Getting your Oregon 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 Oregon Department of Insurance has a 6-step process on how to become an insurance agent in Oregon. We’ll walk you through step-by-step; from the license application to insurance test prep, to the Oregon insurance exam, and beyond.
This guide has everything you need to know to get your OR 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.
Oregon Insurance License
Getting your insurance license in Oregon 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: Oregon 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. Oregon Insurance Pre-License Education
After you’ve determined which licenses you need, you must now take your Oregon 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 Oregon 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 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. Oregon 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. Life and Health (L&H) and Property & Casualty (P&C) lines are combined exams, so you only have to take two tests if you wish to attain all of these lines of authority: Property, Casualty, Life, and Health.
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 insurance exams are as follows:
- Life & Accident & Health: $55
- Property & Casualty: $55
- Life: $45
- Accident & Health: $45
- Property: $45
- Casualty: $45
When you arrive you must have a photo ID any other documents that the testing facility has asked you to bring.
Each of the tests is one hundred sixty (160) minutes long, and you must answer 70% of the questions correctly to pass. The score report will be on the screen and in your email when the exam is over. If you pass, you will see your score. If you do not pass, you will also see a diagnostic report indicating your strong and weak areas.
For much more information about all of the exams, be sure to study the PSI Exams Oregon Insurance Examination Candidate Information Bulletin. This document also contains Oregon Insurance License Exam Content Outlines.
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 Oregon? Check out our Oregon 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 Oregon Insurance page.
Tip
When contacting PSI Exams about your testing, also ask them about their fingerprinting services, as this is your next step.
Step 4. Fingerprinting And Background Check
The State of Oregon 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 (503) 947-7981 or email the department.
Your fingerprints will be done through PSI Exams, so when you are scheduled to take an exam, have your fingerprinting done on the same day.
The fee for fingerprint services is $61.25. Your fingerprints will be submitted automatically to the Insurance Department.
Step 5. Oregon Insurance License Application
Once you have completed your exams and fingerprinting, 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 $75, and $75 for any amendments (like adding a line of authority). This means that if you pass your exam for one line, then apply for the license, it will be $75, but adding another line in the future will cost an extra $75.
Fill out your online application on the NIPR Oregon Webpage.
Step 6. 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 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 license review will take between three to fourteen (3-14) days to complete. After the review is complete you will receive an email with verification 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 Oregon Insurance License
Once you’ve passed your exams and completed the licensing application, you are now a licensed insurance agent in Oregon. 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 Oregon Insurance License Renewal and Oregon Insurance Continuing Education for more details
Oregon Department of Insurance Contact Information
Mailing Address:
Oregon Division of Financial Regulation
350 Winter Street, Northeast, Room 410
P.O. Box 14480
Salem, Oregon 97309
Phone: (503) 947-7981
Fax: (503) 378-4351
Email: DFR.InsuranceHelp@oregon.gov
Website: http://dfr.oregon.gov/
License Search: Oregon Insurance License Search and Lookup
Oregon Insurance License FAQ
How long is the insurance license period in Oregon?
In Oregon, an insurance producer license expires biennially in the month of the individual’s birthday anniversary. An existing active license must be renewed to continue operations as an insurance producer in the state. Learn how to get an insurance license renewal here: Oregon Insurance License Renewal.
How long does it take to get an insurance license in Oregon?
2-8 weeks. The bulk of the time is spent studying for your Oregon 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 Oregon insurance license cost?
The cost associated with insurance licensing in Oregon depends on the type of exam and license you apply for. The cost will include fees for your insurance course, certification exam, fingerprinting, and application. If you don’t pass the exam the first time, add $55 for each subsequent attempt.
How do I get a life insurance license in Oregon?
To obtain a life insurance license in Oregon, you must complete pre-licensing education, pass the state licensing exam, get fingerprinted, apply for the life insurance license, and pay the fees. Once you get your license, you can become a life insurance agent or even a pharmaceutical sales representative with a focus on insurance products.
How do I get a property and casualty license in Oregon?
To get a property and casualty license in Oregon, you must first complete a pre-licensing education course, pass the state exam through an approved test center, undergo a fingerprint-based background check, submit an application, and pay the fees. Getting this license enables you to sell P&C insurance, including personal lines of insurance such as auto and homeowners insurance.
Do I need business insurance in Oregon?
In Oregon, business insurance is not a universal requirement but is highly recommended for safeguarding your business assets and operations. Business entities, whether small or large, should consider obtaining an Oregon business insurance to serve as a safety net in protecting your business against potential risks, financial losses, and more.