How hard is it to get an insurance license?

Getting licensed requires passing a state exam that many first-time candidates fail; prep providers estimate first-time pass rates of roughly 50% to 70%, and most states set the passing score at 70% (California producer exams require 60%). Prelicensing coursework varies widely by state, from no required hours in states like Texas up to 200 hours for Florida's general lines course. Vendors recommend about 35 to 40 hours of study for the life and health exam and about 40 hours for property and casualty.

The main hurdle is the state exam, which requires a 70% score. Pass rates cited from National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) data run near 60% overall. Alabama has simplified the path: since January 1, 2024, no prelicensing course is required, only the exam. You can retake a failed exam, though waiting periods apply after repeated failures.

The main hurdle is the exam: you need a scaled score of 70 to pass, and pass rates on many state insurance exams run near 60%. Alaska does make the process easier than in many states by not requiring prelicensing education, so you can go straight to studying the Pearson VUE content outline and scheduling your exam. If you fail, you must retake the entire exam, both the general and state portions.

Getting an Arkansas insurance license requires 20 hours of prelicensing education per line and a 70% passing score on the PSI exam. The exam is the main hurdle, and a substantial share of first-time candidates do not pass. Candidates must pass within 90 days of the original approval-to-test date, with up to 3 attempts in that window; after a third failure, the wait is 4 weeks and a new application. Most people complete the process within a few weeks to a couple of months.

Earning a California insurance license is an achievable process with a modest study load. Since January 1, 2026, the only required prelicensing course is 12 hours on ethics and the California Insurance Code, including 1 hour on insurance fraud. Most people complete the whole process, from studying to license issuance, in 2 to 4 weeks when their application is clean, though disclosed convictions or disciplinary history can delay or block approval. Producer exams require only a 60% score to pass, and a passed exam counts toward licensure for one year.

A Colorado producer license requires prelicensing training from an approved provider, a passing score on the Pearson exam, and an online application with a $44 resident fee per line of authority. Prelicensing courses are valid for one year, and you must pass the exam within that year or retrain. A criminal conviction does not always result in denial; the Division reviews each application case by case.

The main hurdle is the licensing exam, which requires a 70% passing score (80% for Surety Bail Bonds). Connecticut requires 20 hours of pre-licensing education per single line of authority and 40 hours for combined lines, and there is no limit on exam attempts, though you must wait 24 hours between schedulings. National average pass rates for these exams run near 60%, so most candidates need focused study. Once you pass, you must apply for the license within one year or repeat the pre-licensing course and the exam.

The main hurdle is the exam. Delaware requires no prelicensing education and does not pre-screen candidates, but you must pass the Pearson VUE licensing exam for each line of authority you want. Exam scores are valid for 12 months, and there is no limit on retakes. Most people who study steadily complete the process within a few weeks to a couple of months, and the Department typically processes applications in 24 to 48 hours.

Getting licensed takes real study but is achievable: the required passing score is a scaled 70, and pass rates for many state insurance exams run just over 60%. Most candidates study for several weeks. DC keeps the path simpler than many states because it requires no pre-licensing course; resident applicants need only pass the Pearson VUE exam, complete fingerprinting through Fieldprint, and apply online at www.nipr.com.

Difficulty depends mostly on the line you choose. The general lines (property and casualty) license requires a 200-hour prelicensing course, while life requires 30 hours, health 40 hours, and life and health combined 60 hours. Every exam requires a 70% passing score, and you may take the same exam up to 5 times in a rolling 12-month period. Pearson VUE publishes free content outlines for each exam to help you prepare.

A Georgia insurance license requires passing a Pearson licensing exam with 70% of the questions answered correctly, plus an 8-hour prelicensing course for each line you seek. There is no limit on attempts, but you must wait 14 days to retest after the first two attempts and 60 days after the third and later attempts. You must also submit electronic fingerprints, a notarized Citizenship Affidavit, and the license application fee.

The main hurdles are passing the licensing exam for each line you want to sell and clearing the fingerprint background check. Idaho does not require pre-licensing education, which removes a requirement that roughly half the states impose. Each exam costs $65, the application fee is $80, and the department typically processes an individual nonresident application within 1-2 business days once all documentation is received.

