Insurance License

The first step to becoming an insurance agent is to get an insurance license.  While each state has different insurance licensing procedures, there are some similarities across the board.  Here are a few tips you need to know to get an insurance license:

• There are courses you can take that prepare you for the insurance license exam.  These can be taken online or in a classroom situation.
• There will be a fee associated with the insurance license exam.  Again, this fee will vary from state to state, but you can expect to pay between $70 and $100.
• After you have passed an insurance license test, you will have to pay a license fee.
• Other fees may apply to your application, such as processing fees.  Check with your state to see what fees apply to your insurance license application.
• Check your state’s department of insurance website to find out the specific insurance license requirements for your state.
• Again, each state is different, but insurance licenses expire every few years and need to be renewed.  A standard expiration period is every two to four years. 

Insurance license fees and procedures will also differ based on what kind of insurance you are going to sell.  For example, there are training courses for the life insurance license exam, and entirely different courses for property and casualty insurance licenses.  For those who need to take an insurance license exam to renew their insurance license, there are continuing education classes for insurance that can help you prepare. 

The most important thing to do as you plan to get an insurance license is to contact your state and get a list of specific requirements for insurance licensing.  Each state will be different, but you can expect there to be coursework, an exam, and fees.