How to Get a Life Insurance License in Iowa

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

The Iowa Insurance Division requires you to complete a four-step process to become a life insurance agent in Iowa — 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 Iowa

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

Step 1: Complete an Iowa Insurance Pre-license Course

Before you take the Iowa 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.

While Iowa doesn’t have any formal pre-license education requirements, most insurance professionals opt to take a pre-license education course online. Others purchase books or self-study materials to prepare themselves for the exam.

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 Iowa Life Insurance Licensing Exam

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

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

The Iowa life insurance exam outline contains a total of 77 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 Iowa.

You’ll have 120 minutes to complete the exam. The Iowa life insurance exam fee is $49, 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 Iowa life insurance exam, you can schedule an appointment to retake it as soon as 24 hours after your first attempt.

Step 3: Complete an Iowa Life Insurance License Application

Once you pass the life insurance exam, you can apply for your Iowa life insurance license. The application fee is $50 plus a $5.60 transaction fee. You must apply online via the NIPR. Pearson VUE will electronically submit your exam results to the NIPR, but it’ll take up to three or four business days for you to receive your exam results. 

The Iowa Insurance Division 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 90 days of passing the life insurance licensing exam.

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

Send any questions or supporting documents to producer.licensing@iid.iowa.gov.

Step 4: Watch for Your Application Results

After you complete the previous three steps, the Iowa Insurance Division will review your application. You won’t receive any correspondence from the state regarding your license application.

According to the Iowa Insurance Division’s Producer Licensing Department, you should wait a few days after submitting your application before looking up your license number on the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) State Based Systems (SBS) Lookup Search tool.

You can print your license from the NIPR website. There’s no charge to create an account or print a license.

Congratulations!

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

Steps After Securing Your Iowa Life Insurance License

Once you complete the above steps and have your Iowa 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 Iowa, you must complete 36 hours of continuing education (CE) every two years to renew your license.

Three of those 36 hours must focus on ethics, and you must complete at least 18 of your required credit hours in a classroom setting.

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. The Iowa Insurance Division also requires training for life insurance agents selling annuity products. 

For more information about CE requirements, visit the Summary – Resident Iowa Continuing Education page.

To avoid delays in renewing your license, you must complete your CE hours at least 90 days before your license expires. The Iowa Insurance Division will send you a courtesy renewal reminder via email approximately 60 days before your license expiration date. The renewal fee is $50.

Iowa Insurance Division Contact Information

Mailing Address:

Iowa Insurance Division
1963 Bell Ave., Suite 100
Des Moines, IA 50315

Phone: (515) 654-6565

Email: producer.licensing@iid.iowa.gov 

Website: https://iid.iowa.gov/ 

License Search: Iowa Insurance License Lookup