How do I renew my insurance license after it has expired?

What happens depends on your state: some allow late renewal with penalties, some cancel the license with a waiting period before you can reapply, and some require a new application as if you were a first-time applicant. Illinois, for example, allows reinstatement within 12 months of expiration at double the normal fee without an exam; after 12 months, you must retake the prelicensing education and the exam. Many states follow the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) model of allowing reinstatement within 12 months for double the unpaid renewal fee.