At the beginning of the 2025 legislative session, PIANY set a goal to advocate for common-sense changes that would help insurance agents. The association took a major step toward turning that goal into reality this week. PIANY-supported S.6122, which would allow insurance producers to carry over up to seven continuing-education credit hours into the next licensing cycle, passed the Senate Insurance Committee unanimously.
This resounding bipartisan support signals growing recognition that New York state’s insurance licensing laws need to catch up to modern professional standards.
What the bill would do
Currently, insurance producers in New York state must complete 15 CE credits every two years—but any additional hours earned are forfeited at the end of the licensing cycle. This bill would offer a smarter, more flexible approach, allowing up to seven excess CE credits to be carried over to the next period.
PIANY has long advocated for this change which would:
- reward agents who go beyond the minimum CE requirements;
- reduce regulatory redundancy and inefficiency; and
- align insurance CE rules with those in other licensed professions, such as law, engineering and architecture.
Why it matters
Producers who invest in their professional development often take extra coursework, especially those pursuing advanced designations like CPCU or CLU. Under the current law, however, these extra credits are wasted—discouraging proactive learning and contributing to last-minute CE scrambles before license renewal.
The CE carryover bill would solve this issue by recognizing and preserving agents’ educational efforts, without lowering the bar for licensing. It would encourage a culture of continuous learning, professional growth and higher standards across the industry.
What’s next?
Now that the bill has been reported out of the committee, PIANY is urging swift action on the Senate floor (the measure has already passed the Assembly). The association will continue working closely with lawmakers to bring this common-sense reform to the governor’s desk.
Time for action
Your association needs your help to get this legislative priority through the Senate. You can help out by clicking this link and sending a letter to your state senator, urging them to support S.6122.
Get involved
If you want to get more involved with PIANY’s legislative and advocacy work, there are many ways to engage with the association:
- participate in PIANY’s District Office Visit Program;
- become a member of Agents Advocacy Coalition; and
- watch your PIA Northeast publications and PIA Northeast’s social-media channels for important New York updates and share them with your followers.
Bradford J. Lachut, Esq.
Bradford J. Lachut, Esq., joined PIA as government affairs counsel for the Government & Industry Affairs Department in 2012 and then, after a four-month leave, he returned to the association in 2018 as director of government & industry affairs responsible for all legal, government relations and insurance industry liaison programs for the five state associations. Prior to PIA, Brad worked as an attorney for Steven J. Baum PC, in Amherst, and as an associate attorney for the law office of James Morris in Buffalo. He also spent time serving as senior manager of government affairs as the Buffalo Niagara Partnership, a chamber of commerce serving the Buffalo, N.Y., region, his hometown. He received his juris doctorate from Buffalo Law School and his Bachelor of Science degree in Government and Politics from Utica College, Utica, N.Y. Brad is an active Mason and Shriner.