Getting an Illinois insurance license involves set, achievable steps rather than an open-ended hurdle: complete 20 hours of pre-licensing education per line of authority (7.5 of them in a classroom or webinar), pass the Pearson VUE exam with a score of 70 on a 0-100 scale, and apply online through NIPR after a 5-day wait. Nationally, first-time pass rates for insurance licensing exams generally run around 60%, so most candidates who study the material pass.

The main hurdle is the licensing exam, which requires a 70% score on every Indiana exam. You must also complete 20 to 40 hours of pre-licensing education, depending on the line you choose. Most candidates need dedicated study time, since the exams combine a general knowledge section with an Indiana state-specific section covering state insurance law.

The main hurdle is the licensing exam, since Iowa imposes no prelicensing education requirement and keeps the process to a few steps. You must pass the exam for your line of authority ($44 each through Pearson VUE), apply through the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR) system within 90 days with the $50 fee, and complete fingerprinting as a resident applicant. The Iowa Insurance Division sets the passing score and does not publish a numeric figure in the candidate handbook. Allow up to 22 business days after fingerprinting for review.

Getting licensed in Kansas is a comparatively short process because the state requires no pre-licensing education for any line of authority, so you can go straight to the licensing exam. The main hurdle is the Pearson VUE exam, which requires a 70% passing score. You must also be at least 18, pass fingerprinting and a criminal background check, and complete the application steps through the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR); many people finish within a few weeks.

Most applicants find the Kentucky licensing process manageable. The prelicensing course runs 20 hours per line of authority, the exam requires a 70% passing score, and you may retake an exam an unlimited number of times within a 120-day window, paying $50 for each retake. Applications are processed within 3 business days online or 5 business days on paper, and most people finish the whole process within a few weeks of focused study.

The main hurdle is the state licensing exam, which requires a passing score of 70% and is given only at PSI testing centers. Louisiana requires no prelicensing education, with two exceptions: bail bond applicants must complete a three-month apprenticeship, and public adjuster applicants need pre-approval from the Louisiana Department of Insurance. If you fail, there is no limit on retakes within the one-year exam score validity period.

The main hurdle is the licensing exam: Maine requires a scaled score of 70 to pass, and many first-time candidates on state licensing exams do not pass on the first attempt. Maine also requires 16 credit hours of prelicensing education, or 6 months of relevant full-time experience, before you can sit for the exam. If you fail, you must wait one day before scheduling a retake, and exam fees are non-refundable.

Getting licensed in Maryland is mostly a matter of passing the exam, since the state repealed its prelicensing education and experience requirements effective October 1, 2024, so no Commissioner-approved study program is required. You must score 70% or higher on the Prometric exam, and if you fail you must wait 4 days before retaking it. Complete applications are verified in 1-7 business days, with final determination processed in 7-10 business days.

The main hurdle is the exam, because Massachusetts requires no prelicensing education course. Resident applicants must be at least 18, pass the Pearson exam for each line of authority they want (a scaled score of 70 is passing), and have their NIPR application reviewed by the Division of Insurance, which typically takes 7 to 10 days. The state fee is $225, plus a $75 lead paint surcharge for Property, Casualty, or Personal Lines.

Getting licensed in Michigan involves a defined process rather than a high barrier: 20 hours of pre-licensing education per line (40 for combined lines), a PSI exam with a $41 fee, and a $10.00 application plus a $5.00 NIPR transaction fee. The exams are the main hurdle. Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services examination data shows roughly half of test takers pass, so most candidates who study the coursework pass on the first or second attempt. Cut scores range from 70% to 76% depending on the exam.

The main hurdles are 20 hours of prelicensing education per line of authority and a 70% passing score on the PSI exam. Nationally, first-attempt pass rates run around 60% based on NAIC data, so most candidates pass the first time. Exam results stay valid for three years, and if you fail, you cannot retest the same day but may retest as soon as two days later after paying the fee again.

