Jane Dotson
If you're interested in becoming an insurance agent in Maryland, there are a few key steps you need to follow. Firstly, you'll need to complete a pre-licensing course to satisfy the state's requirements and prepare for the licensing exam. These courses are offered by various institutions, including online schools, and they cover the fundamentals of insurance and specific Maryland insurance laws and regulations. After completing the course, you'll receive an eligibility number to schedule your Maryland Insurance Exam, which is provided by Prometric and costs $60. This computer-based exam covers general insurance product knowledge and Maryland-specific insurance information. Once you've passed the exam, you can submit your license application through the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR) and pay the associated fee. It's important to stay updated with any changes to Maryland's insurance statutes and continuing education requirements, as your license will need to be renewed every 2 years.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Exam | Multiple-choice, taken on a computer, covers general insurance product knowledge and Maryland-specific insurance laws, rules, regulations, and practices |
| Exam Time | 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hours and 30 minutes |
| Number of Questions | 90-145 |
| Eligibility | Must complete a pre-licensing course and receive a certificate of completion |
| Certificate of Completion | Valid for six months from the date of completion; must take the state exam within this timeframe |
| Exam Cost | $60 |
| Application Fee | One-time, nonrefundable fee |
| Application | Submit through the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR) |
| Renewal | Every 2 years |
| Continuing Education Requirements | 24 hours every 2 years, including 3 hours of ethics training |
| Additional Requirements | Additional education is required to sell certain products, such as long-term care and annuities |
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What You'll Learn
Maryland insurance license requirements
To become a licensed insurance agent in Maryland, you must pass a licensing exam. There are several pre-licensing courses available online that will prepare you to pass the state exam. These courses are offered by XCEL, AD Banker, and American Online Insurance School. The courses cover all the topics included in the exam and some providers offer flashcards, review classes, and exam simulators to help you prepare. Once you have completed the course, you will receive a Certificate of Completion and an eligibility number, which you will need to schedule your exam.
The Maryland Insurance Exam is provided by Prometric and costs $60. The exam can be taken in person at a Prometric testing site, which may include an additional provider fee, or remotely on your own computer or laptop using the ProProctor remote testing platform. To pass the exam, you must score 70% or higher. If you do not pass the first time, there will be an additional fee to retake the test.
Once you have passed the exam, you will have six months to submit your license application through the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR). Your passing grade will be reported electronically to the Maryland Insurance Administration. After receiving your license, you will need to renew it every two years and complete continuing education requirements, including 24 hours of education and 3 hours of ethics training.
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Pre-licensing courses
When choosing a pre-licensing course, look for one that covers all the fundamental topics relevant to the state exam. The course should provide a comprehensive overview of the insurance industry, including property and casualty insurance, life and health insurance, and ethics training. Some pre-licensing courses may also offer additional tools and resources to enhance your learning experience, such as flashcards, study manuals, and exam simulators.
One reputable provider of pre-licensing courses is AD Banker, which offers both online courses and in-person classes. Their courses are tailored to the Maryland state exam and cover all the essential topics. They also provide supplemental resources, such as web classes, flashcards, and study manuals, to help you prepare for the exam effectively.
Another option is the American Online Insurance School, which offers entirely online text courses with short videos embedded and live webcast support from instructors. This school provides all the necessary information for individuals pursuing licensure as insurance producers, agents, adjusters, or brokers. They also guide you through the process of scheduling your state exam and submitting your license application.
XCEL Solutions is a third option that offers pre-licensing packages, including online self-study courses that satisfy Maryland's state requirements. Their standard package includes a 3-part training system designed to cover every topic on the exam, while their Premier package adds flashcards, a recorded review class, and their Prepared to Pass Promise for those seeking a variety of learning formats.
Remember, the goal of pre-licensing courses is to ensure you have a solid understanding of the insurance industry and are well-prepared to pass the Maryland state licensing exam on your first attempt. Completing a pre-licensing course will give you the knowledge and confidence needed to succeed in your future career as an insurance agent.
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The state exam
To become a licensed insurance agent in Maryland, you must pass a state licensing exam. This exam can be taken in person at a Prometric testing site, or remotely, provided you have a computer or laptop that is compatible with the ProProctor remote testing platform. The exam fee must be paid at the time of reservation by credit or debit card, voucher, or electronic check.
There are various pre-licensing courses available to help you prepare for the exam, which can be taken online or supplemented with web classes, flashcards, and study manuals. These courses typically cover all the topics included in the exam, and some providers offer exam simulators to help you prepare. Once you have completed your pre-licensing course, you will be given an eligibility number, which you will need to schedule your Maryland Insurance exam.
It is recommended that you read the Candidate Handbook before scheduling your exam, which contains important details. You must score 70% or higher to pass the exam, and there will be an additional fee if you need to retake it, so it is important to pass the first time.
After passing the exam, you will have six months to apply for your license by submitting your application through the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR). Your license will then need to be renewed every two years, and continuing education is required for renewal.
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License application
To become a licensed insurance agent in Maryland, you must pass a licensing exam. There are pre-licensing courses offered by A.D. Banker and XCEL Solutions that will prepare you to pass the state exam. These courses can be supplemented with web classes, flashcards, study manuals, and exam simulators.
Once you have completed your pre-licensing course, you can take the state licensing exam. You must score 70% or higher to pass, and there will be an additional fee if you need to retake the test. The exam is provided by Prometric and costs $60 for Life exams, Health & Accident exams, and Life, Health & Accident exams. Exams may be taken in-person at a Prometric testing site, which may include an additional provider fee. Every insurance licensing exam is accompanied by an exam fee that must be paid at the time of reservation by a credit or debit card, voucher, or electronic check.
After passing the exam, you will have six months to apply for your license. You can submit your license application through the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR) at http://www.nipr.com. Your passing grades will be reported electronically to the Maryland Insurance Administration.
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License renewal
To renew your insurance license in Maryland, you must renew it every two years. The renewal process involves completing 24 hours of continuing education, with at least three hours focused on ethics. You can renew your license online through the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR) or Vertifore (Sircon).
The License Renewal Period for Maryland Licensed Agents begins 90 days prior to their Expiration Date. It is important to note that there may be specific licensing requirements or changes in State Laws and Insurance Regulations. It is the responsibility of each individual agent to determine their specific licensing renewal requirements.
If you possess a license to sell health insurance and long-term care insurance, you must complete at least a two-hour Continuing Education course related to LTC (Long Term Care) every renewal period.
If you are licensed in the Property and Casualty line of authority and will be selling Flood Insurance, you must complete a two-hour continuing education course related to the National Flood Insurance Program every renewal period.
If you are unable to renew your license on time, there will be an additional exam fee for retaking the test.
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Frequently asked questions
You must pass the Maryland Insurance Exam and submit your license application through the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR).
It is a multiple-choice exam that covers basic insurance product knowledge and specific insurance laws, rules, regulations, and practices unique to Maryland.
The exam lasts between 1 hour and 45 minutes and 2.5 hours, depending on the line of insurance being tested.
The exam costs $60 for Life, Accident & Health, or Sickness exams, and Life, Health, and Accident exams.
You can find more information on the Maryland Insurance Administration website or through pre-licensing courses offered by companies like Kaplan Financial Education, AD Banker, and XCEL.
