How to Get a Property and Casualty License in Oregon

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

The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation 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 Oregon

Obtaining your Oregon 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 Oregon life insurance license as well.

Step 1: Complete an Oregon Pre-License Education Course

Before you take the Oregon 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.

In Oregon, you must take a 20-hour, pre-license course on both property and casualty insurance for a total of 40 hours. After completing the course, you’ll need to present a valid photo ID and an original certificate of completion from the approved pre-licensing education provider when you arrive to take your exam. Your pre-license course certificate of completion will remain valid for 12 months.

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 Oregon Licensing Exam

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

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

The Oregon P&C insurance exam:

• Includes a total of 150 scored questions across 10 sections. These sections cover insurance regulations, general insurance concepts, P&C insurance basics, different types of P&C insurance policies, and other coverages and options.
• Gives you 160 minutes to complete the test. The exam is a proctored test, meaning an official proctor will closely monitor you in a controlled environment.
• Costs $55, a fee you must pay at the time of reservation by credit card, debit card, or voucher.

Passing the Oregon 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.

If you happen to fail the Oregon P&C insurance exam, you can schedule a time to retake it as soon as 24 hours after your first attempt. You may schedule this online or by calling PSI at (855) 340-3901.

Step 3: Get a Fingerprint-Based Background Check

After you take the Oregon P&C license exam, you must get a fingerprint-based background check from PSI.

PSI will electronically submit your fingerprint images to the Oregon State Police and the FBI. The results are returned directly to the Oregon DFR. The fee for fingerprinting services is $61.25 to cover the cost of comparing your prints against criminal history records.

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

You must complete your fingerprint-based background check and then submit a license application within one year of passing the P&C licensing exam or you’ll need to retake the exam.

Step 4: Complete an Oregon 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 Oregon, you must apply online via the NIPR. The application fee is $75 and the transaction fee is $5.60.

The Oregon DFR will issue a P&C 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 P&C insurance license in Oregon, make sure you comply with the insurance licensing requirements as defined under the Oregon Insurance Code.

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

Step 5: Watch for Your Application Results

After you complete the previous four steps, the Oregon DFR will review your application and fingerprint-based background check. This process usually takes three to 14 business days from the date you submit your application.

Once it finishes reviewing your application, the Oregon DFR will email you with its decision. If you need to provide more information, a specialist will contact you.

You can print your license from the National Associated of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) State Based Systems (SBS) License Manager page. 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 P&C insurance agent in Oregon.

Next Steps After Securing Your Oregon Property and Casualty Insurance License

Once you complete the above steps and have your Oregon 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). You can request a letter of certification, which proves you have a P&C insurance license in Oregon, by visiting the Oregon page on the NAIC SBS website. Click on the “Lookup” link under the “SBS for Licensees” section. Enter “Oregon” as the jurisdiction, “Licensee” as the search type, your name, and your license number. The next screen will display your letter of certification. You may need to submit this letter along with your job applications.

Complete Continuing Education and Renew Your License

In Oregon, you must take 24 hours of continuing education (CE) courses every two years to renew your P&C license. Oregon CE requirements state that three of those hours must focus on ethics while another three hours must focus on Oregon statutes and administration rules.

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

To avoid delays in renewing your license, you must complete the required CE hours at least 90 days before your license expires. The renewal fee is $45 and the late fee is $90.

You can’t renew your license until you complete your CE hours and pay any outstanding fines.

For more detailed information, check out how to renew your license with our Oregon insurance license renewal guide.

Oregon Division of Financial Regulation Contact Information

Mailing Address:

P.O. Box 14480
Salem, OR 97309-0405

Physical Address:

350 Winter St. NE
Fourth Floor
Salem, OR 97301-3883

Phone: (503) 947-7981

Email: web.insagent@oregon.gov 

Website: http://dfr.oregon.gov/

License Search: Oregon Insurance License Lookup