Get Your Maryland Auto Insurance License: A Step-By-Step Guide

If you're thinking about becoming an insurance agent in Maryland, you'll need to obtain a Maryland insurance license. The first step is to decide which type of insurance policies you want to sell, as this will dictate the type of license you'll need. For example, to sell auto insurance, you'll need a Property & Casualty (P&C) license. Once you know which license you need, you must complete a pre-licensing education course, which will cover various insurance concepts, definitions, insurance laws, and agent regulations. After passing the pre-licensing course, you'll need to pass the relevant Maryland Insurance License Exam(s). Finally, you can submit your insurance license application through the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR) and pay a $54 filing fee.

Complete a pre-licensing course

To obtain an auto insurance license in Maryland, you must complete a pre-licensing course that has been approved by the Department of Insurance. This is a mandatory step before you can take the state licensing exam. The pre-licensing course will cover various insurance concepts, definitions, insurance laws, and agent regulations outlined in the Maryland Examination Content Outline.

Maryland requires 20 hours of prelicensing education for each line of authority and 40 hours for a dual line of authority. You can choose to take the course online, through self-study, or in a live classroom setting. The course will include instructional videos, interactive illustrations, and practice exams to help you prepare for the state exam.

Upon completion of the course, you will need to take a final exam. Passing this exam will award you a Certificate of Course Completion, which is valid for six months. This certificate is a prerequisite for registering for the state licensing exam.

It is important to note that the pre-licensing course must be completed through a certified provider. National Online Insurance School, for example, is certified by the Maryland Insurance Administration to offer pre-licensing courses.

Additionally, certain individuals may be exempt from the prelicensing education requirements. Those with specific designations or certifications in property, casualty, life, health, or accident insurance may be granted a waiver.

Pass the Maryland Insurance License Exam

To pass the Maryland Insurance License Exam, you must complete a pre-licensing course that is certified by the Maryland Insurance Administration. This course will cover various insurance concepts, definitions, insurance laws, and agent regulations. The course will also include instructional videos, interactive illustrations, practice exams, and student support.

Once you have completed the pre-licensing course, you can register for the state exam with Prometric. You can make reservations online or over the phone. The exam is typically available in the morning and afternoon on weekdays and certain weekends, at various locations throughout the state. It is important to arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled appointment to allow time for check-in. If you arrive late, you will not be allowed to take the exam and will forfeit your exam fee.

On the day of the exam, you must bring two valid forms of government-issued identification, one of which must be a photo ID. The passing score for the exam is 70%. If you fail one portion of a two-part exam, you only need to retake and pass that specific portion. The retake exam must be taken within 6 months of passing the first portion. If you fail the exam, you must wait 4 days before retaking it.

Submit an insurance license application

Once you have passed your state licensing exam, you are ready to apply for an insurance license.

You can apply for an insurance license through the Vertafore website. Here are the steps:

• Click 'Apply for a license' from the menu on the left
• Click the 'New Insurance License' button within the 'New Insurance Licenses' section
• Choose 'Resident,' then choose 'Individual,' and click the 'Continue' button
• Enter your email address
• Enter your information and choose the state you wish to apply for a license, then click 'Continue'
• Select 'Resident Agent' as your license type and continue
• Select the types of license(s) you wish to apply for and continue
• Enter all requested information and submit payment

The application fee is $54.00.

You can also submit your initial license application for individuals electronically through the NIPR website.

Pay a $54 application fee

To get an auto insurance license in Maryland, you must pay a $54 application fee. This is the final step in the process of obtaining your license. Here is a step-by-step guide to obtaining an auto insurance license in Maryland, with a focus on the application fee:

Step 1: Complete a Prelicensing Course

Before taking the Maryland insurance license exam, you must complete a prelicensing course that is certified by the Maryland Insurance Administration. This step is mandatory for those seeking an insurance license in the state. The course covers various insurance concepts, definitions, insurance laws, and agent regulations listed on the Maryland Examination Content Outline. The course is designed to prepare you for the state licensing exam, and your completion of the course will be valid for six months from the date you pass the final exam.

Step 2: Pass the Maryland Insurance License Exam

After completing your prelicensing course, you must register with Prometric to take the state insurance exam. You can make exam reservations online or over the phone. Remember to arrive 30 minutes early for your exam, and bring a current form of photo identification that matches the name on your exam registration. The passing score for the exam is 70%.

Step 3: Complete the Insurance License Application and Pay the Fee

Once you have passed the state licensing exam, you can apply for your insurance license through the Vertafore website. This process involves creating an account, selecting the appropriate license type, entering your information, and submitting payment for the application fee. The application fee is $54. This fee is a standard charge for all applicants and is non-refundable. It covers the administrative costs of processing your application and issuing your license. By paying this fee, you are taking the final step towards becoming a licensed insurance agent in Maryland.

Step 4: Maintain Your License with Continuing Education

Even after obtaining your license, your education in the insurance field does not stop. To maintain your license in Maryland, you will need to complete continuing education credits. These credits ensure that you stay up-to-date with industry changes and continue developing your knowledge and skills as an insurance professional.

Plan for continuing education

To obtain an auto insurance license in Maryland, you must adhere to the state's continuing education requirements. These requirements are in place to ensure that insurance producers maintain their knowledge and stay up-to-date with any changes in the industry.

The specific number of hours and types of courses needed will depend on the type of license you hold and how long you have held it. For most producers, the requirement is 24 hours of continuing education every 2-year license term, with 3 of those hours dedicated to ethics training. However, for those who have held a license for 25 consecutive years or more, the requirement is reduced to 8 hours every license term, with 3 of those hours in ethics. If you are 70 years of age or older and have continually held a license for 25 years, you may be eligible for a waiver.

It's important to plan your continuing education to ensure you meet the requirements. Various education providers, such as Kaplan Financial Education and ExamFX, offer courses and resources to help you fulfill these obligations. These providers offer online courses, webinars, and other learning formats that cater to different learning styles and preferences.

When selecting your continuing education courses, it's important to choose approved courses in the line of authority in which you are licensed. For multiline Life/Health and Property/Casualty licenses, you must complete a minimum number of hours in each line, with the remaining hours satisfied by either line. Additionally, certain types of training, such as Long-Term Care Training, Annuity Training, and Flood Insurance Training, are mandatory if you intend to sell or solicit specific insurance products.

Finally, it's essential to be mindful of deadlines and completion dates. License terms end every 2 years on the last day of the producer's birth month, and the continuing education must be completed 15 days prior to the license expiration date. Courses cannot be repeated within the same renewal period or within 6 months of initial completion.

Frequently asked questions