of the Alabama State Bar Association.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:Section 1. Section 27-25-4.4, Code of Alabama 1975, is amended to read as follows:

§27-25-4.4.

"(a) An individual who holds a title insurance agent license shall satisfactorily complete a minimum of 24 hours of continuing education courses as may be approved by the commissioner, of which three hours shall be in ethics, reported to the commissioner on a biennial basis in conjunction with the license renewal cycle.

"(b) This section shall not apply to licensees not licensed for one full year prior to the end of the applicable continuing education biennium.

"(c) Only continuing education courses and providers approved by the commissioner shall be used to satisfy the continuing education requirements of this section. Continuing education providers and courses shall be subject to the same requirements and fees set forth in Chapter 8A.

"(d) The commissioner shall prescribe the number of hours of continuing education credit for each continuing education course approved. Continuing education courses submitted in accordance with a reciprocal agreement the commissioner enters with other states shall be approved according to the provisions of the reciprocal agreement.

"(e) If a continuing education course requires successful completion of a written examination, no continuing education credit shall be given to licensees who do not successfully complete the written examination.

"(f) An individual teaching any approved continuing education course shall qualify for the same number of hours of continuing education credit as would be granted to a licensee taking and satisfactorily completing the course.

"(g) A licensee who is also an attorney meets the continuing education course requirements of this section if he or she provides a certification from the Alabama State Bar Association that the licensee has complied with the mandatory continuing legal education requirements of the Alabama State Bar Association."

Section 2. This act shall become effective on the first day of the third month following its passage and approval by the Governor, or its otherwise becoming law.

Title Insurance

Licenses and Licensing

Education

Attorneys

State Bar Association

Code Amended