The main hurdle is the licensing exam, and the other requirements are modest. You must be at least 18 years old, complete 20 hours of prelicensing education per line of authority (no course is required for the Life line as of July 1, 2024), and pass the exam. The passing score is 65% on the Life, Accident & Health, and combined Life/A&H exams and 70% on all others. Attempts at a test center are unlimited, though OnVUE online testing is limited to two attempts per exam type.

The main hurdle is the exam: Missouri requires no prelicensing education, but you must pass a Pearson VUE exam with a scaled score of 70 to qualify for a license. A little over half to about two-thirds of first-time test takers pass the major exams, and those who fail can retake the exam after a one-day wait. People who prepare steadily typically finish the whole process within a few weeks.

Montana keeps the process shorter than most states because producers need no prelicensing education; the main hurdle is the licensing exam, which you must pass with a score of 75% or better. Roughly half to two-thirds of first-time candidates pass state insurance exams, so many people need a retake. After you pass and apply, the state typically reviews applications in 7 to 10 days.

The Nebraska process itself involves few barriers: the state requires no pre-licensing education, and exams are open eligibility with unlimited attempts and no waiting period between them, so you may register and test whenever you feel ready. The exam is the hard part, and a substantial share of first-time test takers do not pass. A score of at least 70% is required.

Nevada requires no prelicensing education hours for producer applicants (NRS 683A.251, per NAIC chart PR-20), so the licensing exam is the main hurdle. All exams except Bail require a scaled score of 70 to pass (NAC 683A.270); the Bail exam requires 67%. Candidates who fail must wait 24 hours before making a re-exam reservation and pay the exam fee again, and most applicants finish the process, including fingerprinting and the application, within several weeks.

Getting a New Hampshire insurance license involves passing the PSI exam for your lines of authority and paying the application fee, and the state removes two requirements common elsewhere: no prelicensing course is required, and there is no fingerprint or background-check step. Correctly completed applications through the National Insurance Producer Registry are processed within 24 hours of receipt, except applications with affirmative background responses, which are pended for review.

Getting a New Jersey insurance license requires completing a defined process rather than clearing a high barrier: 20 hours of prelicensing education per line of authority, a passing score of at least 70% on the state exam, Live Scan fingerprints, and an online application through NIPR. Most people who study steadily finish within a few weeks, and the application is typically processed within days when the background check is clean.

New Mexico does not require prelicensing education, so no coursework stands between you and the exam. The main hurdle is the state licensing exam, which requires a minimum score of 70% to pass, and many candidates do not pass on the first attempt. You may take the exam up to 4 times per line of authority; a fourth failed attempt triggers a six-month waiting period before you can retake it.

You need 70% correct to pass the PSI licensing exam, and most candidates succeed on the first attempt, with common first-time pass rates in the roughly 55-70% range. The coursework load depends on the line: 40 hours for life, accident and health, 90 hours for property and casualty, and no prelicensing course for independent adjusters. If you fail, you may retake the exam as soon as the following week, and there is no limit on retakes.

Getting licensed comes down to passing the exam: North Carolina repealed its prelicensing education requirement on October 1, 2025, so applicants do not need course hours before testing. You apply online through NIPR, and states typically take 7 to 10 days to review an application, though a criminal history review can add 4 to 6 weeks. The exam requires a scaled score of 70 on a 0-to-100 scale, and a failed attempt can be rescheduled after 24 hours.

North Dakota has no prelicensing education requirement, so the main hurdle is the state exam. Each line's exam requires a 70% score to pass, which works out to 77 correct answers out of 110 on major-line exams such as Property and Casualty. Applicants may retest an unlimited number of times, and a passing score stays valid for one year before the license application is completed.

Getting licensed is a defined process rather than a judgment call: 20 hours of approved coursework per line, a 70% exam score, a fingerprint-based background check, and a $10.00 application fee per line of authority. Ohio does not require industry experience or a degree. First-time pass rates on the major exams run roughly between half and two-thirds, so the exam is the main obstacle, and most candidates complete the whole process within a few weeks of focused study.

Oklahoma makes getting licensed fairly accessible. The state does not require prelicensing education, and its exams are open eligibility, so you may test as many times as needed until you pass. The main hurdles are scoring 70% on the exam, submitting the online application after the 3-business-day waiting period, and allowing 5 to 7 business days for processing.

