What Should I Do After Passing My Insurance Agent Exam?
Congratulations! You’ve passed your insurance agent exam, and are ready to get your new career as an insurance agent started. Just because you’ve passed your exam, however, doesn’t mean that you’re a licensed insurance agent yet. There are several steps that need to be taken before you can legally sell insurance in your state. In this article we’ll go over a brief outline of the steps that come next.
Minimum Requirements
When attempting to become an insurance agent, it’s important to consult the guidelines provided by your state’s Department of Insurance. Each state’s exact licensing requirements are different, but any prospective insurance agent can expect there to be minimum requirements that need to be met. These requirements can include the minimum number of hours of class time that need to be taken before applying to take the insurance agent exam and the steps that need to be taken for a license to be issued by the state Insurance Commissioner’s office.
After the Exam
Once a person has passed their state’s insurance license exam, they are free to apply for an insurance license. Generally the exam’s pass results page, handed to successful test takers when leaving the test center, will have the exact steps to take to apply for a license. Most test providers (e.g., Pearson VUE, PSI Exams, Prometric, etc) will also have a Candidate Handbook or License Information Bulletin that highlights the steps and required forms to be submitted. In order to start selling insurance as quickly is possible, newly approved insurance agents should apply for their license as soon as they can. In order to do so, they’ll need to follow the steps below.
Obtaining a Bond
Some states require new insurance agents (especially independent agents who are not employed by an agency) to take out a bond in favor of the people of the state in which they sell insurance. By requiring independent agents to become bonded by a financial institution, the state is ensuring that it will be able to recoup money in case of fraudulent practices or other damages caused by the insurance agent. If your state requires you to take out a bond, you will need to provide the state insurance office with proof that the bond has been obtained.
Registering with the State
As is customary with state licenses, insurance license applicants should expect to provide the state insurance office with identifying information, such as their social security number, photo identification, and fingerprints. The exact requirements for providing personal information vary by state, but it is common practice for states to collect this information from licensed professionals so that they can verify their identity, check their criminal records, and keep pertinent information on the licensed individual available for future reference.
To make sure that you are following the correct insurance agent licensing procedure, be sure to consult your state’s official guidelines. Following these guidelines as closely as possible will help make sure your application is processed as quickly as possible.
Before you can apply for a license, you need to study for your insurance agent exam! Contact America’s Professor today to learn more about our online insurance training program, taught by industry veterans with decades of experience. We can be reached at 800-870-3130.
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Hello Jose, This is a pretty common question we get. It is NOT common for someone to get their license and open up their own agency right away. Most insurance carriers are looking for Agents/Producers with experience before they appoint someone to represent and sell their policies/products. There’s usually also a very large liquid asset requirement (~ $1.5M) if you are opening your own independent agency. You can check with your department of insurance to see what the Agency license requirements are for your state. Usually we see new Agents/Producers go to work with an insurance agency for a while… Read more »
Jose, The reply above and the facts/information given are actually not true at all; atleast not within our Insurance company. I am located in California. Feel free to reach out to me anytime and i will be more than happy to assist you with this and answer any questions you may have. (408)689-2193
Hello Iman, I must respectfully disagree with you. For the 10K-15K students we talk to a year, the vast majority of them are not getting their own insurance license and immediately starting their own agency. They barely know what Carriers are much less how to get in touch with one. Everyone typically wants experience before they invest in a person. Now, I will say there are some Captive Agency opportunities out there for you to open your own agency but in our experience, rarely does that happen immediately. We’ve seen Agents go the Captive route and have to show ~$50K… Read more »
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I am in Arizona. Licensed now in Life, Accident and Health, YOU need to get further training for most of your insurance policies you may be wanting to sell. AHIP https://www.ahipmedicaretraining.com/ext/ahip/login.php . if you want to sell Medicare. if you want to sell LTC https://insurance.az.gov/producers/producer-agentbroker/long-term-care-training LIfe Insurance Annuity Training https://insurance.az.gov/annuity-training-requirement etc..and then you have to get certified by each carrier before they take you on to represent them can take up to 30 days to get approved once your application has been sent and you are not certififed beforehand. If you try to push an application online through it will… Read more »
Hi Hussain, After passing your exam you will apply for your license with the state licensing department. Soon as you have your license you will be able to go to work for an insurance company selling their products/policies. If you don’t already have a job lined up you’ll want to start looking at who’s hiring. Since there is a lot of turnover in the industry there are always companies hiring! Please let us know if you have any other questions.
