Get A Life Insurance License: Pa Requirements Guide

If you're looking to get a life insurance license in Pennsylvania, there are a few steps you need to take. First, you'll need to complete a pre-licensing education course, which will prepare you for the state licensing exam. These courses typically cover various insurance concepts, definitions, laws, and regulations, and you'll need to pass an exam to receive your certificate of completion. Once you've passed your pre-licensing course, you can register for and take the state licensing exam provided by PSI. After passing the exam, you can submit your license application, and you'll also need to get fingerprinted for a background check. Finally, once your application has been approved, you can print off your Pennsylvania life insurance license.

Complete a pre-licensing course

To obtain a life insurance license in Pennsylvania, you must complete a pre-licensing course. This is a requirement in the state, and you will need to finish an approved pre-licensing course that aligns with the license type you choose. The pre-licensing course will cover various insurance concepts, definitions, insurance laws, and agent regulations.

The Pennsylvania Insurance Department requires 24 hours of pre-licensing education for each line of authority before you can take the state exam. The specific hour requirements are as follows:

• Accident and Health – 24 hours
• Life, Accident, and Health – 24 hours
• Property and Casualty – 24 hours
• Personal Lines – 24 hours

The courses you need to take will depend on the type of insurance license you want to earn. The types of insurance covered in the education include accident and health, casualty and allied lines, life, motor vehicle physical damage appraiser, personal lines, title, and more.

After completing your pre-licensing course content, you will need to pass a Certification Exam. This demonstrates that you have completed the pre-licensing requirement. The Certification Exam is not monitored, and you will need to pass with a score of 70% or more to receive your Certificate of Completion. Keep this certificate, as you will need to present it to be admitted to the state exam. The Certificate of Completion is valid for one year, and you will need to take and pass the state exam within this time.

Register for the exam

Registering for the exam is the second step in the process of obtaining a life insurance license in Pennsylvania. This is done through PSI Services, LLC, which is the state's exam provider.

You can register for the exam by visiting the PSI website. On the left side of the homepage, click on the link that reads 'Government/State Licensing Agencies'. From the 'Select Jurisdiction' drop-down menu, choose Pennsylvania and wait for a second drop-down menu to appear. From this menu, choose 'PA Insurance'. Next, click on your exam within the 'Classification' box.

You can now sign in to your account if you have one or create a new account. Follow the instructions provided to complete your registration.

The exam fees vary depending on the topic of the exam. The 16-01 Life or 16-02 Accident & Health Exam Fee is $40.00, while the 16-03 Life, Accident & Health Exam Fee is $50.00. Most other exams cost $43, while "joint line" exams such as Life, Accident & Health or Property and Casualty cost $53.

It is important to note that you must register and pay for the exam before you can take it. Additionally, you will need to present your Certificate of Course Completion and a current form of photo identification that matches the name on the exam registration when you go to the testing centre.

Pass the exam

After completing your pre-licensing education course, you will need to take (and pass) the relevant Pennsylvania insurance license exam. The exam provider is PSI, and the exam fee varies depending on the topic of the exam, but most are $43. Single line exams such as Life or Accident & Health cost $43, while joint line exams such as Life, Accident & Health or Property and Casualty cost $53.

To pass your insurance exam, you’ll need to obtain at least 70% overall. There is no limit on the number of attempts you can make if you fail. You will be provided with a diagnostic report indicating your strengths and weaknesses on the exam, and you can immediately reschedule without a waiting period.

You will need to schedule your state exam through PSI. Every insurance licensing exam is accompanied by an exam fee that must be paid at the time of reservation by credit or debit card, voucher, or electronic check.

If you plan to take your exam remotely, you must test the compatibility of your computer, webcam, and microphone. PSI Bridge requires a Google Chrome browser, and the download can take up to 30 minutes, so it is recommended that you do this before the day of your test. You must also log in to the testing platform 30 minutes before your exam reservation time, and a state or government ID is required to verify your identity. For remote exams, a military ID is not accepted as a valid form of identification.

If you plan to take your exam in person, you will need to report to the testing centre 30 minutes before your exam time for the check-in process. You will be required to present a valid government ID. If you arrive late, you will not be admitted to the test centre and will forfeit the exam fee. No personal items are allowed to be taken into the testing centre. All personal items, including bags and wallets, will have to remain in your vehicle or be checked into provided storage space. Cell phones, calculators, electronic devices, and wristwatches are not allowed into the testing centre. Food and drink are also prohibited. You must stay in the testing centre for the duration of the exam, with no breaks.

On the day of the exam, make sure to bring your pre-licensing education certificate of completion and a government ID with a photo and signature, such as a driver’s license, passport, military ID, or state-issued ID card. You’ll also have your photograph taken at the testing site.

Submit fingerprints

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. In both cases, you will need to pay the license application fee of $55 and a fingerprinting fee of $22.60 or $23.85.

To get fingerprinted, you must 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.

When scheduling your appointment at the IdentoGO website, 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.

Before arriving at a fingerprinting site, you must register with IdentoGO, which can be done online through the IdentoGO website or by calling 844-321-2101. When registering online, be sure to use the correct service code 1KGBGJ — this is essential as it allows the fingerprinting agency to correctly process your background report. Your check will not be valid without it.

Registration for a fingerprinting appointment should be completed after you’ve passed the relevant exam for the insurance line you’re applying for. If you choose to submit your fingerprints before this, they won’t be accepted and you’ll be required to resubmit them and repay the fingerprinting fee at a later date.

Apply for the license

Once you have passed your state insurance exam, you can apply for your insurance license. The State of Pennsylvania requires fingerprint impressions from all unlicensed applicants. These will be submitted for a background check. 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.

The license application fee is $55, and the fingerprinting fee is $22.60. You can pay these fees at the testing center. If you have filled out the paper application in advance and brought it with you to the exam, this can speed up the process.

You may also choose to apply online using your own computer. You will still need a fingerprint scan, so you’ll have to register online via the IdentoGO website or by phone. You’ll get a registration number to take with you when you go to the IdentoGO site for fingerprinting.

After you complete your application, you can look up its status on the Pennsylvania Insurance Department's website. Once it’s been issued, you can print your license directly from the website.

Frequently asked questions