What are the requirements to get a life insurance license?

In most states you must be at least 18 years old, complete any required prelicensing education for the life line of authority, pass the state licensing exam, clear a background check (usually with fingerprinting), and submit an application with the required fees. Prelicensing hours vary widely by state, and some states require none. A professional designation such as CLU may waive the education or exam in some states. Qualifications and fees are set state by state.

Alabama requires resident life insurance producers to be at least 18, pass the state Life exam with a score of 70% or higher, and apply through the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR) with an $80 fee. No prelicensing education is required as of January 1, 2024. After passing, you must complete a fingerprint background check and apply within 30 days, since fingerprint results stay in the state system only 30 days. Proof of U.S. citizenship must reach the state within 10 days of applying.

To get a life insurance producer license in Alaska, you must be 18, be a resident actually living in Alaska, be found trustworthy and competent, and pass the life licensing exam, which covers general life insurance knowledge plus Alaska insurance law. You then file an application through nipr.com with a $75 fee and a fingerprint card with a $48.25 evaluation fee. Scores are valid for one year from the exam date.

Arizona requires no pre-licensing education for a life insurance license. You must pass the PSI Life Insurance exam (Series 13-31, $50 fee) with a score of 70%, submit electronic fingerprints through the state's process, and apply through the National Insurance Producer Registry with the $120 license fee within one year of passing. Each license is valid only for the lines of authority shown on it.

You must complete a prelicensing course for the Life line and hold a valid certificate of completion before you may take the exam; certificates are valid for 2 years. Submit the resident application through the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR) with its $20 fee, complete the online criminal background check, then pass the PSI Life exam with at least 70%. The exam fee is $50, and the exam allows 2.5 hours.

California requires life agent applicants to be at least 18 years old, complete a 12-hour course on ethics and the California Insurance Code (including 1 hour on insurance fraud), and pass the Life exam. The Life exam has 75 questions, allows 105 minutes, and requires a 60% score. You then apply online ($188 filing fee) and submit fingerprints; a passed exam is valid for one year.

To get a Colorado Life license you must be at least 18, a Colorado resident, and trustworthy, competent, and financially responsible, and you must disclose any previously revoked, denied, or suspended licenses. You complete 50 hours of prelicensing education, which must include 3 hours of ethics, 3 hours of general Colorado insurance law, and 4 hours of law specific to your line, then pass the 2-hour Pearson VUE Life exam. The resident license fee is $44.

Connecticut requires applicants to be at least 18 years old, financially responsible, and of good moral character. You must complete 20 hours of Life pre-licensing education, unless you hold a designation such as CLU, ChFC, CFP, or LUTCF and provide a current Letter of Designation, and pass the $65 Pearson VUE Life exam with a 70% score. Apply online through the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR); the individual producer fee is $140.

Delaware requires life insurance license applicants to pass the Pearson VUE Life Producer exam and submit a State Criminal Background Report from the Delaware State Police. No prelicensing education is required. You apply electronically through the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR) and pay a $125 fee; the Life Producer exam has 90 scored questions and costs $90.

DC requires life insurance license applicants to be at least 18 with a DC residence or business address, pass the Pearson VUE Life exam, and apply online at nipr.com within 1 year of passing. The Life exam has 80 scored questions plus 5 unscored pretest questions, and the required scaled passing score is 70. The Life Grouping license fee is $100, and resident applicants must also submit fingerprints through Fieldprint.

To get a Florida life insurance license (the 2-14), you must be at least 18, a bona fide Florida resident, a US citizen or legal alien with work authorization, and free of a resident license in another state. You must complete a 30-hour approved life and variable contracts prelicensing course within four years of applying, pass the state exam, and be fingerprinted. A passing exam score is valid for one year, and you must complete licensing within that time or retake the exam.

Georgia requires an 8-hour Life prelicensing course taken within the last 12 months, then a passing score of 70% on the Pearson VUE Life exam (exam 12-GA-01, 2 hours). You must be at least 18 years old, apply at sircon.com/georgia, pay a $100 license fee plus a $20 processing fee, submit a notarized Citizenship Affidavit (form GID-276-EN) with a copy of your ID, and complete electronic fingerprints for a criminal background check.

