How to Get a Property and Casualty License in Virginia

Written by: Mary Gerardine

Last updated:

How to Get a Property and Casualty License in Virginia

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

The Virginia State Corporation Commission 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 Virginia Property and Casualty Insurance License

  1. Complete a Virginia Pre-License Education Course (Kaplan – $139)
  2. Take the Virginia Licensing Exam (Prometric – $35)
  3. Get a Fingerprint-Based Background Check (Fieldprint Virginia – $35.72)
  4. Complete a Virginia License Application (Sircon or the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR) – $30 application fee to cover both the property and casualty lines of authority at $15 each + $5.60 transaction fee)
  5. Watch for Your Application Results

Property and Casualty Insurance License Virginia

Obtaining your Virginia 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 Virginia life insurance license as well.

Step 1: Complete a Virginia Pre-License Education Course

Before you take the Virginia 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.

While Virginia doesn’t have any formal pre-license education requirements, most insurance professionals opt to take a pre-license education course online. Pre-license education courses are self-paced and include study materials like practice exams and flashcards. Others purchase books or self-study materials to prepare themselves for the exam.

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 Virginia Licensing Exam

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

Virginia uses Prometric as its official testing service for delivering licensure exams.

The Virginia P&C insurance exam:

  • Includes a total of 135 scored questions across 10 sections: insurance regulations, general insurance concepts, P&C insurance basics, types of policies specific to P&C, and other coverages and options.
  • Gives you 150 minutes to complete the test. The exam is a proctored test, meaning an official proctor will closely monitor you in a controlled environment.
  • Costs $35, a fee you must pay at the time of reservation by credit card, debit card, or voucher.

Passing the Virginia 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 Virginia P&C insurance exam, you can schedule a time to retake it as soon as 24 hours after your first attempt. If you fail the exam three times, you must then wait 30 days before making another 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 Virginia P&C license exam, you must get a fingerprint-based background check from Fieldprint Virginia. The fee for fingerprinting services is $35.72 to cover the cost of comparing your prints against criminal history records.

To set up a fingerprinting appointment, create a secure account at the Fieldprint Virginia website with code “FPVABOICHRR.”

You must complete your fingerprint-based background check and then submit a license application within 183 calendar days of passing the P&C licensing exam.

Step 4: Complete a Virginia 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 Virginia, you must apply online via Sircon or the NIPRThe application fee for both Sircon and NIPR is $30 ($15 each for property and casualty lines of authority) and the transaction fee is $5.60.

The Virginia SCC 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 183 calendar days of passing the exam.

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

If you have any questions or need to forward supporting documents related to your license application, send them to AgentLicensing@scc.virginia.gov.

Step 5: Watch for Your Application Results

After you complete the previous four steps, the Virginia SCC will review your application and background check. The process usually takes 15 to 20 business days from the date you submit your application.

Once it finishes reviewing your application, the Virginia SCC 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 website. There’s no charge to create an account or print a license. You can search and manage your license via Virginia’s License Lookup tool.

Congratulations!

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

Next Steps After Securing Your Virginia Property and Casualty Insurance License

Once you complete the above steps and have your Virginia 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 Virginia, 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 Virginia, you must take 24 hours of continuing education (CE) courses every two years to renew your P&C license. Virginia CE requirements state that three of those hours must focus on ethics and a minimum of eight hours must be applicable to each line of authority a licensee holds (e.g., 16 hours for a P&C license type).

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 Virginia.

You must complete the required CE hours at least 90 days before your license expires. You must renew your license via Sircon or the NIPRThe renewal fee is $10 and the late fee is $30.

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

Virginia State Corporation Commission Contact Information

Mailing Address:

Bureau of Insurance
P.O. Box 1197
Richmond, VA 23218

Phone: (804) 371-9631

Email: AgentLicensing@scc.virginia.gov 

Website: https://www.scc.virginia.gov/pages/Bureau-of-Insurance 

License Search: Virginia Insurance License Lookup

Virginia Property and Casualty License FAQ

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

The total cost of getting a property and casualty (P&C) insurance license in Virginia is at least $295.32, but can reach nearly $400 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: $35 via Prometric
Fingerprint-Based Background Check Fee: $35.72 via Fieldprint Virginia
Application Fee: $30 application fee for P&C ($15 per line of authority) + $5.60 transaction fee via Sircon or the NIPR

How long does it take to process a property and casualty insurance license application in Virginia?

It will take up to fifteen to twenty business days for you to become an insurance agent. You’ll receive an email once the Virginia SCC reviews your application.

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

Yes. Virginia provides a 180-day, temporary P&C license. A non-refundable $15 per qualification per application processing fee is required. Before applying for the temporary license, please contact the Agent Licensing Section either by phone 804-371-9741 or by email at AgentLicensing@scc.virginia.gov.

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

No. An emergency license isn’t available for P&C insurance agents in Virginia.

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

With a Virginia 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 Virginia?

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 Virginia property and casualty insurance license?

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

Yes. To cancel your license, email a completed Virginia Individual License Cancellation Request Form to AgentLicensing@scc.virginia.gov.

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

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

Ready for more?

Start Studying

Learn More