Haris Ashley
If you want to become an insurance agent in Pennsylvania, you'll need to obtain an insurance producer license. This license will allow you to sell insurance plans directly to consumers in Pennsylvania. To get licensed, you'll need to choose your line of authority, such as health insurance, life insurance, or property and casualty insurance. Then, you'll need to complete a pre-licensing course and pass the state insurance exam. After passing the exam, you can submit your license application and complete a background check, including fingerprinting. Once your application is approved, you can print your license and start selling insurance in the state of Pennsylvania.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Pre-licensing education | Not required in Pennsylvania, but pre-licensing courses are available to help candidates pass their licensing exam |
| Licensing exam | Required |
| License application | Submit online through Sircon or the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR), or at a kiosk in the testing center |
| Licensing fee | Individual Insurance Producer - Pennsylvania Resident - $55; Individual Insurance Producer - Non-Pennsylvania Resident - $110; Business Entity Insurance Producer - Pennsylvania Resident - $55; Business Entity Insurance Producer - Non-Pennsylvania Resident - $110 |
| Fingerprinting | Required for all applicants of a new resident producer license; must be done at an IdentoGO enrollment center |
| Background check | Required; fingerprints are submitted to the FBI to check for criminal history |
| License renewal | Continuing education (CE) of 24 hours every 2 years is required for license renewal |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Education and exam prep courses
Although prelicensing education is not required in Pennsylvania, completing an exam prep course can significantly improve your chances of passing the licensing exam. eInsuranceTraining and Kaplan Financial Education offer 24-hour online courses that cover everything you need to know for the Pennsylvania Life and Health Insurance exam, the Property and Casualty exam, or the Health Insurance exam. These courses include comprehensive study tools such as instructional videos, interactive illustrations, practice exams, subject lessons, comprehension quizzes, and more.
The Pennsylvania Insurance Department also provides a Candidate Information Bulletin that contains information on the exam. You can access this bulletin through eInsuranceTraining's courses. Additionally, the National Online Insurance School offers pre-licensing courses that cover the various insurance concepts, definitions, insurance laws, and agent regulations listed on the Pennsylvania Examination Content Outlines.
After completing an exam prep course, you must register for the official licensing exam through PSI. You will need to pay the exam fee at the time of reservation. Remember to bring a current form of photo identification that matches the name on your exam registration to the testing center. You should arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled appointment to allow time for check-in procedures. If you arrive late, you will not be allowed to take the exam and will forfeit your exam fee.
Once you have passed the examination, you are eligible to apply for your producer license. You can submit your license application online through Sircon or the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR), or at the kiosk in the testing center. Fingerprinting is required for all applicants of a new resident producer license and must be done at an IdentoGO enrollment center. You must register online or by telephone and provide the service code for the Insurance Department: 1KGBGJ. Following registration, you will be provided with a registration number that you must bring to your fingerprinting appointment.
Coventry Insurance: What You Need to Know
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![Enrolled Agent Study Cards 2025-2026: IRS Enrolled Agent Exam Prep and Practice Test Questions [Full Color Cards]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51+7OWtpblL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
Registering for the licensing exam
To register for the licensing exam, you must first meet the eligibility requirements and verify that they have been met. You can then register for the insurance examination.
The Pennsylvania Insurance Department offers a Pre-Licensing Program to help prospective insurance agents with criminal records. This is an optional step that provides guidance on how your specific circumstances may affect your formal license application.
You can register for the licensing exam through PSI Services, either online or over the phone. You will need to pay the exam fee at the time of reservation.
It is important to note that you should not register for a fingerprinting appointment and submit fingerprints until after you have passed the examination and applied for licensure. Fingerprinting is required for all applicants of a new resident producer license and must be done at an IdentoGO enrollment center. You will need to provide your registration number when you go to the IdentoGO site for fingerprinting.
You must bring a current form of photo identification (driver's license, passport, etc.) that exactly matches the name on the exam registration to the testing center. It is recommended that you arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled appointment to allow time for check-in procedures. If you arrive late, you will not be allowed to take the exam and will forfeit your exam fee.
Understanding Private Legal Insurance: What You Need to Know
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Fingerprinting and background checks
Fingerprinting is a mandatory step in the process of obtaining a new resident insurance producer license in Pennsylvania. The Insurance Department uses this information to obtain national criminal history background information from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). This background check is a prerequisite for obtaining a license, and applicants are responsible for the associated costs.