Idaho requires no pre-licensing education for a life insurance license. You must pass the ID Life Producer exam through Pearson VUE ($65, 75 scored questions in 120 minutes), submit fingerprints for a background check, and apply online through NIPR with the $80 fee. After licensure, selling long-term care or annuities carries additional training requirements: 8 hours before selling long-term care and 4 hours of annuity training before selling annuities.

You must be at least 18 years old and complete 20 hours of pre-licensing education for the Life line, including 7.5 hours in a classroom. Then pass the Life General exam (75 minutes) and Life State exam (50 minutes) through Pearson VUE, both within 90 days of each other, with a passing score of 70. After passing, wait 5 days and apply online at www.nipr.com; the resident license fee is $215.

To get an Indiana Life license you must be at least 18, an Indiana resident, complete state-approved pre-licensing education, and pass the Life exam with a scaled score of 70. The exam costs $69 through Pearson VUE, and the license application fee is $40. You must pass the exam and apply for the license within six months of the date on your pre-licensing certificate of completion.

You must be at least 18, hold a valid Social Security number, and pass the Iowa Life exam (12-IA-01, 2 hours, $44, 77 scoreable questions). After passing, submit your application and license fee online through the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR) within 90 days. The handbook's required steps are the exam reservation, the exam itself, and the license application; no coursework is listed.

You must be at least 18 years old, pass the Kansas Life examination with a score of at least 70%, and submit the NAIC Uniform Application through NIPR, paying a $30 application fee and a $60 fingerprint fee. Kansas requires no pre-licensing education for any line. You also need a state tax clearance, fingerprints for a state and national background check, the electronic waiver form, and a color copy of your Kansas ID.

You must be at least 18, complete 20 hours of life prelicensing education, pass the life examination with a 70% score, submit an AOC criminal background report, and pay the $40 agent fee plus $40 for the life line of authority. You must also show financial responsibility, such as an errors-and-omissions policy of at least $20,000 per occurrence. A resident applicant for the variable life and variable annuities line must hold an active life line of authority.

To get a Life insurance producer license in Louisiana, you pass the Life exam (PSI Series 101, $36 fee), submit your license application through the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR), and complete fingerprinting through IdentoGo. No prelicensing education is required for the exam, and there is no limit on retakes if you fail during the one-year period.

To earn a Maine resident life insurance license, pass the Pearson VUE Life Producer exam (12-ME-41), which has 75 scoreable questions, runs 1 hour 45 minutes, and costs $55, with a passing scaled score of 70. Then submit a license application and fee to the Maine Bureau of Insurance, which reviews the application before issuing the license.

To get a Maryland life insurance producer license, you must pass the state's Life Producer exam (Prometric code 2027) and submit the NAIC Uniform Individual Application with a $54 fee, online through NIPR or by mail to the Maryland Insurance Administration. You must be at least 18 years old, and the passing score is 70%. Effective October 1, 2024, Maryland no longer requires a prelicensing education course or minimum experience before the exam.

You must pass the Life Producer exam and apply through the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR); the Massachusetts Division of Insurance reviews each application and issues the license upon approval. The exam costs $37, is given in person at Pearson test centers with a reservation at least 48 hours in advance, and requires a scaled score of 70 to pass. It has 80 scored questions covering general knowledge and Massachusetts law.

To get a Michigan life insurance producer license, you must be at least 18 years old, complete 20 hours of pre-licensing education from a Michigan-approved provider, and pass the Life Producer exam, which has 100 items, a 2-hour time limit, and a 72% passing score. You then file an application through the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR) for a $10.00 state fee plus a $5.00 transaction fee. The exam must be passed within 12 months of your course completion date.

Minnesota requires a life insurance producer to be at least 18, complete 20 hours of approved prelicensing education for the life line of authority, and pass the life exam through PSI with a score of 70% or higher. You must also submit fingerprints, which cost $66.75 electronically at a PSI test center, and apply online on Sircon with a $50 license fee. To sell variable life and variable annuities, you must hold an active Minnesota life license or apply for both at the same time.

Mississippi requires life insurance license applicants to be at least 18 years old, pass the Life Producer exam through Pearson VUE with a score of 65%, and submit an application with the $100 license fee. Effective July 1, 2024, House Bill 819 removed the 20-hour prelicensing education requirement for applicants seeking the Life line of authority only; the exam is still required.

