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How to get an insurance license in California. P&C: 32 pre-licensing hours. L&H: 32 hours. Government fees: $479-$501 for both lines. 2 years renewal cycle. Verified 2026-03-22. Data verified 2026-03-22. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Insurance Agent
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83% of data points are verified against official sources. 4 fields based on preliminary research. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
32 hrs
P&C Education
32 hrs
L&H Education
2 years
Renewal Cycle
$479-$501
Gov. Fees (Both)
Insurance Producer (Broker-Agent)
California licenses producers by individual line of authority: Property Broker-Agent, Casualty Broker-Agent, Personal Lines Broker-Agent, Life-Only Agent, Accident and Health Agent, and others. Applicants can obtain individual lines or combined lines (Property & Casualty combined, Life/Accident & Health combined). Each line requires a separate exam unless taking the combined exam. As of January 1, 2026, the 20-hour line-specific pre-licensing education requirement was repealed; only a 12-hour Ethics & California Insurance Code course is now required.
Other Available Lines of Authority
32 hours of approved pre-licensing education required
32 hours for most lines (includes 12 hours ethics). 52 hours for combined licenses (Property Broker-Agent + Casualty Broker-Agent or Life + Accident/Health).
Online courses: Allowed
California Property and Casualty Examination
Administered by PSI
150
Questions
60%
Passing Score
196 minutes (3 hours 16 minutes)
Time Limit
$77
Exam Fee
The combined Property and Casualty exam has 150 questions covering both general and California-specific knowledge. Individual Property or Casualty exams are 75 questions each with a 1.5-hour time limit. A 60% score is required to pass (lower than most states). PSI offers both in-person testing at centers statewide and remote online proctored exams. There is a $43 convenience fee for in-person testing at PSI locations. Candidates can also take separate Property (75 questions, 98 min) and Casualty (75 questions, 98 min) exams. Exam fee approximately $77 per Prometric/PSI.
32 hours of approved pre-licensing education required
32 hours for most lines (includes 12 hours ethics). 52 hours for combined licenses (Property Broker-Agent + Casualty Broker-Agent or Life + Accident/Health).
Online courses: Allowed
California Life, Accident and Health or Sickness Examination
Administered by PSI
150
Questions
60%
Passing Score
180 minutes (3 hours)
Time Limit
$77
Exam Fee
The combined Life, Accident and Health or Sickness exam has 150 questions with a 3-hour time limit. Individual Life-Only or Accident and Health exams are 75 questions each with a 1.5-hour time limit. A 60% score is required to pass. PSI offers both in-person and remote online proctored exams. Candidates must pass the exam within 3 years of completing the pre-licensing course.
Minimum Age
18 years old
Education
No specific education requirement beyond pre-licensing course
Residency
Must apply as resident agent if domiciled in California. Non-residents may apply through NIPR with equivalent home state license.
Background Check
All applicants must complete Live Scan fingerprinting for a criminal background check through Capital Live Scan (CLS), the CDI-contracted vendor. Effective February 14, 2025, CDI transitioned to a new fingerprint vendor.
Fingerprinting
Required
Citizenship
US citizen or authorized to work in the US
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee Initial resident filing fee per license type (e.g., Accident and Health Agent: $188, Property Broker-Agent: $188) | $188 |
P&C Exam Fee Property & Casualty combined exam fee (Prometric/PSI). Individual Property or Casualty exams may differ. | $77 |
L&H Exam Fee Life, Accident and Health combined exam fee (Prometric/PSI) | $77 |
Fingerprinting Fee Fingerprinting fee varies by vendor. Includes rolling fee ($8-$50 depending on vendor) plus DOJ ($32) and FBI ($17) processing fees when using Accurate Biometrics. Capital Live Scan (CLS) is the current CDI-contracted vendor. | $49-$59 |
Total Gov. Fees (Single Line) Application ($188) + exam (~$77) + fingerprinting (~$49-$59) for one line of authority | $314-$324 |
Total Gov. Fees (Both Lines) Two applications ($188 x 2 = $376) + two exams (~$77 x 2 = $154) + fingerprinting (~$49-$59). Note: fingerprinting is one-time. If taking separate P&C and L&H licenses, each requires its own filing fee. | $479-$501 |
Pre-Licensing Course Cost: $50-$200(per line)
12-hour Ethics & CA Insurance Code pre-licensing course. Varies by provider. Includes $6 state reporting fee per course. NOT a government fee.
