How to Get a Property and Casualty License in Delaware

Getting your Delaware property and casualty license is the first step toward becoming a P&C insurance agent in Delaware.

The Delaware Department of Insurance requires you to complete a five-step process to obtain your property & casualty license – from taking the P&C insurance exam to applying for a P&C 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.

Property and Casualty Insurance License Delaware

Obtaining your Delaware P&C license is easy. Just follow these five simple steps to start your journey toward becoming a property and casualty insurance agent. Once you earn this license, check out our guide on how to get your Delaware life insurance license as well.

Step 1: Complete a Delaware Pre-License Education Course

Before you take the Delaware P&C 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 Delaware doesn’t have any formal pre-license education requirements, most insurance professionals opt to take a pre-license education course online. Pre-license education courses are self-paced and include study materials like practice exams and flashcards. Others purchase books or self-study materials to prepare themselves for the exam.

A pre-license education course provides very specific industry knowledge that insurance professionals will encounter during the exam. There are very few questions on this test that you can answer with “common sense” information.

You can complete insurance licensing courses on your own schedule and at your own pace when you choose online courses. Taking a pre-license education course will also give you a solid understanding of your duties as a P&C insurance agent.

Step 2: Take the Delaware Licensing Exam

After you complete a pre-licensing education course and/or your own independent study, it’s time to take the Delaware P&C license exam.

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

The Delaware P&C insurance exam is split into two exams: a property-focused exam and a casualty-focused exam. These exams:

• Include 85 scored questions (property insurance exam) and 95 scored questions (casualty insurance exam) that cover two sections: general and state-specific knowledge. The general sections of each exam deal with basic property or casualty insurance product knowledge. The state-specific sections cover P&C insurance concepts and terms, rules, regulations, and practices specific to Delaware.
• Give you 135 minutes (property insurance exam) and 135 minutes (casualty insurance exam) to complete the test. The exam is a proctored test, meaning an official proctor will closely monitor you in a controlled environment.
• Cost $90 for both property and casualty insurance exams if you take them both on the same day. You must pay this fee at the time of reservation by credit card, debit card, or voucher.

Passing the Delaware P&C license exam can prove challenging, but taking an exam prep course and following a good study program can help prepare you to pass on your first attempt.

Pearson VUE also allows Delaware exam takers to earn a “partial pass” score. That means you don’t have to retake the full exam if you pass one section, but not the other. You only have to retake the section you failed on your previous attempt. You have up to one year to pass the other section of the exam. Pearson VUE will electronically send your exam results to the DDOI.

Step 3: Get a Fingerprint-Based Background Check

After you take the Delaware P&C license exam, you must get a fingerprint-based background check from the Delaware State Police by calling 302-739-2528 to schedule an appointment. The fee for fingerprinting services is $65 to cover the cost of comparing your prints against criminal history records.

Visit the FBI’s Identity History Summary Checks page for instructions on how to submit your fingerprint card.

After completing your fingerprinting and criminal history background check, you must fax the reports to the DDOI at (302) 736-7906.

Step 4: Complete a Delaware License Application

Once you pass the P&C insurance exam and complete a fingerprint-based background check, you can apply for your P&C insurance license.

In Delaware, you must apply online via the NIPR. The application fee is $100 and the transaction fee is $5.60.

The DDOI will issue a P&C insurance license to individuals who are at least 18 years old and have passed the proper licensing exam. The DDOI only accepts electronic license and renewal applications through the NIPR.

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

If you have any questions or need to forward supporting documents related to your license application, send them to licensing@delaware.gov.

Step 5: Watch for Your Application Results

After you complete the previous four steps, the DDOI will review your application and fingerprint-based background check. This process usually takes two weeks from the date you submit your application.

Once issued by the DDOI, you can print your license from the NIPR website. There’s no charge to create an account or print a license. You also can search for and manage your license by visiting the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) State Based Systems (SBS) Delaware Lookup tool.

Congratulations!

You’re now ready to get started as a P&C insurance agent in Delaware.

Next Steps After Securing Your Delaware Property and Casualty Insurance License

Once you complete the above steps and have your Delaware P&C insurance license, here’s what you should pursue next.

Get a Job in the Insurance Field

Once you hold a P&C license, you can consider several different insurance-related careers. The P&C license gives you authorization within your state to sell P&C insurance policies and related products that’ll provide financial protection to your clients against loss or damage.

When applying for an insurance-related job, potential employers will request your license number and National Producer Number (NPN).

Complete Required Continuing Education Credits

In Delaware, you must take 24 hours of continuing education (CE) courses every two years to renew your P&C license. Delaware CE requirements state that three of those 24 hours must focus on ethics training. In Delaware, you also must renew and manage your P&C insurance license within the renewal period between Dec. 1 and the last day of February.

If you have a non-resident license with good standing in your home state, you don’t need to take CE courses in Delaware.

The CE provider will report the successful completion of your CE courses to the DDOI. Once this process is complete, the DDOI will renew your license and set your new expiration date as the last day of February in the next even-numbered year. The renewal fee is $100 and the late fee is $200.

The DDOI only accepts electronic license and renewal applications so you’ll need to apply for a renewal license via the NIPR.

Learn how to renew your license with our Delaware insurance license renewal guide.

Delaware Department of Insurance Contact Information

Mailing Address:

1351 West North Street, Suite 101
Dover, DE 19904

Phone: (302) 674-7390

Email: licensing@delaware.gov 

Website: https://insurance.delaware.gov/ 

License Search: Delaware Insurance License Lookup