How to Get a Property and Casualty License in West Virginia

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

The West Virginia Offices of the Insurance Commissioner 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 West Virginia

Obtaining your West Virginia 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 West Virginia life insurance license as well.

Step 1: Complete a West Virginia Pre-License Education Course

Before you take the West Virginia 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 West Virginia, you must take a 40-hour, pre-license education course on P&C insurance. 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 West Virginia Licensing Exam

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

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

The West Virginia P&C insurance exam:

• Includes a total of 140 scored questions that cover two sections: general and state-specific knowledge. The general section deals with basic property and casualty insurance product knowledge. The state-specific section covers P&C insurance concepts and terms, rules, regulations, and practices specific to West Virginia.
• Gives you 210 minutes to complete the test. The exam is a proctored test, meaning an official proctor will closely monitor you in a controlled environment.
• Costs $86, a fee you must pay at the time of reservation by credit card, debit card, or voucher.

Passing the West Virginia 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 West Virginia P&C insurance exam, you can schedule a time to retake it as soon as 24 hours after your first attempt. You are limited to eight attempts to pass each line of authority.

Step 3: Get a Fingerprint-Based Background Check

After you take the West Virginia P&C license exam, you must get a fingerprint-based background check from IdentoGO. The fee for fingerprinting services is $45.75 to cover the cost of comparing your prints against criminal history records.

To set up a fingerprinting appointment, go to the IdentoGO website and choose West Virginia or call 855-766-7746. You must indicate that IdentoGO should send your fingerprints to the West Virginia OIC.

At your fingerprinting appointment, you’ll receive a receipt that contains a 12-digit transaction control number (TCN) number specific to your fingerprinting session. Keep the original receipt for your records. You’ll also need to submit your TCN number with your P&C insurance license application.

Your fingerprints only remain valid for 30 days so you’ll need to complete the next step as soon as possible.

Step 4: Complete a West Virginia 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 West Virginia, you must apply online via the NIPR. The application fee is $50 and the transaction fee is $5.60.

The West Virginia OIC 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 a year of passing the exam with valid fingerprints.

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

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

Step 5: Watch for Your Application Results

After you complete the previous four steps, the West Virginia OIC will review your application and background check. The process usually takes seven to ten business days from the date you submit your application.

Once the West Virginia OIC 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.

Congratulations!

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

Next Steps After Securing Your West Virginia Property and Casualty Insurance License

Once you complete the above steps and have your West Virginia 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 West Virginia, you must take 24 hours of continuing education (CE) courses every two years to renew your P&C license. West Virginia CE requirements state that three of those hours must focus on ethics.

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

You should aim to complete the required CE hours within 90 days before your license expires. Your CE provider will report your successful completion of the coursework to the West Virginia OIC.

You must apply for license renewal via the NIPR. The renewal fee is $50 and the late fee is $50.

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

West Virginia Offices of the Insurance Commissioner Contact Information

Mailing Address:

P.O. Box 50540
Charleston, WV 25305-0540

Phone: (304) 558-0610

Fax: (304) 558-4966

Email: OICAgentLicensing@wv.gov 

Website: http://www.wvinsurance.gov/

License Search: West Virginia Insurance License Lookup