Getting your Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania Insurance Department Bureau of Licensing and Enforcement has a 6-step process on how to become an insurance agent in Pennsylvania. We’ll walk you through step-by-step; from the license application to insurance test prep, to the Pennsylvania insurance exam, and beyond.
This guide has everything you need to know to get your PA 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.
Pennsylvania Insurance License
Getting your insurance license in Pennsylvania 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: Pennsylvania 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. Pennsylvania Insurance Pre-License Education
After you’ve determined which licenses you need, you must now take your Pennsylvania insurance pre-license education courses.
Most folks choose to take their insurance pre-license course online with their own computer. 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.
Pennsylvania combines all of its pre-license education into one twenty-four (24) hour requirement. This means that you will take the same amount of coursework whether you’re getting just your Life Insurance License, or if you plan on getting Life, Accident, and Health and the Property and Casualty License.
You will receive a certificate upon completion of the course. Keep this certificate, as you will need it when taking your exam.
Pennsylvania requires that three (3) of those pre-license education hours must be in ethics.
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. Pennsylvania Insurance License Exam
The next step after completing all of your pre-license coursework is to take the insurance exam. You will take one exam for each line of insurance you wish to carry. Life, Accident, and Health (LA&H) and Property and Casualty (P&C) are combined into two exams.
This is a proctored test, which means that you will be in a controlled environment with a person watching 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 $53.
The Pennsylvania Life, Accident, and Health test is one hundred fifty (150) questions long, and you have one hundred seventy (170) minutes to complete the exam. PSI Exams offers this Life, Accident, and Health Exam Content Outline.
The Pennsylvania Property and Casualty test is also one hundred fifty (150) questions long, and you have one hundred seventy (170) minutes to complete the exam. PSI Exams offers this Property and Casualty Exam Content Outline.
The minimum score to pass these exams is 70%. For more information, check out the PSI Pennsylvania Licensing Examination Candidate Information Handbook.
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 Pennsylvania? Check out our Pennsylvania 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 PSI Exams Pennsylvania website.
Step 4. Fingerprinting and Background Check
Pennsylvania requires that all insurance license applicants 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.
The fee for fingerprinting services is $23.85. Schedule to have your fingerprints taken with IdentoGO. Use service code 1KG8Q3 when making your appointment. Following registration, the applicant will be provided with a registration number which they will take with them when they go to the IdentoGO site for fingerprinting.
Note
Any fingerprint results received without a corresponding license application will be destroyed, and individuals will be required to repay the fingerprinting fee and resubmit their fingerprints at an IdentoGO center.
Step 5. Pennsylvania 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 $55, and $25 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 $55, but adding another line in the future will cost an extra $25. If you were to pass both exams prior to applying for the license, you would essentially save yourself the $25 amendment fee.
Note
Even though you may save $25 by applying for the licenses all at once, StateRequirement still recommends that you study and test for one line at a time. It is much easier to pass the exams this way, and one failed attempt will outweigh the cost of the amendment fee.
Fill out your online application on the National Insurance Producer Registry Pennsylvania webpage or the Sircon Pennsylvania web page.
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 after your fingerprints return from the FBI, plus three (3) business days. 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.
Once the state accepts your license, you should receive an email from the licensing department informing you of the license approval.
You may look your license up yourself in the Pennsylvania License Search Tool.
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 Pennsylvania Insurance License
Once you’ve passed your exams and completed the licensing application, you are now a licensed insurance agent in Pennsylvania. 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 one to two years, you’ll need to renew your insurance license. Check out our guides on Pennsylvania Insurance License Renewal and Pennsylvania Insurance Continuing Education for more details
Pennsylvania Insurance Department Contact Information
Mailing Address:
Bureau of Licensing and Enforcement
1326 Strawberry Square
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17120
Phone: (717) 787-3840
Fax: (717) 783-9326
Email: ra-in-producer@pa.gov
Website: https://www.insurance.pa.gov/Licensees/Pages/default.aspx
License Search: Pennsylvania Insurance License Search and Lookup
Pennsylvania Insurance License FAQ
How long is the insurance license period in Pennsylvania?
A resident insurance producer license is renewed every two years, including completion of continuing education credits 60 days prior to the expiration date of your license. Renewal notices are usually sent out approximately 60 days before the current license expires by the Pennsylvania Department of Insurance. Learn how to get an insurance license renewal here: Pennsylvania Insurance License Renewal.
How long does it take to get an insurance license in Pennsylvania?
2-8 weeks. The bulk of the time is spent studying for your Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania insurance license cost?
In Pennsylvania, obtaining an insurance license involves several fees and processes. These include your insurance course, examination requirements, fingerprinting appointment, and application. The total cost would likely be around $131.85, plus your pre-license course fees. You have to pay an extra $53 for each retry if you fail the exam on your first try.
How do I get a life insurance license in Pennsylvania?
To get a life insurance license in Pennsylvania, you must complete a 24-hour pre-licensing education course. Upon course completion, you must pass the state licensing exam and undergo a fingerprint-based background check, file a license application online, and pay the fees. This is the licensing process for resident licensing. If you’re a non-resident applicant, you may have different requirements.
How do I get a property and casualty license in Pennsylvania?
To become a property and casualty agent in Pennsylvania, you must complete a 24-hour pre-licensing course. This covers the various aspects of P&C insurance, including the use of a sample contract and other related documents. You must also pass the state exam at an approved testing center, submit an application, get fingerprinted, and pay the applicable fees.
Do I need business insurance in Pennsylvania?
In Pennsylvania, a business entity is subject to certain insurance requirements to operate legally and securely. It is often recommended to set Pennsylvania business insurance in place to secure businesses from risks and uncertainties. For example, general liability coverage can protect your business from claims of liability, slander, and false advertising.