Getting your Connecticut insurance license is the first step to becoming an insurance agent in Connecticut. Whether you’re interested in selling property and casualty insurance, life insurance, health insurance, or any combination of those lines of authority, this article has the information you need to get started.
The Connecticut Insurance Department has a 5-step process on how to become an insurance agent in Connecticut. We’ll walk you through step-by-step; from the license application to insurance test prep, to the Connecticut insurance exam, and beyond.
This guide has everything you need to know to get your CT insurance license quickly and easily.
Recommended: Interested in getting started? We recommend using Kaplan’s online study packages, which come with a 93% pass rate.
How to Get Your Connecticut Insurance License
Getting your insurance license in Connecticut is easy! Just follow our step-by-step guide. Be sure to bookmark this page so that you can visit it again throughout this process.
Step 1. Which Insurance Licenses Do You Need?
The first step to getting your insurance license is choosing which licenses you need. The most common licenses new insurance agents get are the property & casualty license (P&C), life and health insurance license (L&H).
The types of insurance products and policies you’ll be selling will determine which licenses you need. Here are some examples of the types of policies you can market with each license:
- Property and Casualty Insurance License – Auto Insurance, Home Insurance, Business Insurance, etc…
- Life and Health Insurance License – Life Insurance, Annuities, Medicare, Health Insurance, etc…
Most insurance agents and producers choose to get both P&C and L&H licenses, but if you plan on specializing in only one category then you don’t need every license.
Insurance adjusters require a separate license. You can find more information on becoming an insurance adjuster here: Connecticut Insurance Adjuster License.
Note
If you plan on specializing as a life insurance agent, then you may also need to hold a certain FINRA securities license.
Step 2. Connecticut Insurance Pre-License Education
After you’ve determined which licenses you need, you must now take your Connecticut insurance pre-license education courses.
Most folks choose to take their insurance pre-license course online. These courses are created specifically to give you the skills you need to pass the test. The types of licenses you choose (also known as “lines of authority”) will determine which courses you take.
Each line of authority in Connecticut varies in required hours of pre-license education. This means that if you wish to get a Property and Casualty license, you must take eighty (80) hours of pre-licensing, and for Life, Accident, and Health you must take forty (40) hours.
You will receive a certificate upon completion of the course. Keep this certificate, as you will need it when taking your exam.
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 3. Connecticut Insurance License Exam
The next step after completing all of your pre-license coursework is to take the insurance exam. You will take one exam for each combined line of insurance you wish to carry. Life, Accident, & Health (LA&H) and Property & Casualty (P&C) are a total of four lines, but the licenses and exams are presented at two combined lines.
This is a proctored test, which means that you will be in a controlled environment with a person watching you. For people who haven’t tested in a situation like this should be aware of this fact, and work on taming their nerves prior to sitting for the exam.
The fee for each attempt of the exams is $105. When you show up you must have two forms of ID, including a photo ID, and the original or a paper copy of the pre-license education certificate. An electronic copy of this certificate will not be accepted.
Here is a copy of the outline of the exams for all lines of authority.
You must score 70% or higher on each of these tests to pass.
Check out our Insurance Exam Guide. It’s extremely in-depth, and will hopefully help you pass the first time.
Looking for a guide to passing the insurance exam in Connecticut? Check out our Connecticut Insurance License Exam article.
Insurance license tests are intentionally difficult, but not impossible by any means. You should study to the point of comfortability with the information before you attempt the test. Failing the exam isn’t the end of the world, but keep in mind that you will need to pay the fee each time you attempt the test.
Tip
StateRequirement recommends that you study for one exam at a time, then after passing, starting on your next line. The exams are difficult enough on their own without confusing information from one line to another. Check out our review of the Kaplan Insurance Course.
You may register to take your exams and find more information on the Pearson VUE Connecticut website. Pearson VUE offers much more information regarding testing in the Pearson VUE Connecticut Insurance Licensing Information Bulletin.
Step 4. Connecticut Insurance License Application
Once you have completed your exams, you are now ready to apply for your license. If you have more than one line of authority that you have passed the exam for, be sure to apply for all of those lines.
The fee for an online application is $140. If you want to add another line of authority to your license in the future the fee to amend the license is $130.
Fill out your online application on the NIPR Connecticut License Application page.
Step 5. Application Review
Once you have submitted your application and have filled all the other requirements, your license application will be reviewed by the state. Your background check from the application will also be reviewed.
If everything is to acceptable standards your license should be issued quickly. If there are any items from your background check that need to be reviewed, it may slow down the process of issuance. If this is the case, the state may contact you to provide context to the issues that they have run into.
The application review normally takes between seven and ten (7-10) business days. After this period, you will receive an email with confirmation that your license has been issued.
Congratulations!
You’ve done the work, put in the time and effort, and now hold the key to your own success! We’re proud of you. Take five (5) minutes and celebrate.
After Getting Your Connecticut Insurance License
Once you’ve passed your exams and completed the licensing application, you are now a licensed insurance agent in Connecticut. A common question we hear is, “I have my insurance license, now what?” Here are a few things you can do or need to know:
- Get a job in the insurance field. Check out StateRequirement’s Insurance Jobs board
- If you’re going to sell advanced life insurance products, you’ll need to have the proper securities licenses. Series 6, Series 7, and Series 63 are the most common among insurance agents, but you’ll need to begin with the SIE (Securities Industry Essentials) exam. Find out which licenses you need with our Securities Licensing Guide
- Every two years, you’ll need to renew your insurance license. Check out our guides on Connecticut Insurance License Renewal and Connecticut Insurance Continuing Education for more details
- Learn how to market yourself as an insurance agent: Have a look at our Insurance Agent Marketing article
- Interested in learning how successful life insurance agents operate? Check out our How Do Life Insurance Companies Make Money article
Connecticut Insurance Department Contact Information
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 816
Hartford, Connecticut 06142-0816
Phone: (860) 297-3800
Email: cid.licensing@ct.gov
Website: http://www.ct.gov/cid/site/default.asp
License Search: Connecticut Insurance License Search and Lookup
Connecticut Insurance License FAQ
How long is the insurance license period in Connecticut?
Learn how to get an insurance license renewal here: Connecticut Insurance License Renewal
How long does it take to get an insurance license in Connecticut?
2-8 weeks. The bulk of the time is spent on studying for your Connecticut insurance exam. Some people study for as little as one week and feel comfortable taking the exam. We recommend you take whatever amount of time you need to feel comfortable with the material. Check out our guide: How to Pass the Insurance Exam
How much does the Connecticut insurance license cost?
The total cost for your insurance course, application, and exam will be about $375. If you don’t pass the exam the first time, add $79 for each subsequent attempt.
How do I get a life insurance license in Connecticut?
Follow the steps above. The licensing process is the same for all insurance agent and producer licenses.
How do I get a property and casualty license in Connecticut?
Follow the steps above. The licensing process is the same for all insurance agent and producer licenses.
Do I need business insurance in Connecticut?
If you are operating a business based in Connecticut, you probably need Connecticut business insurance to protect your assets and operate safely.