How to Get a Life Insurance License in Indiana

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

The Indiana Department of Insurance (IDOI) requires you to complete a four-step process to become a life insurance agent in Indiana — 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 Indiana

Obtaining your Indiana 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 Indiana property and casualty (P&C) license as well.

Step 1: Complete an Indiana Insurance Pre-license Course

Before you take the Indiana 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.

Indiana requires 20 hours of pre-license education. To find approved courses, visit the Sircon website and select “Look Up Education Courses/Credits” and then “Approved Courses Inquiry.”

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.

Your pre-license education provider will issue you a Certificate of Completion w at the end of the course. That certificate will remain valid for six months. You must pass your exam and apply for your license during this six-month period. You also must take your Certificate of Completion with you to the test center on the day of the exam.

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 Indiana Life Insurance Licensing Exam

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

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

The Indiana life insurance exam outline contains a total of 80 scored questions that cover two sections: 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 Indiana.

You’ll have 120 minutes to complete the exam. The Indiana life insurance exam fee is $69, which you must pay 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 the Indiana life insurance exam, you can schedule a time to retake it at Pearson VUE. You must wait 48 hours before retaking the exam.

Step 3: Complete an Indiana Life Insurance License Application

Once you pass the life insurance exam, you can apply for your Indiana life insurance license. The application fee is $40 plus a small transaction fee. You must apply online via Sircon or the NIPR.

The IDOI will issue a life insurance license to individuals who are at least 18 years old and have passed the proper licensing exam. You should submit your completed license application within 12 months of passing the exam.

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

Send any questions or supporting documents to agentlicensing@idoi.in.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 five to seven business days from the date you submit your application.

You can print your license from the Sircon or the NIPR websites. There’s no charge to create an account or print a license. You can check the status of your application online through Sircon by selecting “Check License Application Status” or the NIPR via its “Check Your Application or Transaction Status” section.

Congratulations!

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

Steps After Securing Your Indiana Life Insurance License

Once you complete the above steps and have your Indiana 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 Indiana, you must take 24 hours of continuing education (CE) every two years to renew your license and maintain its good standing (three of those hours must focus on ethics).

If you have a non-resident license with good standing in your home state, you won’t need to take CE courses in Indiana. You can verify your CE requirements and course completion transcripts online at Sircon by selecting “Look Up Education Courses/Credits” and doing a “Continuing Education Transcript Inquiry.”

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 30 days before your license expires. You may renew your Indiana life insurance license online via either Sircon or the NIPR. The renewal fee is $40. 

If you can’t submit a renewal application online, you can mail a National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) paper renewal application to the IDOI. Be sure to include the $40 check or money order, payable to the IDOI, with your completed paper application.

Indiana Department of Insurance Contact Information

Mailing Address

Indiana Department of Insurance
Attn: Agency Services
311 West Washington Street
Indianapolis, IN 46204-2787

Phone: (317) 232-2389

Email: AgentLicensing@idoi.in.gov 

Website: http://www.in.gov/idoi/ 

License Search: Indiana Insurance License Lookup