Becoming An Independent Life Insurance Agent In Kansas

Becoming an independent life insurance agent in Kansas requires a few steps. First, you must be 18 years old and decide which insurance license you need, such as a Property & Casualty (P&C) license to sell auto, home, or business insurance, or a Life and Health license. Next, complete a pre-licensing education course and apply for a tax clearance certificate from the Department of Revenue. After that, you'll need to complete a fingerprint and background check, pass the relevant Kansas Insurance License Exam, and submit your insurance license application. Once you've passed your exam and your license application has been approved, you can start selling life insurance products. However, to sell advanced life insurance products, you may need to pass additional exams and obtain relevant securities licenses.

Choosing a license type: Property & Casualty, Life & Health, or both

The type of insurance license you choose will depend on the types of insurance policies you plan to sell. The two most common license types are:

• Property and Casualty license: This license is for agents who plan to serve clients who need auto, home, and business insurance. With a P&C license, agents can sell policies such as general liability insurance, commercial property insurance, business income insurance, and workers' compensation insurance.
• Life, Health, and Accident license: This license is for agents who plan to serve individuals who need insurance related to life events, such as life insurance, accidents, or health insurance. Life insurance agents work with clients to help secure policies that provide protection against the death of an individual in the form of a payment to a beneficiary. Health and long-term care insurance agents help clients secure policies that cover the costs of medical care, dental insurance, and disability insurance.

Most insurance agents will obtain either a Property and Casualty license or a Life and Health license. However, many agents choose to obtain both licenses to offer their clients a wider range of insurance products. Ultimately, the decision of which license type to choose will depend on your specific career goals and interests.

It is important to note that each state has unique licensing requirements, and you should review the specific requirements for Kansas before starting the process of becoming an independent life insurance agent.

Completing a pre-licensing course

To become an independent life insurance agent in Kansas, you must complete a pre-licensing course. While the state of Kansas does not require prelicensing education, it is highly recommended that you take a course to gain valuable insights and a deeper understanding of your field. This will not only help you during the state licensing exam but will also ensure that you are better equipped to operate effectively post-licensing.

When deciding which pre-licensing course is right for you, consider the following factors:

• Course flexibility: Look for a course that offers flexible learning and doesn't require completion within a short time frame.
• Course price: While it's important to consider cost, remember that you often get what you pay for.
• Course reputation: Choose a course with a reliable provider to ensure you have sufficient and complete resources before your exam.

Kaplan's online courses are a popular choice, with over 81% of readers using them to prepare for their insurance license exams. These courses offer a 93% pass rate and comprehensive study packages.

Once you've chosen a course, be sure to allow enough time for completion. The amount of time required will depend on the course structure and your own study habits. Remember that you must pass the pre-licensing course to be eligible to take the state licensing exam and become a licensed life insurance agent in Kansas.

Applying for a tax clearance certificate

To become an independent life insurance agent in Kansas, you'll need to get a Kansas life insurance license. Here are the steps to apply for a tax clearance certificate, which is a mandatory part of the licensing process:

Step 1: Visit the Kansas Department of Revenue Website

Go to the Kansas Department of Revenue's website to access the tax clearance application page.

Step 2: Submit Your Request

On the website, click on "Submit Request". This will initiate the process of applying for a tax clearance certificate.

Step 3: Select the "Individual" Tab

After clicking "Submit Request", select the "Individual" tab. This indicates that you are applying as an individual rather than a business.

Step 4: Fill Out the Request Form

Provide the required information on the request form. You will need to include personal details and, under "Reason for Tax Clearance Request", select "Insurance Licensing" from the drop-down box. This specifies that you are seeking the tax clearance as part of your insurance license application.

Step 5: Submit the Form

Once you have completed the request form, click the "Submit" button to send your application for review.

Important Notes:

• A Tax Clearance Certificate is a comprehensive review to ensure compliance with Kansas tax laws, fees, and charges.
• Your tax clearance certificate must be submitted alongside your insurance license application.
• Tax clearance requests may be denied if the request is incomplete or contains incorrect information.
• A Tax Clearance Certificate expires every 90 days.
• The Kansas Department of Revenue website allows you to verify the validity of your "Certificate of Tax Clearance".

Getting fingerprinted and a background check

To become an independent life insurance agent in Kansas, you will need to complete a fingerprinting and background check process. This is required for anyone wanting to become an insurance agent in the state.

Fingerprinting:

• You can be fingerprinted at various locations across Kansas. The Kansas Insurance Department offers fingerprinting services at their office in Topeka, or you can visit one of the six Department of Children and Families (DCF) locations across the state. Certain local law enforcement agencies also offer livescan fingerprinting services, but you will need to contact them directly to make an appointment.
• Along with your fingerprints, you will need to submit a Fingerprint Waiver Agreement electronically with the Kansas Insurance Department. You can download this form from their website.
• It is recommended to use a mailing service that allows delivery confirmation to ensure your fingerprint card and waiver form have been received.
• Your fingerprints will remain valid for 365 days from the date they are taken, so you will need to complete your application within this time frame.

Background Check:

• All applicants must submit a criminal background check prior to receiving their license.
• The cost for a criminal background check is $50, payable by credit card or electronic check.
• You will need to submit a fingerprint card, completed waivers, and the fee for the background check.
• You can be fingerprinted at any authorized location, not just law enforcement agencies. However, you will need to call ahead to ensure they have the required FD Form 258.
• If they do not have the required form, you can request one from the KSBN website.
• Once your fingerprint card and waivers are completed, attach a check or money order for the background check fee and mail it to the Kansas Board of Nursing at the following address: Landon State Office Building 900 SW Jackson Street Suite 1051 Topeka, Kansas 66612-1230.

Please note that the entire process, from submitting your application to receiving your license, can take a few weeks, depending on the waiting time for your license to be issued and the background check to be completed.

Passing the Kansas Insurance License Exam

To pass the Kansas Insurance License Exam, you must score a minimum of 70%. The exam is administered by Pearson VUE and costs between $57 and $64. It is taken on a computer and is in a multiple-choice format.

The exam will cover 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 number of questions varies depending on the line of insurance being tested, with exams containing between 50 and 156 questions. The duration of the exam is also dependent on the line of insurance, with exams lasting from 1.5 to 2.5 hours.

To prepare for the exam, it is highly recommended that you complete a pre-licensing education course. While not mandatory, these courses can provide valuable insights and a deeper understanding of the field, increasing your chances of passing the exam.

Kaplan's online courses are a popular choice, with over 81% of readers using them to prepare for their insurance license exams. These courses offer flexible learning options and have a high pass rate of 93%.

It is also important to be aware of the technical requirements for remote exams. You will need a computer or laptop compatible with OnVUE, Pearson VUE's remote testing platform. Additionally, you must test the compatibility of your computer, webcam, and microphone before scheduling your exam.

Frequently asked questions