Get A Life Insurance License: Washington Requirements Guide

If you're thinking about becoming a life insurance agent in Washington, you'll need to obtain a Washington State insurance license. The process of getting an insurance license in Washington is fairly complicated and requires some work, but it's usually well worth it as it can give you steady work with a respectable salary. Indeed says insurance producers in Washington make almost $80,000 a year! Here's a step-by-step guide on how to get a life insurance license in Washington:

Decide which type of insurance you want to sell

The type of insurance license you'll need depends on the type of insurance policies you want to sell. For instance, you'll need a Property & Casualty (P&C) license to sell auto, home, or business insurance.

• Variable Life and Variable Annuity
• Property and Casualty (P&C)
• Life and Health

Most insurance producers will opt for either a P&C or a Life and Health insurance license, or both, to offer clients a wider range of products. However, if you want to specialize in a particular type of policy, you can focus on the specific license for that insurance type.

If you want to work as an insurance adjuster, you'll need a separate license.

Once you've decided on the type of license, you'll need to complete a pre-licensing education course. While this is no longer mandatory in Washington as of July 23, 2023, it is highly recommended to help you pass your licensing exam. When choosing a course, consider factors such as flexibility, price, and the provider's reputation.

Choose the right pre-licensing course

Although pre-licensing education is not a requirement in Washington, it is highly recommended that you enrol in a study course to prepare for the difficulty and nature of the state licensing exam.

When choosing the right pre-licensing course for you, there are several factors to consider. Firstly, decide whether you want to take a live, in-class course or an online interactive video course. While live courses may be preferable if you are a procrastinator, online courses offer the advantage of flexibility, allowing you to complete the course at your own pace and often repeat material if needed. Additionally, online courses can save you time and money by eliminating the need for travel and lodging.

Next, consider how the course material will be taught. Opt for courses that utilise various interactive activities such as videos, quizzes, and exams, as these methods can enhance your comprehension and retention of the material. It is also essential to ensure that instructor support is available, so you can seek clarification when needed.

The reputation of the course and instructor is another critical factor. Look for courses with numerous positive testimonials and reviews from previous students, as this indicates the quality and effectiveness of the programme.

Price is also an obvious consideration when choosing a pre-licensing course. While cost should be a factor, remember that cheaper options may not provide the same level of resources and support. Therefore, it is essential to compare "apples to apples" and understand exactly what is included in the course fee.

Finally, consider the amount of time or access you need to complete the course. Online courses typically offer more flexibility, with 24/7 availability and extendable subscription times. In contrast, live courses are usually taught over a more condensed period, just before the exam date.

By carefully considering these factors, you can choose the right pre-licensing course that best fits your needs and learning style, increasing your chances of success on the Washington state licensing exam for life insurance.

Prepare for the licensing exam

While pre-licensing education is not a requirement in Washington, it is highly recommended that you prepare for the exam. Kaplan's online courses are a popular choice, with an impressive 93% pass rate. Other options include AD Banker, which offers online courses supplemented with web classes, flashcards, and study manuals, and America's Professor, which provides self-study materials and has over 30 years of experience in teaching pre-licensing courses.

When choosing a course, consider factors such as flexibility, price, and the provider's reputation. It is also essential to review the course content to ensure it covers the material you need to know for the exam.

The insurance licensing exam in Washington covers both a general section with basic insurance product knowledge and a state-specific section with insurance laws, rules, regulations, and practices unique to Washington. The exam is multiple-choice and can be taken remotely or in person at a PSI testing centre.

To schedule your exam, you can do so online through the PSI Exams website or by calling (855) 205-5825. The exam fee must be paid at the time of reservation and is $35 for single-line tests or $52 for combined line tests. You will need to obtain a score of at least 70% to pass.

It is recommended to allow between two to six weeks of study time for the exam, depending on whether you are studying full-time or part-time and your comfort level with taking proctored exams. There are also online exam prep courses available, which offer study tools such as subject lessons, comprehension quizzes, and practice exams to help you prepare.

Submit your application

Once you've passed your exam, you are ready to submit your application and pay the application fee. In Washington State, applications are submitted online through the Office of the Insurance Commissioner website for a fee of $60 for full-line licenses and $25 for limited-line licenses.

If you've passed the licensing exams for multiple lines of authority, you'll need to submit an application (and pay a filing fee) for each of these.

Make your way through all the pages of the application and have a payment method handy for the application fee. Once you're done, you'll get a transaction ID. You can use this to track your application's status online.

Background check

To complete your background check, you'll need to submit your fingerprints electronically to the WA State Patrol, who will then forward the results to the Washington Insurance Commissioner's licensing unit. This process should be completed at one of IdentoGO's 30 locations in Washington and costs $49.25.

Application review

After you've satisfied all the other requirements and submitted your license application to the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner, all that's left to do is wait. If everything on your application has been filled out correctly, your license should be issued within a couple of weeks.

Complete fingerprinting and background check

To obtain a life insurance license in Washington, you will need to complete fingerprinting and a background check. This is the final step in the process of obtaining your license.

Firstly, you will need to make a fingerprint appointment with IDEMIA, also known as IdentoGO, who are the company that the state uses for fingerprinting. You can schedule your fingerprinting appointment online or by calling (888) 771-5097. The cost of fingerprinting is $49.25. If you are taking your exam in person, you can schedule your fingerprinting for the same day and get fingerprinted at the exam site. In this case, you will need to make your fingerprint appointment at least a day before your exam date. When you schedule your slot, you will be given an IDEMIA Registration ID, which you should bring with you to the exam.

Secondly, the Washington State Patrol will use your fingerprints to conduct a background check into your past conduct to confirm that you meet the state's insurance agent regulations. Any misdemeanors or felonies may affect the outcome of your licensing efforts. If you are concerned about this, you can contact the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner for more guidance.

The background check and fingerprinting process should be completed at one of IdentoGO's 30 locations in Washington.

Frequently asked questions