Last Updated 02/15/23

Building on the success of the China Intern-Pilot Program in 2004, the NAIC developed a formal International Internship Program in 2005 to advance working relations with foreign markets, emphasizing the exchange of regulatory techniques and technology. The program was formally renamed the International Fellows Program in 2010 and is conducted twice a year — spring and fall. 

The NAIC International Fellows Program is offered in two formats, virtually every Spring and in person every Fall. Prior to the global pandemic, the program was held in person during both sessions; however, operating the program virtually during the pandemic was successful and demonstrated a number of benefits. The Spring session provides the opportunity to international regulators that may not have the financial backing of their respective jurisdictions to attend the full program in person and allows for the accommodation of state legislative activities. The Fall session continues the hands-on engagement that is a hallmark for the program, during a time when more States have better capacity to serve as hosts. This hybrid model allows for the NAIC to reach a wider group of international regulators, while maintaining the focused and detailed outreach and in-depth experience that the program is highly regarded for globally.  

Since its inception, the International Fellows Program has hosted over 300 participants in person and another 400 virtually from over 50 countries. Forty-three U.S. jurisdictions have hosted fellows. In addition, since 2006, nine secondees from Korea have been hosted by either California or Hawaii. Forty-three U.S. jurisdictions have hosted these non-U.S. regulators, including: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and West Virginia. We look forward to additional jurisdictions joining this growing list.

More information and sample program timelines: NAIC International Fellows Program Handout