Getting an Oregon insurance producer license is a defined, manageable process rather than a hurdle: you complete 20 hours of prelicense training per line, pass the exam with a 70% score, submit fingerprints, and apply online. Most people finish the whole process within a few weeks of focused, part-time study. The exam is the step where preparation matters most.

The exam is the main hurdle, not the paperwork. Pennsylvania requires no pre-licensing education as of April 29, 2025, so you can register directly for the state exam through PSI. You need a score of 70% to pass, and there is no limit on retakes, though each attempt requires paying the full exam fee again. First-time pass rates for many state insurance exams are around 60%.

Rhode Island requires no prelicensing education hours for producers, so the state licensing exam is the main hurdle. You must be at least 18, pass the exam with a scaled score of 70, and wait 3 to 5 days for results to post before applying through NIPR. Nationally reported first-attempt pass rates run from 54.9% for the combined property and casualty exams to 64.8% for life and health, so preparation matters.

The process itself is short because South Carolina requires no prelicensing education, but the exams are demanding: calendar year 2020 first-time pass rates in South Carolina ranged from 39.16% on the Personal Lines exam to 58% on the combined Life, Accident and Health exam. You must be at least 18, pass the licensing exam with a score of 70 on a 0-100 scaled score range, pay a $25 license fee, and submit fingerprints. After licensing, 24 hours of continuing education every two years keeps the license active.

In South Dakota, the main hurdle is the licensing exam, but no pre-licensing education is required for a resident or nonresident producer license. First-time applicants must pass an exam for each line of authority they wish to sell, be at least 18 years old, and pay a $25 resident application fee, plus a service fee. The Division of Insurance does not specify an official study material, so candidates may prepare with materials of their choice.

The main hurdle is the Pearson VUE licensing exam, which requires a 70% score to pass for every line of authority. Beyond the exam, the requirements are modest: you must be at least 18, complete 20 hours of pre-licensing education per line, pass a fingerprint-based background check, and submit a $50 application through the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR). Most candidates who prepare with a course pass on the first attempt.

Utah is one of the easier states to get licensed in because it requires no pre-licensing education course, leaving the exam as the main hurdle. Electronic applications are generally processed in 5-10 business days once the application, fees, and fingerprints are complete, though the state allows 30 days for the FBI/BCI to process fingerprints. Most candidates complete the whole process within a few weeks.

In Vermont the process is mostly about passing the exam, because the state requires no prelicensing education hours. National pass rates for state insurance exams run around 60%, so most prepared candidates pass. Prometric offers free practice exams for the Vermont licensing tests.

Virginia does not require prelicensing education for most lines, so the licensing exam is the main hurdle. You must be at least 18, pass the exam with a 70% score, submit fingerprints, and pay a $15 application fee per line of authority. Only the Title line requires a prelicensing course, which is 16 classroom hours. If you fail, you may re-register after 24 hours, but a third failure triggers a 30-calendar-day wait.

The main hurdle is the licensing exam, since Washington no longer requires pre-licensing education for producers. You must score at least 70% to pass, and each single-line exam costs $38. There is no limit to the number of retakes, and you can retest as soon as the second day after a failed attempt. After passing, you apply online, pay the $55 license fee, and get fingerprinted, and you must finish those steps within 180 days of the exam.

West Virginia's fixed fees for a Property and Casualty producer license are $84 for the Pearson VUE examination, $47.25 for fingerprinting through Identogo, and $50 for the license application through the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR). You must also complete 20 hours of pre-licensing education per line, and course prices vary by provider.

Getting a Wisconsin insurance license involves completing 20 hours of prelicensing education per line of authority (8 shared hours of principles, Wisconsin law, and ethics plus 12 line-specific hours), passing the state exam with a score of 70% or higher, submitting fingerprints, and applying through NIPR. Applications are typically processed within 24 to 48 hours, though deferred applications take longer. There is no limit on how many times you may retake the exam.

Wyoming is one of the easier states in which to get an insurance license because it requires no prelicensing education hours before the exam. The main hurdle is the state licensing exam, which National Association of Insurance Commissioners data show roughly 55% of candidates pass on the first attempt.