Getting your Washington DC property and casualty license is the first step toward becoming a P&C insurance agent in Washington DC.
The District of Columbia Department of Insurance, Securities & Banking 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.
How to Get Your Washington DC Property and Casualty Insurance License
- Complete a Washington DC Pre-License Education Course (ExamFX – 10% Discount)
- Take the Washington DC Licensing Exam (Pearson VUE – $150)
- Complete a Washington DC License Application (National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR) – $100 application fee + $5.60 transaction fee)
- Get a Fingerprint-Based Background Check (Fieldprint DC – $31.50)
- Watch for Your Application Results
Property and Casualty Insurance License Washington DC
Obtaining your Washington DC 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 Washington DC life insurance license as well.
Step 1: Complete a Washington DC Pre-License Education Course
Before you take the Washington DC 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 Washington DC 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.
Recommended Course
Over 81% of our readers use ExamFX’s online courses — which come with a money-back guarantee — when preparing for their insurance license exam(s). For comprehensive study packages, StateRequirement recommends:
Step 2: Take the Washington DC Licensing Exam
After you complete a pre-licensing education course and/or your own independent study, it’s time to take the Washington DC P&C license exam.
Washington DC uses Pearson VUE as its official testing service for delivering licensure exams.
The Washington DC P&C insurance exam:
- Includes 75 scored questions (property insurance exam) and 80 scored questions (casualty insurance exam) that cover two sections: general and state-specific knowledge. The general sections deal with basic property and casualty insurance product knowledge. The state-specific sections cover P&C insurance concepts and terms, rules, regulations, and practices specific to Washington DC.
- Gives you a total of 240 minutes to complete both exams (120 minutes each). The exam is a proctored test, meaning an official proctor will closely monitor you in a controlled environment.
- Costs $150 ($75 for the property exam plus $75 for the casualty exam), a fee you must pay at the time of reservation by credit card, debit card, or voucher.
Passing the Washington DC 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 Washington DC P&C insurance exam, you can schedule a time to retake it as soon as 24 hours after your first attempt.
Tip
Check out our in-depth insurance exam guide for tips to help you pass on the first attempt.
Step 3: Complete a Washington DC License Application
Once you pass the P&C insurance exam, you can apply for your P&C insurance license.
In Washington DC, you must apply online via the NIPR. The application fee is $100 and the transaction fee is $5.60.
The DISB 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 Washington DC, make sure you comply with the insurance licensing requirements as defined under the District of Columbia Insurance Code and the District of Columbia Administrative Code.
If you have any questions or need to forward supporting documents related to your license application, send them to disb.insurancelicensing@dc.gov.
Step 4: Get a Fingerprint-Based Background Check
After you apply for your Washington DC P&C license, you must get a fingerprint-based background check from Fieldprint DC. The fee for fingerprinting services is $31.50 to cover the cost of comparing your prints against criminal history records.
To set up a fingerprinting appointment, go to the Fieldprint DC website or call DISB at (202) 727-8000.
Step 5: Watch for Your Application Results
After you complete the previous four steps, the DISB will review your application and background check. The process usually takes one to five business days from the date you submit your application.
Once it finishes reviewing your application, the DISB 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 NIPR website. There’s no charge to print a license.
Congratulations!
You’re now ready to get started as a P&C insurance agent in Washington DC.
Recommended: Over 81% of our readers use ExamFX’s online courses — which come with a money-back guarantee — when preparing for their insurance license exam(s). For comprehensive study packages, StateRequirement recommends:
Next Steps After Securing Your Washington DC Property and Casualty Insurance License
Once you complete the above steps and have your Washington DC 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 Continuing Education and Renew Your License
In Washington DC, you must take 24 hours of continuing education (CE) courses every two years to renew your P&C license. Washington DC CE requirements state that three of those hours must focus on ethics.P&C licensees also must take a one-time. three-hour course on the subject of Flood Insurance for Property or Casualty during their first license renewal period.
If you have a non-resident license with good standing in your home state, you don’t need to take CE courses in Washington DC.
You must complete the required CE hours within 15 business days before your license expires. Failure to do so may result in the expiration of your license.
You must apply for your license renewal via the NIPR. The renewal fee is $100 and the late fee is $200.
For more detailed information, check
District of Columbia Department of Insurance, Securities & Banking Contact Information
Mailing Address:
1050 First Street, NE, 801
Washington, DC 20002
Phone: (202) 727-8000
Fax: (202) 671-0650
Email: disb@dc.gov (for general inquiries) or disb.insurancelicensing@dc.gov (for the Licensing Department)
Website: https://disb.dc.gov/
License Search: Washington DC Insurance License Lookup
Washington DC Property and Casualty License FAQ
How much does it cost to get a property and casualty insurance license in Washington DC?
The total cost of getting a property and casualty (P&C) insurance license in Washington DC is at least $476.10, but can exceed $500 based on the type of pre-license education course you choose. The costs include:
Insurance Pre-license Education Course Fee: ExamFX – 10% Discount
Exam Fee: $150 via Pearson VUE
Application Fee: $100 application fee + $5.60 transaction fee via the NIPR
Fingerprint-Based Background Check Fee: $31.50 via Fieldprint DC
How long does it take to process a property and casualty insurance license application in Washington DC?
It will take up to one to five business days for you to become an insurance agent. You’ll receive an email once the DISB reviews your application.
Can I get a temporary property and casualty insurance agent license in Washington DC?
Yes. Washington DC provides a 180-day, temporary P&C license. To apply or inquire about temporary licenses for insurance producers, contact the DISB Insurance Licensing Department at disb.insurancelicensing@dc.gov.
Can I get an emergency property and casualty insurance agent license in Washington DC?
No. An emergency license isn’t available for P&C insurance agents in Washington DC.
How much can you make with a property and casualty insurance license in Washington DC?
According to ZipRecruiter, P&C insurance agents earn an average salary of between $30,000 and $44,500+ per year. P&C insurance agents who sell homeowners and auto insurance also can earn a 5 percent to 20 percent commission based on policy premiums.
Can I cancel my property and casualty license in Washington DC?
Yes. To cancel your license, send an attached letter with your name, license number, and signature to disb.insurancelicensing@dc.gov or via fax to (202) 354-1084.
