Getting your Massachusetts insurance license is the first step to becoming an insurance agent in the state. 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 Massachusetts Division of Insurance has a 5-step process on how to become an insurance agent in Massachusetts. We’ll walk you through step-by-step; from the license application to insurance test prep, to the Massachusetts insurance exam, and beyond.
This guide has everything you need to know to get your MA 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.
Massachusetts Insurance License
Getting your insurance license in Massachusetts 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: Massachusetts 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. Massachusetts Insurance Pre-Exam Education
After you’ve determined which licenses you need, it’s time to begin studying for the Massachusetts insurance exams.
Massachusetts does not require you to take a certain amount of pre-license credits before testing. This means that studying for your exam is 100% up to you.
Most folks choose to take an insurance pre-license course online. These courses are created specifically to give you the skills you need to pass the test. Others purchase books or other self-study tools to prepare themselves.
It’s wise to take a week or so to dedicate to your study of this state exam. If you don’t feel as though you’re a strong test taker, take a little longer, but don’t let it drag out for long. We want you to pass your test the first time you take it, and we know that you can do it.
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. Massachusetts Insurance License Exam
The next step after completing all of your pre-license coursework or self-study is to take the insurance exam. You will take one exam for each line of insurance you wish to carry. When you show up you must have a photo ID any other documents that the testing facility has asked you to bring.
This is a proctored test, which means that you will be in a controlled environment with a person watching over 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 $39 if scheduling separately. You may also choose to register for “like exams” at the same time for a fee of $49. This means that if you schedule your Property exam and your Casualty exam at the same time, that you would be saving $29. (You don’t have to take the tests back-to-back, you just have to register for both of them at the same time.) This is also true for Life and Accident & Health exams.
All four (4) of the tests, Life, Accident & Health, Property, and Casualty are one hundred (100) questions long, and you have two hours (2:00) to complete them. A minimum score of 70% correct is required to pass each exam.
Prometric provides content outlines for each of the exams:
- Massachusetts Life Insurance Exam Content Outline
- Massachusetts Accident & Health Insurance Exam Content Outline
- Massachusetts Property Insurance Exam Content Outline
- Massachusetts Casualty Insurance Exam Content Outline
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 Massachusetts? Check out our Massachusetts 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 Prometric Massachusetts Insurance Exams page. You may also find much more information on the exams in the Massachusetts Division of Insurance Licensing Information Handbook.
Step 4. Massachusetts 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 these personal lines.
The fee for an online application is $225 for Life, Accident, and Health, or $300 for Property and Casualty. If applying for both at the same time, the total will be $300.
If you choose to get the licenses one at a time, and you get the Life, Accident, and health first, then it will be $225. When you go to add your Property and Casualty line, they will only charge you $75.
If you get the Property and Casualty first, then they will charge you $300, then adding your Life, Accident, and Health is free.
Fill out and submit your online application on the NIPR Massachusetts Insurance website.
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 initiated by 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 review of the application should take about two (2) business days. Once they accept your application, they will issue your license and send you a hard copy in the mail.
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 Massachusetts Insurance License
Once you’ve passed your exams and completed the licensing application, you are now a licensed insurance agent in Massachusetts. 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 three years, you’ll need to renew your insurance license. Check out our guides on Massachusetts Insurance License Renewal and Massachusetts Insurance Continuing Education for more details
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Contact Information
Mailing Address:
Division of Insurance
1000 Washington Street, Suite 810
Boston, Massachusetts 02118-6200
Phone: (617) 521-7794
Fax: (617) 753-6883
Email: producerupdate.mailbox@state.ma.us
Website: http://www.mass.gov/ocabr/
License Search: Massachusetts Insurance License Search and Lookup
Massachusetts Insurance License FAQ
How long is the insurance license period in Massachusetts?
A Massachusetts insurance license typically lasts for three years. After this time, licensees are required to renew their licenses before the indicated expiration date if they want to continue to sell insurance without any interruptions. Learn how to get an insurance license renewal here: Massachusetts Insurance License Renewal.
How long does it take to get an insurance license in Massachusetts?
2-8 weeks. The bulk of the time is spent studying for the actual state licensing 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 Massachusetts insurance license cost?
The total cost of completing the insurance licensing process in Massachusetts should be about $375. This estimation should comfortably be enough to cover the costs of your insurance course, application fee, exam fee, and any subsequent attempts you may need if you don’t pass on your first attempt.
How do I get a life insurance license in Massachusetts?
To secure a life insurance license in Massachusetts, you’ll need to pass the life insurance examination and submit an application with the associated fee once you’ve completed a state-approved pre-licensing education course. The licensing process is the same for all insurance producer and agent licenses.
How do I get a property and casualty license in Massachusetts?
In Massachusetts, if you want to get licensed to sell property and casualty insurance, you’ll need to finish the required pre-licensing education, clear the property and casualty insurance exam, and then apply with the stipulated fee to the Massachusetts Division of Insurance. Make sure to take plenty of practice exams for the best chance of success.
Do I need business insurance in Massachusetts?
Yes, you’ll likely need at least one form of insurance in Massachusetts. Outside of business insurance that is commonly required, such as workers’ compensation, it’s definitely worth investing in optional policies like general liability in order to ensure maximum financial protection.