Getting your Michigan 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 Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services has a 5-step process on how to become an insurance agent in Michigan. We’ll walk you through step-by-step; from the license application to insurance test prep, to the Michigan insurance exam, and beyond.
This guide has everything you need to know to get your MI insurance license quickly and easily.
Michigan Insurance License
Getting your insurance license in Michigan 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: Michigan Insurance Adjuster License.
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:
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. Michigan Insurance License Application
The first step to getting your license in Michigan is to apply for your license. If you have more than one line of authority that you would like to carry, be sure to apply for all of those lines.
The fee for an online application is $15 for as many lines as you would like. This application lasts for six (6) months, so you have plenty of time to study and pass exams for all of the lines you wish to receive.
Fill out your online application on the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR) Michigan web page.
Step 3. Michigan Insurance Pre-License Education
After you’ve determined which licenses you need, you must now take your Michigan 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 Michigan 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: Interested in getting started? We recommend using Kaplan’s online study packages, which come with a 93% pass rate.
Step 4. Michigan 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 line that you wish to carry. In Michigan, Property and Casualty are in a combined test. Life, Accident, and Health are also combined as one exam.
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 $41. When you show up you must have a photo ID and the original pre-license education certificate.
The Life, Accident, and Health exam is one hundred fifty (150) questions long, and you have one hundred fifty (150) minutes to complete the exam. The minimum passing score is 75% (113 questions correct). Here is a copy of the Michigan Life, Accident, and Health Insurance Exam Outline.
The Property and Casualty exam is also one hundred fifty (150) questions long, and you have one hundred fifty (150) minutes to complete the exam. The minimum passing score is 74% (111 questions correct). Here is a copy of the Michigan Property and Casualty Insurance Exam 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 Michigan? Check out our Michigan 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 PSI Exams Michigan 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 will also be reviewed.
If everything is to acceptable standards your license should be issued within fourteen (14) days. 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.
You should receive an email informing you of your license acceptance. If fourteen (14) days pass after submitting your application and you haven’t received an email, contact the Michigan Insurance License Office at (517) 284-8800.
The State of Michigan will also mail you a hard copy of your license once you have been approved.
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 Michigan Insurance License
Once you’ve passed your exams and completed the licensing application, you are now a licensed insurance agent in Michigan. 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
- In Michigan, all insurance licenses are perpetual. Check out our guides on Michigan Insurance License Renewal and Michigan Insurance Continuing Education for more details
Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services Contact Information
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 30220
Lansing, Michigan 48909-7720
Phone: (517) 284-8800
Email: difs-licensing@michigan.gov
Website: http://www.michigan.gov/difs
License Search: Michigan Insurance License Search and Lookup
Michigan Insurance License FAQ
How long is the insurance license period in Michigan?
In Michigan, all insurance licenses are perpetual and so don’t need to be renewed. However, certain continuing renewal requirements need to be satisfied every two years in order to keep an adjuster license valid. Learn how to get an insurance license renewal here: Michigan Insurance License Renewal.
How long does it take to get an insurance license in Michigan?
2-8 weeks. The bulk of the time is spent studying for your Michigan 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 Michigan 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 $40 for each subsequent attempt. Bear in mind that your total may vary depending on the number of attempts you need to pass the exam, as well as the pre-licensing education you select.
How do I get a life insurance license in Michigan?
To secure a life insurance license in Michigan, each applicant must complete a state-approved pre-licensing education course, pass the life insurance examination, and then submit an application with the associated fee. For more information on insurance license eligibility, refer to our Michigan Insurance License guide.
How do I get a property and casualty license in Michigan?
The insurance licensing process is largely the same for all insurance agent and producer licenses. It does differ slightly if you’re moving from another state, as you may need to surrender previous state license in order to obtain a resident license in Michigan.
Do I need business insurance in Michigan?
If you are operating a business based in Michigan, you probably need business insurance to protect your assets and operate safely. While some forms of insurance may be required under the Michigan Insurance Code, it’s definitely worth investing in additional policies for more comprehensive financial protection.