Orlando Harmon
To become an insurance agent in Kansas, you must first decide on the type of insurance policies you want to sell, as this will determine the type of license you need. You will then need to complete a pre-licensing education course, which can be done online or in-person, and pass the relevant Kansas state insurance exam. After passing the exam, you must apply for an insurance license through the Kansas Insurance Department, which includes submitting to a fingerprinting and background check.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| License type | Property & Casualty (P&C), Accident & Health, Life, Accident & Health, Life & Health (L/H), Crop Insurance |
| Pre-licensing education course | Not required by law but recommended |
| Exam | Multiple choice, 50-156 questions, 1.5-2.5 hours long, $57-$64 fee, administered by Pearson VUE |
| Application fee | $15 |
| Fingerprinting fee | $60 |
| Background check fee | $50 |
| License renewal period | Every 2 years |
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What You'll Learn
Choose a specialisation
The type of insurance license you pursue will depend on the specialisation you choose. For example, to sell auto, home, or business insurance, you will need a Property & Casualty (P&C) license. Other types of licenses available in Kansas include Life Insurance, Accident & Health, and Life, Accident & Health.
If you want to become an Accident & Health insurance agent, you will need to pass the Accident & Health Producer exam, which consists of 84 scored questions and 11 unscored questions. This exam is administered by Pearson VUE and costs between $57 and $64.
You can also choose to pursue multiple licenses. For example, you could apply for both a P&C and a life and health insurance license. However, it is important to note that passing a single exam can be challenging, and attempting multiple exams simultaneously may not be advisable.
Another factor to consider when choosing a specialisation is the continuing education requirements. For instance, title-only agents are required to complete 4 hours of training every 2 years, while crop-only agents need 2 hours of continuing education during the same period.
Additionally, if English is not your first language, you can request additional time for your insurance exam by contacting Pearson Vue.
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Take a pre-licensing course
While it is not a legal requirement in Kansas, taking a pre-licensing course is highly recommended for anyone who wants to become an insurance agent. Pre-licensing courses provide valuable insights and a deeper understanding of the insurance field, which will not only help you during the state licensing exam but will also ensure that you are better equipped to operate effectively as a licensed agent.
When choosing a pre-licensing course, it is important to consider the course's flexibility. For example, find out if it allows for flexible learning or if it must be completed within a short time frame. A good pre-licensing course will feature practice exams that simulate the format of the state exams, so you know exactly what to expect on the actual licensing exam. These practice exams will cover both the general section, which tests basic insurance product knowledge, and the state-specific section, which covers insurance laws, rules, regulations, and practices unique to Kansas.
You can also prepare for your state exam with an insurance course from a Kansas insurance school. These courses are designed to help you qualify to sit for your Life or Accident & Health, or Life, Accident & Health Kansas insurance exam. Upon completion of your chosen course, you will be ready to take the state exam and, once passed, submit your insurance license application.
It is worth noting that the Kansas Department of Insurance website is a valuable resource for anyone looking to get their Kansas insurance license. The website provides information on licensing requirements, the cost of the application fee, and any changes to Kansas insurance statutes and continuing education requirements.
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Register and pass the state exam
To register for the Kansas insurance exam, you must first complete a pre-licensing education course. Although Kansas law does not require you to take a course before registering for the exam, it is highly recommended. Pre-licensing courses can provide valuable insights and a deeper understanding of the field, which will help you during the exam and ensure that you are better equipped to operate effectively post-licensing.
Once you have completed your pre-licensing training, you can register for the exam through Pearson VUE, the testing company that administers all insurance agent licensing examinations in Kansas. You can schedule your exam online or by calling (888) 204-6255. Exams may be taken in-person at a Pearson VUE testing site or remotely via Pearson VUE's remote testing platform, OnVUE. Remote exams require a computer or laptop that is compatible with OnVUE. If you do not have access to a compatible device, you must schedule an in-person exam.
When registering for the exam, you must pay the exam fee, which ranges from $57 to $64, depending on whether it is a major line or limited line examination. The fee must be paid at the time of reservation using a credit or debit card, voucher, or electronic check. It is important to note that this fee will not be accepted at the testing centre. If you need to change or cancel your appointment, you must contact Pearson VUE at least 48 hours in advance to avoid forfeiting the examination fee.
