How to pass the Iowa Insurance Licensing Exam
Are you considering getting an insurance license in the state of Iowa ? If you are, then you probably have a lot of questions about where to go, who to talk to and what to do. Fortunately, America’s Professor has pulled together all of our knowledge and resources to create one comprehensive site with the answers you require. Below you will find sample questions, basics of test format and scoring, pricing, testing locations, how to fully prepare yourself for the exam and more!
We’re here to help you succeed and that means providing you with the best information available. Our courses offer preparation for all types of state insurance licensing exams and they are available to you at the click of a mouse. Read on and enroll today!
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What kind of questions do they put on the Iowa insurance test?
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What score do I need to pass the Iowa insurance exam?
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Are questions grouped by category?
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What insurance exams are given in Iowa and what do they cost?
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Where can I take the Iowa insurance exam?
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How do I sign up to take the Iowa insurance exam?
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Which Iowa insurance test is the toughest?
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Will I have adequate time to complete the Iowa insurance test?
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Is the Iowa insurance exam still given by the “paper and pencil” method?
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What is the best test prep method for the Iowa insurance exam?
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Helpful Links
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General Insurance License Exam Information (Video)
What kind of questions do they put on the Iowa insurance test?
All of the Iowa insurance exam questions are multiple choice. There are no fill-ins (no need to memorize) and no essay (no need to be ready to explain anything) questions.
For example:
A multiple choice test will usually test heavily on definitions (terminology) and numbers (dollar amounts and number of days).
The exam is drawn from a large pool of questions – you will have a different set of questions than the person sitting next to you. If you retake the exam, expect to see very few of the questions repeated on the next exam. Students report that the exams vary greatly in terms of the number of questions on any given topic.
Students report that about 1/3 of the questions are terminology (definitional) questions, 1/3 are number/day questions, and 1/3 are questions where you have to apply the knowledge to reason through a practical situation (story problems – usually short).
What score do I need to pass the Iowa insurance exam?
There are 4 basic exams given in most states – Life, Accident & Health or Sickness, Property, and Casualty. In some states, the exams are combined (Property & Casualty). Some states, including Iowa, have a Personal Lines exam for agents selling only homeowner or auto insurance.
In Iowa, you need a score of 70% to pass each exam. But, each exam consists of two parts – the “national” insurance section and the “state rules” section. You will need a score of 70% on each section – the two scores are not averaged together.
Are questions grouped by category?
Our students always want to know if the questions regarding indemnification (for example) are grouped together. No, questions and topics are randomly scrambled, but that never seems to be a problem for anyone.
What insurance exams are given in Iowa and what do they cost?
If exams 01 and 02, or 03 and 04 are taken at the same time the cost is $69.
*Personal checks and cash will not be accepted.
Where can I take the Iowa insurance exam?
How do I sign up to take the Iowa insurance exam?
We recommend that you call Pearson VUE (the testing company) at 1-877-540-5825. Be sure to call at least 3 days in advance of the date you plan to take the exam. The earlier you sign up, the better your chances of getting the test date of your choice.
Which Iowa insurance test is the toughest?
Each insurance licensing exam presents its own challenge. Between Life and Accident & Sickness, students say that the Iowa Accident & Sickness insurance exam is the more difficult. Accident & Sickness insurance policies are simply more complicated than life insurance policies.
The Property insurance exam is easier than the Casualty insurance exam. Property insurance deals with easy to understand issues – fire, flooding, earthquake, etc. On the other hand, Casualty insurance deals primarily with Liability insurance – protection against lawsuits. Casualty insurance is a more conceptual topic and one that is more difficult for students to grasp – particularly if you have never been sued.
The state portion of the Iowa insurance exam is very detailed and presents its own challenges. The state topics tend to cover trivial details relating to complicated state regulations. None of this is easy, but that is why we work so hard to make the material both understandable and memorable.
This is a challenging exam. Put yourself on a strict schedule as you do your exam prep work. Be focused and disciplined as you do your insurance test prep.
Will I have adequate time to complete the Iowa insurance test?
Yes. We have never had students say that they ran out of time to complete the exam. Most students finish in about half of the allotted time (up to 2 hours). The only students who ever report that they ran out of time were those who were trying to memorize questions in the event they had to repeat the exam. If English is not your first language you can request extra time by filling out Pearson VUE’s English as a Second Language (ESL) Request Form. Keep in mind that this form needs to be submitted to Pearson VUE, and approved, before scheduling your exam. You will also need to submit a a letter (on official letterhead) from an instructor, like America’s Professor, or employer that verifies English is your second language.
Is the Iowa insurance exam still given by the “paper and pencil” method?