Complete the approved 12-hour California Insurance Code & Ethics pre-licensing course
Receive certificate of completion (provider reports to CDI within 1-2 business days)
Schedule the Property and Casualty exam through PSI (online at psiexams.com or call 833-518-7456)
Pass the Property and Casualty exam (150 questions, 60% passing score)
Retain your examination passing letter
Complete Live Scan fingerprinting through Capital Live Scan (CLS)
Apply online through Sircon or NIPR
Pay the $188 filing fee
Monitor application status through CDI's CLASS system
Complete the approved 12-hour California Insurance Code & Ethics pre-licensing course (same course satisfies all lines)
Receive certificate of completion
Schedule the Life, Accident and Health exam through PSI (online or call 833-518-7456)
Pass the Life, Accident and Health exam (150 questions, 60% passing score)
Retain your examination passing letter
Complete Live Scan fingerprinting through Capital Live Scan (CLS) if not already on file
Apply online through Sircon or NIPR
Pay the $188 filing fee
Monitor application status through CDI's CLASS system
Important: A license alone does not allow you to sell insurance
After obtaining your license, you must be appointed by at least one insurance company to sell their products. In California, the carrier files the appointment with CDI. Appointment filing fees are $32 per appointment.
Appointment fee: $32 (paid by carrier to CDI)
California participates in NIPR for non-resident producer licensing. Non-resident applicants must hold equivalent lines of authority in their home state. Fingerprints are required unless previously fingerprinted in qualifying states. California does NOT offer reciprocal licenses for adjusters — all adjuster applicants must pass California's adjuster licensing exam regardless of home state license.
Additional requirements: Non-resident applicants must hold active, equivalent license in home state. Fingerprinting required for all non-resident applicants. Applications processed through NIPR or Sircon.
Renewal Cycle
2 years
Renewal Fee
$188
CE Required
24 hours per cycle
Ethics Hours
3 hours (included in CE total)
Licensees renewing Property, Casualty, Personal Lines, Accident & Health, Life, or Variable Products licenses must complete 24 hours of approved CE per 2-year license term. Three (3) hours must be approved as ethics. Limited Lines Automobile Agents need only 20 hours. Renewal deadline is the last day of the licensee's birth month.
Regulatory Board
Unique to California: California stands out with its 60% exam passing score (most states require 70%), its unique Broker-Agent terminology, the 2026 reduction of pre-licensing education to just 12 hours of Ethics & Code (from 20+ hours), and the separation of Property and Casualty into two distinct license lines. The $188 per-license filing fee structure can make obtaining multiple lines significantly more expensive than in other states.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in California.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#11 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Insurance Sales Agents (SOC 41-3021)
Entry Level
$46,840
25th percentile
Median
$64,990
+8% vs. national avg ($60,370)Experienced
$103,430
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
41,150 employed in this state
Note: Insurance agent compensation is heavily commission-based. BLS OEWS data may not fully reflect total earnings including commissions and bonuses.
Source: BLS OEWS – Insurance Sales Agents (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
+4.7%
Average GrowthNew Jobs
+26,200
over 10 years
Annual Openings
41,200
per year (avg.)
555,200 currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Insurance Career Ladder+40% salary growth potential
You are here
Insurance Agent
$64,990
Pre-licensing education + state exam
You are here
Insurance Agent
Pre-licensing education + state exam
$64,990
Adjuster licensing + claims experience
$90,900
Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024 for this state. Career paths represent common advancement routes — actual progression may vary. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Source: California Department of Insurance (CDI) — Licensing Requirements
Estimated total: 4–10 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: California Department of Insurance (CDI) — Licensing Requirements
1–4 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: California Department of Insurance (CDI) — Licensing Requirements
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