You must be a Montana resident, at least 18 years old, and fingerprinted for a state and federal criminal background check. You must have passed the Life exam with a score of 75% or better within the year before applying; the exam has 86 scoreable questions. Montana also bars life producer applicants who work as a funeral director, undertaker, or mortician in any state.

Nebraska requires resident Life applicants to be at least 18, maintain a principal place of residence in the state, and be competent, trustworthy, and financially responsible. You must pass the Life licensing exam, which costs $43, has 100 items, and requires a 70% score. No pre-licensing education or prior experience is required, and after passing you have up to one year to obtain the license.

Nevada requires you to be at least 18 years old, pass the Pearson VUE life insurance exam with a scaled score of 70, submit fingerprints within 90 days of applying, and pay the $185 state licensing fee. Nevada no longer requires prelicensing education for producer applicants under NRS 683A.251. After passing, you must apply for the license online through Sircon within one year, and the exam itself costs $37.

A New Hampshire life insurance producer must be at least 18 years old and pass the Life exam (series 12-61, $59) administered by PSI. No prelicensing course is required. After passing, apply online through the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR) and pay the $210 producer license fee; the passing score stays valid for 2 years.

You must be at least 18 years old, complete 20 hours of approved prelicensing education for the life line, pass the PSI licensing exam with at least 70%, complete Live Scan fingerprinting, and apply online through NIPR, which totals $170 in state fees. If you plan to sell annuities, you must also complete a one-time 4-credit annuity training course.

You must be at least 18 years old, be a New Mexico resident with an in-state residential or business address (no P.O. box), have no disqualifying criminal act, and pass the life insurance exam with a minimum score of 70% through PSI. New Mexico does not require prelicensing education or a study course. You must also submit fingerprints for a state and federal background check (the fee is $67) and apply online at www.nipr.com with the $30 application fee, providing at least five years of employment history without gaps.

To get a New York life insurance license, you must be at least 18 years old, complete 20 hours of Department-approved prelicensing education for the life-only authority (40 hours for combined life, accident and health), and pass the PSI licensing exam with at least 70% correct. Then apply online through the DFS portal within 2 years of passing the exam. The license fee is $80 for New York residents when issued for more than one year.

You must be at least 18 and apply online at www.nipr.com. Pre-licensing education is no longer required as of October 1, 2025. You pay a $50 registration fee plus a $44 application processing fee, submit electronic fingerprints ($38) unless exempt, and pass the Pearson VUE Life exam, which runs 1 hour 15 minutes with 55 questions and requires a scaled score of 70 to pass.

You must be at least 18 years old, live in North Dakota or keep a principal place of business in the state, and be trustworthy, competent, and financially responsible. You must pass the Life and Annuity exam, which costs $64, allows 150 minutes, and requires a 70% score. You must also pass a criminal background check and pay the $100 application fee through the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR). If you will sell variable products, you must first register as a securities salesperson with the state.

To get an Ohio life insurance license, you must be at least 18, complete 20 hours of state-approved pre-licensing education, and pass the Life exam with a score of 70% or higher. You must also submit to a fingerprint-based criminal background check and apply through the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR) with a $10 application fee. Your course completion certificate is valid for 180 calendar days, and you must pass the exam within that window.

To get an Oklahoma life insurance license, you must be at least 18, be a US citizen or hold a valid visa, and pass the Life exam with a 70% score. Oklahoma requires no prelicensing education and no fingerprints for producer applicants. A felony conviction for dishonesty or breach of trust requires a 1033 waiver from the department before you may proceed. After passing, you must apply within 2 years; the resident application fee is $60.

A life insurance license in Oregon requires 20 hours of life prelicense education, passing the Life producer exam (Series 12-01, $45, 70% passing score), and fingerprinting ($61.25). You must be at least 18 years old and be an Oregon resident or maintain a place of business in the state. You then apply online through NIPR, which charges a $100 state fee plus a transaction fee.

Pennsylvania requires life insurance license applicants to be at least 18 years old, maintain a primary residence or business location in the state, be able to read and write English, and pass the Life Insurance exam (16-01, $45) or the Life, Accident and Health combination exam (16-03, $55) with a minimum score of 70%. The resident individual application fee is $55, and new resident applicants must submit fingerprints at an IdentoGO center after applying.

