Getting your New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire Department of Insurance has a 5-step process on how to become an insurance agent in New Hampshire. We’ll walk you through step-by-step; from the license application to insurance test prep, to the New Hampshire insurance exam, and beyond.
This guide has everything you need to know to get your NH 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.
New Hampshire Insurance License
Getting your insurance license in New Hampshire 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: New Hampshire 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. New Hampshire Insurance Pre-Exam Education
After you’ve determined which licenses you need, it’s time to begin studying for the New Hampshire insurance exams.
New Hampshire 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. New Hampshire 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 combined line of insurance you wish to carry. In New Hampshire, the Property & Casualty lines are combined into one exam. Life, Accident, and Health is a combined exam as well.
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 as follows:
- Life & Accident and Health: $65
- Property & Casualty: $65
- Life: $50
- Accident and Health: $50
- Property: $50
- Casualty: $50
When you arrive you must have a photo ID any other documents that the testing facility has asked you to bring.
Both the Life, Accident, and Health exam, and the Property and Casualty exam consist of one hundred fifty (150) questions. You have two hours and thirty minutes (2:30) to complete each exam. The minimum score to pass is 70% correct answers.
Be sure to study the Prometric Exam Content Outlines:
- New Hampshire Property and Casualty Insurance License Exam Content Outline
- New Hampshire Life, Accident, and Health Insurance License 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 New Hampshire? Check out our New Hampshire 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 on the Prometric New Hampshire Insurance page. For much more information on the exams, read the New Hampshire Insurance Department Licensing Information Bulletin.
Step 4. New Hampshire Insurance 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 those lines.
The fee for an online application is $210, and NIPR will charge a $5 transaction fee for a total of $215.
You must wait 48 hours after passing the exam to fill out the application. This will allow the system to offer you the correct lines of authority to apply for.
If you wish to add a line of authority to your license at a later date, there will be a $50 amendment fee, but you will not need to pay the $210 again.
Fill out and submit your online application on the NIPR New Hampshire 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.
Within 24 hours (but up to one week) after submitting your application, you may use the New Hampshire License Look-Up Tool to verify that your license has been issued. You will also use this service to print your license.
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 New Hampshire Insurance License
Once you’ve passed your exams and completed the licensing application, you are now a licensed insurance agent in New Hampshire. 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 New Hampshire Insurance License Renewal and New Hampshire Insurance Continuing Education for more details
New Hampshire Department of Insurance Contact Information
Mailing Address:
New Hampshire Insurance Department
21 South Fruit Street, Suite 14
Concord, New Hampshire 03301
Phone: (603) 271-2261
Fax: (603) 271-1406
Email: requests@ins.nh.gov
Website: https://www.nh.gov/insurance
License Search: New Hampshire Insurance License Search and Lookup
New Hampshire Insurance License FAQ
How long is the insurance license period in New Hampshire?
In New Hampshire, resident producers renew licenses biennially on their birth month’s last day, while non-residents’ license expiration date is based on their home state. Both face renewal fees and must complete continuing education requirements to maintain their licenses. Learn how to get an insurance license renewal here: New Hampshire Insurance License Renewal.
How long does it take to get an insurance license in New Hampshire?
2-8 weeks. The bulk of the time is spent studying for your New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire insurance license cost?
The New Hampshire insurance license costs around $375, covering the insurance course, application, and exam. If the exam isn’t passed on the first attempt, an additional $50 is charged for each subsequent try, adding to the total expense.
How do I get a life insurance license in New Hampshire?
To pursue a life insurance license in New Hampshire, you must first complete a pre-licensing education course that covers essential topics, including health insurance laws. After completing the educational requirements, you need to pass the state exam, apply online via the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR), and pay all necessary fees.
How do I get a property and casualty license in New Hampshire?
To secure a property and casualty license in New Hampshire, you must complete a pre-licensing education course focused on property and casualty insurance laws. Next, register and prepare for the state licensing exam, submit your application for licensure through NIPR, and pay the fees.
Do I need business insurance in New Hampshire?
Yes. Business entities in New Hampshire are recommended to acquire New Hampshire business insurance. This type of insurance protects your assets, guarantees safe and secure business operations, and provides defense against unexpected liabilities and potential risks.