To complete the fingerprinting requirement, applicants must register online via the IdentoGO website or by calling 844-321-2101. During registration, you will be provided with a service code (1KGBGJ) and a registration number, which you must bring to the IdentoGO enrollment center, along with a valid form of identification. Payment for the fingerprinting service is only accepted in the form of a credit card, debit card, certified check, or money order.
It is important to note that certain individuals are exempt from the fingerprinting requirement, including non-resident insurance producers and limited-line producer applicants applying under the reciprocity provisions of Act 147 of 2002. Residents adding a line of authority to their existing license and motor vehicle physical damage appraisers are also exempt.
While the Pennsylvania Insurance Department does not conduct its own background checks, it is crucial for applicants to disclose their full criminal history and provide supporting documents during the preliminary review process. This allows the department to determine eligibility for licensing accurately. Some convictions will always lead to denial, and understanding these cases can help applicants navigate the process effectively.
Insured Deposits: How Much Money Do Banks Protect?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Applying for a license
To apply for an insurance license in Pennsylvania, you must first pass a licensing exam. Pre-licensing education is not required in Pennsylvania, but you can increase your chances of passing the exam by taking an exam prep course. These courses are offered by providers such as Kaplan Financial Education and eInsuranceTraining, and they cover various insurance concepts, definitions, insurance laws, and agent regulations.
Once you feel prepared, you can register for your state exam with PSI Services, either online or over the phone. You will need to present a current form of photo identification that matches the name on your exam registration when you arrive at the testing center. It is recommended that you arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled appointment to allow time for check-in procedures.
After passing the exam, you can submit your license application online through Sircon or the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR), or at a kiosk in the testing center. You will also need to register and pay to have your fingerprints electronically scanned to complete a background check by the Department of Insurance. Fingerprinting must be done at an IdentoGO enrollment center, and you must register online or by telephone beforehand. The fingerprinting fee is paid at the IdentoGO center after your fingerprints have been submitted, and only credit card, debit card, certified check, or money order are accepted.
The initial licensing application fees are $55 for Pennsylvania residents and $110 for non-residents. You can check the status of your license application at any time using the Producer Application Status Lookup Tool. Once your license has been issued, you may print it from the website.
Protect Your Possessions: TD Bank's Theft Insurance Options
You may want to see also
Explore related products
License renewal and continuing education
There are specific course requirements for different types of insurance producers. For example, resident producers must complete 3 hours of Ethics and 2 hours of Flood training as part of their 24-hour requirement. Those who sell National Flood Insurance Policies are mandated to take a one-time 3-hour course. Additionally, before selling or soliciting Long-Term Care Insurance, producers must hold a health and sickness and accident license, along with completing an initial 8-hour state-approved Long-Term Care Training course. A 4-hour ongoing training requirement must then be fulfilled every 2-year license term following the initial training.
For licensees with the life and fixed annuities or variable life/variable line of authority, a state-approved 4-hour Annuity Best Interest course must be completed before license renewal. This is also applicable to those who do not plan on selling annuities. The state of Pennsylvania allows excess continuing education hours, up to 24 hours, to be carried over into the next renewal period.
To maintain compliance, insurance agents should refer to the Pennsylvania Insurance Department's guidelines and consult with their respective providers to ensure they meet the necessary requirements for license renewal and continuing education.
Tokio Marine HCC: Comprehensive Insurance Solutions
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
You must pass a licensing exam and obtain a license. There are four steps to getting your insurance license in Pennsylvania. First, you must complete an approved pre-licensing course. Then, you must register for the official licensing exam. After passing the exam, submit your license application. Finally, you must complete a background check by registering and paying to have your fingerprints electronically scanned.
You must pass the state insurance exam and then submit a license application online through Sircon or the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR), or at the kiosk in the testing center.
Pre-licensing education is not required in Pennsylvania. However, completing an exam prep course can significantly increase your chances of passing the licensing exam. These courses are offered by various providers, including Kaplan Financial Education and eInsuranceTraining, and cover various insurance concepts, definitions, insurance laws, and agent regulations.
The initial licensing application fees for an individual insurance producer are $55 for Pennsylvania residents and $110 for non-residents. For business entities, the fee is also $55 for Pennsylvania residents and $110 for non-residents.
