How to Get a Property and Casualty License in Pennsylvania

Written by: Mary Gerardine

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How to Get a Property and Casualty License in Pennsylvania

Getting your Pennsylvania property and casualty license is the first step toward becoming a P&C insurance agent in Pennsylvania.

The Pennsylvania Insurance Department 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 Pennsylvania Property and Casualty Insurance License

  1. Complete a Pennsylvania Pre-License Education Course (Kaplan – $139)
  2. Take the Pennsylvania Licensing Exam (PSI Exams – $53)
  3. Get a Fingerprint-Based Background Check (IdentoGO – $23.85)
  4. Complete a Pennsylvania License Application (Sircon or the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR) – $55 application fee + $5.60 transaction fee)
  5. Watch for Your Application Results

Property and Casualty Insurance License Pennsylvania

Obtaining your Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania life insurance license as well.

Step 1: Complete a Pennsylvania Pre-License Education Course

Before you take the Pennsylvania 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.

In Pennsylvania, you are required to complete 24 hours of pre-licensing education, which includes a minimum of three hours of ethics. After completing the course, you’ll need to present a valid photo ID and an original certificate of completion from the approved pre-licensing education provider when you arrive to take your exam. Your pre-license course certificate of completion will remain valid for 12 months.

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 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:

4.7 out of 5 starsKaplan Education Company

Step 2: Take the Pennsylvania Licensing Exam

After you complete a pre-licensing education course and your own independent study, it’s time to take the Pennsylvania P&C license exam.

Pennsylvania uses PSI Exams as its official testing service for delivering licensure exams.

The Pennsylvania P&C insurance exam:

  • Includes a total of 150 scored questions across 13 sections, covering insurance regulations, general insurance concepts, P&C insurance basics, different types of policies specific to P&C, and other types of P&C insurance.
  • Gives you 170 minutes to complete the test. The exam is a proctored test, meaning an official proctor will closely monitor you in a controlled environment.
  • Costs $53, a fee you must pay at the time of reservation by credit card, debit card, or voucher.

Passing the Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania P&C insurance exam, you can schedule a time to retake it as soon as 24 hours after your first attempt.

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 Pennsylvania P&C license exam, you must get a fingerprint-based background check from IdentoGO. The FBI will return your fingerprinting results to the Pennsylvania Insurance Department, which’ll review them along with your license application to determine if you meet all standards for licensure. The fee for fingerprinting services is $23.85 to cover the cost of comparing your prints against criminal history records.

To set up a fingerprinting appointment, go to the IdentoGO website or call 844-321-2101. Use service code 1KG8Q3 when making your appointment.

Candidates should not register for a fingerprinting appointment and submit their fingerprints until after they pass the P&C licensing exam.

Step 4: Complete a Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania, you must apply online via Sircon or the NIPRThe application fee is $55 and the transaction fee is $5.60 (both Sircon and the NIPR).

The Pennsylvania Insurance Department will issue a P&C insurance license to individuals who are at least 18 years old and have passed the proper licensing exam. You should submit your completed license application within 12 months of passing the exam.

To apply for a P&C insurance license in Pennsylvania, make sure you comply with the insurance licensing requirements as defined under the Pennsylvania Insurance Code and the Pennsylvania Administrative Code.

If you have any questions or need to forward supporting documents related to your license application, send them to ra-in-producer@pa.gov.

Step 5: Watch for Your Application Results

After you complete the previous four steps, the Pennsylvania Insurance Department will review your application and background check. The process usually takes three to five business days from the date you submit your application.

Once it finishes reviewing your application, the Pennsylvania Insurance Department will email you with its decision. If you need to provide more information, a specialist will contact you.

You can print your license from the Sircon or NIPR websites. There’s no charge to create an account or print a license. If you don’t remember your license number, you can find it by using Sircon’s License Number/National Producer Number Inquiry tool.

Congratulations!

You’re now ready to get started as a P&C insurance agent in Pennsylvania.

Next Steps After Securing Your Pennsylvania Property and Casualty Insurance License

Once you complete the above steps and have your Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania, 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 Pennsylvania, you must take 24 hours of continuing education (CE) courses every two years to renew your P&C license. Pennsylvania CE requirements indicate that Sircon only stores CE credits that are earned and submitted to them by providers. Sircon reports your earned credits to the Pennsylvania Insurance Department.

If you have a non-resident license that satisfies the CE requirements in your home state, you don’t need to take CE courses in Pennsylvania.

You must complete the required CE hours at least 60 days before your license expires. The renewal fee is $55 and the late fee is $165.

For more detailed information, check out how to renew your license with our Pennsylvania insurance license renewal guide.

Pennsylvania Insurance Department Contact Information

Mailing Address:

1326 Strawberry Square
Harrisburg, PA 17120

Phone: 717) 787-3840

Fax: (717) 787-8553

Email: ra-in-producer@pa.gov 

Website: https://www.insurance.pa.gov/Licensees/Pages/default.aspx

License Search: Pennsylvania Insurance License Lookup

Pennsylvania Property and Casualty License FAQ

How much does it cost to get a property and casualty insurance license in Pennsylvania?

The total cost of getting a property and casualty (P&C) insurance license in Pennsylvania is at least $326.45, 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: $53 via PSI Exams
Fingerprint-Based Background Check Fee: $23.85 via IdentoGO
Application Fee: $55 application 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 Pennsylvania?

It will take up to three to five business days for you to become an insurance agent. You’ll receive an email once the Pennsylvania Insurance Department reviews your application.

Can I get a temporary property and casualty insurance agent license in Pennsylvania?

Yes. Pennsylvania provides a 180-day, temporary P&C license. You don’t need to be an employee of an insurance company, but you must be actively appointed to represent your sponsoring insurer. The sponsoring insurer must be authorized to write the P&C lines of insurance for which you are applying. The appointment will remain in effect only as long as the temporary license is valid.

Can I get an emergency property and casualty insurance agent license in Pennsylvania?

No. Pennsylvania doesn’t provide a temporary P&C insurance license.

What can I sell with a property and casualty insurance license in Pennsylvania?

With a Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania?

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 Pennsylvania property and casualty insurance license?

Unless you have multiple licenses to sell various types of insurance products, having a Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania?

Yes. To cancel your license, contact the state at (717) 787-3840 or send an email to ra-in-producer@pa.gov for instructions.

How hard is it to get a property and casualty insurance license in Pennsylvania?

The process is quite simple! Follow the steps above and get started today!

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