How to Get a Life Insurance License in Vermont

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

The Vermont Department of Financial Regulation (DFR) requires you to complete a four-step process to become a life insurance agent in Vermont — 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 Vermont

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

Step 1: Complete a Vermont Insurance Pre-license Course

Before you take the Vermont 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 Vermont 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 Vermont Life Insurance Licensing Exam

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

Vermont uses Prometric as its official testing service for delivering licensure exams.

The Vermont life insurance exam outline contains a total of 100 scored questions that cover eight sections: 

• Insurance Regulation
• General Insurance
• Life Insurance Basics
• Life Insurance Policies
• Life Insurance Policy Provisions, Options, and Riders 
• Annuities
• Federal Tax Considerations for Life Insurance and Annuities 
• Qualified Plans

You’ll have 120 minutes to complete the exam. The Vermont life insurance exam fee is $50, 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 Vermont 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: Complete a Vermont Life Insurance License Application

Once you pass the life insurance exam, you can apply for your Vermont life insurance license. The application fee is $60, and you must apply online via Sircon.

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

Send any questions or supporting documents to dfr.producerlicensing@vermont.gov.

Step 4: Watch for Your Application Results

After you complete the previous three steps, the Vermont DFR will review your application. 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 Vermont DFR 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 NAIC SBS Tool.

Congratulations!

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

Steps After Securing Your Vermont Life Insurance License

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

Three of those hours must focus on ethics/consumer protection.

To avoid delays in renewing your license, we recommend completing the required CE hours at least 85 days before your license expires. The renewal fee you’ll need to pay is $30.

Note: You won’t be able to renew your license until you complete all required CE hours and pay any outstanding fines.

Vermont Department of Financial Regulation Contact Information

Mailing Address:

89 Main Street
Montpelier, VT 05620-3101

Phone: (802) 828-3303

Email: dfr.producerlicensing@vermont.gov

Website: https://dfr.vermont.gov/industry/insurance/producer-and-individual-licensing

License Search: Vermont Insurance License Lookup