How do I get a life insurance license?

Each state licenses life insurance agents, so the exact steps vary, but the general path is the same everywhere: be at least 18 years old, complete any prelicensing education your state requires, pass the state licensing exam, submit to a background check (with fingerprinting in most states), and apply through the state or the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR). To sell variable annuities you must also pass a FINRA qualification exam such as the Series 6 or Series 7. States typically take 7 to 10 days to review applications.

To get an Alabama life insurance producer license, pass the Life exam administered by the University of Alabama, which allows 2.5 hours and requires 87 correct answers (70%); the fee is $50, and registration must be completed at least 7 days ahead. After passing, complete fingerprinting, apply through NIPR for the $80 license fee, and submit proof of U.S. citizenship within 10 days. No prelicensing course is required, and a passing exam score stays valid for 12 months.

To get a life insurance producer license in Alaska, you must be at least 18 and actually residing in the state, and pass the Life exam through Pearson VUE with a scaled score of 70. Then file your application through the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR) with the $75 application fee and one fingerprint card ($48.25 fee). Exam scores are valid for one year, and Alaska does not require prelicensing education.

To get an Arizona life insurance license, pass the Life Insurance exam (Series 13-31, $50 fee) administered by PSI with a 70% score. Arizona requires no pre-licensing education. After passing, apply through the National Insurance Producer Registry with the $120 license fee and electronic fingerprints, which cost $8.25 to Fieldprint plus $22.44 to the Arizona Department of Public Safety.

To get a life insurance license in Arkansas, complete the 20-hour Life prelicensing course, then submit a resident licensing application through NIPR ($15 fee) before scheduling the exam. Next, complete the online criminal background check ($22), and after clearance you receive an Authorization to Test from PSI, typically within 2 to 5 days. Pass the Life exam with at least 70% correct, and you can print your license from NIPR 24 hours later.

To get licensed, complete the 12-hour ethics and California Insurance Code course (including 1 hour on insurance fraud), pass the licensing exam through PSI, submit your online application through Sircon or NIPR, and then submit fingerprints through CDI's live scan vendor. Resident applicants must pass the exam before submitting the application. Selecting both the Life-Only and Accident and Health lines lets you take one combined 150-question exam and pay a single $188 fee for a "full Life Agent" license.

To get a Colorado life insurance license, complete 50 hours of prelicensing education from a state-approved provider, then pass the Pearson VUE Life exam within one year of finishing the course. You may take up to two exams in one session for a single $41 fee. After passing, apply online at sircon.com/colorado or nipr.com, and make sure the Division receives your application within one year of the exam date.

Complete 20 hours of approved Life pre-licensing education, pass the Pearson VUE Life Producer exam ($65 fee, 70% passing score), allow 1-2 days for results to upload to the national database, then apply for the $140 resident Producer license through NIPR. Most applications are processed within 7-10 business days. You must apply within one year of passing the exam or repeat the course and exam.

First, make a reservation with Pearson VUE online or by phone at 800-274-0455 at least 24 hours before the exam date; the fee is $90. Then apply electronically through the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR), submit a State Criminal Background Report from the Delaware State Police, and pay the $125 license fee. Delaware requires no prelicensing education, and Pearson VUE sends your exam results to the department electronically.

To get a DC life insurance license, schedule the Pearson VUE Life exam (fee $75, 80 scored questions, scaled passing score of 70), then get fingerprinted and complete a background check through Fieldprint for $31.50. Apply electronically at nipr.com within 1 year of passing; the individual producer license fee is $100. No pre-licensing course is required.

Complete a 30-hour prelicensing course in life and variable contracts approved by the department within 4 years of applying, then pass the Pearson VUE state exam ($44). Next, apply online through MyProfile ($50 application fee plus $5 license ID fee) and submit fingerprints through IdentoGO ($52.50 plus local county sales tax). A degree with at least 9 credit hours of insurance instruction in life, annuities, and variable products, or the CLU designation, exempts you from the exam.

Complete an approved 8-hour Life prelicensing course, then pass the Pearson VUE Life exam within one year of course completion. Next, apply at sircon.com/georgia, submit the notarized Citizenship Affidavit (GID-276-EN), pay the $120 fee, and complete electronic fingerprints through the state's approved vendor. The state issues a two-year license that expires on the last day of your birth month.

