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US Licensing steps

How to get your insurance license, step by step.

The sequence is similar everywhere, but the rules are state-specific. This guide gives the order of steps and the verified details we found for Texas, Florida and Washington. For any other state, use the same steps with your state insurance department's pages.

Start with the free practice test Back to exam overview
$49Texas Life, Accident & Health examplus $50 license application
1 yearTexas and Florida score validityto apply after passing
180 daysWashington window after passingto finish application requirements

Step 1

Pick your state and your line of authority.

You apply to the state insurance regulator where you reside. Common first licenses are life and health (called Life, Accident & Health in Texas, Health & Life in Florida, and Life and Disability in Washington) and property and casualty. Some states also offer a life-only exam.

NAIC — Producer Licensing Pearson VUE — Texas Insurance Licensing Candidate Handbook (October 2024) Pearson VUE — Florida Insurance Licensing Candidate Handbook (2024) Washington OIC — Producer license: full and limited lines

Step 2

Find out whether your state requires pre-licensing education.

Requirements vary and change. Washington's OIC says producer pre-licensing education ended July 23, 2023. For Texas, the TDI general-lines page does not list an education requirement, and we did not verify one for Florida, so confirm both with the regulator before you buy a course.

If a course provider says a certificate is required to schedule the exam, verify that on the regulator's own page first.

Washington OIC — Producer pre-licensing education Texas Department of Insurance — General lines (life, accident, health) license Florida DFS — Examinations (insurance agents and adjusters)

Step 3 - where to take it

Schedule with the state's testing vendor.

Texas and Florida use Pearson VUE. Pearson's Texas page says candidates may reserve an appointment in a physical test center, and Florida's DFS says candidates may only reserve an appointment in a physical test center and that online proctoring is no longer available for new reservations. Washington uses PSI, whose bulletin covers both test-center and remote-proctored appointments. Appointment availability changes, so use the live scheduling flow.

Pearson VUE — Texas insurance licensure examinations Florida DFS — Examinations (insurance agents and adjusters) PSI — Washington candidate information bulletin

Step 4

Pass, then apply inside your state's window.

  • Texas: candidates must pass the exam before applying and must submit the application within one year of passing, otherwise retake the exam.
  • Florida: a passing score is valid for one year; if licensing is not completed within it, you must retake and pass.
  • Washington: finish application requirements within 180 days after passing or expect to retake the exam.
Pearson VUE — Texas insurance licensure examinations Texas Department of Insurance — General lines (life, accident, health) license Florida DFS — Examinations (insurance agents and adjusters) Washington OIC — Producer license: full and limited lines

Step 5

Budget the exam, application, and fingerprint fees.

  • Texas: exam $49 for Life, Accident & Health (candidate handbook, October 2024); license application $50 per license type; fingerprints are scheduled through IdentoGO.
  • Florida: the 2024 candidate handbook lists a $50 application fee and a $5 license identification fee; the exam fee is paid to Pearson VUE at booking, so check the live fee when you reserve.
  • Washington: $55 PSI combo exam and $55 initial individual full-line license; OIC lists resident fingerprints at $49 through September 30, 2026, increasing to $52 on October 1, 2026.
Pearson VUE — Texas Insurance Licensing Candidate Handbook (October 2024) Texas Department of Insurance — General lines (life, accident, health) license Pearson VUE — Florida Insurance Licensing Candidate Handbook (2024) PSI — Washington candidate information bulletin Washington OIC — Individual fees Washington OIC — Fingerprint requirements

Step 7

Plan for continuing education from day one.

Washington's resident-producer baseline is 24 credits every two years, including 3 ethics credits. Other states set their own hours and deadlines; check your regulator for your renewal date.

Washington Administrative Code 284-17-224

FAQ

Quick answers

How do I get my insurance license?

Choose your state and line of authority, confirm any pre-licensing education rule with the state regulator, pass the state exam with its testing vendor, then complete the license application, fingerprints and fees within your state's window after passing (one year in Texas and Florida, 180 days in Washington).

Where do I take the insurance license exam?

Through the state's testing vendor: Pearson VUE for Texas and Florida (physical test centers), PSI for Washington (test center or remote proctoring per its bulletin).

Can I take the insurance license exam online?

It depends on the state. Florida's DFS says online proctoring is no longer available for new reservations and candidates may only reserve a physical test center. Pearson's Texas page lists physical test center appointments. Washington's PSI bulletin covers remote-proctored appointments.