How to Get a Life Insurance License in Missouri

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

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

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

Step 1: Complete a Missouri Insurance Pre-license Course

Before you take the Missouri 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 Missouri 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 Missouri Life Insurance Licensing Exam

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

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

The Missouri life insurance exam outline contains a total of 90 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 Missouri.

You’ll have 120 minutes to complete the exam. The Missouri life insurance exam fee is $29, 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 Missouri life insurance exam, you can schedule a time to retake it as soon as 24 hours after your first attempt.

Step 3: Complete a Missouri Life Insurance License Application

Once you pass the life insurance exam, you can apply for your Missouri life insurance license. The application fee is $100 plus a $5.60 transaction fee. You must apply online via the NIPR.

The Missouri Department 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. But, you must wait 24 to 48 hours after passing the exam to fill out the application. 

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

Send any questions or supporting documents to licensing@insurance.mo.gov.

Step 4: Watch for Your Application Results

After you complete the previous three steps, the Missouri Department of Insurance will review your application. It reviews applications in the order it receives them, and this process usually takes five to 10 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. To check and verify the issuance of your license, go to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) State-Based Systems Missouri Lookup tool.

Congratulations!

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

Steps After Securing Your Missouri Life Insurance License

Once you complete the above steps and have your Missouri 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 Missouri, you must complete 16 hours of continuing education (CE) for a life line of authority every two years in order to renew your license. Three of those 16 hours must focus on ethics.

Having said that, keep in mind that if you have a non-resident license and are in good standing in your home state, you won’t need to take CE courses in Missouri.

The Missouri Department of Insurance will send you a renewal notice 60 to 90 days before your license expires.

You’ll be able to renew your life insurance license online via the NIPR. The renewal fee for this is $100 and the late fee is $25.

Missouri Department of Insurance Contact Information

Mailing Address:

Missouri Department of Insurance
P.O. Box 690
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0690

Phone: (573) 751-3518

Email: licensing@insurance.mo.gov 

Website: https://insurance.mo.gov/ 

License Search: Missouri Insurance License Lookup