Get Your Ohio Life Insurance License: Quick Guide

Getting a life insurance license in Ohio requires a few steps, and it's important to be aware of what's involved before you begin. The process is designed to ensure that insurance agents are knowledgeable, qualified, and suitable for the role, and it includes education, examinations, and background checks. Here's an overview of what you need to do to get started as a life insurance agent in Ohio.

Complete a pre-licensing course

To get a life insurance license in Ohio, you must complete a pre-licensing course. This is a mandatory step for all major lines of insurance, including life insurance.

Ohio requires potential agents to complete 20 hours of pre-licensing education for each line of authority before attempting the state exam. So, if you're planning to get a life insurance license, you'll need to complete 20 hours of pre-licensing education.

There are a variety of pre-licensing course providers to choose from, including online and in-person options. Some popular options include Kaplan Financial Education and A.D. Banker, which offer online courses that can be supplemented with web classes, flashcards, and study manuals.

When choosing a pre-licensing course, consider the course's flexibility, price, and reputation. It's important to select a reliable provider to ensure you have sufficient and complete resources to prepare for your exam.

Once you've completed your pre-licensing course, you'll be issued a Certificate of Completion, which is valid for 180 days from the date of completion. This certificate must be presented when you arrive to take your state licensing exam, along with a valid photo ID.

The pre-licensing course will provide you with specific industry knowledge that will be tested during the exam. It will also give you a solid understanding of your duties and responsibilities as a life insurance agent.

By completing a pre-licensing course, you'll increase your chances of passing the state licensing exam on your first attempt.

Pass the Ohio Life Insurance Licensing Exam

Passing the Ohio Life Insurance Licensing Exam is a crucial step in getting your life insurance license in Ohio. Here is a detailed guide to help you prepare for and pass the exam.

Understand the Exam Structure:

The Ohio Life Insurance Licensing Exam consists of 100 scored multiple-choice questions, divided into two sections: general and state-specific knowledge. The general section covers basic life insurance product knowledge, while the state-specific section focuses on insurance concepts, terms, rules, regulations, and practices specific to Ohio. You will have 120 minutes to complete the exam.

Choose a Prep Course:

Enrolling in a pre-licensing education course is highly recommended to prepare for the exam. Reputable companies like Kaplan and A.D. Banker offer comprehensive courses that cover the exam topics and provide study materials such as practice exams and flashcards. These courses are designed to improve your chances of passing the exam on your first attempt.

Study and Practice:

Commit to a consistent study schedule and develop a study plan that works for you. Allocate sufficient time for reading the textbooks or study materials and taking practice exams. The more practice questions you attempt, the better your understanding of the material and the exam format. Stick to your plan and make adjustments as needed to ensure you cover all the necessary topics.

Know the Exam Requirements:

On the day of the exam, make sure to bring the required documents, including a valid photo ID and your original certificate of completion from the approved pre-license education provider. You will also need to pay the exam fee of $42 at the time of reservation by credit card, debit card, or voucher.

Exam Day Tips:

Arrive at the testing center at least 30 minutes early to allow for check-in. You will need to present two forms of current, signature identification: a primary ID with a photograph and signature (such as a driver's license or passport) and a secondary ID with a signature (such as a debit or credit card). Leave all personal items, including electronic devices and watches, outside the testing center as they are not allowed during the exam.

Retake Options:

If you don't pass the exam on your first attempt, don't worry. You can retake the exam as soon as 24 hours after your first attempt, and there is no limit to the number of attempts you can make. Use the diagnostic report provided after each attempt to identify your strengths and weaknesses, and focus on improving your weak areas before retaking the exam.

Get a fingerprint-based background check

To get a life insurance license in Ohio, you must get a fingerprint-based background check. This is the second step in the process, after completing the required pre-license education hours.

The background check can be obtained through the Ohio Attorney General Webcheck Portal. The fee for fingerprinting services is $72.25, which covers the cost of comparing your prints against criminal history records.

You can schedule your fingerprinting appointment through any of the vendors listed on the Webcheck Portal. At the appointment, you will receive a receipt, which you should keep for your records.

After completing the background check, you must submit your license application within one year of passing the licensing exam. If you do not do this, you will need to retake the exam.

Submit an application

Once you have passed your state licensing exam, you are ready to apply for an insurance license. You can apply for your insurance sales license either at the test centre or online via the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR) website. The application fee is $10 plus a $5.60 transaction fee, and you must apply online.

The ODI 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 Ohio, make sure you comply with the insurance licensing requirements as defined under the Ohio Insurance Code and the Ohio Administrative Code.

Send any questions or supporting documents to [email protected].

The ODI will review your application and background check. This process usually takes seven to ten business days from the date you submit your application.

Once the ODI finishes reviewing your application, it’ll email you with its decision or ask you to provide more information.

You can print your license from the ODI website. There’s no charge to print a license. If you don’t remember your license number, you can find it by using this Ohio Department of Insurance Agent Locator tool.

Plan for continuing education

Once you have passed your Ohio Life Insurance Licensing Exam and completed the other steps to obtain your license, you will need to keep up with continuing education (CE) to renew your license and keep it in good standing.

Continuing education is required for all Ohio insurance agents and adjusters for license renewal. The continuing education requirements for agents are generally 24 hours every two years, including three hours of topics approved as ethics. This means that, to keep your license active, you will need to complete 24 hours of approved continuing education courses every two years, and at least three of those hours must focus on ethics and/or consumer protection.

To avoid delays in renewing your license, it is recommended that you complete your CE hours at least 90 days before your license expires. This will allow your provider to report your completed credits to the ODI.

There is no renewal fee, but a $50 late fee is imposed if you do not complete your CE hours within the compliance period.

CE Requirements by License Type

The specific CE requirements vary depending on the type of license you hold. For example, those with a Title License in Addition to a Resident Agent license must complete 24 CE hours, including three hours of ethics and 10 hours of title-specific courses.

Approved Training Methods

Acceptable training methods for CE include:

• Correspondence (Print)
• CBT/CD-ROM (Computer-Based Training)
• Online (Internet Delivery)
• Classroom Equivalent

Excess Credits

Up to 12 excess credits can be carried forward to the next compliance period. However, excess ethics training will be carried over as general credit and will not count towards future ethics training requirements.

Frequently asked questions