Getting your Wisconsin life insurance license is the first step toward becoming a life insurance agent in the state.
The Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI) requires you to complete a five-step process to become a life insurance agent in Wisconsin — 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.
How to Get Your Wisconsin Life Insurance License
- Complete a Wisconsin Insurance Pre-license Course (Kaplan Education Company – $149+)
- Get a Fingerprint-Based Background Check (Fieldprint – $36)
- Take the Wisconsin Life Insurance Licensing Exam (PSI – $75)
- Complete a Wisconsin Life Insurance License Application (National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR) – $90 application fee + $5.60 transaction fee )
- Watch for Your Application Results
Life Insurance License Wisconsin
Obtaining your Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin property and casualty (P&C) license as well.
Step 1: Complete a Wisconsin Insurance Pre-license Course
Before you take the Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin, you must take a 20-hour, pre-license course on life insurance. 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 exam. Your 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.
Recommended Course
Over 81% of our readers use Kaplan’s online courses — which come with a 93% pass rate — when preparing for their insurance license exam(s). For comprehensive study packages, StateRequirement recommends:
Step 2: Get a Fingerprint-Based Background Check
After you complete the Wisconsin life insurance pre-license course, you must get a fingerprint-based background check from Fieldprint. The fee for fingerprinting services is $36 to cover the cost of comparing your prints against criminal history records.
To set up a fingerprinting appointment, go to the Fieldprint website and click on the “Schedule an Appointment” button. At your fingerprinting appointment, you’ll receive a receipt. Don’t throw it away! Keep the original receipt for your records.
Step 3: Take the Wisconsin Life Insurance Licensing Exam
After you complete a prep course and a background check, it’s time to take the Wisconsin life insurance exam.
Wisconsin uses PSI as its official testing service for delivering licensure exams.
The Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin life insurance exam fee is $75, 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 Wisconsin 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.
Tip
Check out our in-depth insurance exam guide for tips to help you pass on the first attempt.
The best way to understand if you are prepared for the test is to take a Life Insurance Practice Exam.
Step 4: Complete a Wisconsin Life Insurance License Application
Once you pass the life insurance exam, you can apply for your Wisconsin life insurance license. The application fee is $90 plus $5.60 transaction fee, and you must apply via the NIPR.
The Wisconsin OCI 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 Wisconsin, make sure you comply with the insurance licensing requirements as defined under the Wisconsin Insurance Code and the Wisconsin Administrative Code.
Send any questions or supporting documents to ociagentlicensing@wisconsin.gov.
Step 5: Watch for Your Application Results
After you complete the previous four steps, the Wisconsin OCI will review your application and background check. It reviews applications in the order it receives them, and this process usually takes one to three business days from the date you submit your application.
Once the Wisconsin OCI 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) License Manager page. There’s no charge to 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 Wisconsin.
Recommended: Over 81% of our readers use Kaplan’s online courses — which come with a 93% pass rate — when preparing for their insurance license exam(s). For comprehensive study packages, StateRequirement recommends:
Steps After Securing Your Wisconsin Life Insurance License
Once you complete the above steps and have your Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin, you must complete 24 hours of continuing education (CE) every two years in order to renew and maintain your insurance license (including three hours in ethics).
To avoid delays in renewing your license, you must complete the required CE hours at least 60 days before your license expires.
Your CE provider will report your successful completion of the coursework to the Wisconsin OCI.
Keep in mind that a $35 renewal fee will need to be paid.
For a more in-depth look at each one of these steps, check out our Steps After Getting Your Insurance License guide.
Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance Contact Information
Mailing Address:
Agent Licensing
P.O. Box 7872
Madison, WI 53707-7872
Phone: (608) 266-8699
Email: ociagentlicensing@wisconsin.gov
Website: https://oci.wi.gov/
License Search: Wisconsin Insurance License Lookup
Wisconsin Life Insurance License FAQ
How much does it cost to get a life insurance license in Wisconsin?
Obtaining a life insurance license in Wisconsin requires these fees:
Insurance Pre-license Education Course Fee: $149+ via Kaplan Education Company
Fingerprint-Based Background Check Fee: $36 via Fieldprint
Exam Fee: $75 via PSI
Application Fee: $90 + $5.60 transaction fee via the NIPR
How long does it take to process a life insurance license application in Wisconsin?
This process typically takes one to three business days. You’ll receive an email once the Wisconsin OCI reviews your application.
Can I get a temporary life insurance agent license in Wisconsin?
Yes. Wisconsin provides a 120-day, temporary life insurance license in certain circumstances. For example, the Wisconsin OCI may issue a temporary license to:
An individual who is a personal representative of a deceased or mentally disabled agent; or
A person designated by an agent who is otherwise disabled or has entered active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces.
The purpose of such temporary licenses is to allow time for a more favorable sale of the business owned by the agent, for the recovery or return of the agent, or for the orderly training and licensing of new personnel for the agent’s business.
Can I get an emergency life insurance agent license in Wisconsin?
No. An emergency license isn’t available for life insurance agents in Wisconsin.
Do I need to get my securities license on top of a life insurance license in Wisconsin?
Probably. While you can sell certain basic life insurance products with just a life insurance license, a securities license removes the limits on what you can sell and puts you in a much better career position. As a securities license holder, you can provide your clients with products tied to the securities market as part of their retirement and life insurance plans. But, you’ll need FINRA accreditation to obtain your securities license.
What can I sell with a life insurance license in Wisconsin?
With a Wisconsin life insurance license, you can sell life insurance policies that pay a designated beneficiary when the insured person dies. You also can sell annuities that pay a set income at retirement.
How much can you make with a life insurance license in Wisconsin?
According to ZipRecruiter, life insurance agents earn an average of $79,730 per year.
What are the limitations of a Wisconsin life insurance license?
Unless you have multiple licenses to sell various types of insurance products (e.g., the combined life and health insurance license), having a Wisconsin life insurance license only qualifies you to sell life insurance policies as well as retirement plans and annuities. You can’t sell other types of insurance. A securities license on top of your life insurance license removes that limitation and enables you to offer securities, including stocks and bonds.
Can I cancel my life insurance license in Wisconsin?
Yes. To cancel your license, email an attached letter with your name, license number, and signature to ociagentlicensing@wisconsin.gov.
How hard is it to get a life insurance license in Wisconsin?
The process is quite simple! Follow the steps above and get started today!