You must be at least 18, and Rhode Island residents must provide a certified background check from the Rhode Island Attorney General. Pass the Pearson VUE Life Producer exam (passing score 70, $80 fee), wait 3-5 days for results to post to NIPR, then apply through NIPR with the $120 resident fee. Non-citizens must email proof of eligibility to work in the U.S. to the Insurance Division. A passing score is valid for 12 months, and the license is issued for a 2-year term.

South Carolina requires no prelicensing education for a life insurance license. You must be at least 18, pass the Pearson VUE Life Insurance Producer exam (85 items, 120 minutes, $59), and submit fingerprints for a SLED state and FBI national criminal check after applying. The department also requires good moral character, meaning no felony conviction within the last 10 years or misdemeanor involving dishonesty within 5 years, plus payment of the $25 license fee.

To get a South Dakota life insurance producer license, you must be at least 18 years old, pass the written life exam, pay the $25 application fee plus a service fee, and apply online through the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR). No pre-licensing education is required. The exam tests the life line of authority, producer duties, and South Dakota insurance law.

To get a Tennessee life insurance license, you must be at least 18 and provide proof of Tennessee residency. Complete 20 hours of pre-licensing education through a provider approved by the Department of Commerce and Insurance, then pass the Pearson VUE life exam with a score of 70% or higher. Finish your fingerprint-based background check through IdentoGO at least 2 business days before applying, wait 48 hours after the exam, and submit the application with the $50 fee through the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR).

To get a Texas life insurance license, you must be at least 18 years old and pass the Pearson VUE Life Agent exam, which has 80 scoreable questions and costs $39 per the October 2024 handbook. Residents must also complete an IdentoGO fingerprint background check, while nonresidents licensed in good standing in a reciprocal state are exempt from the exam. You must apply through Sircon or the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR) within one year of passing, with a $50 application fee.

To get a Utah resident life insurance producer license, you must be at least 18 years old, have a Social Security Number, be a Utah resident, pass the Prometric Life exam (17-01), and meet character requirements under Utah Code 31A-23a-107. Utah requires no pre-licensing education. After passing, apply online through SIRCON or the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR) and complete fingerprinting at a Prometric test center.

To obtain a Vermont life insurance producer license, you must be at least 18 years old, be deemed competent, trustworthy, and financially responsible by the commissioner, and pass the written Life exam, the Series 14-25, which costs $52. Vermont requires no prelicensing education hours. After passing, residents wait 48 hours before submitting an electronic application through NIPR.

Virginia requires no prelicensing course for a Life and Annuities license. You must be at least 18, pass the Series 11-05 exam (two-hour limit, $35 fee), be fingerprinted at a Fieldprint site, and submit a $15 application through NIPR or Sircon. A passed exam is valid for 183 calendar days.

To get a Washington life insurance license, you must be 18, pass the PSI Life Producer exam with a score of at least 70%, apply online for the $55 license, and submit fingerprints for a background check. Pre-licensing education is optional; the requirement ended July 23, 2023.

To get a West Virginia Life producer license, you must be at least 18, be a WV resident, and complete 20 hours of approved pre-licensing education for the Life line. You then pass the Pearson VUE Life exam, which has 90 questions in 120 minutes and requires a scaled score of 70, at a fee of $84. After passing, you submit fingerprints through Identogo and apply through NIPR with a $50 fee.

You must complete 20 hours of prelicensing education with a Wisconsin-approved provider, of which 8 hours cover principles of insurance, Wisconsin insurance law, and ethics, and 12 hours cover life-specific policies, terms, concepts, and law. Next, submit fingerprints through Fieldprint, then pass the $75 Life exam (series 22-01) with at least 70% correct. Wait 48-72 hours for your scores to record, then apply through NIPR, paying a $75 license fee plus a $10 application fee.

To get a Wyoming life insurance license you must be at least 18, pass the Wyoming Insurance Licensing Exam for the Life line of authority, apply online through Sircon, pay the $100 resident fee, and submit fingerprints for a criminal background check. Wyoming requires no prelicensing course hours, and the Variable Life and Variable Annuities line also requires Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) registration before you apply.