The New York state Assembly passed A.6652-B, legislation that would allow insurance producers to carry forward up to five excess continuing-education credits into their next licensing cycle, on Feb. 26, 2026. The bill is a top legislative priority for PIANY, and it represents a practical step toward modernizing the state’s CE requirements for licensed professionals.
PIANY extends its sincere thanks to Assemblyman David Weprin, D-24, chair of the Assembly Insurance Committee, for sponsoring the legislation and for championing it through the Assembly. His leadership and strong support helped move this common-sense reform forward.
What the bill would do
Currently, New York state insurance producers must complete at least 15 CE credits every two years to maintain their licenses—including coursework in specific subject areas such as ethics, Insurance Law, flood insurance, and diversity, equity and inclusion. While the requirement ensures producers stay informed and compliant, the current system does not allow professionals to carry forward any excess credits they earn beyond the minimum requirements.
The legislation passed by the Assembly would change that. Under A.6652-B, up to five excess CE credits could be carried forward to the next biennial licensing period, which would allow producers to make better use of the education they already have completed.
For many producers, this is a simple but meaningful improvement. It recognizes that professionals often go above and beyond their required coursework, attending additional classes, pursuing specialized training or earning professional designations. Under the current rules, those extra credits effectively disappear once a licensing cycle ends.
Allowing a modest carryover—limited to five hours—encourages producers to continue learning without worrying that additional coursework will go unused. It also removes the “use it or lose it” dynamic that can discourage professionals from taking extra classes earlier in their licensing cycle.
PIANY support
PIANY strongly supports this legislation because it reflects a balanced approach to continuing education. The bill does not change the overall CE requirement, nor does it weaken any of the subject-area mandates. Instead, it simply gives insurance professionals more flexibility in how they complete and apply their education.
Allowing CE carryover encourages ongoing professional development, rather than pushing producers toward a last-minute rush to complete credits before a renewal deadline. It also helps align insurance licensing rules with other professions in New York state—such as attorneys, architects and engineers—which already allow CE credits to carry forward between reporting periods. It also reduces unnecessary administrative burdens on highly credentialed professionals who already invest significant time in advanced education and industry designations.
Taken together, these changes promote a more practical and efficient continuing education system while maintaining the strong professional standards New York state consumers expect.
Fighting for the independent agent
The Assembly vote came on a particularly active day for PIANY in Albany. Feb. 26 also was the day PIANY delivered testimony before the Legislature’s Joint Budget Committee in support of the auto insurance reforms found in Gov. Kathy Hochul’s executive budget.
Producers know firsthand that affordability and availability pressures are affecting policyholders across the state. During the testimony, PIANY emphasized the importance of thoughtful policy solutions that support a stable insurance marketplace while protecting consumers.
What comes next
While the Assembly’s passage of A.6652-B marks an important milestone, the legislative process is not finished yet. The bill has a Senate companion, S.6122-A, sponsored by Sen. Jamaal Bailey, D-36. PIANY expects the Senate Insurance Committee to consider the measure in the coming weeks.
PIANY will continue working with lawmakers in both chambers to advance the bill and move it closer to becoming law.
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.