Hi, I am in need of advice. I have already passed the exam and I just recently submitted my finger prints and other documents requested to PCI. I need to know what the next steps for me if I want to sell insurance. I already have a few tax offices and I do see where alot of companies are doing both out of their office spaces and I would like to do the same. I guess I would like to do it independently but sell for other major companies. I hope this all makes sense. Thank you in advance for… Read more »
Hello Kenyetta, We primarily work in Test World (which you successfully completed) but the first thing to do is wait until you get your license. Secondly, you will want to look into getting an agency license with the state. Last you will want to search out and contact carriers who will let you sell their products directly to customers, which may be tough without experience in the industry. You might try contacting a similar company as your in an area that would not be in competition with you and ask them the process they went through and what carriers they… Read more »
Hello George, It depends on the state. Most states give you 1 year to complete the licensing process but a few others only allow 180 days. If you look at your pass results from your exam it should tell you. Also, calling the Department of Insurance in your state and asking for the Licensing Department should also get your questions answered. Good luck!
Hi Norea, I think your questions would be better answered over on Insurance-Forums.com. They have a lot of Real World Agents and Producers who can weigh in. Good luck!
Hello Alanna, Usually the steps to getting your license are Prepare, Pass & Apply. What state are you trying to get your resident license in? That will determine who gives the licensing exam and if a background/fingerprint process is required.
Hi Jose, Are you talking about selling insurance (Producer) or arranging the sale between two parties (brokering/consulting)? We find a lot of people don’t really know what a Broker is and they really mean Producer (please see here).
Thank you for your fast response and for your help. Im In California and Im in the process of getting my license, my goal is to open my own office and sell policies from different companies, Ive gotten different answers from different people regarding my questions so basically Im confused and don’t know exactly how to start. I think the correct name is Insurance Producer.
Okay, it sounds like you want to be an Independent Insurance Agent/Producer (not Captive) and start your own Independent Insurance Agency. One resource I think a lot of people forget about is their own Insurance Agent/Producer. Often calling your local Agent will yield some pretty good, real world, information. They are usually happy to explain the process they went through and make some recommendations. Always be sure to check with your state’s DOI for current regulations and requirements. Good luck!
Hi Jose, not sure if you already found your way to your insurance broker plans at this time. My name is Dean and I am also new in the insurance business. Finally got my license, also getting non resident licenses in other states, while learning the policies of the different companies that I am now appointed with. It has been a challenge but fun! Please do not hesitate to reach out to me if you still needs help ok? We can actually operate to all the 52 states as we obtain the licenses per state. Dean Luzader #7037129479
I too have obtained my license and now I’m wanting to understand next steps. I sold PEOs at ADP along with HRB software with carrier connections. I now want to start selling life and health insurance but obtaining a license doesn’t teach you how to actually get plans from providers to present to individuals or companies.
Hello! I recently left a B/D and received notice that I have to contact every single state to surrender my licensing. I’m not sure yet whether I want to return to the industry. How long do licenses last before they lapse? If they lapse, what fee is charged? It seems somewhat ridiculous that 50 separate forms or notices would need to be given when one leaves the industry. Could you please advise?
Hi Mary, Sorry but this gets a little into the weeds for us and I don’t think we can really help you with a definite answer. I think the only people that can answer this for you are those at the licensing department in each state (or you might get a consensus after a few calls). I know a few states, like Texas, have large reinstatement fees and other just have you retake exams. Your individual licenses should say how long they are good for and fees are probably different by state. I hope you are able to find the… Read more »
Hi Gabriel, It sounds like you need to work with your employer to be able to sell Health products/policies (best option). If you were an independent agent it’s possible some carriers would allow you to sell their products but that’s not a normal situation. You can get into some tricky situations working for two different agencies though. You might have a contractual agreement with you current employer that has limitations. Again, lots of possibilities here. If you are working for a captive company your only way is to find a new employer.
Did you pass your insurance license exam, apply for your license then not renew it? Most states allow you to reinstate your license for up to a year although you have to catch up on all your continuing education hours and pay a reinstatement fee. You will want to call your state’s licensing department to verify the procedure. Now if you didn’t ever apply for your license (just passed the licensing exam) your pass results from the test center are usually only good for 1 year. Beyond that time frame you will need to take your exam again. Good luck!
Hello Damon,
Did you send in your license application to the insurance licensing department with your pass results? Passing the exam only gives you the ability to apply for a license. If you did send in all the required information I’d call your state’s insurance licensing department and see what’s holding your license up. Usually it only takes a few weeks. Good luck!
Hi Teri, Usually CSRs are fully licensed in the office so that they can deal with quotes and review current customer’s accounts. Being fully licensed with a Property and Casualty Producer license allows you to get commissions for new sales you make. Is your employer moving you into more of a sales role? If so, then I assume that’s when more sales/product training might come on. If not, then for liability purposes your employer has just covered his or her bases.
Hello Deborah, After passing your exam you first need to apply for your license at sircon.com/georgia then wait for the state to process your application and background check. Usually this process takes a few weeks but depends on how busy they are. Good luck!
