Get An Arizona Life Insurance License: Steps To Success

Getting a life insurance license in Arizona is a relatively simple process, but it requires some preparation and effort. To obtain a life insurance license in Arizona, you must complete several steps, including taking a pre-licensing course, passing the state licensing exam, undergoing a background check, and submitting your license application. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the process of obtaining your life insurance license in Arizona.

Ensure you meet the minimum age requirement of 18 years old

To ensure you meet the minimum age requirement of 18 years old to get a life insurance license in Arizona, you must provide proof of your age with a valid form of identification. This could include a driver's license, passport, or birth certificate. The exact name on your identification document must match the name on your exam registration and license application.

It is important to note that the minimum age requirement is a mandatory criterion for obtaining a life insurance license in Arizona. The Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions will only issue a life insurance license to individuals who are 18 years of age or older and have passed the licensing exam.

Therefore, when registering for the licensing exam and applying for the license, make sure that your identification documents clearly state your date of birth and confirm that you are at least 18 years old. This step is crucial, as it demonstrates your eligibility for the license and ensures that you meet the minimum age requirement set by the state of Arizona.

In addition to providing proof of your age, you will also need to satisfy other requirements, such as completing a pre-licensing education course, passing the Arizona Life Insurance Licensing Exam, undergoing a fingerprint-based background check, and submitting the necessary license application and fees. However, the focus here is solely on ensuring that you meet the minimum age criterion of 18 years to pursue your goal of obtaining a life insurance license in Arizona.

Pass the Arizona insurance licensing exam

Passing the Arizona insurance licensing exam is a crucial step in obtaining your insurance license in the state. Here are some detailed instructions to help you prepare for and pass the exam:

Prepare for the Exam:

Before registering for the exam, it is essential to allocate sufficient time to acquire the necessary knowledge to pass. While pre-license education is not mandatory in Arizona, it is highly recommended that you complete a pre-license education course or engage in independent studying. Pre-license education courses are designed to provide specific industry knowledge that will be tested during the exam. They are self-paced and often include study materials such as practice exams and flashcards. These courses not only help you prepare for the exam but also give you a solid understanding of your future duties as an insurance agent.

Register for the Exam:

The Arizona insurance licensing exam is administered by Prometric, and you can register on their website or over the phone. The exam fee is $38 for one line of authority and $49 for two lines of authority. It is important to note that you must present a current form of photo identification (e.g., driver's license, passport) that matches the name on your exam registration when you arrive at the testing center.

Understand the Exam Format:

The Arizona life insurance exam outline consists of 100 scored questions covering seven sections. These sections include basic life insurance knowledge, insurance concepts, terms, rules, state and federal regulations, and Arizona-specific practices. You will have 120 minutes to complete the exam. Additionally, the passing score for the exam is 70%.

Know the Exam Rules and Requirements:

It is crucial to arrive at the testing center at least 30 minutes before your scheduled appointment to allow for check-in procedures. If you arrive late, you will not be permitted to take the exam, and you will forfeit your exam fee. The Arizona Department of Insurance limits individuals to four exam attempts for the same exam type within a 12-month period. Therefore, if you do not pass the exam on your first attempt, you can retake it, but be mindful of this limit.

Take the Exam:

On the day of your exam, ensure you arrive at the testing center on time with your photo identification. The exam will be proctored, meaning an official proctor will closely monitor you in a controlled environment. Focus on your exam and follow any instructions provided by the proctor.

Get a fingerprint-based background check

To obtain a life insurance license in Arizona, you must complete a fingerprint-based background check. This process has been put in place by the Arizona Department of Insurance to ensure that applicants do not have a criminal or social services background that would prevent them from becoming a licensed insurance agent.

Firstly, you will need to schedule a fingerprinting appointment. You can do this by logging in or creating an account for an "Individual" on the Department of Public Safety Public Service Portal. Next, enter the fingerprinting code, which is INS-055.A for life, health, property, or casualty insurance. Follow the prompts and pay the processing fee of $22.44.