To get an Idaho life insurance license, pass the ID Life Producer exam through Pearson VUE ($65, 120 minutes), submit fingerprints for the background check ($65 electronic or $61.25 hard card), then apply online through the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR) and pay the $80 fee. Email the exam pass confirmation, fingerprint receipt, and completed CHRI Request and Release form to the department as part of the application.

Complete 20 hours of Life pre-licensing education, with 7.5 of those hours in a classroom or webinar, then pass the Life General and State exams through Pearson VUE, paying $92 for the pair when processed on the same order. Both exams must be passed within 90 days of each other with a score of 70. Wait 5 days after passing, then apply online through NIPR and pay the $215 resident license fee; exam scores are valid for 12 months.

Indiana licensure has three steps: pre-licensing education, the exam, and the online application. Complete a state-approved Life course, then pass the Pearson VUE Life exam within six months of course completion (bring the certificate to the test center and schedule at least 24 hours ahead). Then apply online through Sircon or NIPR with the $40 fee; typical processing takes 7-10 business days.

To get an Iowa life insurance license, pass the Life exam (12-IA-01), which costs $44, lasts 2 hours, and has 77 scoreable questions. Passing results upload to the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR) within 3 to 4 business days, and you must complete your license application within 90 days of passing. Iowa licensing law also covers company appointments, the mechanism by which insurers authorize you to sell their products.

First obtain a Certificate of Tax Clearance from the Kansas Department of Revenue, then get fingerprinted and submit the electronic waiver form. Submit the NAIC Uniform Application online through the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR), paying a $30 application fee and a $60 fingerprinting fee, and upload your tax clearance and a copy of your Kansas ID. Pass the Kansas Life Producer exam ($57, 70% passing score), which you may take before or after applying. You must be at least 18, and no pre-licensing course is required.

Complete a 20-hour prelicensing course in the life line of authority, which is valid for one year from completion. Then submit an electronic application through www.nipr.com and request a criminal background report through the AOC FastCheck portal. Wait one day after applying, create a Kentucky eServices account, and allow the Department of Insurance up to 5 business days to process your documents. Pass the life exam with a 70% score; each exam sitting costs $50.

You get a life insurance license in Louisiana by passing the PSI Life exam (Series 101, $36 fee), then filing a producer application through the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR) and completing fingerprinting through IdentoGo. Louisiana requires no prelicensing education, you see your result on screen the same day, and if you fail you may retake without limit during the one-year period.

First, reserve the Pearson VUE Life Producer exam online or by phone at least 24 hours ahead and pay the $55 fee at the time of reservation; walk-in exams are not available. The exam has 75 scoreable questions in 1 hour 45 minutes, and passing takes a scaled score of 70. After passing, submit a license application and fee to the Maine Bureau of Insurance, which returns incomplete applications and delays issuance.

Pass the Prometric Life Producer exam, then apply for the license. The exam has 80 scored questions plus 10 unscored, a 1 hour 45 minute time limit, and requires a 70% score to pass. After passing, you pay the $54 fee and submit the NAIC Uniform Individual Application online through NIPR. No prelicensing course or experience is required, following the state's October 1, 2024 repeal of those requirements.

To get a Massachusetts life insurance license, schedule and pass the Life Producer exam through Pearson, reserving at least 48 hours ahead at pearsonvue.com/us/en/ma/insurance or 888-674-1558. The exam costs $37, is given in person at a test center, and requires a scaled score of 70 to pass. After passing, apply for the license through the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR); the Division of Insurance reviews your application and issues the license upon approval.

To get a Michigan life insurance license, complete 20 hours of approved pre-licensing education, pass the PSI Life Producer exam (100 items, 2 hours, 72% passing score, $41 fee), and file an Electronic Resident Licensing application through NIPR for $10.00 plus a $5.00 transaction fee. You must take the exam within 12 months of finishing the coursework, and you must be at least 18 years old.

To get a Minnesota life insurance producer license, complete 20 hours of Department of Commerce-approved prelicensing education for the life line, then pass the PSI exam (70% passing score; $45 fee). Next, submit fingerprints for a criminal history check ($66.75 electronically at a PSI test center, or $35.00 by mail with a card). Finally, apply online through Sircon or NIPR's LicenseHub; the fee is $50 plus $50 per line of authority plus a $10 technology fee. Exam results are valid for 3 years.

To get a Mississippi life insurance license, pass the Pearson VUE Life Producer exam (65% passing score, $50 fee), then apply at sircon.com/mississippi or nipr.com with the $100 license fee. No prelicensing course is required: House Bill 819, effective July 1, 2024, exempts Life-only applicants from the 20-hour education requirement. You must be at least 18 years old.

