How to Get Your Insurance License in California
Thinking about what’s next in insurance? Get clear guidance and practical resources built for California.
- Pre-licensing education: 12 hours of Ethics and California Insurance Code required for all license types
- State exam: Administered by PSI with a 60% passing score required; available in multiple languages
- Timeline: Most candidates complete licensing in 2–4 weeks with focused preparation
What Are the Current California Pre-Licensing Requirements?
California significantly updated its pre-licensing requirements effective January 1, 2026. According to the California Department of Insurance0030 Seek Pre Lic 0400 Prelicensing Faq 0100 12 Hours Of Ethics California Insurance Code Frequent Questions Index.cfm 0200 Industry, the previous 20-hour per line of authority education requirement has been repealed.
Current requirements include completing a 12-hour course covering Ethics and the California Insurance Code, which includes 1 hour of anti-fraud training. This course must be completed through a CDI-approved provider before your license can be issued. The certificate of completion remains valid for three years.
While the 20-hour product-specific courses are no longer mandatory, the CDI strongly encourages candidates to study the License Examination Objectives for their chosen license type. The state exam still covers comprehensive insurance knowledge, so preparation remains essential for success.
What Types of Insurance Licenses Does California Offer?
California offers several license types, each authorizing different lines of insurance:
Life-Only Agent: Authorizes selling life insurance products including term life, whole life, universal life, and variable life contracts. This license appeals to agents focused on financial protection and estate planning.
Accident and Health Agent: Covers health insurance, disability insurance, and related products. California uses the term "Accident and Health" rather than "Health" to encompass the full scope of coverage.
Life, Accident and Health Agent: A combined license covering both life and health products. Most agents pursuing this market choose the combined license for maximum flexibility.
Property Broker-Agent: Covers property insurance including homeowners, renters, commercial property, and related coverage.
Casualty Broker-Agent: Covers liability, auto, workers' compensation, and other casualty lines.
Property and Casualty Broker-Agent: The combined P&C license most agents choose, covering all property and casualty products.
Personal Lines Broker-Agent: A more limited license covering personal auto, homeowners, and related personal coverage only.
Understanding what each license allowsPre License What Can You Do With A Property And Casualty Insurance License Resources helps you choose the right path for your career goals.
What Are the Basic Eligibility Requirements?
Before starting the licensing process, confirm you meet California's eligibility requirements:
You must be at least 18 years old. California residents apply for resident licenses, while those living in other states apply for non-resident licenses. There is no college degree requirement—insurance is accessible to career changersPre License How To Become An Insurance Agent With No Experience Resources from all backgrounds.
Background checks are required. Felony convictions involving dishonesty or breach of trust may affect eligibility, though the CDI reviews each case individually. If you have concerns about your background, review California Insurance Code Section 1729.2 or contact the CDI directly before investing in education.
How Do I Register for and Pass the California Insurance Exam?
California's licensing exams are administered by PSI Services LLCCadi Test Takers.psiexams.com. You can schedule exams online or by calling 833-518-7456.
Exam options: Take your exam at the CDI test center in Los Angeles, at one of PSI's 20+ test centers throughout California, or remotely through PSI's Bridge platform. Remote testing requires a compatible computer with webcam, microphone, and stable internet connection.
Exam fees: The CDI Los Angeles location charges the base exam fee, while PSI test centers add a convenience fee. Remote testing through PSI Bridge also includes the convenience fee.
Passing score: California requires 60% to pass, which is lower than many states. However, the exams are comprehensive, so thorough preparation remains important.
Exam format by license type:
Life-Only Agent: 75 questions, 1.5 hours
Accident and Health Agent: 75 questions, 1.5 hours
Life, Accident and Health Agent: 150 questions, 3 hours
Property and Casualty Broker-Agent: 150 questions, 3 hours
Personal Lines Broker-Agent: 75 questions, 1.5 hours
Language options: California offers exams in English, Spanish, Korean, Simplified Chinese, Vietnamese, and Tagalog—making licensing accessible to California's diverse population.
