How to Get an Insurance License in Vermont

Written by: Ethan Peyton

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How to Get an Insurance License in Vermont

Getting your Vermont 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 Vermont Department of Financial Regulation – Insurance Division has a 5-step process on how to become an insurance agent in Vermont. We’ll walk you through step-by-step; from the license application to insurance test prep, to the Vermont insurance exam, and beyond.

This guide has everything you need to know to get your VT 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.

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Vermont Insurance License

Getting your insurance license in Vermont 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:

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: Vermont 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. Vermont Insurance Pre-Exam Education

After you’ve determined which licenses you need, it’s time to begin studying for the Vermont insurance exams.

Vermont 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.

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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:

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Step 3. Vermont 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 Vermont, the Property & Casualty lines are combined into one exam. Life, Accident, Health, and HMO 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:

  • Life: $50
  • Life, Accident, Health & HMO: $65
  • Property & Casualty: $65
  • 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.

Each of the tests consists of one hundred fifty (150) questions, and you have two hours and thirty minutes (2:30) to complete them. The minimum score to pass the exams is 70% correct answers.

Prometric provides content outlines for each exam. Be sure to study them before you attempt the test:

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 Vermont? Check out our Vermont 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 Vermont Insurance page. For much more information on the exams, reference the Vermont Insurance Department Licensing Information Bulletin.

Step 4. Vermont 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 $60 plus a small transaction fee from Sircon or the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR). If you wish to add another line to the license in the future there is a $30 amendment fee.

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.

Fill out and submit your online application on the Sircon – Vermont or the producer licensing section of the NIPR – Vermont 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.

After submitting your application, you will wait up to seventy-two (72) hours for your license to be issued. To verify this, use the NAIC Lookup Search portal.

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 Vermont Insurance License

Once you’ve passed your exams and completed the licensing application, you are now a licensed insurance agent in Vermont. 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 Vermont Insurance License Renewal and Vermont Insurance Continuing Education for more details
  • Learn how to market yourself as an insurance agent: Have a look at our Insurance Agent Marketing article
  • Interested in learning how successful life insurance agents operate? Check out our How Do Life Insurance Companies Make Money article

Vermont Department of Financial Regulation Contact Information

Mailing Address:
Insurance Division
89 Main Street
Montpelier, Vermont 05620-3101

Phone: (802) 828-3303

Fax: (802) 828-1633

Email: dfr.producerlicensing@vermont.gov

Website: https://dfr.vermont.gov/industry/insurance/producer-and-individual-licensing

License Search: Vermont Insurance License Search and Lookup

Vermont Insurance License FAQ

How long is the insurance license period in Vermont?

An insurance producer license is valid for two years and its common expiration date is on March 31 of odd years. To renew your license, you must complete 24 hours of CE and pay the relevant fees. You may request for a hardship exception if you’re unable to submit your renewal electronically. Learn more about Vermont Insurance License Renewal.

How long does it take to get an insurance license in Vermont?

2-8 weeks. The bulk of the time is spent studying for your Vermont 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 Vermont insurance license cost?

It depends if you’re applying as an insurance producer, limited lines producer, or other license types, such as title agent or crop adjuster. Depending on your license type, the total cost, including your pre-license insurance course, application, and exam, is around $375. If you don’t pass the exam the first time, an additional $65 will be charged for each retake.

How do I get a life insurance license in Vermont?

Getting a life insurance license in Vermont involves a series of steps. Initially, you should complete a pre-licensing education course and pass the state licensing examination. Individual licensing in Vermont also requires you to submit an application along with paying the applicable fees to the Department of Financial Regulation. After you follow these steps, you can officially sell life insurance products.

How do I get a property and casualty license in Vermont?

To get a property and casualty license in Vermont, you must complete a pre-licensing education course, pass the state exam, and submit an application with the required fees to the Vermont Department of Financial Regulation. Once you complete the steps, you’re now able to sell P&C insurance policies.

Do I need business insurance in Vermont?

If you’re forming a business entity in Vermont, you should heed the important notice from the Vermont insurance commissioners: Having a Vermont business insurance is important. This type of insurance protects business entities against unforeseen risks, ensuring continuous operation, and financial stability in case of unexpected events or liabilities.

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