You obtain a life insurance producer license in Montana by passing the Pearson VUE Life exam with a score of 75 or better, then applying for the license through NIPR and submitting fingerprints for the background check, with a $30 fee payable to Montana Criminal Records. No prelicensing education is required, and the resident producer application carries no state fee. Exam scores are valid for one year from the exam date.

Register for the Life exam (code 13-01) with PSI, Nebraska's test provider, and pass with a 70% score. PSI uploads your results to the Department of Insurance within 2-3 business days; if the Life line does not appear on your NIPR application, your results have not posted yet. Then apply at NIPR.com with the $50 fee, allow 3-5 business days for processing, and download your license from NIPR.

Pass the Pearson VUE Life exam (80 scored questions, $37 fee, scaled passing score of 70), then apply online through Sircon within one year of passing, per the candidate handbook. Submit the application before you are fingerprinted, because the Fingerprint Authorization Form must include your Sircon Confirmation ID or NIPR transaction number, and fingerprints are due within 90 days of applying. The state licensing fee is $185, plus a $5.60 NIPR transaction fee if you file through NIPR.

Pass the New Hampshire Life producer exam (PSI series 12-61, $59), then apply online through the National Insurance Producer Registry with a $210 fee and your passing exam results on file. You must be at least 18, and no prelicensing course is required. NIPR verifies exam results before accepting an application, scores stay valid for 2 years, and clean applications are processed within 24 hours.

To get a New Jersey life insurance license, complete 20 hours of state-approved prelicensing education, pass the PSI life exam with a minimum score of 70%, complete Live Scan fingerprinting, and apply online through NIPR. The standard electronic application totals $170 in state fees, and the fingerprint vendor charges $66.05. If you also want health authority, you can combine the lines with 40 total hours of education.

Pass the Life Insurance Producer exam administered by PSI with at least 70% correct (the exam fee is $75), then complete the $67 national background check through IdentoGO using the state's service code. Allow at least 48 hours after passing for results to reach NIPR before submitting the online application, which carries a $30 fee. All application materials must be received within one year of passing the exam.

To get a New York life insurance license, complete a Department-approved prelicensing course (at least 20 hours for life only, or 40 hours combined with accident and health), then pass the PSI licensing exam with at least 70%. Apply online through NY LINX within 2 years of passing; the resident license fee is $80 for a term over one year.

Submit the license application first at www.nipr.com and pay the fees, which are $50 for the Life registration, $44 for application processing, and $38 for fingerprints. You cannot schedule the exam until Pearson VUE emails your eligibility, typically within 24 to 48 hours. Pass the Life exam with a score of 70, then print your license through SBS Connect 48 to 72 hours after the approval email. You must finish all requirements within 6 months of the application date or forfeit all submitted fees.

You must be at least 18, qualify as a resident (by living in the state or keeping a principal place of business there), pass the PSI Life and Annuity exam, and apply through the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR). The exam costs $64 and requires 77 of 110 correct answers. You must also submit fingerprint cards and pay the $100 application fee, but no prelicensing course is required.

To get an Ohio life insurance license, complete 20 hours of pre-licensing education from an approved provider, pass the PSI Life exam (100 questions, 2 hours, minimum passing score of 70%), complete BCI and FBI fingerprint checks, and apply through the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR) with a $10 fee. Your course completion certificate is valid for 180 calendar days, and you must pass the exam within that window.

Schedule the Life exam with PSI by phone at 833-333-4754 or online, and pass with at least 70% correct. Then wait 3 business days for your results to reach the state and the National Database, and submit an online application through the state licensing portal; the resident producer fee is $60. The Oklahoma Insurance Department processes applications in 5-7 business days. Exam scores stay valid for 2 years from the date taken.

To get an Oregon life insurance producer license, complete 20 hours of prelicensing education for the life line, pass the PSI Life exam (Series 12-01, $45), and get fingerprinted at a PSI test center or FieldPrint location. Then apply online through NIPR and pay the state application fee. If you also want health, you can take the combined Life and Health exam ($55) and hold both lines on the single license.

To get a life insurance license in Pennsylvania, pass the Life Insurance exam (16-01) through PSI with a minimum score of 70% and pay the $45.00 exam fee. Then apply online through Sircon or the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR) within one year of passing, pay the $55 resident application fee, and submit fingerprints at an IdentoGO center only after the application is filed. Pre-licensing education is no longer required: Act 142 of 2024 removed that requirement effective April 29, 2025.

