How to Get a Life Insurance License in North Dakota

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

The North Dakota Insurance Department requires you to complete a five-step process to become a life insurance agent in North Dakota — 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 North Dakota

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

Step 1: Complete a North Dakota Insurance Pre-license Course

Before you take the North Dakota 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 North Dakota 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 North Dakota Life Insurance Licensing Exam

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

North Dakota uses PSI as its official testing service for delivering licensure exams.

The North Dakota life insurance exam outline contains a total of 110 scored questions that covers Product and Laws.

You’ll have 150 minutes to complete the exam. The North Dakota life insurance exam fee is $64, 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 North Dakota life insurance exam, you can schedule a time to retake it as soon as 24 hours after your first attempt. You may schedule online or you may also call PSI at (855) 340-3905.

Step 3: Get a Fingerprint-Based Background Check

After you take the North Dakota life insurance exam, you must get a fingerprint-based background check. PSI North Dakota test centers provide LiveScan fingerprinting services. Upon completion of the fingerprinting, PSI will mail the signed consent form, fingerprint card, and BCI payment ($41.25) directly to the North Dakota Insurance Department. A fingerprinting processing fee of $29.00 is due to PSI.

While fingerprinting can be done at PSI Test Centers, fingerprinting can also be done at other locations, as well as LawEnforcement Centers. If you get fingerprinted at a non-PSI site, you will be responsible for sending the appropriate payment and fingerprinting card to the state.

At your fingerprinting appointment, you’ll receive a receipt. Don’t throw it away! Keep the original receipt for your records.

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 North Dakota Life Insurance License Application

Once you pass the life insurance exam and complete the background check, you can apply for your North Dakota life insurance license. The application fee is $100 plus a $5.60 transaction fee, and you must apply online via the NIPR.

The North Dakota 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 North Dakota, make sure you comply with the insurance licensing requirements as defined under the North Dakota Insurance Code and the North Dakota Administrative Code.

Send any questions or supporting documents to insurance@nd.gov.

Step 5: Watch for Your Application Results

After you complete the previous four steps, the North Dakota Insurance Department will review your application and background check. It reviews applications in the order it receives them, and this process may take up to three weeks from the date you submit your application.

Once the North Dakota Insurance Department 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 National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) State Based Systems (SBS) 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 tool.

Congratulations!

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

Steps After Securing Your North Dakota Life Insurance License

Once you complete the above steps and have your North Dakota 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 North Dakota, you will need to 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.

To avoid delays in renewing your license, it’s generally a good idea to complete the required CE hours at least 90 days before your license expires.

This will give your CE provider enough time to report your completion to the North Dakota Insurance Department. 

Note: The renewal fee is $25.

North Dakota Insurance Department Contact Information

Mailing Address

600 East Boulevard Avenue
Bismarck, ND 58505-0320

Phone: (701) 328-2440

Email: insurance@nd.gov

Website: https://www.nd.gov/ndins

License Search: North Dakota Insurance License Lookup