How to Get a Life Insurance License in Illinois

Getting your Illinois life insurance license is the first step toward becoming a life insurance agent in the state.

The Illinois Department of Insurance (IDOI) requires you to complete a four-step process to become a life insurance agent in Illinois — from taking the life insurance exam to applying for a license.

These steps will take a few weeks to complete so we recommend you bookmark this page so you can use it as a reference throughout the process.

Life Insurance License Illinois

Obtaining your Illinois life insurance license isn’t difficult. Just follow these four steps to start your journey toward becoming a life insurance agent. Once you earn this license, check out our guide on how to get your Illinois property and casualty (P&C) license as well.

Step 1: Complete an Illinois Insurance Pre-license Course

Before you take the Illinois life insurance licensing exam, it’s important to make time to acquire the knowledge you’ll need to pass this exam on your first attempt. Completing a pre-license education course will equip you with the necessary information and tools you’ll need to prepare for your exam.

Illinois requires 20 hours of pre-license education. Illinois also requires you to take 7.5 of those 20 pre-license education hours in a classroom setting. You can complete the rest of the required hours either in person or online.

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.

Beyond helping you effectively prepare for and pass the life insurance licensing exam on your first try, taking a pre-license education course also will give you a solid understanding of your duties as a life insurance agent.

Step 2: Take the Illinois Life Insurance Licensing Exam

After you complete a prep course and your own independent studying, it’s time to take the Illinois life insurance exam.

Illinois uses Pearson VUE as its official testing service for delivering licensure exams.

The Illinois life insurance exam outline contains a total of 81 scored questions that covers two exams: general and state-specific knowledge. The general section deals with basic life insurance product knowledge. The state-specific section covers insurance concepts and terms, rules, regulations, and practices specific to Illinois.

You’ll have 135 minutes to complete the exam. The Illinois life insurance exam fee is $92 each for the general and state-specific sections, and you must pay the $184 total at the time of reservation by credit card, debit card, or voucher. The exam is a proctored test, meaning an official proctor will closely monitor you in a controlled environment.

If you happen to fail one or both sections of the Illinois life insurance exam, you can retake the exam and pass both sections within 90 days of your first attempt.

Step 3: Complete an Illinois Life Insurance License Application

Once you pass the life insurance exam, you must wait five days after passing your exam to apply for your Illinois life insurance license. The application fee is $215, and the NIPR will charge a $5.60 transaction fee for a total of $220.60.

The IDOI will issue a life insurance license to individuals who are at least 18 years old and have passed the proper licensing exam. 

Illinois now requires you to apply for your license electronically. Once you complete the application process through the NIPR, you’ll receive an email from the NIPR that confirms it submitted your application to the IDOI.

To apply for a life insurance license in Illinois, make sure you comply with the insurance licensing requirements as defined under the Illinois Insurance Code.

Send any questions or supporting documents to DOI.Licensing@illinois.gov.

Step 4: Watch for Your Application Results

After you complete the previous three steps, the IDOI will review your application. It reviews filings in the order it receives them, and this process usually takes up to three business days from the date you submit your application.

You can print your license from the NIPR website. There’s no charge to create an account or print a license. You can search and manage your license by visiting the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) State Based Systems (SBS) Lookup Search tool and selecting Illinois.

Congratulations!

You’re now ready to get started as a life insurance agent in Illinois.

Steps After Securing Your Illinois Life Insurance License

Once you complete the above steps and have your Illinois life insurance license, there are a few steps you’ll need to take in order to a) excel as an insurance agent, and b) maintain your life insurance license.

Let’s take a brief look at these below.

Obtain All Relevant Securities Licenses

If you’re planning on selling advanced life insurance products, you’ll likely need to pass the Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) exam and obtain the relevant securities licenses (e.g., Series 6, 7, and 63).

For more information on this step, you can have a look at our in-depth Securities Licensing overview.

Choose a Means of Selling

You’ll have to decide whether you’d prefer working as a captive agent employed by one company, or running your own business as an independent agent.

If you’re just starting out, you’ll likely benefit from working as a captive agent, but this will ultimately depend on your personal aspirations and opportunities.

Develop Your Marketing Approach

To succeed as an insurance agent, you’ll need to adopt a marketing approach that’s effective for you.

We recommend finding and sticking to a niche, as well organizing all client appointments for the start of your week. This is because this can improve your overall client conversions.

Keep Your License Valid

In Illinois, you must take 24 hours of continuing education (CE) every two years to renew your license in good standing. Three of those 24 hours must focus on ethics, and you must complete them in a classroom setting or via webinar. 

Keep in mind that you won’t be able to renew your license until you complete your continuing education hours and pay any outstanding fines.

To avoid delays in renewing your license, you must complete the required CE hours at least 10 days before your license expires. You must submit your license renewal application through the NIPR. The renewal fee is $180.

Illinois Department of Insurance Contact Information

Mailing Address

Illinois Department of Insurance
320 West Washington Street
Springfield, IL 62767

Phone: (217) 782-4515

Email: DOI.Licensing@illinois.gov 

Website: http://insurance.illinois.gov/ 

License Search: Illinois Insurance License Lookup