You need to pass the Rhode Island Life Producer exam, which costs $80 and is administered by Pearson VUE. Results post to NIPR in 3-5 days, after which you apply electronically and pay the $120 resident license fee. You must be at least 18 and provide a certified background check from the Rhode Island Attorney General. Rhode Island requires no pre-licensing education hours.

Pass the Pearson VUE Life Insurance Producer exam (85 items, 120 minutes, $59), with a passing score of 70 on a 0-100 scale. Wait at least 48 hours after passing so your results can upload to NIPR, then apply online through NIPR and pay the $25 license fee. As a resident applicant, you must submit fingerprints after applying, and the department emails you scheduling directions.

To get a South Dakota life insurance license, pass the written exam for the life line of authority (South Dakota requires no pre-licensing education), then submit the resident producer application online through NIPR. You must be at least 18 years old, pay the $25 application fee plus a service fee, and have no disqualifying grounds under state law. The Division of Insurance contracts with Pearson VUE to administer the exams.

To earn a Tennessee life insurance license, complete 20 hours of pre-licensing education from an approved provider, then pass the Pearson VUE life exam with a score of at least 70%. Complete fingerprinting through IdentoGO at least 2 business days before you apply. After passing, wait 48 hours and submit the application online with the $50 filing fee at the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR).

First pass the Pearson VUE Life Agent exam, which has 80 scoreable questions and a $39 fee. Then complete fingerprinting: TDI's online portal emails you a service code used to book the IdentoGO appointment. Finally, apply through Sircon or NIPR within one year of passing the exam, pay the $50 application fee, and attach the fingerprint receipt. You must be at least 18 years old.

Register and pay Prometric for the Series 17-01 life exam ($32) and pass it (100 questions, 2 hours). Then apply online through SIRCON or NIPR within 90 days of passing, pay the $70 individual full-line license fee plus fingerprint background-check fees, and be fingerprinted at a Prometric test center. You must be at least 18 and a Utah resident.

Pass the Vermont Producer's Life exam (Series 14-25, $52) administered by Prometric, or the combined Life, Accident and Health exam (Series 14-29, $67.60). After passing, wait 48 hours, then submit your electronic application through the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR). Vermont charges $60 in state fees: a $30 application fee plus a $30 initial license fee under 8 V.S.A. 4800(2)(A).

Virginia does not require prelicensing education for the Life and Annuities license. You schedule and pass the Life and Annuities exam (Series 11-05, two-hour limit, $35 fee), get fingerprinted at a Fieldprint location, and apply for the $15 license through NIPR or Sircon. You cannot sell, solicit, or negotiate insurance until the Bureau of Insurance issues the license.

Pass the Washington life producer exam, which PSI administers; you need at least 70% to pass ($38 fee, 100 questions, 150 minutes), or you can take the combined Life and Disability exam ($55, 150 questions, 195 minutes). Prelicensing education is optional. Then apply online for the $55 license and get fingerprinted for the background check ($52) after submitting the application. You must submit all application requirements, including fingerprints, within 180 days of passing, or you must retake the exam.

To get a life insurance license in West Virginia, complete 20 hours of approved pre-licensing education for the Life line and bring your paper Course Completion Certificate to the Pearson VUE test center (the certificate is valid for 6 months). Pass the Life exam, which has 90 questions, a 120-minute limit, and a scaled passing score of 70; the exam fee is $84. Then submit fingerprints through Identogo and apply through the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR) with a $50 license fee.

To get a Wisconsin life insurance license, complete 20 hours of prelicensing education with an approved provider (8 hours of principles, Wisconsin law, and ethics, plus 12 hours of life-specific content), get fingerprinted through Fieldprint, and pass the life exam (series 22-01) with PSI. Wait 48 to 72 hours after passing for your score to reach NIPR, then apply online through NIPR; residents pay $75 for the line of authority plus a $10 application fee.

To get a Wyoming life insurance license, pass the Wyoming Insurance Licensing Exam for the Life line of authority, scheduled through Pearson VUE, then apply online through Sircon and pay the $100 resident fee. After the department receives your application, it mails a fingerprinting packet; the background check usually takes 2-3 weeks from fingerprint receipt. Typical turnaround from application to issuance is 30 days.