Insurance Agent Permit Requirements in Denver, CO

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if operating as a business entity (LLC, corporation) or if you have employees. Free from the IRS. Sole proprietors without employees may use their SSN but an EIN is recommended for privacy.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online application)

   Free

   Immediate (online application)

2. NIPR — National Insurance Producer Registry

   Most states process insurance producer licenses through the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR). When applying for or renewing a license, or when applying for non-resident licenses in other states, NIPR streamlines the multi-state process.

   Official government source

   Varies by state ($10–$25 NIPR transaction fee)·Immediate processing

   Varies by state ($10–$25 NIPR transaction fee)

   Immediate processing

1. Colorado Insurance Producer License — Division of Insurance

   To sell, solicit or negotiate insurance in Colorado you must hold an insurance producer license from the Colorado Division of Insurance. Colorado does not require pre-licensing education hours. The steps are: pass the state licensing exam for each line of authority you want, complete a fingerprint-based criminal background check, and submit the application through NIPR or Sircon/Vertafore. Licenses renew every two years with 24 hours of continuing education, including 3 hours of ethics.

   Official government source

   An exam fee is paid to the Division's testing vendor when you schedule, and the license application fee is paid through NIPR or Sircon at the time you apply; the amount depends on the lines of authority requested·Driven by exam scheduling and background-check processing; the application itself is submitted and tracked electronically through NIPR or Sircon

   An exam fee is paid to the Division's testing vendor when you schedule, and the license application fee is paid through NIPR or Sircon at the time you apply; the amount depends on the lines of authority requested

   Driven by exam scheduling and background-check processing; the application itself is submitted and tracked electronically through NIPR or Sircon

2. Colorado Insurance Agency (Business Entity) Producer License

   An insurance agency or other business entity that acts as an insurance producer must hold its own insurance producer license from the Colorado Division of Insurance (C.R.S. 10-2-404(2) and 10-2-406). Before approving the application the Division verifies that the agency has disclosed all officers, partners and directors, has designated a licensed producer who is an officer, partner or director as responsible for the entity's compliance with Colorado insurance law, and has registered every natural person acting as a producer for it. Colorado issues a perpetual producer license that stays in effect as long as the continuation fee and education requirements are met (C.R.S. 10-2-408). Applications and renewals are filed through NIPR or Sircon/Vertafore.

   Official government source

   The fee is set by the Insurance Commissioner under C.R.S. 10-2-413 rather than fixed in statute. The Division of Insurance does not publish a producer fee schedule on its website; the current amount is charged by NIPR or Sircon/Vertafore at the point of application.·Applications are submitted and processed electronically through NIPR or Sircon/Vertafore; the Division does not publish a processing-time standard.

   The fee is set by the Insurance Commissioner under C.R.S. 10-2-413 rather than fixed in statute. The Division of Insurance does not publish a producer fee schedule on its website; the current amount is charged by NIPR or Sircon/Vertafore at the point of application.

   Applications are submitted and processed electronically through NIPR or Sircon/Vertafore; the Division does not publish a processing-time standard.

3. Colorado — Errors & Omissions (E&O) Insurance

   While not mandated by state law in all cases, most Colorado carriers and agency contracts require licensed insurance agents to carry Errors & Omissions (professional liability) insurance. E&O protects against claims arising from mistakes or failures in professional services. Minimum coverage is typically $1 million per occurrence.

   Official government source

   $400–$2,500/year depending on lines sold and revenue·Obtained before writing business

   $400–$2,500/year depending on lines sold and revenue

   Obtained before writing business

4. Colorado and Denver Sales Tax Registration

   Insurance premiums are not subject to sales tax, and the Colorado Department of Revenue states that in Colorado services are not subject to sales tax at all (C.R.S. 39-26-102(15)(a)(I)). An agency needs a sales tax licence only if it makes retail sales of tangible personal property. Register with the Colorado Department of Revenue through MyBizColorado or form CR 0100. Because Denver is a home-rule city that collects its own tax, a Denver location registers separately with Denver's Treasury Division for a Retailer's Sales, Use, Lodger's Tax License. Rates in Denver are 2.9% state, 5.15% Denver, 1.0% RTD and 0.1% special district - 9.15% combined. An agency with employees in Denver also owes the Occupational Privilege Tax of $4.00 per month from the employer and $5.75 per month from the employee.

   Official government source

   The Denver licence is free. The state licence is $16 for the two-year period when applying January-June of an even year, prorated to $12, $8 or $4 later in the cycle, plus a one-time refundable $50 deposit for a new account ($66 total for a first location), refunded once $50 in state sales tax has been remitted.·The state licence is immediate when filed online through MyBizColorado or Revenue Online. Denver registration is completed online in the eBiz Tax Center.

   The Denver licence is free. The state licence is $16 for the two-year period when applying January-June of an even year, prorated to $12, $8 or $4 later in the cycle, plus a one-time refundable $50 deposit for a new account ($66 total for a first location), refunded once $50 in state sales tax has been remitted.

   The state licence is immediate when filed online through MyBizColorado or Revenue Online. Denver registration is completed online in the eBiz Tax Center.

1. Denver Business License — Not Required for Insurance Agencies

   Denver has no general or blanket business or occupational license. Its Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (renamed from the Department of Excise and Licenses) issues about 68 category-specific licenses, and insurance agencies are not among them, so no city business license applies. Insurance producers are licensed by the Colorado Division of Insurance instead. A home-based agency should still confirm with Denver Community Planning and Development that its zoning allows the home occupation.

   Official government source

   No fee — no Denver business license applies to insurance agencies·Not applicable

   No fee — no Denver business license applies to insurance agencies

   Not applicable

Official Sources

• Colorado Division of Insurance
• NIPR — National Insurance Producer Registry
• Denver Business Licensing

Related Guides