Insurance Licensing Exam Information for Different States
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The insurance test that you take to become a licensed insurance agent will differ, depending on the state where you live. Twenty-five of the fifty United States use the Pearson VUE insurance licensing exam. While many people fail the exam on their first try, and the difficulty of the test seems to vary according to different people, adequate preparation plays a large role in the potential for successfully passing the exam on the first try.
Although this same type of exam is used in 25 states, there are still differences that pertain to each specific state. Some of the features that set the state tests apart include:
- Set-up of the test
- Format the questions are presented in
- Score needed to pass
- Cost of exam
- Pre-licensing requirements
- Amount of time permitted for completion
- Information that is pertinent to the state
One feature that is common on the insurance license exam for most states is that there are 4 basic exams, including: Life, Accident & Health, or Sickness & Disability, Property, and Casualty. Each exam presents its own challenge with different areas considered the most difficult in various states. Overall, however, any “Accident & Health” or “Sickness and Disability” policy is more complex than a life insurance policy, while the Property insurance exam is easier than the Casualty insurance policy. The state portions of the exams are where variations determine the complexity of the exam due to the specifics that relate to that state’s regulations.
Preparation courses are designed to help test takers learn the state-specific information that may be included on the exam. The more comprehensive a course is, the more likely you will be to know everything needed to attain a passing score. The use of practice exams and questions gives potential test takers the opportunity to test their knowledge. This allows them to determine how well they know the material and what areas they might need to cover again.
When practicing for the exam, it is important to take a course that is specific for the state where you live. Since the state-specific material may be the most challenging of all the information needed on the test, you will need to focus on this area during the insurance license prep course. Since most state exams today are computerized, preparing online will also give you a realistic idea of what it will be like to take the real exam.
There are no shortcuts to learning the material, or alternatives to knowing it. There are no shortcuts to taking the tests, such as learning test-taking strategies. The only way to get the right answers is to know the information that you will be tested on, including the general information, and that which pertains to the state. One of the most effective ways to accomplish this is through a quality pre-licensing course that provides the needed information, and which gives you options for testing yourself on it after it has been learned.
Summary
The tests that are required for insurance licensing vary from one state to the next. To prepare, individuals should take insurance pre-licensing courses that cover all of the material that may be covered on the exam. They can then use practice exams and questions to challenge the knowledge they have acquired.
Company Bio
America’s Professor (https://americasprofessor.com/) is a company which teaches insurance pre-licensing courses to help potential insurance agents acquire their licenses. They have 30 years of experience at providing the highest quality courses through the use of instructional videos and easy-to-understand text books.
How many states can one exam of property and casualty insurance be used ?
Hi Nicholas, If you take the exam in you home state and get a resident license, you can then apply for a non-resident license in other states. I hope that answers your questions. If not, let us know. Thanks and have a great day.
What is the passing scores requirements for each state?
Hello Lily, It usually is between 70%-80%. What state do you live in?
I am a Ga resident . Will I also be able to practice nationally with my health and life Insurance license?
Hello Abbie, You will need to get your resident Life Health license in Georgia (course) and then apply for non-resident licenses in the other states you wish to do business in. There really isn’t a “national” license. Each state has their own requirements but it very common to be licensed in multiple states. Please let us know if you have any other questions. Thanks!
Can you take insurance agent test state of Arkansas if you reside and want a license in Illinois?
Hi Tom, You would need to get your resident license in the state you live in and then apply for a non-resident license (usually no exam required) in any other state you would like a non-resident license in. Good luck!
I live in Indiana but I am 15 minutes away from Illinois. Can I take The Illinois insurance test, since I plan on looking for employment out there?
Hi Silvia! No, you will need to get your Indiana resident license and then a non-resident license for Illinois. Please see this article for more information. Good luck!
What states do you need a separate life license from the health license?
Hi Erin, I’m not sure what your question is. Most allow a student to have a combo Life/Health license (most popular). Most states also allow you to only have a Life Only or Health Only license. It just depends on what products/policies you are going to be appointed to sell.
Is there a seprate license for commercial insurance in additional to property and casualty?
Hello Jackson, A full Property and Casualty (PC) license allows you to sell both Personal Lines and Commercial Lines policies. Rarely do we have students who only want to sell Personal Lines policies ONLY but there is usually a license for Personal Lines Producers if that’s all they really want. We feel if you are going to go through the process to get licensed you should most definitely get a full PC license so you have the ability to make a commercial policy sale ($$$) and also if you switch jobs, more than likely you will need a full PC… Read more »
I’ve heard there are several states now offering virtual life and health licensing exams from home. Do you know which states those are?
Hi John, The only states that I’ve heard of that are giving the exam online are PSI Exam states, such as Washington State. They had been testing it out over the past 6-8 months and it had been working well. I’m not sure what other states are testing online but if you check their Department of Insurance it should have some info. Good luck!
Will I need my California Driver’s license in order to the take the California P&C exam at a PSI location? Just moved to San Diego and signed my lease. 🙁
Hi Lydia, You can use your Driver’s license or other forms of pictured id. It’s more of a verification process than the information put on your application. You can always call them and see what exact forms of ID are acceptable. Good luck.
Can I take the Texas LAH in Arizona?
Hi Hank, it depends on the testing company but I doubt you will find a Pearson VUE center in Arizona. You can call and ask Pearson VUE what test centers are closest to you. Good luck!
I passed the TN Life insurance exam in 2016 and the Health and Accident in 2017 but did not apply for a license…Interested in getting a license now…is my test still good or do I have to start all over with a new class and retake them again.
Hi Orlando, Unfortunately, you will have to start over to pick up that license. Test results and course certificates of completion are usually only good for one year.
Which test is better to take General and State Series, or the State Specific Series?
Hi Sherri, Most people will take the state specific exam initially but only if they fail a portion of the exam, in states that allow it, will they be able to come back and take the portion they failed. We would call that a “leg up” state as they don’t require you to retest on what you have already passed for x amount of days. Good luck!
Can you take the test online at your own home
Hi Michelle, It depends on the test provider in your state. You should check with them to verify their abilities. Good luck!
Hi, I have really bad test anxiety but I need to pass the test. I have already taken the test once in AZ (Property and Casualty) and failed. Do you know if there’s an online version I can take at home? Or taking the test in a state that offers the test only at home and just apply for a license in AZ? Thanks!
Hello Frank, Unfortunately, I don’t believe Arizona allows for online testing yet… but I would think it would be available soon as they have begun to rollout online testing in other states via ProProctor. You could call your Department of Insurance to see if they have made any progress in this area. Do keep in mind that if you fail the exam 4 times you will be required to wait 1 year before testing again. Good luck!
Can you take the state life insurance exam from home or do you have to take in in the designated places?
Hi Rachael, It depends on your state’s exam provider. Some exam providers have online proctored testing options while others still have you go to one of their testing locations. So, just check with your test provider to see what options they have available for you. Good luck!