Getting your Montana 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 Montana Insurance Department has a 6-step process on how to become an insurance agent in Montana. We’ll walk you through step-by-step; from the license application to insurance test prep, to the Montana insurance exam, and beyond.
This guide has everything you need to know to get your MT 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.
Montana Insurance License
Getting your insurance license in Montana 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: Montana 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. Montana Insurance Pre-Exam Education
After you’ve determined which licenses you need, it’s time to begin studying for the Montana insurance exams.
Montana 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 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. Montana 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.
Even though each line has its own exam, Montana offers “back to back” exams for Property and Casualty, as well as Life and Accident & Health lines. This means that you will take these exams on the same day, and pay only for one test sitting. This will essentially half the cost of your exams if you pass them all on the first attempt.
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 “back to back” exams is $68. When you show up you must have a photo ID any other documents that the testing facility has asked you to bring.
Each exam is broken down into two sections: general knowledge and state-specific.
- The Life Insurance Exam consists of eighty-six (86) questions
- The Accident & Health Exam consists of ninety-two (92) questions
- The Property Exam consists of eighty-two (82) questions
- The Casualty Exam consists of eighty-seven (87) questions
For more specifics on each exam, refer to the Pearson VUE Montana Insurance Examination Content Outlines.
To explain the scoring, we will quote the Pearson VUE Montana Insurance Licensing Candidate Handbook:
The passing score of an examination was set by the Montana Department of Insurance (in conjunction with Pearson VUE) after a comprehensive study was completed for each examination. Raw scores are converted into scaled scores. To avoid misuse of score information, numeric scores are only reported to failing candidates. The scaled score that is reported to you is neither the number of questions you answered correctly nor the percentage of questions you answered correctly. With a passing score of 75, any score below 75 indicates how close the candidate came to passing, rather than the actual number or percentage of questions the candidates answered correctly.
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 Montana? Check out our Montana 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 Pearson VUE Montana page.
Tip
You must have Pearson VUE take your fingerprints as well. Be sure to schedule your fingerprinting with your exams (more info in the next step).
Step 4. Fingerprinting And Background Check
The State of Montana requires that all insurance license applications provide fingerprints prior to licensing. Giving your fingerprints will initiate a background check. If you have any prior misdemeanors or felonies, this may affect the outcome of your licensing efforts. For more information on this topic, call the Department of Insurance at (406) 444-2040 or email the department.
Fingerprinting must be completed through Pearson VUE. Schedule fingerprinting at the same time as your exams.
The fee for fingerprint services is $54. Your fingerprints will be submitted automatically to the Montana Insurance Department.
Step 5. Montana License Application
After you have completed your exams and fingerprinting, the next step is to apply for your license. If you have more than one line of authority that you have taken the education for, be sure to apply for all of those lines.
The fee for an online application is only the $5 NIPR fee. The state does not charge any fees.
Apply for your license online with the NIPR Montana website.
Step 6. Application Review
Once you have submitted your application and passed your exams, 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 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 general holds up with licenses in Montana is the fingerprints. They generally take about two to three (2-3) weeks to return. After the department receives them, they will send you an email verifying that your license has been issued.
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 Montana Insurance License
Once you’ve passed your exams and completed the licensing application, you are now a licensed insurance agent in Montana. 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 two years, you’ll need to renew your insurance license. Check out our guides on Montana Insurance License Renewal and Montana Insurance Continuing Education for more details
Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance Contact Information
Mailing Address:
Office of the Montana State Auditor
Insurance Department
840 Helena Avenue
Helena, Montana 59601
Phone: (406) 444-2040
Fax: (406) 444-3497
Email: ProducerLicensing@mt.gov
Website: http://www.csimt.gov/insurance
License Search: Montana Insurance License Search and Lookup
Montana Insurance License FAQ
How long is the insurance license period in Missouri?
In Montana, an insurance producer license typically needs to be renewed every two years. An active licensed producer must pay a renewal fee as part of the license renewal process to maintain an active status in accordance with Montana insurance statutes. Learn how to get an insurance license renewal here: Montana Insurance License Renewal.
How long does it take to get an insurance license in Montana?
2-8 weeks. The bulk of the time is spent studying for your Montana 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 Montana insurance license cost?
The cost of a Montana insurance license depends on the specifics of your license. Initial application, examination, and fingerprinting fees are part of the costs involved, which is estimated to be around $127. There is also a cost for your insurance course should you enroll in one. Furthermore, you will add $68 for each retake if you fail the exam.
How do I get a life insurance license in Montana?
To get a life insurance license in Montana, you need to complete the required pre-licensing education hours, pass the state licensing exam, undergo a fingerprint-based background check, apply for the license through the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR), and pay the necessary fees.
How do I get a property and casualty license in Montana?
To obtain a property and casualty license in Montana, you must complete your pre-licensing education, pass the state licensing exam, and submit an application through the NIPR. As part of the insurance licensing process, ensure all your fingerprint-based background checks are cleared, and pay any applicable fees as part.
Do I need business insurance in Montana?
If you’re opening a business in Montana, you will not only need to apply for a business entity license but also get Montana business insurance to protect your assets. Depending on your business type, you might also consider specialized insurances like limited lines credit insurance or prepaid legal insurance, which offer specific protections based on the nature of your services.