Get A Life Insurance License: Missouri Requirements

Getting a life insurance license in Missouri is a simple process that can be completed in a few weeks. The Missouri Department of Insurance requires you to complete a four-step process to become a life insurance agent in the state. The first step is to complete a pre-license course, which is not mandatory but highly recommended. The second step is to take the Missouri Life Insurance Licensing Exam, which costs $29 and consists of 90 scored questions. The third step is to complete a license application and pay the $100 application fee and $5.60 transaction fee. The final step is to wait for the results of your application, which usually takes five to ten business days.

Pre-licensing course

To get a life insurance license in Missouri, you must pass a licensing exam. To prepare for the state exam, you should take an insurance prelicensing course. There are several options for online courses that can be supplemented with web classes, or learning tools like flashcards and study manuals.

Online courses are a great option if you have strong computer skills and are capable of surfing the internet for products, news, videos, etc. They save you time and money when it comes to travel, lodging, taking time off work, etc. They also give you the flexibility to complete the course at your own pace (24/7) and often allow you to repeat the material if needed.

However, if you are a procrastinator, a live course may be a better option as it forces you to learn the material in a classroom setting. Live courses also provide the reinforcement of having an instructor standing in front of you.

When choosing an online course, look for one that uses many different types of interactive activities (videos, quizzes, final exams, etc.) to teach the material. Most people learn the material best when it is taught using video, and then their knowledge is tested using review questions/exams. Instructors should also be available via e-mail or a phone call to provide support.

Before choosing a course, be sure to do your research. Ask yourself: How does the price compare to other courses? Does the course have positive testimonials/feedback? Is there a physical book with Missouri-specific material included? Are there tons of review questions to recall during the exam?

• National Online Insurance School: Offers a 100% online exam prep course that covers all of the insurance concepts, definitions, and insurance laws found on the state exam. Includes instructional videos, practice exams, and state-certified instructors to guide you through the licensing process.
• ABTrainingCenter: Offers online and instructor-led courses to prepare you for the Missouri health or life insurance licensing exam. Their study materials are designed to cover everything you are likely to find on the test, including practice questions that simulate actual test questions.
• America's Professor: Offers preparation for all types of state insurance licensing exams. Courses are available online and include Missouri sample questions.
• A.D. Banker: Offers online courses that can be supplemented with web classes, or learning tools like flashcards and study manuals.
• Kaplan: While prelicensing education is not required in Missouri, those who complete one of Kaplan’s exam prep courses have a significantly higher chance of passing their licensing exam.

State licensing exam

To obtain a life insurance license in Missouri, you must pass a state licensing exam. Here's a detailed guide on the state licensing exam:

Missouri State Licensing Exam

The Missouri state licensing exam is administered by Pearson VUE, which serves as the official testing service for delivering licensure exams. The exam can be taken at a physical Pearson Vue examination centre or via a remote online proctored exam. It is important to schedule your exam at least 24 hours in advance, and you can do so by contacting Pearson VUE or calling them at (866) 274-4740.

On the day of your exam, you must bring two valid forms of government-issued identification, one of which must be a photograph. A valid passport and driver's license combination is a good example. You will not be permitted to take the exam without these documents.

The Missouri life insurance exam outline consists of 90 scored questions, with an additional 15 pre-test questions, covering two sections: general and state-specific knowledge. The general section covers basic life insurance product knowledge, while the state-specific section covers insurance concepts, terms, rules, regulations, and practices specific to Missouri.

You will have 120 minutes to complete the exam. The exam is proctored, meaning an official proctor will closely monitor you in a controlled environment. The exam is multiple-choice, and you must achieve a passing score of 70% or higher.

The exam fee is $29, which must be paid at the time of reservation using a credit card, debit card, or voucher. If you fail the exam, you can retake it as soon as 24 hours after your first attempt. However, there will be an additional exam fee for retakes, so it is important to aim to pass on the first try.

Preparation for the State Licensing Exam

Although Missouri does not require pre-licensing education, it is highly recommended that you complete a pre-licensing course to increase your chances of passing the state licensing exam on your first attempt. Various companies, such as A.D. Banker, Kaplan, and ExamFX, offer comprehensive pre-licensing courses and exam preparation materials. These courses can be taken online and may include supplementary tools such as flashcards and study manuals.

After the State Licensing Exam

Once you have passed the state licensing exam, you can proceed to the next steps of the licensing process, which include submitting your license application and planning for continuing education.

