Becoming A Life Insurance Agent In Pennsylvania: A Guide

If you're looking to become a life insurance agent in Pennsylvania, you'll need to obtain a Pennsylvania life insurance license. The process to get licensed involves several steps, including completing pre-licensing education, passing an exam, undergoing a background check, and submitting a license application.

The first step is to complete a pre-licensing education course, which provides essential knowledge to prepare for the licensing exam. These courses typically cover various insurance concepts, definitions, laws, and regulations. After finishing the course, you'll need to pass the Pennsylvania Life Insurance Licensing Exam, which is administered by PSI, the official testing service.

Once you've passed the exam, you'll need to undergo a fingerprint-based background check, which is conducted by IdentoGO. The FBI will send your fingerprinting results to the Pennsylvania Insurance Department, which will review them along with your license application.

The final step is to submit your Pennsylvania Life Insurance License Application, which can be done online through the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR). The application fee is typically around $55, and you must be at least 18 years old to apply. After submitting your application, the Pennsylvania Insurance Department will review it, and you'll receive an email with their decision or a request for more information.

Complete a pre-licensing course

To become a life insurance agent in Pennsylvania, you must complete a pre-licensing course. This is a requirement in Pennsylvania, with prospective agents needing to complete 24 hours of pre-licensing education for each line of authority before attempting the state exam. The pre-licensing course must contain a minimum of 24 credit hours to satisfy this requirement.

The course will provide you with the knowledge and tools to prepare for your exam. It will cover specific industry knowledge that will be tested during the exam, with very little that could be considered "common sense". Courses are self-paced and include study materials like practice exams and flashcards.

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

• Course flexibility: Does it allow flexible learning, or does it need to be completed within a short time frame?
• Course price: While cheaper courses may be tempting, remember that you often get what you pay for.
• Course reputation: How reliable is the provider? Do they have good reviews or recommendations?

After completing your pre-licensing course, you will need to pass a Certification Exam. This demonstrates that you have completed the pre-licensing requirement. You will then receive a Certificate of Completion, which you must keep and bring a copy of when you take the state exam. Your Certificate of Completion is valid for one year, and you must take and pass the state exam within this time.

Pass the licensing exam

To pass the licensing exam and become a life insurance agent in Pennsylvania, there are a few key steps you need to follow. Here's a detailed guide to help you through the process:

Step 1: Complete a Pre-Licensing Course

Before taking the Pennsylvania life insurance licensing exam, it is essential to enrol in and complete a pre-licensing course. This course will provide you with the knowledge and tools necessary to pass the exam. In Pennsylvania, you must take a 24-hour pre-license course specific to life insurance. The course will cover various topics, including insurance regulation, general insurance concepts, life insurance basics, types of life insurance policies, and federal tax considerations for life insurance.

After completing the course, you will receive a certificate of completion, which is valid for 12 months. This certificate is crucial, as you will need to present it along with a valid photo ID when you arrive to take your exam.

Step 2: Register for the Exam

Once you have completed the pre-licensing course, you need to register for the licensing exam. The exam is provided by PSI, and you can register online at their website or by calling them. The exam fee is $43, and it is important to note that you must pay this fee at the time of reservation using a credit card, debit card, or voucher.

Step 3: Prepare for the Exam

The Pennsylvania life insurance exam is a proctored test, which means an official proctor will closely monitor you during the exam. It consists of 100 scored multiple-choice questions, and you will have 120 minutes to complete it. To increase your chances of passing, it is recommended to study and practice using available resources, such as practice exams and flashcards.

Step 4: Take the Exam

On the day of the exam, arrive at the testing centre 30 minutes before the scheduled start time. Remember to bring your pre-licensing course certificate and a valid government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license or passport. You will also be required to have your photograph taken at the testing site.

Step 5: Pass the Exam

To pass the licensing exam, you will need to achieve a score of 70% or higher. If you pass, you will receive a pass notification, and your score report will include an application for your license. If you fail, you will receive a report outlining your strengths and weaknesses by exam portion. It is important to note that there is no limit to the number of attempts you can make, and you can retake the exam as soon as 24 hours after your first attempt.

Step 6: Apply for Your License

After passing the exam, you can proceed to apply for your Pennsylvania life insurance license. The application process can be done online via the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR), and the application fee is $55, plus a $5.60 transaction fee. The Pennsylvania Insurance Department will review your application and background check, and you will typically receive a decision within three to five business days.

By following these steps and successfully passing the licensing exam, you will be well on your way to becoming a qualified life insurance agent in Pennsylvania.

Apply for a license

After passing the exam, you can apply for your license and get fingerprinted at the testing center. You can also apply online using your own computer. The license application fee is $55, and the fingerprinting fee is $22.60.

To apply online, you will need a fingerprint scan, so you must register online via the IdentoGO website or call 844-321-2101. You will get a registration number to take with you when you go to the IdentoGO site for fingerprinting.

After passing the exam, you can submit your license application online through Sircon or the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR), or you may apply at the kiosk in the testing center.

The Pennsylvania Insurance Department will issue a life insurance license to individuals who are at least 18 years old and have passed the proper licensing exam. You should submit your completed license application within 12 months of passing the exam.

To apply for a life insurance license in Pennsylvania, make sure you comply with the insurance licensing requirements as defined under the Pennsylvania Insurance Code and the Pennsylvania Administrative Code.

The status of your license application can be checked at any time with the Pennsylvania Department of Insurance. Once the application is approved, you can also print off your Pennsylvania insurance license from the Department of Insurance website. There is no charge to print a license.

Get fingerprinted

The State of Pennsylvania requires fingerprint impressions from all unlicensed applicants. These will be submitted for a background check. After passing the exam, you can submit your license application online with Sircon or the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR), or you may apply at the kiosk in the testing center. Register for fingerprinting with IdentoGO immediately after applying for your license.

To set up a fingerprinting appointment, go to the IdentoGO website. Use service code 1KG8Q3 when making your appointment. You must use the appropriate service code assigned to the Pennsylvania Insurance Department, which is 1KGBGJ. Using the correct service code ensures the background check is processed for the proper agency and submitted for the correct purpose. You will be provided a registration number upon scheduling your appointment, which you must bring on the day of your fingerprint appointment.

Schedule an appointment to submit electronic fingerprints to complete a background check. The Pennsylvania Insurance Department requires fingerprints to ensure that applicants do not have a disqualifying criminal or social services background that would prevent them from becoming a licensed insurance agent.

The process, which is completed via Live Scan at an IdentoGO enrollment center, costs $27.75 and allows the Pennsylvania Insurance Department to obtain a national criminal history background check from the FBI to confirm you meet the state’s insurance agent requirements. The fee for fingerprinting services is $23.85 to cover the cost of comparing your prints against criminal history records.

Print your license

Once your application has been approved, you can print your Pennsylvania life insurance license from the Pennsylvania Department of Insurance. There is no charge to print your license.

• Go to the Pennsylvania Insurance Department's website.
• Input your license number. If you do not know your license number, you can look it up by using the Individual License Search tool.
• After entering your license number, you will be asked to provide a password. This is the last four digits of your social security number.
• You will then be able to view your license in a secure Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format.
• Verify that the address shown on your license is correct. If you need to make any changes, go to www.sircon.com/pennsylvania.

Note: If you are using a public-access computer, be careful when requesting a license. The Pennsylvania Insurance Department is not responsible for any documents saved locally.

Frequently asked questions