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Insurance Agent
Training: 20 hours | Exam: Yes
Some details on this page are not yet confirmed against an official source. See sources below or contact the licensing board to verify.
20 hrs
P&C Education
20 hrs
L&H Education
2 years (expires last day of birth month)
Renewal Cycle
$399+
Gov. Fees (Both)
Resident Producer / Illinois Insurance Agent
Illinois licenses producers by major lines: Fire (Property), Casualty, Life, and Accident and Health. The state uses a unique two-part exam structure: candidates must pass both a general exam and a state-specific exam for each line, within a 90-day period. Pre-licensing education of 20 hours per line is required, with 7.5 hours in a classroom or webinar setting. Exams are administered by Pearson VUE.
Other Available Lines of Authority
20 hours of approved pre-licensing education required
20 hours per line of authority; 7.5 of the 20 hours must be completed in a classroom setting.
Online courses: Allowed
Illinois Fire (Property) and Casualty Insurance Examinations
Administered by Pearson VUE
160
Questions
Scaled score of 70
Passing Score
Approximately 135-140 minutes total (general + state exams)
Time Limit
$92
Exam Fee
Illinois uses a unique two-part exam structure. For each line (Fire/Casualty), candidates must pass both a general exam (80-85 minutes) and a state-specific exam (50-55 minutes) within a 90-day period. Each exam costs $92, but a $92 discount applies when two exams for the same line are purchased on the same order (effectively one exam is free). The scaled passing score is 70 — this is not the percentage correct but a scaled score. The Casualty exam has approximately 80 questions total (general + state).
20 hours of approved pre-licensing education required
20 hours per line of authority. 7.5 of the 20 hours must be classroom.
Online courses: Allowed
Illinois Life and Accident and Health Insurance Examinations
Administered by Pearson VUE
170
Questions
Scaled score of 70
Passing Score
Approximately 135-140 minutes total (general + state exams)
Time Limit
$92
Exam Fee
Two-part exam structure: general exam + state-specific exam, must pass both within 90 days. Life exam has approximately 81 total questions; Accident & Health has approximately 89 questions. Each part costs $92, with a $92 discount when both parts are ordered together. Scaled passing score of 70. General exams are 80-85 minutes; state exams are 50-55 minutes.
Compare top-rated insurance pre-licensing schools in Illinois.
Minimum Age
18 years old
Education
No specific education requirement beyond pre-licensing course (20 hours per line)
Residency
Must apply as resident producer if domiciled in Illinois. Non-residents must hold active license in home state.
Background Check
Fingerprinting is required for Illinois insurance licenses. After submitting the license application, applicants must mail in their fingerprint card to the Illinois Department of Insurance.
Fingerprinting
Not required
Citizenship
US citizen or authorized to work in the US
Not sure if you need a insurance agent license? Check whether your state requires one.
Illinois Life and Accident and Health Insurance Examinations
Questions
170 questions
Time Limit
Approximately 135-140 minutes total (general + state exams)
Passing Score
Scaled score of 70
Administered By
Pearson VUE
Cost of failing
Retake fee: $92Invest in preparation to pass the first time.
How long should you study? Most candidates study 2–4 weeks before taking the Illinois Life and Accident and Health Insurance Examinations.
Study Materials & Exam Prep — Life & Health Insurance License Exam
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| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee Per application. This is the same as the renewal fee amount. | $215 |
P&C Exam Fee Per exam part. Two parts required per line (general + state). $92 discount when both parts ordered together, effectively $92 total per line. | $92 |
L&H Exam Fee Per exam part. Two parts required per line (general + state). $92 discount when both parts ordered together, effectively $92 total per line. | $92 |
Fingerprinting Fee Fingerprinting fees vary by vendor and location. The listed amount reflects the state processing fee — total cost including vendor fees may be higher. | Varies |
Total Gov. Fees (Single Line) Application ($215) + exam ($92 with discount) + fingerprinting (varies) for one line | $307+ |
Total Gov. Fees (Both Lines) Total fees are approximate and depend on specific license lines pursued. Contact your state DOI for exact fee breakdown. | $399+ |
Pre-Licensing Course Cost: $100-$400(per line)
20-hour pre-licensing course per line. Varies by provider. NOT a government fee.
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
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Complete 20 hours of approved pre-licensing education for Fire and Casualty (7.5 hours must be classroom/webinar)
Schedule both the general and state-specific exams through Pearson VUE (800-274-0455)
Pass both the general and state-specific Fire/Casualty exams within 90 days (scaled score of 70)
Complete fingerprinting and mail fingerprint card to IDOI
Apply through NIPR or Sircon
Pay the $215 application fee
Complete 20 hours of approved pre-licensing education for Life and Accident & Health (7.5 hours must be classroom/webinar)
Schedule both the general and state-specific exams through Pearson VUE
Pass both the general and state-specific Life/A&H exams within 90 days (scaled score of 70)
Complete fingerprinting if not already on file
Apply through NIPR or Sircon
Pay the $215 application fee
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. The carrier files the appointment with IDOI.
Appointment fee: Paid by carrier
Illinois has reciprocity arrangements with most states and issues non-resident licenses in the same line(s) of authority. Non-resident agents must complete CE requirements at least one month before the expiration date. Non-resident renewal fee is $380.
Additional requirements: Must hold active license in good standing in home state. Non-resident renewal fee ($380) is higher than resident fee ($215).
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
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Renewal Cycle
2 years (expires last day of birth month)
Renewal Fee
$215
CE Required
30 hours per cycle
Ethics Hours
3 hours (included in CE total)
Producers with Major Lines licenses must complete 24 hours of CE every 2 years, including 3 hours of Ethics. The 3 hours of ethics MUST be completed in a live training format (classroom or webinar). CE must be completed at least 30 days prior to license expiration to avoid penalty. Up to 12 hours of excess CE may be carried over to the subsequent license term. Renewal is by the last day of the birth month every 2 years.
Regulatory Board
Unique to Illinois: Illinois stands out with its two-part exam structure requiring passage of both a general and state-specific exam within 90 days for each line. The state uses 'Fire' instead of 'Property' for the property line. The $215 application fee and $380 non-resident renewal fee are among the highest in the nation. The ethics CE requirement must be completed in a live format, unlike most states that allow online completion.
Insurance Agent requirements in nearby states
Other professional licenses in Illinois
See how Illinois compares: Insurance Agent License Fees by State — Cheapest to Most Expensive →
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Official Sources
Insurance Agent requirements in Illinois verified against Illinois Department of Insurance, April 2026.
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