Getting your Maryland insurance license is the first step to becoming an insurance agent in Maryland. 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 Maryland Insurance Administration has a 5-step process on how to become an insurance agent in Maryland. We’ll walk you through step-by-step; from the license application to insurance test prep, to the Maryland insurance exam, and beyond.
This guide has everything you need to know to get your MD 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 Maryland Insurance License
Getting your insurance license in Maryland 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: Maryland 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. Maryland Insurance Pre-License Education
After you’ve determined which licenses you need, you must now take your Maryland 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 (or your personal lines of authority) will determine which courses you take.
Each line of authority in Maryland requires twenty (20) hours of pre-license education. This means that if you wish to get a Property and Casualty license, you must take forty (40) hours of pre-licensing, and for Life, Accident, and Health you must also 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. Maryland 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. Property & Casualty, and Life, Accident & Health or Sickness are considered combination lines, so you will only have to take two exams, instead of four.
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 $60.
The Life, Accident & Health Producer Exam consists of one hundred thirty (130) questions. You have one hundred (150) minutes to complete this exam. Be sure to read over the Prometric Life, Accident & Health or Sickness Producer Examination Content Outline.
The Property & Casualty Producer Exam consists of one hundred twenty (120) questions. You have one hundred fifty (150) minutes to complete this exam. Be sure to read over the Prometric Property & Casualty Producer Examination Content Outline.
The minimum score to pass both of these exams is 70% correct answers. If you fail an exam, you must wait a minimum of fourteen (14) days to attempt a retake.
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 Maryland? Check out our Maryland 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 on the Prometric Maryland Insurance website. For more information on testing, visit the Prometric Maryland Insurance Candidate Information Bulletin.
Step 4. Maryland 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 $54, plus a $5 NIPR fee, for a total of $59.
If you wish to add another line of authority to your license later, there is no fee, you just need to take the pre-licensing, and pass the exam.
Fill out your online application on the NIPR Maryland Insurance 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 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 should take about three to five (3-5) business days to complete. After the review is completed, your license will be issued, and you can print it from the State Based Systems License Lookup Tool.
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 Maryland Insurance License
Once you’ve passed your exams and completed the licensing application, you are now a licensed insurance agent in Maryland. 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 Maryland Insurance License Renewal and Maryland 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
Maryland Insurance Administration Contact Information
Mailing Address:
200 Saint Paul Place, Suite 2700
Baltimore, Maryland 21202
Phone: (410) 468-2347
Fax: (410) 468-2399
Email: ProducerLicensing.mia@maryland.gov
Website: http://insurance.maryland.gov/
License Search: Maryland Insurance License Search and Lookup
Maryland Insurance License FAQ
How long is the insurance license period in Maryland?
In Maryland, an initial license typically lasts for two years. After this period, each holder of an existing active license are advised to renew before the expiration date if they want to continue their practice without any interruptions. Learn how to get an insurance license renewal here: Maryland Insurance License Renewal.
How long does it take to get an insurance license in Maryland?
2-8 weeks. The bulk of the time is spent studying for your Maryland 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 Maryland insurance license cost?
The total cost of becoming a licensed producer employed in Maryland will ultimately depend on the insurance course you select. That being said, an estimation of about $375 should be enough to cover the costs of completing the application process, even if don’t pass the exam the first time.
How do I get a life insurance license in Maryland?
To secure a life insurance license in Maryland, you’ll need to complete a state-approved pre licensing course, pass the life insurance examination, and then submit an application with the associated fee. The licensing process is the same for all insurance agent and producer licenses.
How do I get a property and casualty license in Maryland?
Getting a property and casualty insurance producer license in Maryland is quite straightforward. Each applicant must complete a pre-licensing education course, take the appropriate Maryland licensing examination, and submit an application to the producer licensing unit of the Maryland Insurance Administration.
Do I need business insurance in Maryland?
If you are operating as a Maryland licensed insurance producer, you’ll probably need business insurance to protect your assets and operate safely. While some policies are mandatory for certain business entities, such as workers’ compensation for any business with employees, others are just a smart investment to keep your assets protected, such as general liability.