No, this is a computerized exam. Virtually all of the students say the proctors were helpful, the room was quiet, and the computer worked well. The proctors will give you the opportunity to complete a practice exam to learn how to use the system. When you are done, you will NOT be given a copy of the exam, nor will you be given the opportunity to review particular questions and their answers. The exam will be scored immediately and you will know your results when you leave.
What is the best test prep method for the Iowa insurance exam?
There is no alternative to knowing the material. There are no shortcuts to learning but there are more effective and less frustrating ways to learn. We recommend that you follow a 4-step process:
- watch and listen to the lecture;
- highlight key concepts in the text;
- review questions in the test bank; and
- send AP an email if you have any questions.
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| Iowa Online Video Courses | Iowa Sample Practice Exams |
Helpful Links:
- Iowa Department of Insurance: http://www.iid.state.ia.us/
- Iowa Producer/Agent Information (DOI): http://www.iid.state.ia.us/insurance_agent_info
- Iowa Candidate Handbook & Content Outlines: http://www.pearsonvue.com/ia/insurance/
- NAIC Website: http://www.naic.org/
- America’s Professor Insurance Licensing Courses for Iowa: https://americasprofessor.com/course_cat/iowa-insurance-exam-prep-courses/
General Insurance License Exam Information:
How long does one have to wait to retake an exam after not passing?
Hello,
In Iowa, if you fail, you must wait 24 hours before scheduling another exam. Hopefully you pass the first time! Good luck!
Do we have to pay again if we fail and want to retake it?
Fail the state exam and yes you will have to repay for the exam. Repurchase the course? No, we will extend your course for free until you pass your exam.
About the personal lines exam…is that needed for health/life insurance??? I have found mixed answers.
Hi Toni, No. Personal lines is on the Property and Casualty side of insurance. It excludes commercial policies. So for example, if you have a Personal Lines license you can sell personal auto but not commercial auto (many other commercial policies too). If you have a full Property and Casualty license you can sell both personal and commercial policies. Give us a call if you have any other questions. Thanks and have a great day.
I have a personal lines insurance in Iowa and I need the commercial lines for my new job. They are telling me that I need to take the P&C, not just commercial. Is that correct?
Hi Brenda, Technically you could take a Commercial Lines course and take the Commercial Lines exam (exam code 44) but there aren’t many Commercial Lines courses out there. In your situation I think they are saying to take a Property and Casualty course (to teach commercial lines policy material) and then take the Commercial Lines exam, which is less questions and wouldn’t retest you on the Personal Lines information. Having both a Personal Lines and Commercial Lines license is the equivalent to having a full Property and Casualty (PC) license. If you purchase one of our Iowa PC courses we… Read more »
Are there any classroom coures instead of online or book form?
Hi Cathy, Absolutely there are. Just do an online search for live classes in your area and some local options should pop up. Sometimes you might need to wait for a class to be offered and take that block of 3-5 days off but they should be available. We unfortunately only have online Iowa insurance pre-license courses that simulate the live course. Let us know if you have any questions. Good luck!
I have my Illinois P&C license, what will I need to do to obtain my Iowa P&C license?
Thank you!
Hi Brian, If you are living in Illinois and wanting to do business in Iowa you will need a non-resident P&C license in Iowa. You can apply by going to the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR) online system. If you are moving to Iowa you will want to check with the Iowa Insurance Division as it’s usually possible to transfer your license to another state fairly easily with a Clearance Letter. Good luck!
Why is many questions not in the study material? I have run into this with taking the test
Hello Katina, Most questions/content should be covered in any good source of study material. Please let us know if you are interested in a quality Iowa insurance pre-license course. Thanks and have a great day!
Where can I get a hard copy of the Iowa study manuals for the health and life exams?
Hello Sharon, Our online Iowa Life and Health course does come with hard copies of the Iowa state and national material. The manuals work with our lecture videos and review questions. Please let us know if you have any other questions. Thanks!
Do you find out right away if you passed the exams?
Hello Marissa, Yes you will know right away if you passed the exam. Students are given a Pass sheet or a Fail sheet soon as they finish their exam(s). Good luck!
I have already paid for and am taking the Kaplan courses – it seems the state is recommending AmericasProfessor – will I be OK with the Kaplan information, it seems to be good online and manual. Also the line to schedule an exam has been busy for two days, are the offices closed for corona virus? been calling 1-877-540-5825. Thanks for any information you can provide
Hi Kathleen, Yes, Pearson VUE has recently closed their test centers for 30 days so I wouldn’t expect to be able to test until may. Be sure to check their site for updates in your area. I would assume you are good with Kaplan materials. We just have a different way of teaching the material (more visual I think with different ways to remember key points). Good luck!
I am thinking of getting into insurance in Iowa. – how hard are the exams?
Hi Amy, I would say they are moderately difficult exams. It’s a lot of information you need to be prepared for but most people can pass them. Please let us know if you have any other questions.