I took my P&C test and passed it in January of this year, but due to a conflicting schedule I didn’t continue with the process to obtain my license. I would like to get licensed now but my concern is that I will have to start over again or can I just continue with the finger prints and background check process?
Ive been insurance for over 20 years and was thinking of changing from where I have been in an independent agency to a company called Shelter.They are saying its not that easy that I am an appointed agent and I am not. I have changed twice in my career and never have signed a contract nor have I been ask to sign one when I go. This is a good job and id like to go but this is becoming an issue and its just not so. I work CSR but I am fully licensed. I will be writing policies… Read more »
Hi Vivian, If you resign from your current job your employer will have to cancel your appointment with your current company. You can then go to work for another company, who will then call the insurance commissioner’s office and ask them to issue a new appointment so that you can represent their company. Please give us a call if you have any other questions. Thanks and have a great day!
I was fired from my job and now am running around making sure my licensing info is up to date in each state. I am worried about being stuck with non-compliance fees and having to worry about that while unemployed. I have checked each state’s websites and called voicemail boxes pr state but cannot get this answer, if I want to keep my license until they expire do I have to file anything with each state I am licensed as a non-resident or will my license auto-expire once the company I worked for contact the state’s insurance office that I… Read more »
Hi Savana, If you have a resident license you just need to make sure you keep up on your continuing education hours and renewal fee to keep it in good standing. Then make sure to keep your renewal fees paid for any non-resident state licenses requiring a fee. Your license does not expire once you leave a company, you are just no longer appointed by them to represent and sell their products. I know it goes without saying but, be sure to not tell anyone you represent an Insurer until you are appointed by them. Good luck!
Hi, I passed the NY state exam (P&C) and filed for an agent license but on Department of Financial services of NY website my license seems to be “inactive”. I will start a new job next week with a Carrier’s agency (State Farm), should I request a letter from them for activating my agent license?
Hi Pablo, You will want to call the Licensing Department in New York to find out what the holdup is on your application. Sometimes the background check take a while to get back but sometimes there are other issues. You will want to wait until you either have your license in the mail or see it was activated otherwise. Good luck!
Hello, Most any company you go to work for is going to train specifically for thier company so not having experience isn’t a problem. Unfortunately we don’t directly work with any company recruiters, unless they are sending us students, so I wouldn’t really be able to give you any other advice. You might look at the insurance forums at insurance-forums.com and see if anything peaks your interest. Good luck!
Hello Rebecca, Is looks like you have to wait at least 5 days before you can apply for your license but I don’t see a deadline for having to apply for it. Most states states allow for up to a year. Generally the pass results from your testing provider will list how long they are good for (usually a year) as well as the certificates of completion. You may want to contact the Illinois licensing department if you have further questions.
Hello Clinton, After passing the exam you usually have one year to apply for your license. You pass results from the testing center will give the specifics. As long as you complete your continuing education you won’t have to take the course/exam again. You don’t need to be hired to have the license, just to sell. Good luck!
Hi,I responded to an employment AD to sell insurance. I took the pre-licensing courses under that IMO company from the Ad. I went on to pass my health and Life exams and got my licenses. I started working for the IMO company and wrote a couple of application for policies. Now, I’m not sure if I want to continue working with this company. If I wanted to leave and go to work for another IMO or Independent insurance company how would it effect my ability to do so? Is there some kind of rule that forbid me from changing organizations?… Read more »
Hello Carolyn, Generally you should be able to leave and go to work with another company without any issues. You’ll want to ready the fine print on your contract or work agreement and how it affects your owed commissions. The new agency will appoint you and the other company would notify the commission to cancel the appointment you had with them. Good luck!
I have been licensed for 4.5 years. Got stuck in recruiting companies and sold very little. I’ve been bouncing back and forth, just can’t get any traction…. I’ve bought leads but they are all junk unless I pay the company $3K/month and are captive to them completely. What do I do?!! I’ve been looking for a straight up basic insurance job but still no real hand holding (since i come from a fireman/paramedic background) which is what i need. I’m in california. Thanks for any slap or advice you can give!
Hi Peter, The Expert in the office had this recommendation: Peter could go out and start knocking on doors given what I see if he is an independent situation or else go to work for a captive company (for brand name recognition). He can also approach people on the basis of just giving them a quote to see if he can save them money not just immediately replacing their existing policy. Good luck Peter!
Hello Melissa, There is a huge amount of content that you are required to know so I completely understand being overwhelmed. The biggest thing I can recommend is getting a good night’s sleep. Secondly, be sure to look at your first attempt on your practice exams and see which questions you missed. It’s important to go back to that content and rewatch/learn it. We often see people mess up by taking questions over and over again which only leads to memorizing those questions, not learning the content the missed. The test providers will have 50+ variations of questions that test… Read more »
Hi Jimmy, usually your pass results are good for one year. It should actually say on your pass sheet with other instructions on how to complete the license process. I found this page with some useful New York Insurance Agent and Broker FAQs. Good luck!
