Becoming A Life Insurance Agent In Arizona: A Guide

If you're thinking about becoming a life insurance agent in Arizona, you'll need to get an Arizona life insurance license. The process to obtain this license can be completed in a few weeks and involves six steps, from taking the life insurance exam to applying for a license.

Firstly, you'll need to complete an Arizona insurance pre-license course, which will equip you with the knowledge to pass the licensing exam. While Arizona doesn't require any formal pre-license education, most insurance professionals opt to take an online course, purchase books, or use self-study materials.

After completing a prep course, you'll be ready to take the Arizona life insurance exam. This exam is administered by Prometric and covers basic life insurance knowledge, insurance concepts, terms, rules, state and federal regulations, and Arizona-specific practices.

Once you've passed the exam, you'll need to get a fingerprint-based background check. After that, you can submit your license application, which includes providing proof of lawful presence in the United States if applicable.

The Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions will then review your application and background check. This process usually takes up to one month. Once approved, you'll be a qualified life insurance agent in Arizona and can start selling insurance!

Ensure you meet the minimum age requirement of 18 years old

To become a life insurance agent in Arizona, you must be at least 18 years old. This is a mandatory requirement as stipulated by the Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions. The department will only issue a life insurance license to individuals who are 18 years of age or older.

This minimum age requirement is a standard criterion across many states for those aspiring to enter the insurance industry. It is important to note that this is a non-negotiable condition, and applicants who do not meet this age threshold will not be eligible to proceed with the licensing process.

In addition to meeting the minimum age requirement, candidates must also ensure they fulfil other essential prerequisites. These prerequisites include completing pre-licensing education, passing the state licensing exam, and undergoing a comprehensive background check, including fingerprinting.

The pre-licensing education component is crucial as it equips candidates with the foundational knowledge needed to succeed in the insurance sector. By investing in their education, candidates can increase their chances of passing the licensing exam on their first attempt and develop a solid understanding of their future duties as insurance agents.

Therefore, while meeting the minimum age requirement of 18 years is necessary, it is just one aspect of the broader licensing process. Aspiring insurance agents in Arizona should diligently review and complete all the required steps to increase their chances of obtaining their desired license and embarking on a rewarding career in the insurance industry.

Complete a pre-licensing course to prepare for the exam

To prepare for the Arizona life insurance exam, you must complete a pre-licensing course. While Arizona doesn't require you to take an exam prep course, it is highly recommended to ensure you pass the exam on your first try. The course will help you make sense of complex insurance concepts and terms.

When choosing a pre-licensing course, consider the following:

• Flexibility: Opt for a course that allows flexible learning and doesn't require completion within a short time frame.
• Price: While cost is important, remember that you often get what you pay for.
• Reputation: Choose a reliable provider with a good pass rate to ensure you receive sufficient and complete resources for your exam preparation.

Kaplan's online courses are a popular choice, with over 81% of readers using them and a 93% pass rate. These courses include study materials such as practice exams and flashcards and provide a solid understanding of your duties as a life insurance agent.

Once you've completed your pre-licensing course, register for your Arizona exam through Prometric, the company that administers the exams in Arizona. It is recommended to take the exam as soon as possible while the information is still fresh in your mind.

Register and pass the Arizona life insurance exam

The Arizona life insurance exam is administered by Prometric, and you must register for it through their website. The exam costs $38, and you must pay this fee at the time of reservation by credit card, debit card, or voucher.

The exam is proctored, and you will be closely monitored in a controlled environment. You will have 120 minutes to answer 100 scored questions covering seven sections, including basic life insurance knowledge, insurance concepts, terms, rules, state and federal regulations, and practices specific to Arizona.

You can take the exam either in person at a registered test centre or remotely via Prometric's ProProctor Application. You will receive your results on the computer screen immediately after completing the exam, and you will also be given a printed score report.

It is important to note that Arizona law limits you to four attempts to pass the exam within a one-year period. If you fail four times, you will have to wait a full year before you can retake the exam. Therefore, it is highly recommended to prepare thoroughly before taking the exam. You can do this by enrolling in a pre-licensing insurance course or using study materials such as textbooks, practice exams, and flashcards.

Once you have passed the exam, you must submit your license application within one year.

Submit to a fingerprint-based background check

To become a life insurance agent in Arizona, you must submit to a fingerprint-based background check. This is a legal requirement in accordance with state law (ARS §§ 20-142(E) and 41-1750(G)(2)). The Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions will review your fingerprints against both Arizona's and the FBI's criminal history databases.

To organise a fingerprinting appointment, you can use the Department of Public Safety Public Service Portal. Here are the steps to follow:

• Log in or create an account for an "Individual".
• Enter the appropriate fingerprinting code: For life, health, property, or casualty, this is INS-055.A.
• Follow the remaining prompts and pay the $22.44 processing fee.

During your fingerprinting appointment, you will be given a reference number beginning with the letter "A". Keep this reference number, as you will need it for the next steps.

Next, head to the Fieldprint Arizona site to complete the livescan portion of the fingerprinting process. Here's what you need to do:

• Click on "Schedule Appointment".
• Scroll down and select the "Don't have a Fieldprint Code" and "Continue with this Reason" options.
• Enter your reference number from the previous step.
• Follow the remaining prompts and pay the required $8.25 processing fee.

Keep in mind that you have the right to obtain copies of your state and federal criminal history records if needed. You can contact the Arizona Department of Public Safety's Criminal History Records Unit at (602) 223-2222 to request your Arizona Criminal History Record. For your Federal Identity History Summary Checks, you can submit a written request to the FBI's Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division by mail. There is an $18 fee for this service.

Remember, the total cost of the fingerprinting services is $42, which includes the $20 fee charged by Prometric and the $22 FBI fingerprint processing fee.

Complete and submit your license application

To complete and submit your license application, you must submit your application to either the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR) online or via mail to the Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions.

The online application is generally processed more quickly than the paper application. The paper application must be mailed to the following address:

> Insurance Licensing Section SUITE 102 100 NORTH 15TH AVENUE PHOENIX, AZ 85007-2624

The fee for new insurance producer applications is $120, plus a $22 FBI background check fee. If you are mailing your application, you must download and complete the NAIC Uniform Application for Individual Producer License form.

You must not conduct any insurance business until you are licensed. The application review process can take up to one month. If your application is approved, you will receive a notice. If it is denied, you will be informed of the reason for the denial and will be given instructions on how to appeal the decision. If your application is deficient, you will be notified via email and must provide any additional materials identified in the notice.

Frequently asked questions