Getting your Minnesota property and casualty license is the first step toward becoming a P&C insurance agent in Minnesota.
The Minnesota Department of Commerce – Insurance Licensing Unit requires you to complete a five-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 Minnesota Property and Casualty Insurance License
- Complete a Minnesota Pre-License Education Course (Kaplan – $139)
- Take the Minnesota Licensing Exam (PSI – $45)
- Get a Fingerprint-Based Background Check (PSI– $65)
- Complete a Minnesota License Application (Sircon or the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR) – $100 application fee (for both P&C because Minnesota charges $50 per line of authority) + $20 technology fee + $5.60 transaction fee)
- Watch for Your Application Results
Property and Casualty Insurance License Minnesota
Obtaining your Minnesota P&C license is easy. Just follow these five 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 Minnesota life insurance license as well.
Step 1: Complete a Minnesota Pre-License Education Course
Before you take the Minnesota 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.
Minnesota requires a total of 40 hours of pre-license education for P&C license applicants. Your state-approved pre-license education course provider will issue your course completion certificate.
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:
Step 2: Take the Minnesota Licensing Exam
After you complete a pre-licensing education course and/or your own independent study, it’s time to take the Minnesota P&C license exam.
Minnesota uses PSI as its official testing service for delivering licensure exams.
The Minnesota P&C insurance exam:
- Includes a total of 130 scored questions that cover two sections: general and state-specific knowledge. The general section deals with basic P&C insurance product knowledge. The state-specific section covers P&C insurance concepts and terms, rules, regulations, and practices specific to Minnesota.
- Gives you 180 minutes to complete the test. The exam is a proctored test, meaning an official proctor will closely monitor you in a controlled environment.
- Costs $45, a fee you must pay at the time of reservation by credit card, debit card, or voucher.
Passing the Minnesota 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 Minnesota P&C insurance exam, you can schedule a time to retake it as soon as 24 hours after your first attempt. There’s no limit to the number of attempts you can make on the same exam.
Tip
Check out our in-depth insurance exam guide for tips to help you pass on the first attempt.
Step 3: Get a Fingerprint-Based Background Check
After you take the Minnesota P&C license exam, you must get a fingerprint-based background check from PSI. The fee for fingerprinting services is $65 to cover the cost of comparing your prints against criminal history records.
You also must sign a Resident Insurance Producer Background Check Consent Form. Bring the form with you to your nearest PSI fingerprinting location in Minnesota.
Your fingerprint results will automatically go to the Minnesota Department of Commerce – Insurance Licensing Unit.
Step 4: Complete a Minnesota License Application
Once you pass the P&C insurance exam and complete a fingerprint-based background check, you can apply for your P&C insurance license.
In Minnesota, you must apply online via Sircon or the NIPR. The application fee is $100 (for a combined P&C license) and the transaction fee is $5.60. There’s also an additional $20 technology fee.
The Minnesota Department of Commerce – Insurance Licensing Unit will issue a P&C insurance license to individuals who are at least 18 years old and have passed the proper licensing exam.
To apply for a P&C insurance license in Minnesota, make sure you comply with the insurance licensing requirements as defined under the Minnesota Insurance Code.
If you have any questions or need to forward supporting documents related to your license application, send them to licensing.commerce@state.mn.us.
Congratulations!
You’re now ready to get started as a P&C insurance agent in Minnesota.
Next Steps After Securing Your Minnesota Property and Casualty Insurance License
Once you complete the above steps and have your Minnesota 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). You can request a letter of certification, which proves you have a P&C license in Minnesota, by visiting the Sircon website. You’ll need to submit this letter along with your job applications.
Complete Continuing Education and Renew Your License
In Minnesota, you must take 24 hours of continuing education (CE) courses every two years to renew your P&C license. Minnesota CE requirements state that three of those hours must focus on ethics, and you must complete at least 12 hours in a classroom setting. To find these courses, visit the Sircon website and click on the “Approved Courses Inquiry” option.
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 Minnesota. To find out if you need to take Minnesota courses, go to the Sircon website and click on the “Continuing Education Transcript Inquiry” option.
You must complete your CE hours at least 60 days before your license expires. You may renew your license via Sircon or the NIPR.
The renewal fee is $100 (for the combined P&C lines of authority) and the late fee is $150 (an additional $50 is charged per line of authority). You must also pay a $25 technology fee.
For more detailed information, check out how to renew your license with our Minnesota insurance license renewal guide.
Minnesota Commerce Department Contact Information
Division of Insurance – Insurer Licensing
85 7th Place East, Suite 280
St. Paul, MN 55101
Phone: (651) 539-1599
Email: licensing.commerce@state.mn.us
Website: https://mn.gov/commerce/industries/insurance/
License Search: Minnesota License Lookup Directory
Minnesota Property and Casualty License FAQ
How much does it cost to get a property and casualty insurance license in Minnesota?
The total cost of getting a property and casualty (P&C) insurance license in Minnesota is at least $420.85 but can reach nearly $500 based on the type of pre-license education course you choose. The costs include:
Insurance Pre-license Education Course Fee: $139 via Kaplan
Exam Fee: $45 via PSI
Fingerprint-Based Background Check Fee: $65 via PSI
Application Fee: $100 application fee (for both P&C because Minnesota charges $50 per line of authority) + $20 technology fee + $5.60 transaction fee via Sircon or the NIPR
How long does it take to process a property and casualty insurance license application in Minnesota?
It will take up to ten business days for you to become an insurance agent from the date you submit your application.
Can I get a temporary property and casualty insurance agent license in Minnesota?
Yes. Minnesota provides a 180-day, temporary P&C insurance license. You must be appointed by a sponsoring insurer/insurance company and apply through Sircon. For more information, check out Minnesota’s Regulatory Guidance on applying for a temporary insurance license.
Can I get an emergency property and casualty insurance agent license in Minnesota?
No. An emergency license isn’t available for P&C insurance agents in Minnesota.
What can I sell with a property and casualty insurance license in Minnesota?
With a Minnesota 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 Minnesota?
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 Minnesota property and casualty insurance license?
Unless you have multiple licenses to sell various types of insurance products, having a Minnesota 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 Minnesota?
Yes. To cancel your license, download and fill out the Request for Voluntary Surrender of Minnesota Producer or Adjuster License form. Send your completed form via email to licensing.commerce@state.mn.us.
How hard is it to get a property and casualty insurance license in Minnesota?
The process is quite simple! Follow the steps above and get started today!