How to Get a Life Insurance License in Mississippi

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

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

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

Step 1: Complete a Mississippi Insurance Pre-license Course

Before you take the Mississippi 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.

Mississippi requires 20 hours of pre-license education for life-only insurance license applicants. 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 Mississippi Life Insurance Licensing Exam

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

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

The Mississippi life insurance exam outline contains a total of 60 scored questions. The exam includes four sections:

1. Types of Policies
2. Policy Riders, Provisions, Options, and Exclusions
3. Completing the Application, Underwriting, and Delivering the Policies
4. Taxes, Retirement, and Other Insurance Concepts

You’ll have 120 minutes to complete the exam. The Mississippi life insurance exam fee is $52, 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 Mississippi life insurance exam, you must wait one day before scheduling a reexamination.

Step 3: Complete a Mississippi Life Insurance License Application

Once you pass the life insurance exam, you can apply for your Mississippi life insurance license. The application fee is $100 plus $1 fee for online applications. You must apply online via Sircon or the NIPR.

The Mississippi Insurance Department 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 Mississippi, make sure you comply with the insurance licensing requirements as defined under the Mississippi Insurance Code. 

Send any questions or supporting documents to licensing@mid.ms.gov.

Step 4: Watch for Your Application Results

After you complete the previous three steps, the Mississippi Insurance Department will review your application. It reviews applications in the order it receives them, and this process usually takes three to five business days from the date you submit your application.

After the Mississippi Insurance Department completes its review, you’ll receive an email regarding the issuance of your license. 

You can print your license from the Sircon or NIPR websites. There’s no charge to create an account or print a license. To search or manage your license, visit the Mississippi Insurance Department’s Individual and Entity Licensing Search page.

Congratulations!

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

Steps After Securing Your Mississippi Life Insurance License

Once you complete the above steps and have your Mississippi 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

Insurance professionals with Mississippi licenses in effect for 19 to 24 months must complete 24 hours of continuing education (CE) every two years to renew their license. Three of those required hours must focus on ethics. If you’re approaching your first renewal with a license that’s active for 13 to 18 months, you must complete 12 hours of CE.

To avoid delays in renewing your license, you must complete your required CE hours at least 90 days before your license expires.

You can do this via Sircon or the NIPR. The renewal fee is $100, plus a $1 fee for online applications.

Mississippi Insurance Department Contact Information

Mailing Address

Mississippi Insurance Department
P.O. Box 79
Jackson, MS 39205-0079

Phone: (601) 359-3582

Email: licensing@mid.ms.gov 

Website: http://www.mid.ms.gov/ 

License Search: Mississippi Individual and Entity Licensing Search