Get Licensed: Ohio Life Insurance In Easy Steps

Getting a life insurance license in Ohio is a relatively simple process that can be completed in a few weeks. The Ohio Department of Insurance (ODI) requires aspiring life insurance agents to complete a five-step process, from taking an insurance pre-license course to applying for a license. The first step is to complete an Ohio Insurance Pre-license Course, which will equip you with the knowledge to pass the licensing exam. The second step is to get a fingerprint-based background check, which can be done through the Ohio Attorney General Webcheck Portal for a fee of $72.25. The third step is to take the Ohio Life Insurance Licensing Exam, which costs $42 and can be scheduled through PSI. The fourth step is to complete and submit the Ohio Life Insurance License Application online via the NIPR, with a $15 application fee and a $5.60 transaction fee. The final step is to wait for the ODI to review your application and background check, which typically takes seven to ten business days.

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 (e.g. Life, Accident & Health, and Property) and the Surety Bail Bond line.

According to Rule 3901-5-07 (F) of the Ohio Administrative Code, qualifying courses must contain a minimum of 20 hours of pre-licensing education for each line of authority you intend to pursue. For example, if you want to obtain a Property and Casualty license, you will need to complete at least 40 hours of prelicensing education.

In Ohio, you must take a 20-hour, pre-license course on life insurance. After completing the course, you will need to present a valid photo ID and an original certificate of completion from the approved pre-license education provider when you arrive to take your exam. Your pre-license course certificate will remain valid for 12 months.

A pre-license education course provides very specific industry knowledge that will be tested during the exam. There is very little information on the test that could be considered “common sense”. Pre-license education courses are self-paced and include study materials like practice exams and flashcards.

When deciding which pre-licensing course is right for you, it is recommended to consider the following factors:

• The course's flexibility (e.g. does it allow flexible learning, does it require completion within a short time-window, etc.)
• The course's price
• The course's reputation: How reliable is each provider?

Over 81% of our readers use ExamFX’s online courses — which come with a money-back guarantee — when preparing for their insurance license exam(s). For comprehensive study packages, StateRequirement recommends Kaplan Education Company.

Pass the Ohio Life Insurance Licensing Exam

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

Understand the Exam Format:

The Ohio Life Insurance Licensing Exam is administered by PSI, the official testing service for delivering licensure exams in Ohio. The exam consists of 100 scored multiple-choice questions, covering two sections: general and state-specific knowledge. The general section focuses on basic life insurance product knowledge, while the state-specific section covers insurance concepts, terms, rules, regulations, and practices specific to Ohio. You will have 120 minutes to complete the exam.

Complete a Pre-license Course:

Before taking the exam, it is highly recommended to enrol in a pre-license education course. In Ohio, you must take a 20-hour pre-license course specifically on life insurance. These courses are designed to provide you with the knowledge and tools needed to pass the licensing exam. They are self-paced and often include study materials such as practice exams and flashcards. By completing a pre-license course, you will not only improve your chances of passing the exam on your first attempt but also gain a solid understanding of your future duties as a life insurance agent.

Study and Prepare:

Give yourself ample time to study and prepare for the exam. Develop a study plan that works for you, whether it's studying full-time or part-time. Dedicate enough time to reading the textbooks or study materials and taking practice exams. The Ohio Department of Insurance also provides an Insurance Exam Guide on its website, which can be a helpful resource. Additionally, consider taking a Life Insurance Practice Exam to gauge your readiness for the actual exam.

Register for the Exam:

You can register for the exam by visiting the PSI website (psiexams.com) or by calling their Candidate Service Center at (855) 807-3995. The exam fee is $42, payable by credit card, debit card, or voucher at the time of reservation.

What to Bring on Exam Day:

On the day of your exam, remember to bring a valid photo ID and your original certificate of completion from the pre-license education course. You will also need to present a supplementary form of ID, such as a credit card or birth certificate.

Exam Results and Retakes:

You will need a minimum grade of 70% to pass the Ohio Life Insurance Licensing Exam. If you happen to fail the exam, you can retake it as soon as 24 hours after your first attempt, and there is no limit to the number of retakes. However, if you don't pass the exam within 180 days of completing your pre-license course, you will need to retake the course.

Complete a background check

To get a life insurance license in Ohio, you must complete a fingerprint-based background check. This costs $72.25 and can be done through the Ohio Attorney General Webcheck Portal.

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

The background check will confirm that you meet the state's insurance agent regulations. It is important to note that any misdemeanours or felonies may affect the outcome of your licensing efforts.

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

The entire process, from taking the pre-licensing course to receiving your license results, will take a few weeks to complete.

Submit your application

Once you have completed your pre-licensing education course, passed the relevant Ohio insurance license exam(s), and completed a fingerprinting and background check, you can submit your insurance license application.

In Ohio, this is done online through the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR) website. The filing fee for most insurance lines is $10, but there are a few exceptions:

• Surety Bail Bond: $150
• Managing General Agent: $20
• Limited Lines – Portable Electronics: $3000 (10 or fewer locations) or $5000 (11 or more locations)

If you have passed the licensing exams for multiple lines of authority, you will need to submit an application (and pay the relevant filing fee) for each of these.

If a licensing examination is required for your insurance line, you won’t be able to submit your application until you’ve successfully passed it.

Wait for the results

Now that you've completed the previous steps, it's time to wait for the results of your application. The Ohio Department of Insurance (ODI) will review your application and background check. This process usually takes seven to ten business days from the date you submit your application. They review applications in the order they receive them.

Once the ODI has finished reviewing your application, they will email you with their decision or ask you to provide more information. If your application is approved, you can print your license from the ODI website free of charge. If you don't remember your license number, you can find it using the Ohio Department of Insurance Agent Locator tool.

Frequently asked questions