Resident Title Insurance Agency Requirements
Summary of Requirements
The first step in the process of becoming a Pennsylvania Title Insurance Agent is to Register Your Company with the Commonwealth
Note - your company name cannot include the word, "title", "title company", "title insurance company", "guaranty", "guarantee", "guaranty company", "guarantee company" or similar combination thereof
If your current company name contains any of those words, you must Register for a Fictitious Name with the state.
You can register your company or fictitious name online.
Each agency must be licensed with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and within each agency you must have at least one licensed individual.
Even if you are licensed in another state, the individual must take the licensing exam.
There are no pre-licensing education credits needed to sit for the exam.
Click here to view the continuing education credit requirements
Each agency must meet the proper E&O coverage along with a Surety Bond and a Fidelity Bond. (see below insurance section for details) If the agency's owners are the only people to handle the funds, the Fidelity Bond can be waived with the completion of the appropriate waiver form. The Fidelity Bond Waiver must be submitted to the Insurance Department either via fax (717) 787-8553, email ra-in-producer@pa.gov, or US Mail - 1209 Strawberry Square, Harrisburg, PA 17120.
Each agent must complete 24 continuing education requirements within a 2 year license period to maintain their license.
An attorney can complete a continuing education waiver form and, therefore, only be responsible for completing 3 continuing education insurance hours each two year license period.
The Licensing Process
Apply for Agency License:
To apply for your Agency License online click here. The cost is $55 and you will need your registration number given to you by the Commonwealth when you registered your agency to do business in PA.
Apply for Individual License Online:
The easiest way to apply for your individual license is online at the testing location. It is strongly recommended that you bring a credit card with you (Visa, MasterCard or American Express) since you will be able to apply for your license at the testing center through Sircon once you pass your exam.
Once you have passed your exam, (Exam Information) you are now eligible to apply for your producer license. You need to apply electronically through Sircon at https://www.sircon.com/pennsylvania/index.jsp as the Insurance Department no longer accepts paper applications. You will be given the opportunity to submit an electronic application at the testing center. During the electronic application process, you will also pay the fingerprinting fee which will enable you to submit your fingerprints before leaving the exam testing center.
Exam & Study Information
In order to become a title agent in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, you need to take an exam and score a 70% or higher. The examination contains 60 questions and is limited to one hour. Please use the link below for information regarding the licensing process, exam locations, content outlines, fingerprinting requirements, etc.
PSI Services Licensing Examination Information
Study Information
There are two resources for exam study materials
The Cape School offers an online interactive self-study course. To order, call 888-227-3331.
The Pennsylvania Land Title Institute offers a comprehensive study guide to taking the Pennsylvania title agent licensing exam.
The PLTI Guidelines Course covers:
Insurance regulation
General insurance concepts
Real Property principles
Title insurance principles
Title exceptions and procedures for clearing the title
Real estate transactions
Additional Materials
Examination procedure check list
Full copy of the Pennsylvania Title Insurance Code
Full copies of the ALTA Owner's and Loan Policies of October 17, 1992
Guidelines are Reviewed Annually
Many areas of the law influence title practices and procedures, and changes within these laws will often modify practices. Additionally, the test outlines are periodically subject to revision by the Department of Insurance. Therefore, PLTI pays meticulous attention to the material in this course so that the prospective land title insurance agent has the most up-to-date information available to study for the licensing exam.
9 CE Credits Available
Upon passing the agent's licensing test, the newly licensed agent may apply to PLTI to obtain the first of the continuing education credits needed to maintain his or her license.
For a deeper understanding of the concepts in the Guidelines, also taking PLTI's Home Study Course, Fundamentals of Pennsylvania Real Estate and Land Title Insurance Practices, will give a prospective title agent a thorough preparation for the test plus a solid foundation in title insurance practices to build a career upon. Each section of the Home Study course is worth 15 CE credits. PLTI is offering a special package plan for both courses.
For additional information on obtaining these Guidelines, contact the PLTA/PLTI at info@plta.org, call (610) 265-5980 or visit their website at www.plti.org.
Insurance
When applying for your title agency producer's license you need to provide proof to the underwriter and to the state of the following insurances:
Errors & Omissions Policy - $250,000/$500,000 with a deductible no larger than $25,000.
Blanket Fidelity Bond - at least $150,000 to protect against theft by employees
Surety Bond - at least $100,000 to protect against theft by officers, directors, partners or other owners
TIAC - The Title Industry Assurance Company is a member-owned, ALTA-endorsed insurance provider designed to bring stability to a market long characterized by dramatic swings in price and availability. TIAC offers affordability that will be there for you now and in the future. For more information or to receive a rate-quote, please send an e-mail to tiacinfo@cpim.com or call 1-800-628-5136 or 301-913-5900 or visit http://www.alta.org/tiac/index.cfm.
Please contact our office with any questions you may have regarding the licensing process.