Jan 25, 2019

PIANJ testifies in support of bills that would waive licensing fee for veterans

Trenton, N.J.—The Professional Insurance Agents of New Jersey testified yesterday before the Assembly and Senate Military and Veterans Affairs committees, in support of A-1924/S-2930, which would require the commissioner of the Department of Banking and Insurance to waive the initial insurance producer licensing fee for any veteran who has received an honorable discharge from a branch of the active or reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces. The bills are sponsored by Assemblyman Raj Mukherji, D-33, and Sen. Anthony R. Bucco, R-25, respectively. The bills were reported unanimously in both committees.

PIANJ past President and PIA National Director Paul Monacelli, CIC, CPIA, and PIANJ Director and Government Affairs Committee Chair Andrew Harris Jr., CIC, AAI, testified before the committees that PIANJ supports the bills because it would make it easier for veterans, who want to become insurance producers, to transition into their civilian lives.

According to the bills, veterans still would be required to pass the licensing examination and fulfill any other requirements for their licensure. In addition, veteran licensees would need to comply with all other licensing fees imposed by law or regulation.

“PIANJ is grateful to those who serve our country and it is honored to have former military men and women join the ranks of the professional, independent agency system,” said Monacelli. “PIANJ feels it is important to support military veterans as they embark on the next phase of their careers. We hope that giving veterans ready access to the resources of PIANJ will lead them to successful careers in an important industry.”

PIANJ offers a free year of PIANJ membership for U.S. military veterans who recently earned their insurance licenses and who are starting their own insurance agency in New Jersey.

“PIANJ believes veterans bring many of the same skills to the insurance industry that are called upon in the military, such as discipline, organization and perseverance,” said Harris. “This bill would remove some of the obstacles U.S. veterans, who may want to become insurance producers, or agency owners, may face. PIANJ will be there to help them develop and grow their independent agencies, helping them become knowledgeable in the insurance industry, and a valuable resource for the insurance-buying community.”

PIANJ representatives who attended the committee meetings in support of the bills included: PIANJ-YIP President Logan True, CRIS; and PIANJ-YIP Director Chris Gonzalez.

PIANJ is a trade association representing professional, independent insurance agencies, brokerages and their employees throughout New Jersey.

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