To take the exam, you will need to present identification, so ensure that the name you use when registering for the exam matches the name on your identification forms. If English is not your first language, you can request additional time for your exam by contacting Pearson VUE directly before scheduling your exam.
The Kansas insurance exam is a multiple-choice test that covers both a general section with basic insurance product knowledge and a state section with specific insurance laws, rules, regulations, and practices unique to Kansas. The exam typically focuses heavily on definitions, numbers (dollar amounts and number of days), and practical application of knowledge. The number of questions on the exam varies depending on the line of insurance being tested, ranging from 50 to 156 questions, and the exam duration ranges from 1.5 to 2.5 hours. To pass, you will need a score of 70% on both the "national" insurance section and the "state rules" section.
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Submit your license application
To become a licensed insurance agent in Kansas, you must submit your license application through the Kansas Insurance Department. This involves several steps and requirements.
Firstly, you need to submit the NAIC Uniform Application for Individual Insurance Producer License online via the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR). This application requires a $15 application fee, which must be paid at the time of submission and is non-refundable.
Secondly, as part of the licensing process, you are required to undergo fingerprinting and a background check. This process incurs an additional $60 fingerprinting fee, also non-refundable, payable by credit card or electronic check. You can schedule an appointment for electronic fingerprinting, which can be done at various locations, including the Kansas Insurance Department's office in Topeka, the Department of Children and Families (DCF) offices across Kansas, or certain local law enforcement agencies.
Additionally, you will need to submit a Waiver Agreement and an FBI Privacy Act Statement (Fingerprint Waiver Form) electronically to the Department. If you already hold a license from another state and are moving to Kansas, remember to notify the Department via email after submitting your NIPR application.
It is important to note that you can choose to take the relevant Kansas insurance exam before or after submitting your application. However, the exam is required for you to obtain your license. These exams are administered by Pearson VUE and are available remotely or in-person at their testing sites. The cost of the exams ranges from $57 to $64, depending on whether they are major line or limited line examinations.
Make sure to review the specific insurance license types offered in Kansas, such as the Property & Casualty (P&C) license or the Accident & Health insurance license, to tailor your application and exam choices accordingly.
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Renew your license every two years
To maintain your insurance license in Kansas, it is necessary to renew your license periodically. Licenses need to be renewed every two years. This process involves fulfilling continuing education requirements. For title-only agents, this involves 4 hours of training every 2 years, while crop-only agents require 2 hours of CE. Nonresident license holders must adhere to the continuing education requirements of their home state. It is important to stay informed about any changes to Kansas insurance statutes and continuing education requirements, which can be found on the Kansas Department of Insurance website.
The renewal process also involves submitting all the necessary fees and the renewal application through the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR). To surrender a resident insurance license, a Request to Surrender License form must be completed and submitted online while the license is still active and in good standing.
If you are not planning to work as an insurance agent for a while, you can apply for inactive status. This status allows licensees to be exempt from continuing education requirements. However, this status can only be granted once and is valid for a continuous period of up to four years. To regain active status, you must reapply for a license, including providing fingerprints, a Certificate of Tax Clearance, a Waiver Agreement, and an FBI Waiver Form.
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Frequently asked questions
To become an insurance agent in Kansas, you must first decide on the type of insurance policies you want to sell, as this will determine the type of license you need. Next, complete a pre-licensing education course and pass the relevant Kansas insurance exam(s). After passing the exam, submit your insurance license application and complete a fingerprinting and background check.
To qualify to sit for the Kansas insurance exam, you must complete pre-licensing training. The exam covers both a general section with basic insurance product knowledge and a state-specific section.
There is an exam fee ranging from \$57 to \$64, a \$15 application fee, and a \$60 fingerprinting fee. There may also be an additional provider fee for exams taken at a Pearson VUE location.
The timeline depends on several factors, including the time taken to complete pre-licensing education, exam preparation, and the scheduling of the exam and application processing. However, the entire process can likely take several months.
