Section 26.06. Requirements for approval of certification of attendance at noncredit programs.

 

(1)   Approval of noncredit educational programs. An entity seeking initial approval or reapproval from the commissioner of an insurance noncredit program shall submit an application on the forms provided by the commissioner. The commissioner may require the following information and materials:

(a) Evidence of prior approval or exemption by the Wisconsin educational approval board, if required by s. 38.50 , Stats.;

(b) A description of the qualifications of each instructor and the subject matter the instructor will be teaching. Instructors of noncredit programs shall be approved by the commissioner. Instructors shall meet the criteria set forth in sub. (2) (b) ;

(c) Listing of the noncredit program's organizational structure, registration policies, fee schedules and promotional material, for the school;

(d) Detailed outlines of the subject matter to be covered by the program with specific allocations of classroom, correspondence, self-study, or on-line hours to each topic meeting the minimum standards as set forth in appendices 1 through 4. This should include a description of textbooks, workbooks and other instructional materials. The operator of a noncredit program shall provide section A and section B. Each must be provided as a separate and discrete segment. Each section can be broken up into subsections as long as no other insurance-related instruction is provided by the noncredit program between the subsections;

(e) A description of the student record systems including a description of the methods for documenting attendance;

(f) The method used by the noncredit program for evaluating instructors and a summary of previous evaluations conducted;

(g) The time, date, and location of each noncredit classroom program. The commissioner may allow a noncredit program to apply for initial approval without specific information concerning dates, times, locations, and instructors, but the noncredit program shall provide this information in a format prescribed by the commissioner no later than 30 days prior to the start of the course;

(h) An original signature of the person authorized to sign certifications; and

(i) Other information as specified by the commissioner.

(2)   Criteria for approval. In order to be approved, noncredit programs shall:

(a) Not discriminate against anyone on the basis of sex, race, religion, age, physical disability, sexual orientation, or national origin in their educational programs;

(b) Document that instructors are experienced and qualified in insurance and satisfy at least one of the following criteria:

1. An instructor who is or has been engaged in the practice of teaching insurance courses at an accredited institution of higher education for at least the last 3 years;

2. A properly licensed insurance intermediary for at least the past 5 years and demonstrates to the commissioner that he or she is of good character and has the knowledge and breadth of experience to instruct the scope of the subject area for which he or she will be responsible;

3. A member of the state bar in at least one state or the District of Columbia who is engaged in the field of insurance-related law; or,

4. A Life instructor who holds any of the following professional designations or successor designations: Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS); Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC); Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC); Certified Financial Planner (CFP); Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU); Fellow of the Life Management Institute (FLMI); or Life Underwriter Training Council Fellow (LUTCF);

5. An Accident & Health instructor who holds any of the following professional designations or successor designations: Registered Health Underwriter (RHU); Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS); Registered Employee Benefits Counselor(REBC); or Health Insurance Associate (HIA);

6. A Property, Casualty, or Personal Lines P&C instructor who holds any of the following professional designations or successor designations: Accredited Advisor in Insurance (AAI); Associate in Risk Management (ARM); Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC); or Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU); or

7. A person who, in the judgment of the commissioner, is qualified to teach a session by reason of exemplary experience or education in the lines of insurance being taught.

(c) Show that information provided to comply with sub. (1) is likely to support a comprehensive and accurate treatment of the subjects required in each section.

(2g)   Provider approval fees.

(a) The initial application fee to be paid by each licensed provider will be set through a competitive bid process not to exceed limits identified in s. 601.31 (1) (x) 1. , Stats. The biennial regulation fee paid by each licensed provider will be set through a competitive bid process not to exceed limits identified in s. 601.31 (1) (x) 2. , Stats. Wisconsin governmental bodies, such as universities and technical colleges, shall be exempt from these fees.

(2r)   Course approval fees.

(a) The fee to be paid for each course submission by each provider shall be set through a competitive bid process not to exceed statutory limits identified in s. 601.31 (1) (x) 3. , Stats.

(b) The fee to be paid for each course renewal by each provider shall not exceed 4 times the credit hour fee per course.

(3)   Application approval and expiration of approval. Upon receipt of an application for approval of a noncredit program, the commissioner shall determine if the application meets the requirements and if the program provides for instruction of appendices 1 to 4 in a manner required by this rule. The commissioner shall issue his or her decision on approval of an application no later than 60 days following the receipt of the completed application and all information required. Noncredit program approval shall expire on every August 30 of the next odd numbered year after approval. Each school shall submit an application for approval for the next period to the commissioner on or before July 15 of each odd numbered year.

(4)   Notification. Noncredit programs shall promptly notify the commissioner of any information filed with the commissioner which has changed.

Cr. Register, June, 1992, No. 438 , eff. 7-1-92; correction in (1) (e) made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats., Register, June, 1997, No. 498 ; am. (2) (b) 3., r. (2) (b) 4., Register, January, 1999, No. 517 , eff. 2-1-99; correction in (1) (a) made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats., Register September 2001 No. 549 , eff. 10-1-01; CR 01-074 : am. (3), Register January 2002 No. 553 , eff. 2-1-02; correction in (1) (a) made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats., Register October 2006 No. 610 ; CR 09-022 : am. (1) (intro.), (a), (d) and (g), cr. (2) (b) 4. to 7., (2g) and (2r) Register August 2009 No. 644 , eff. 9-1-09 .