Getting your Iowa property and casualty license is the first step toward becoming a P&C insurance agent in Iowa.
The Iowa Insurance Division requires you to complete a four-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 Iowa Property and Casualty Insurance License
- Complete an Iowa Pre-License Education Course (Kaplan – $139)
- Take the Iowa Licensing Exam (Pearson VUE – $49 each for property and casualty. You also can schedule the property and casualty exams “back to back” and pay only $69.
- Complete an Iowa License Application (National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR) – $50 application fee + $5.60 transaction fee)
- Watch for Your Application Results
Property and Casualty Insurance License Iowa
Obtaining your Iowa P&C license is easy. Just follow these four 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 Iowa life insurance license as well.
Step 1: Complete an Iowa Pre-License Education Course
Before you take the Iowa 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 Iowa 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 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 2: Take the Iowa Licensing Exam
After you complete a pre-licensing education course and/or your own independent study, it’s time to take the Iowa P&C license exam.
Iowa uses Pearson VUE as its official testing service for delivering licensure exams. You may opt to schedule and take only the property insurance exam or the casualty insurance exam, or you can take both the property and casualty exams “back to back.”
The Iowa P&C insurance exam:
- Includes 83 scored questions (property insurance exam) and 85 scored questions (casualty insurance exam) that cover two sections: general and state-specific knowledge. The general sections deal with basic property or casualty insurance product knowledge. The state-specific sections cover P&C insurance concepts and terms, rules, regulations, and practices specific to Iowa.
- Gives you 120 minutes to complete the test (for each of the property and casualty insurance exams). The exam is a proctored test, meaning an official proctor will closely monitor you in a controlled environment.
- Costs $49 each for the property and casualty exams. If you choose to take both the property and casualty exams “back to back,” you’ll pay only $69. You must pay the fees at the time of reservation by credit card, debit card, or voucher.
Passing the Iowa 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 Iowa P&C insurance exam, you can schedule an appointment 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 an Iowa License Application
Once you pass the P&C insurance exam, you can apply for your P&C insurance license.
In Iowa, you must apply online via the NIPR. The application fee is $50 and the transaction fee is $5.60.
The Iowa Insurance Division 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 90 days of passing the P&C insurance licensing exam.
To apply for a P&C insurance license in Iowa, make sure you comply with the insurance licensing requirements as defined under the Iowa Administrative Code.
If you have any questions or need to forward supporting documents related to your license application, send them to producer.licensing@iid.iowa.gov.
Step 4: Watch for Your Application Results
After you complete the previous three steps, the Iowa Insurance Division will review your application. You won’t receive any correspondence from the state regarding your license application.
According to the Iowa Insurance Division’s Producer Licensing Department, you should wait a few days after submitting your application before looking up your license number on the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) State Based Systems (SBS) Lookup Search tool.
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 Iowa.
Next Steps After Securing Your Iowa Property and Casualty Insurance License
Once you complete the above steps and have your Iowa 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.
You can find P&C insurance job postings on our Insurance Jobs Board.
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 Iowa, you must take 36 hours of continuing education (CE) courses every two years to renew your P&C license. Iowa CE requirements state that three of those hours must focus on ethics, and you must complete at least 18 of your required credit hours in a classroom setting.
If you have a non-resident license that meets the CE requirements in your home state, you don’t need to take CE courses in Iowa.
You must complete your CE hours at least 90 days before your license expires. The Iowa Insurance Division will send you a courtesy renewal reminder via email approximately 60 days before your license expiration date. You must apply for renewal via the NIPR. The renewal fee is $50.
For more detailed information, check out how to renew your license with our Iowa insurance license renewal guide.
Iowa Insurance Division Contact Information
Mailing Address:
1963 Bell Ave., Suite 100
Des Moines, IA 50315
Phone: (515) 654-6565
Email: producer.licensing@iid.iowa.gov
Website: https://iid.iowa.gov/
License Search: Iowa Insurance License Lookup
Iowa Property and Casualty License FAQ
How much does it cost to get a property and casualty insurance license in Iowa?
The total cost of getting a property and casualty (P&C) insurance license in Iowa is at least $313.60, but can reach nearly $500 based on the type of pre-license course you choose. The costs include:
Insurance Pre-license Education Course Fee: $139 via Kaplan
Exam Fee: $49 each for property and casualty. You also can schedule the property and casualty exams “back to back” and pay only $69 via Pearson VUE
Application Fee: $50 application fee + $5.60 transaction fee via the NIPR
How long does it take to process a property and casualty insurance license application in Iowa?
According to the Iowa Insurance Division’s Producer Licensing Department, you need to wait a few days to become an insurance agent after submitting your application before looking up your license number on the NAIC SBS Lookup Search tool. Select “Iowa” as your jurisdiction when using that tool.
Can I get a temporary property and casualty insurance agent license in Iowa?
Yes. Iowa provides a 180-day, temporary P&C insurance license. You can direct questions regarding this process to the Iowa Insurance Division’s Producer Licensing Department at producer.licensing@iid.iowa.gov or (515) 725-0690.
Can I get an emergency property and casualty insurance agent license in Iowa?
No. An emergency license isn’t available for P&C insurance agents in Iowa.
What can I sell with a property and casualty insurance license in Iowa?
With an Iowa P&C license, you can sell insurance products like homeowners insurance, renters insurance, auto insurance, general liability insurance, and workers’ compensation policies.
How much can you make with a property and casualty insurance license in Iowa?
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.
What are the limitations of an Iowa property and casualty insurance license?
Unless you have multiple licenses to sell various types of insurance products, having an Iowa P&C license only gives you the authority to negotiate and sell P&C insurance policies. You’ll need additional licenses to sell other types of insurance.
Can I cancel my property and casualty license in Iowa?
Yes. To cancel your license, download and fill out the Individual Producer Voluntary Surrender Request Form. Email your completed form to producer.licensing@iid.iowa.gov or fax it to (515) 281-3059, Attn: Producer Licensing.
How hard is it to get a property and casualty insurance license in Iowa?
The process is quite simple! Follow the steps above and get started today!