Updated November 2026
Short answer: Before you sell an annuity, most states require a one-time, four-credit annuity training course under the NAIC best-interest model (#275), and every carrier requires its own product-specific training before you solicit its products. Carriers also require anti-money-laundering (AML) training as part of contracting. A few states add more; California, for example, requires eight hours of annuity training before you sell and four hours in each license renewal period. Variable annuities and RILAs also require securities licensing.
Our job is to beat your current annuity commission.
Stuck at your current commission level, or simply want higher commission? Our sole purpose is to scale your business by beating your current commission levels. No matter your current commission level, if you meet our minimum requirements (solo producers have none), you automatically get higher commission than where you are today. Starting comp is for every producer, including new producers with no experience — there is no production minimum. If you have strong production to show, we contract you above our starting comp. Established agencies, financial advisors and financial firms, and healthcare agencies can earn much higher too. Submit your application, schedule a Zoom, and we review your current commission levels carrier by carrier and contract you above them — with full back office support, case management, carrier contracting and sales tools included.
1. The one-time annuity best-interest course
Most states have adopted the NAIC Suitability in Annuity Transactions Model Regulation (#275), revised in 2020 to a best-interest standard. Under it, a producer may not solicit annuities until completing a one-time, four-credit annuity training course approved by the state insurance department. The course covers the types of annuities and their uses, how product features affect consumers, tax treatment, and the sales practice, replacement, disclosure and best-interest requirements.
Producers who completed the earlier version of the course before their state adopted the best-interest revision generally had to complete either the new four-credit course or a one-credit supplemental course within the time the state allowed. If you are not sure which version is on your record, check with your state or your CE provider.
The course is offered by approved continuing-education providers, and in many states it counts toward your CE hours. Keep the completion certificate; carriers ask for it during contracting.
2. Carrier product-specific training
The best-interest model also requires insurers to provide product-specific training and materials and to verify that a producer has completed them before the producer solicits that product. In practice this means a short online module for each product family, completed in the carrier's producer portal or a training platform the carrier uses. Product training is separate from the state course and has to be completed carrier by carrier.
3. Anti-money-laundering (AML) training
Insurance companies that issue covered products, including annuities, must run anti-money-laundering programs under federal rules (31 CFR 1025.210), and those programs include training for the agents who sell their products. Carriers usually require an AML course during contracting and may require periodic refreshers. Many carriers accept a certificate from a common AML course, so one completion can cover several appointments until it expires.
4. State-specific requirements
States can add to the model. Two examples producers run into often:
- California requires eight hours of annuity training before a life agent sells annuities, and four hours of annuity training in each license renewal period as part of CE.
- New York applies its own best-interest regulation (Regulation 187) to life insurance and annuity sales, with its own requirements.
Requirements change, so confirm the current rules for every state where you hold a license before you sell there.
5. Securities licensing for variable annuities and RILAs
Variable annuities and registered index-linked annuities are securities. Selling them requires FINRA registration through a broker-dealer (typically the Series 6 or Series 7), the Series 63 in most states and the broker-dealer's own product training and supervision, in addition to your insurance license and annuity training. Fixed annuities, including MYGAs, fixed indexed annuities, SPIAs and DIAs, do not require a securities license.
6. Training that is not required but pays off
- Case design and best-interest documentation: learning to document the basis for a recommendation protects you and the client. See our best-interest checklist.
- Replacements and 1035 exchanges: most annuity complaints involve replacements. See our 1035 exchange checklist.
- Tax topics: RMDs, Roth conversions and 72(t) distributions come up constantly with retirees.
- Commission structures: knowing heaped vs trail options and chargebacks helps you choose the right comp option for each case.
Annuity training checklist
| Requirement | Who needs it | When |
|---|---|---|
| Life insurance producer license | Everyone selling annuities | Before any sale |
| Four-credit annuity best-interest course | Producers in states that adopted Model #275 | Once, before soliciting annuities |
| Carrier product training | Everyone, per carrier and product | Before soliciting that product |
| AML training | Producers appointed with annuity carriers | At contracting, with refreshers as carriers require |
| State add-ons (for example California) | Producers licensed in those states | Initial training plus renewal requirements |
| Securities registration | Only for variable annuities and RILAs | Before selling registered products |
How long does annuity training take?
The state best-interest course is four credit hours. Carrier product modules are usually short, often well under an hour each, and an AML course is typically an hour or two. A producer who already holds a life license can usually complete the required training in a day or two, then complete product training as each appointment is approved.
How BetterAnnuityComp.com helps after you are trained
Once your training is in place, contracting and appointments are the next step. We handle carrier contracting, keep track of the training each carrier requires and support your cases with case management. Starting comp has no experience requirement and no production minimum. See our guides on becoming an independent annuity agent and how to sell annuities.
Frequently asked questions
Is annuity training required to sell annuities?
Yes. In states that adopted the NAIC best-interest model (#275), producers must complete a one-time four-credit annuity training course before soliciting annuities, plus each carrier's product-specific training. Carriers also require AML training.
How often do you need annuity training?
The four-credit best-interest course is a one-time requirement in most states. Carrier product training is completed once per product, AML refreshers follow each carrier's schedule, and some states, such as California, require annuity hours in every renewal period.
Does the four-hour annuity course count toward CE?
In many states it does. Check your state insurance department or CE provider for how it applies to your license.
Do I need a securities license for annuity training?
Not for fixed annuities. Variable annuities and RILAs are securities and require FINRA registration through a broker-dealer in addition to your insurance license and annuity training.
Can BetterAnnuityComp.com beat my current annuity commission?
That is our sole job: no matter your current commission level, if you meet our minimum requirements (solo producers have none), you automatically get higher commission than where you are today. Starting comp is for every producer, including new producers with no experience, and there is no production minimum. If you have strong production to show, we contract you above our starting comp, and established agencies, financial advisors and financial firms, and healthcare agencies can earn above it too. Submit your application, schedule a Zoom and share your current commission levels by carrier. We compare them carrier by carrier and contract you above them, with full back office support, case management, carrier contracting and sales tools included.
Sources
- California Insurance Code § 1749.8 — annuity training for life agents
- NAIC — Suitability in Annuity Transactions Model Regulation (#275)
- eCFR — 31 CFR 1025.210, AML programs for insurance companies
- FINRA — Variable Annuities
Trained and ready to contract? BetterAnnuityComp.com, powered by BetterLifeQuotes.com, works to beat your current annuity commission — starting comp has no experience requirement and no production minimum, and strong producers are contracted higher — plus case management and carrier contracting. Solo producers and advisors can apply here, agencies can use the agency application, and anyone can browse the annuity carrier list. See how we beat your current commission.