How to Get a Property and Casualty License in Michigan

Written by: Mary Gerardine

Last updated:

How to Get a Property and Casualty License in Michigan

Getting your Michigan property and casualty license is the first step toward becoming a P&C insurance agent in Michigan.

The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services 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 Michigan Property and Casualty Insurance License

  1. Complete a Michigan License Application (National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR) – $10 application fee + $5.60 transaction fee)
  2. Complete a Michigan Pre-License Education Course (Kaplan – $139)
  3. Take the Michigan Licensing Exam (PSI Exams – $41)
  4. Watch for Your Application Results

Property and Casualty Insurance License Michigan

Obtaining your Michigan 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 Michigan life insurance license as well.

Step 1: Complete a Michigan License Application

The first step is completing your Michigan P&C insurance license application.

In Michigan, you must apply online via the NIPRThe application fee is $10 and the transaction fee is $5.60.

The Michigan DIFS will issue a P&C insurance license to individuals who are at least 18 years old and have passed the proper licensing exam. The application is valid for six months from the date of your submission to the NIPR.

To apply for a P&C insurance license in Michigan, make sure you comply with the insurance licensing requirements as defined under the Michigan Insurance Code.

If you have any questions or need to forward supporting documents related to your license application, send them to DIFS-Licensing@michigan.gov.

Step 2: Complete a Michigan Pre-License Education Course

Before you take the Michigan 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.

Michigan requires 40 hours of pre-license education for P&C insurance producers. After completing your pre-license education requirements, you’ll receive a course completion certificate for your P&C line of authority. The certificate will remain valid for 12 months from your course completion date.

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

Doing a pre-licensing education course dramatically increases your chance of passing your exam on your first attempt, which can end up saving you both time and money in the long run. For pre-licensing education, StateRequirement recommends:

4.7 out of 5 starsKaplan Education Company

Step 3: Take the Michigan Licensing Exam

After you complete a pre-licensing education course and/or your own independent study, it’s time to take the Michigan P&C license exam.

Michigan uses PSI Exams as its official testing service for delivering licensure exams.

The Michigan P&C insurance exam:

  • Includes a total of 150 scored questions consisting of 10 sections, including insurance regulations, general insurance concepts, P&C insurance basics, different types of policies specific to P&C, and other coverages and options.
  • Gives you 150 minutes to complete the test. The exam is a proctored test, meaning an official proctor will closely monitor you in a controlled environment.
  • Costs $41, a fee you must pay at the time of reservation by credit card, debit card, or voucher.

Passing the Michigan 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 Michigan P&C insurance exam within 180 days of submitting your license application, you must submit a new license application and fee through the NIPR and then reschedule your exam.

Tip

Check out our in-depth insurance exam guide for tips to help you pass on the first attempt.

Step 4: Watch for Your Application Results

After you complete the previous three steps, the Michigan DIFS will review your application. The process usually takes up to 14 business days from the date you submit your application.

During the application review process, the Michigan DIFS staff may request additional information from you. Upon approval, the Michigan DIFS will issue your license and send a hard copy to the mailing address you provided on your application.

Congratulations!

You’re now ready to get started as a P&C insurance agent in Michigan.

Next Steps After Securing Your Michigan Property and Casualty Insurance License

Once you complete the above steps and have your Michigan 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

In Michigan, you must take 24 hours of continuing education (CE) courses every two years to retain your P&C license. Michigan CE requirements state that three of those hours must focus on ethics coursework. As a P&C insurance producer, you won’t receive an invoice to renew your license annually. Your license will remain perpetually active as long as you comply with the CE credit requirements in Michigan.

You can find a list of approved CE courses on the Michigan DIFS Insurance Education page. In Michigan, you may complete your CE coursework in a classroom setting or via online or self-study formats.

If you have a non-resident license with good standing in your home state, you don’t need to take CE courses in Michigan. There’s no fee to renew your P&C license in Michigan as long as you fulfill your CE requirements.

For more detailed information, check out how to renew your license with our Michigan insurance license renewal guide.

Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services Contact Information

P.O. Box 30220
Lansing, MI 48909-7720

Phone: (517) 284-8800

Email: DIFS-Licensing@michigan.gov 

Website: https://www.michigan.gov/difs/ 

License Search: Michigan Insurance License Search

Michigan Property and Casualty License FAQ

How much does it cost to get a property and casualty insurance license in Michigan?

The total cost of getting a property and casualty (P&C) insurance license in Michigan is at least $245.60 but can reach nearly $500 based on the type of pre-license education course you choose. The costs include:
Application Fee: $10 application fee + $5.60 transaction fee via the NIPR 
Insurance Pre-license Education Course Fee: $139 via Kaplan
Exam Fee: $41 via PSI Exams

How long does it take to process a property and casualty insurance license application in Michigan?

It will take up to fourteen business days for you to become an insurance agent from the date you submit all your requirements (course completion certificate, passed exam results) via NIPR, upon DIFS review.

Can I get a temporary property and casualty insurance agent license in Michigan?

Yes. Michigan provides a 180-day, temporary P&C insurance license. You must apply for this via the NIPR. For more information, contact DIFS/Licensing at (877) 999-6442 for instructions on how to apply.

Can I get an emergency property and casualty insurance agent license in Michigan?

No. An emergency license isn’t available for P&C insurance agents in Michigan.

What can I sell with a property and casualty insurance license in Michigan?

With a Michigan 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 Michigan?

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 a Michigan property and casualty insurance license?

Unless you have multiple licenses to sell various types of insurance products, having a Michigan 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 Michigan?

Yes. To cancel your license, you must submit a signed and dated Voluntary Surrender Request Form to the Michigan DIFS via mail, fax, or email as indicated on the form.

How hard is it to get a property and casualty insurance license in Michigan?

The process is quite simple! Follow the steps above and get started today!

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