Hello Keshia, I would try to start talking with some Insurance Carriers to see who’s products you can sell. There are probably a few insurance forums out there where people have done exactly what you are doing (we are more test world). Most of our students are going to go to work for an existing insurance company first to get some experience then possibly open their own agency. Also, we do provide Property and Casualty courses depending on your state. Let us know if you need anything else. Good luck!
I’m glad you pointed out that all states will require you to provide some personal identification, but the actual requirement vary by state so it’s a good idea to check your state’s requirements. My brother wants to start a casualty insurance agency, so I’ve been helping him do some research about different aspects of the business. I’ll definitely take your advice and check our state’s specific requirements for identification!
Hello Sky, I think they are getting collecting general information from you that they will compare to your background check. I’m sure if you are close on your dates it shouldn’t cause a problem. You can always call the Texas Department of Insurance 512-676-6500 and see what they say. Good luck!
Hi Brian, I’m not sure. You’ll have to go through the background process to see what they say. Often people who have questions about their past will run their background check first and get an answer before taking a course/exam but I know that’s not your case. All I know is that you want to be 100% truthful on the background check’s application as we have seen a student get their ability to get licensed pushed back 2 years because they lied on their application. Let us know if you have any other questions.
Hello Christopher, If you are referring to a Marketing group you are most likely not going to get any training. My advise to someone new is to go where there is training and support, whether it is a captive or an established independent agency. Then down the road, after you have learned about the business and policies, you can choose your own path… maybe even start your own agency. Good luck!
Hello…I have recently(2 days ago) passed the property and casualty exam for the state of Nevada. I’m also done with the fingerprint process. The question that I have is: is it suggested that someone in my case applies for a license before getting the fingerprints results and avoid to paying the license application fees in case something goes wrong in it?
Hello Edwin, Usually if someone is worried about passing the background check they contact the Department of Insurance (DOI) to get “pre-qualified” before taking a course and exam. I think at this point you are only able to apply for your license to see if everything is good. You might call your DOI if you are worried to see if there are any costs that could be saved in the event you don’t qualify for a license. Good luck!
Hello . – I’m newly licensed 220 in the state of florida. I also sell real estate. I’m unsure how to proceed or even what questions to ask at this point on getting started. Based on what i’ve read, it seems to make sense to work for a company for a few years to get some experience in the field. I just want to make the right decision. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks
Hello Nancy, I assume you are in New York so here’s a link to PSI’s Candidate bulletin with links to the licensing application. It looks like you have 2 years to apply for your license. Congrats and good luck!
Hello Marguerite, Your course provider should have issues a certificate of completion after you completed your course. If you are one of our students you would have needed to submit a study log in order to start the course audit process (if this is the case please give us a call at 1-800-870-3130 and we will get you taken care of). Congrats on passing your exam!
Hi Leah, There are a couple different things that come into play here. Are you looking to go to a live class or take an online class? We provide some great online insurance pre-licensing courses! Alternatively, you can do a Google search for live courses in your area. Most instructors have ratings and reviews that are helpful. Good luck!
Hi Keith, Congrats on passing your exam! Your pass sheet from the testing company could have the exact steps to get your license. I recommend that you take a look at insurance-forums.net to see what your options are and maybe make a few good connections. You could also go in and talk to a few independent insurance agent outside your area and they may have lots of good information for you. Good luck!
Hi Aj, Usually your test results are good for a year, within that period you need to apply for your license and have your fingerprinting/background check completed. Some state’s fingerprints are only good for certain period of time though (e.g., Idaho for 6 months). You will want to verify with your state’s DOI that they don’t have any specific rules like that. Good luck!
Hello Maria, It looks like you have a few different options if you look at their Contact Us page: http://www.insurance.ca.gov/0500-about-us/05-contact/
Hello Alexis, Your license is yours as long as it’s a full Producer license and not a SubAgent license (some states like Georgia have). If you decide to move companies you will take your Producer license with you. Depending on your employment contact you might have to repay your licensing and fingerprints fees back though. Good luck!
Hi Mona, I don’t know what state you are in but I wouldn’t get a bond unless your state requires it. Sometimes we see non-resident licenses require a bond but not too often for a resident license. I would think whoever you are going to go to work for should also be able to recommend what you need. Calling your state’s Department of Insurance should also be able to send you down the right path. Good luck!
Hi Brian, Since there is an Approved Course/Hour requirement in California you would have to get that certificate from the company who’s course your completed. If you didn’t take an approved course… you will most likely have to to earn a certificate. Congrats on passing your exam and good luck!
