Guerin Consulting

Insurance education requirements are not always fully understood by people interested in purchasing various types of policies. Moreover, few people ever stop to think about the amount of time the agents selling these policies spend pursuing the regular coursework necessary for licensing. Anyone who is considering a career as a broker, however, must take the time to consider these educational needs.

What it takes

Despite the fact that there is no legal standard for college degrees for these brokers to meet, that does not mean that there are no standards at all. The industry has managed to set a reasonable bar that candidates must meet. As part of that threshold, all brokers must obtain a minimum two-year degree at a college. Beyond that, most companies have additional requirements in place for their own employees.

To become a licensed agent, there is a variety of coursework that must be completed. This course of study can vary depending upon the institution, but generally includes a variety of classes related to finance and business management. Business and tax law, investment planning, math, and business administration are commonly required.

In most instances, it is also necessary to pursue a variety of communication and presentation courses, as well as accounting. The industry is a complicated one, and all of these areas of study help to prepare prospective brokers for their future careers. And, as one might expect, the diversity of study enables students to prepare for and seek careers beyond brokering as well.

A look at other career paths

Among the jobs that become available with this course of study and a brokering license are specialized careers in various areas of finance and securities. Many people who obtain their brokering license move on to become licensed stock brokers, while others seek employment in the actuarial and underwriting fields. Still others focus on retirement planning, which is an area where experts are always in high demand.

Keeping it current

As a professional career, brokers also have certain industry standards that must be met if they are to maintain their licensing over time. Continuing educational courses are a major part of that process. These courses ensure that every broker is kept up to date with changes in the industry and in the legal regulations that govern its activities.

The bottom line is that these professional agents are trained, not born. The profession involves high levels of technical expertise in various areas of financial planning, and thus requires a great deal of primary and ongoing coursework to ensure competency. For anyone who is thinking about or planning on becoming a broker, it is essential to understand the complexities of the insurance education that will be required.