During your fingerprinting appointment, you will be given a reference number that starts with the letter "A". Keep this number safe, as you will need it for the next steps.

Now, head to the Fieldprint Arizona site and click "Schedule Appointment". Select the "Don't have a Fieldprint Code" and "Continue with this Reason" options, and enter the reference number from the previous step. Follow the prompts and pay the processing fee of $8.25.

After completing your fingerprinting appointment, you will receive a receipt. Keep the original receipt, as you will need to mail it in later.

It is important to note that you have the right to obtain copies of your state and federal criminal history records. To obtain your Arizona Criminal History Record, contact the Arizona Department of Public Safety's Criminal History Records Unit at (602) 223-2222. For your Federal Identity History Summary Checks, submit a written request to the FBI's Criminal Justice Information Services Division by mail. There is an $18 fee for this service.

The total cost of the fingerprint-based background check is $42, which includes the fees for both the fingerprinting service and the FBI fingerprint processing.

Submit your 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. Alternatively, you can submit your application online through the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR) or by submitting a paper application (NAIC uniform license application for an Individual). Paper applications should be mailed to the following address:

> Insurance Licensing Section SUITE 102 100 NORTH 15TH AVENUE PHOENIX, AZ 85007-2624

The fee for new insurance producer applications is $120, plus a $22 FBI background check fee. NIPR applications also incur a $5.60 transaction fee.

The Arizona Department of Insurance has up to 120 days to determine whether your application is "administratively complete" and up to an additional 60 days to review the substance of the application. However, the department typically processes applications within 30 days.

You will receive a notice telling you that your application has been approved, or that it has been denied or is deficient. If your application is deficient, you will be emailed and must provide any additional materials identified. If you do not cure all identified deficiencies, your license may be denied and your fees forfeited.

Your license will be available from the License Search option on the Arizona Department of Insurance website as soon as the department verifies that you meet all license requirements. You will not receive a printed license certificate.

Additional Requirements for Certain Types of Licenses

If you are applying for a bail bond agent license, you must submit the original of a surety bond executed by the surety insurer on Form L-195.

For a risk management consultant license (individuals only), you must submit the original of a letter from the county/city/town manager or equivalent official prepared on the letterhead of the political subdivision confirming designation as the risk management consultant.

For a surplus lines broker license, you must hold or be applying for an Arizona-resident property or casualty line of authority. At least one individual in each office location must be licensed as a property or casualty insurance professional and as a surplus lines broker.

Complete required insurance continuing education (CE) credits

To maintain your life insurance license in Arizona, you must complete 48 hours of continuing education (CE) to renew your license and maintain its good standing. At least six of these hours must be related to ethics training.

You can search for Arizona-approved courses and course providers on the Prometric Arizona Licensees page. You can take any Arizona-approved insurance continuing education course you want, even if it is for a type of insurance you do not hold on your license. You can complete your insurance continuing education with any combination of classroom courses, web-based courses, or other types of courses, as long as they are Arizona-approved and provided by an Arizona-approved course provider.

You do not need to complete a minimum number of hours in any particular area of study except for ethics, flood (if applicable), or long-term care (if applicable). You can get Arizona insurance continuing education credit while satisfying another training requirement, as long as the course is Arizona-approved and offered by an Arizona-approved insurance continuing education provider.

You must complete your insurance continuing education early. Expect a delay between the time you complete a course and the time course completion is posted on a transcript or you receive a Certificate of Compliance. If the Department does not receive your complete license renewal application, including evidence of completing insurance continuing education, on or before the date your license expires, you will have to stop conducting insurance business and wait until the Department renews your license, and you will have to pay a $100 late renewal fee.

In Arizona, you must also renew and manage your life insurance license every four years. To avoid delays in renewing your license, you must complete continuing education hours within 90 days before your license expires. The renewal fee for this is $120, with a late fee of $100 being imposed.

Frequently asked questions