How to Get a Life Insurance License in Maine

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

The Maine Bureau of Insurance requires you to complete a four-step process to become a life insurance agent in Maine — 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 Maine

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

Step 1: Complete a Maine Insurance Pre-license Course

Before you take the Maine 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 Maine 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 Maine Life Insurance Licensing Exam

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

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

The Maine life insurance exam outline contains a total of 75 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 Maine.

You’ll have 125 minutes to complete the exam. The Maine life insurance exam fee is $55, 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 Maine life insurance exam, you can schedule a time to retake it as soon as 24 hours after your first attempt.

Step 3: Complete a Maine Life Insurance License Application

Once you pass the life insurance exam, you can apply for your Maine life insurance license. The application fee is $25 plus a $5.60 transaction fee via the NIPR.

The Maine Bureau of Insurance 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 Maine, make sure you comply with the insurance licensing requirements as defined under the Maine Insurance Code. 

Send any questions or supporting documents to Insurance.PFR@maine.gov.

Step 4: Watch for Your Application Results

After you complete the previous three steps, the Maine Bureau of Insurance will review your application and background check. It reviews filings in the order it receives them, and this process usually takes one to three business days after it receives 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 request a duplicate copy of your license by logging into the ALMSOnline service, check the “Request a copy of my license” using your license number and access code. Once you submit your request, you’ll receive your license via email.

If you prefer to receive a hard copy of your license in the mail, you can request a duplicate by completing the paper Duplicate License Request Form. The fee for a hard copy is $10 and you’ll receive the license via mail within two weeks.

Congratulations!

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

Steps After Securing Your Maine Life Insurance License

Once you complete the above steps and have your Maine 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 Maine, you must take 24 hours of continuing education (CE) every two years to renew your license. Three of those 24 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 Maine.

The Maine Bureau of Insurance will send you a notice via email six months before the due date of your required CE hours. Your license will automatically renew one business day after the due date as long as you fulfilled your CE requirements. You can check your due date and renew your license by using the ALMSOnline service. There is no fee to renew your license.

Maine Bureau of Insurance Contact Information

Mailing Address

Maine Department of Professional & Financial Regulation
Bureau of Insurance
34 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0034

Phone: 207-624-8475

Email: Insurance.PFR@maine.gov 

Website: https://www.maine.gov/pfr/insurance/

License Search: Maine Insurance License Search