Alabama Prelicensing Requirements for Title Agents – Course Provider #23300450
Two-Day Course Format and Study Manual with Online “Exam Prep” Component
Agents asked. We listened. Prior attendees asked us to condense the Course into a 2-day format and replace chapter-end tests with an automated “Exam Prep” system. After two successful trial runs on the condensed 2-day format, we adopted it for the 2016 sessions. And, since we had to update the Study Manual anyway – Thanks TRID Rule! – we replaced chapter-end tests with the Title Insurance Review Exam Prep Component delivered through the Training Portal of our website. An initial 90-day access, from first activation, is included in the price of the Alabama Study Manual for Title Insurance and may be renewed for additional 90-day periods. The online component enables test-takers to study chapter-by-chapter or take unlimited multi-topic exams on computers and all mobile devices.
The Koogler Group is the Course Provider for the 20-Hour Alabama Prelicensing Course for Title Agents, which is taught from the Alabama Study Manual for Title Insurance authored by Karen Koogler. In collaboration with Alabama Land Title Association, The Koogler Group provides several classroom sessions of the Prelicensing Course each year. Please check dates and locations on the Course Calendar. Private, on-site sessions are available to groups of 10 or more attendees, based on instructor availability. To schedule an on-site session of the course, please contact KarenKoogler@KooglerGroup.com.
House Bill 460 – Alabama Act 2012-397
House Bill 460, enrolled as Alabama Act 2012-397, with an effective date of January 1, 2013, amends Sections 27-25-3 and 27-25-4, Code of Alabama 1975, and adds Sections 27-25-4.1, 27-25-4.2, 27-25-4.3, 27-25-4.4, 27-25-4.5, 27-25-4.6, 27-25-4.7, and 27-25-4.8 to the Code of Alabama 1975, relating to insurance; to provide for the qualifications and procedures for the licensing of title insurance agents by providing definitions and exceptions to the licensing requirements; to require title insurance agents to pass a written examination; to provide exceptions; to require title insurance agents to complete minimum continuing education on a biennial basis; to authorize the Commissioner of Insurance to promulgate rules; and to provide a delayed effective date for certain provisions. More specifically:
- Section 27-25-4.3(a)(1) requires that every individual subject to state examination for licensure as a title agent must first complete the prelicensing course consisting of 20 classroom hours or equivalent individual instruction [e.g., private on-site session] on the general principles of title insurance, the duties and responsibilities of a title insurance agent, and the title insurance laws and regulations of Alabama.
- Section 27-25-4.3(a)(2) requires that the prelicensing course be completed within twelve (12) months prior to the date of the state examination – the course date as shown on the certificate of completion furnished by the prelicensing course provider.
- Section 27-25-4.3(b)(1) requires that each individual intending to apply for a title insurance agent license must first pass a written examination unless exempt pursuant to subsection (c).
- Section 27-25-4.3(b)(3) requires that each individual applying for examination must furnish a certificate of completion of the prelicensing course from an authorized prelicensing course provider and pay a nonrefundable examination fee. Subsection (5) states that an individual who fails to appear for the examination as scheduled or fails to pass the examination must reapply for an examination and remit all required fees and forms before being rescheduled for another examination. Subsection (6) states that no individual who has taken and failed to pass two examinations …shall be entitled to take any further title insurance agent examinations until after the expiration of three months from the date of the last examination which the individual failed to pass. If the individual thereafter fails to pass the examination after two more attempts, the individual shall not be eligible to take any further title insurance agent examinations until after the expiration of six months from the date of the last unsuccessful examination. An examination fee shall be paid for each and every examination.
- Section 27-25-4.3 (c) provides that an individual shall be exempt from the examination requirement of subsection (b) only as follows: (1) If, within 90 days after the effective date of this act, the applicant can establish to the satisfaction of the commissioner that for a period of at least five years preceding the effective date of this act the applicant has been an authorized signatory to commitments, title insurance policies, and endorsements to title insurance policies issued by the title insurance agent on behalf of a title insurer properly authorized to conduct the business of title insurance in this state. (2) If the individual was previously licensed as a title insurance agent in this state after having passed the examination required by subsection (b) or being exempt from the examination under subdivision (1), this exemption is available only if the application is received within 12 months of the cancellation of the applicant's previous license in this state and if, at the time of cancellation, the applicant was in good standing in this state. (Act 2012-397)
Alabama Prelicensing Course Format
The 20-Hour Alabama Prelicensing Course for Title Agents will be conducted over a 2-day period. Certificates of Completion will be mailed to participants the week following course completion.
| Thursday and Friday Sessions | |
|---|---|
| 7:30 to 7:50 | Morning Registration |
| 7:50 to 10:00 | Morning Session, Part I |
| 10:00 to 10:20 | AM Break |
| 10:20 to 12:00 | Morning Session, Part II |
| 12:00 to 1:20 | Lunch [On Your Own] |
| 1:20 to 1:30 | Afternoon Sign-In |
| 1:30 to 3:40 | Afternoon Session Part I |
| 3:40 to 4:00 | PM Break |
| 4:00 to 6:00 | Afternoon Session Part II |
Course Venue – Course Registration – Textbook Purchase
Due to the industry slowdown, we will hold several public sessions of the course in 2018. Please consult the Course Calendar for dates and locations. Click here to register online.
Note: Private onsite sessions are also available for groups of 10 or more. Please contact KarenKoogler@KooglerGroup.com for further information and to verify date availability.
In addition to registering for the course, attendees must purchase the Alabama Study Manual for Title Insurance from our Online Store. As noted above, the textbook now includes an online Title Insurance Review “Exam Prep” Component located on the Training Portal of our website. Please register for the course and purchase the manual no later than ten (10) business days prior to course delivery, to ensure seating in the session of your choice and allow time for the textbook to ship.
Classroom Conduct – Required Attendance
Participants are required to attend the full 20-Hour Course to receive a Certificate of Completion. Multiple sign-in sheets will be gathered during the course, to ensure full attendance. Please have your driver’s license or other photo ID available for first-day registration [sign-in]. Instructors have the authority and responsibility to deny credit to anyone who disrupts the class or is inattentive. The following student activities during approved class time are prohibited: (1) sleeping; (2) reading of non-course books, newspapers, or other non-course material; (3) using a cellular phone or other electronic device except to take class notes or to complete mathematical exercises; (4) leaving the class other than during authorized breaks. The 20-Hour Course includes two scheduled 20 minute breaks and one-hour lunch period per day. Lunch is on-your-own.