Application process

The application process for a life insurance license in Missouri involves several steps, from completing a pre-license course to submitting the necessary documents and fees. Here is a detailed breakdown of the application process:

• Complete a Pre-license Course: Although not mandatory, it is highly recommended to take a pre-license education course to prepare for the licensing exam. Companies like Kaplan and ExamFX offer comprehensive online courses, study materials, and practice exams to help you pass on your first attempt. This step ensures you acquire the necessary knowledge and understanding of the industry-specific information that will be tested during the exam.
• Register and Schedule the Licensing Exam: After completing your pre-license course, you can register and schedule your licensing exam with the state's testing provider, Pearson VUE. You can schedule your exam online or by calling them. There is an exam fee that must be paid at the time of reservation. Remember that remote exams are available, but specific compatibility requirements must be met.
• Take and Pass the Licensing Exam: On the day of your exam, bring two valid forms of government-issued identification, one of which must include a photograph. The Missouri life insurance exam outline consists of 90 scored questions covering general and state-specific knowledge. You will have 120 minutes to complete the exam, and a score of 70% or higher is required to pass.
• Submit the License Application: After passing the exam, you can apply for your Missouri life insurance license through the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR). The application fee is $100, plus a $5.60 transaction fee. You must apply online via the NIPR within 12 months of passing the exam, but there is a waiting period of 24 to 48 hours after passing before you can submit your application.
• Wait for Application Results: The Missouri Department of Insurance will review your application, and this process typically takes around five to ten business days from the date of submission. Once your application is approved, you can print your license from the NIPR website without any additional charges.

Continuing education

To maintain your Missouri insurance license, you must complete continuing education (CE) requirements. This involves taking a certain number of courses or training hours within a given time frame. The specific requirements vary depending on the type of insurance license you hold and whether you are a resident or non-resident of Missouri.

Resident Requirements

Resident insurance producers in Missouri must complete 16 hours of insurance CE every two years, including three hours of ethics training. Producers licensed to sell multiple lines of insurance (e.g., health insurance, life insurance, property insurance, and casualty insurance) do not need to split their CE hours evenly between their lines of authority. However, they must take courses pertaining to their license type.

In addition to the general CE requirements, there are additional training mandates for selling specific products. For example, to sell long-term care insurance in Missouri, producers must complete an eight-hour initial training course and a four-hour ongoing training course every two years. To sell flood insurance, producers must take a one-time three-hour course. To sell annuity products, producers must complete a one-time four-hour annuity suitability course.

Non-Resident Requirements

Non-resident license holders may be exempt from Missouri's CE requirements if they have completed their home state's CE requirements. However, if they have not met their home state's requirements or reside in a state without flood insurance or long-term care insurance CE requirements, they must complete Missouri's CE mandates to renew their Missouri license.

CE Exemptions

Several groups are exempt from Missouri's CE requirements, including:

• Non-resident producers in compliance with their home state's CE requirements.
• Producers age 70 or older.
• Producers who sell only crop or pre-arranged funeral insurance.
• Producers whose license is credit-only.
• Producers who are on active duty in the military.
• Producers who have suffered a serious injury or illness that has prevented them from completing CE courses.

Exam format

The Missouri life insurance exam outline contains a total of 90 scored questions that cover two sections: general and state-specific knowledge. The general section deals with basic life insurance product knowledge, while the state-specific section covers insurance concepts and terms, rules, regulations, and practices specific to Missouri.

The exam is a proctored test, meaning an official proctor will closely monitor you in a controlled environment. You will have 120 minutes to complete the exam. The Missouri life insurance exam fee is $29, which you must pay at the time of reservation by credit card, debit card, or voucher.

The Missouri licensing exams have two sections: a general section, which deals with basic insurance product knowledge, and a state section, which deals with insurance laws, rules, regulations, and practices that are unique to Missouri. All licensing exams are taken on a computer and are multiple-choice.

The number of questions on the exam varies depending on which line of insurance you are testing for. Exams will be 1-3 hours long and can have 50-125 questions. Each exam has an individual exam code you may need to know when reserving your exam time.

• 50 - Life Insurance Producer: 2 hours with 100 questions
• 51 - Accident & Health Insurance Producer: 2 hours with 100 questions
• 54 - Life, Accident, and Health Insurance Producer: 3 hours with 100 questions
• 52 - Property Insurance Producer: 2 hours with 100 questions
• 53 - Casualty Insurance Producer: 2 hours with 100 questions
• 55 - Property and Casualty Insurance Producer: 3 hours with 100 questions
• 56 - Personal Lines Insurance Producer: 2.5 hours with 125 questions
• 20 - Public Adjuster: 1 hour with 50 questions

For all insurance exams, you need to score 70% or higher on both sections to pass. You will receive a pass or fail notification immediately after your exam. If you fail the exam, you can log into your Pearson VUE account to obtain a diagnostic report indicating your strengths and weaknesses. You must wait 24 hours before scheduling your next exam.

Frequently asked questions