How to Get a Life Insurance License in New Jersey

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

The New Jersey Department of Banking & Insurance requires you to complete a five-step process to become a life insurance agent in New Jersey — 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 New Jersey

Obtaining your New Jersey life insurance license isn’t difficult. Just follow these five 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 New Jersey property and casualty (P&C) license as well.

Step 1: Complete a New Jersey Insurance Pre-license Course

Before you take the New Jersey 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.

In New Jersey, you must take a 24-hour, pre-license course on life insurance. New Jersey requires that three of those pre-license education hours focus on ethics coursework. After completing the course, you’ll need to present a valid photo ID and an original certificate of completion from the approved prelicensing education provider when you arrive to take your licensing exam. The pre-license course certificate will remain valid for 12 months.

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 New Jersey Life Insurance Licensing Exam

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

New Jersey uses PSI as its official testing service for delivering licensure exams.

The New Jersey life insurance exam contains a total of 83 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 New Jersey.

You’ll have 210 minutes to complete the exam. The New Jersey life insurance exam fee is $45, 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 New Jersey life insurance exam, you can schedule a time to retake it as soon as 24 hours after your first attempt. There’s no limit to the number of attempts you can make on the same exam.

Step 3: Get a Fingerprint-Based Background Check

After you take the New Jersey life insurance exam, you must get a fingerprint-based background check from IdentoGO. The fee for fingerprinting services is $66.05 to cover the cost of comparing your prints against criminal history records. 

To set up a fingerprinting appointment, visit the IdentoGO website or call 877-503-5981. Use service code 2F16Y3 when making your appointment.

At your fingerprinting appointment, you’ll receive a receipt. Don’t throw it away! Keep the original receipt for your records and attach a copy to the license application you send to the New Jersey Department of Banking & Insurance.

After completing your fingerprint-based background check, you must submit your license application within one year of passing the licensing exam. If you fail to do so, you’ll need to retake the exam.

Step 4: Complete a New Jersey Life Insurance License Application

Once you pass the life insurance exam and complete the background check, you can apply for your New Jersey life insurance license. The application fee is $170 plus a $5.60 transaction fee, and you must apply online via the NIPR.

The New Jersey Department of Banking & 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 New Jersey, make sure you comply with the insurance licensing requirements as defined under the New Jersey Administrative Code.

Send any questions or supporting documents to inslic@dobi.nj.gov.

Step 5: Watch for Your Application Results

After you complete the previous four steps, the New Jersey Department of Banking & Insurance will review your application and background check. It reviews applications in the order it receives them, and this process usually takes one to five business days from the date you submit your application.

Once the New Jersey Department of Banking & Insurance finishes reviewing your application, it’ll email you with its decision or ask you to provide more information.

You can print your license from the NIPR website. There’s no charge to create an account or print a license. If you don’t remember your license number, you can find it by using the NAIC SBS Lookup Search tool.

Congratulations!

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

Steps After Securing Your New Jersey Life Insurance License

Once you complete the above steps and have your New Jersey 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 New Jersey, you must complete 24 hours of continuing education (CE) every two years to renew your license in good standing. Three of those hours must focus on ethics/consumer protection.

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 complete CE in New Jersey.

To avoid delays in renewing your license, we recommend completing the required CE hours at least 30 days before your license expires.

This will give your CE provider enough time to report your successful completion to the New Jersey Department of Banking & Insurance. 

Note: A $150 renewal fee will need ot be paid (late fee is $250).

New Jersey Department of Banking & Insurance Contact Information

Mailing Address

Division of Insurance
20 West State Street
P.O. Box 325
Trenton, NJ 08625

Phone: (609) 292-7272

Email: inslic@dobi.nj.gov

Website: http://www.nj.gov/dobi

License Search: New Jersey Insurance License Lookup