How to get a life insurance license — step by step

Licensing requirements — including whether a pre-licensing course is required, exam fees, and the application process — vary by state. Start by visiting your state Department of Insurance website and NIPR.com for official, current requirements. The information on this page is a general guide, not legal or licensing advice — always confirm with your state DOI.

Only some states require a set number of hours of pre-licensing education before you can sit for the exam — of the 15 states we serve, that's Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, and New Jersey. In the rest, you can skip this step and go straight to the exam. Where a course is required, topics generally cover life insurance fundamentals, policy types, state insurance law, and ethics. Choose an approved pre-licensing provider for your state, and check which formats it accepts — some states require part of the course in a classroom setting. Tuition varies by state and provider, and it's separate from your state's exam and application fees. We'll point you to options we're familiar with during onboarding.

Once any required coursework is complete, you'll schedule and pass your state's life insurance licensing exam. Exam vendors vary by state — your state DOI or the NAIC producer licensing directory will direct you to the correct testing provider and scheduling page. The exam typically covers the same topics as a pre-licensing course, plus state-specific insurance law. Passing scores and retake rules vary by state. Don't worry if you don't pass on the first try — most states allow retakes.

After passing the exam, submit your license application through NIPR.com (the National Insurance Producer Registry) or your state DOI's own portal. Some states require a background check. Processing times vary from a few days to a few weeks. Once approved, you'll receive your state producer license number — keep this safe.

A license lets you sell insurance; a carrier appointment authorizes you to sell that specific carrier's products. Once you've joined Sahlman Insurance Group, we walk you through the appointment process for each of the carriers we work with. Appointments are typically handled electronically and don't cost you anything out of pocket.

With your license and carrier appointments in place, you'll complete our structured onboarding training — product knowledge, needs analysis, compliance, and mentored live appointments. Then you start placing policies and building your book of business.