Retake policy: If you fail, you can reschedule immediately with no waiting period. However, candidates who fail an exam 10 times within 12 months are barred from that exam for one year.
Learning proven study strategiesPre License How To Study Insurance Licensing Exam Resources significantly improves your chances of passing on the first attempt.
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If you’re eager to learn how to not only get licensed but also thrive in your insurance career, check out our Tips for Becoming a Successful Insurance Agent.
What Can Slow Down the California Licensing Process?
- Fingerprint delays: Not scheduling fingerprints promptly after applying extends your timeline by weeks
- Incomplete ethics course: Your license cannot be issued until the 12-hour Ethics and California Insurance Code course is completed and reported
- Name mismatches: Discrepancies between your ID, exam registration, and application cause processing delays
- Background issues: Criminal history or regulatory actions require additional documentation and CDI review
- Missing bond requirements: Broker-agents must file a $10,000 surety bond before receiving broker authority
How Do I Complete Fingerprinting?
California requires fingerprint-based background checks for all resident license applicants. As of February 2025, the CDI's fingerprint vendor is Capital Live Scan (CLS)0200 Prod Licensing 0100 Applicant Info 0300 Ca Fingerprint 0200 Industry.
Do not submit fingerprints until after you have submitted your license application to the CDI. Once your application is received, complete the Request for Live Scan Service forms and schedule your appointment through CLS.
If you take your exam at a PSI test center, you may be able to complete fingerprinting at the same location, streamlining the process.
How Do I Apply for My California Insurance License?
After passing your exam, apply for your license through Sircon or the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR). Both platforms accept California license applications electronically.
Application steps:
Create an account on Sircon or NIPR if you do not already have one. Complete all required fields, ensuring your information matches your government-issued ID exactly. Pay the filing fee. Submit fingerprints after your application is received by the CDI.
The CDI typically takes approximately four weeks to process and approve license applications once all documentation is received. You can check your application status through the CDI's Check License Application Status Service (CLASS).
Once approved, download or print your license through Sircon's Compliance Express. Note that you cannot transact insurance business until you receive either a carrier appointment or, for broker-agents, file the required surety bond.
How Does California Compare to Other States?
California's updated requirements make it one of the more accessible large-market states for new agents:
Pre-licensing: California now requires only 12 hours of ethics education, compared to Florida's 60–200 hours depending on license type. However, California still requires passing a comprehensive exam, so self-study or exam prep courses remain valuable.
Passing score: California's 60% passing threshold is lower than Florida's 70% and many other states, though the exams cover substantial material.
Language accessibility: California leads in multilingual exam availability, offering tests in six languages compared to English-only options in most states.
Market size: California is the most populous U.S. state with nearly 40 million residents, representing massive opportunity for licensed agents.
What Continuing Education Does California Require?
California licenses are valid for two-year terms. To renew, you must complete 24 hours of continuing education during each license period, including at least 3 hours of ethics training. The ethics requirement must include one hour of anti-fraud training.
Complete your CE hours at least 60 days before your license expiration date to allow time for providers to report completion and for the CDI to update your records.
Duplicate courses cannot be repeated for credit within the same two-year period. However, excess credits up to 24 hours can carry over to the next renewal cycle as general credits.
What Career Opportunities Exist for California Insurance Agents?
California's size, diversity, and unique risk landscape create exceptional opportunities for insurance professionals:
Property and casualty demand: California faces significant wildfire, earthquake, and flood exposure. The state's challenging property insurance market means knowledgeable agents who can help clients find coverage are highly valued.
Health insurance complexity: As one of the largest health insurance markets in the country, California offers substantial opportunity for agents specializing in individual, group, and Medicare coverage.
High-value markets: Coastal communities, tech industry professionals, and entertainment industry clients often require sophisticated coverage and personalized service.
According to the Bureau of Labor StatisticsSales Insurance Sales Agents.htm Ooh, California insurance agents earn competitive wages, with top performers in major metropolitan areas earning well into six figures. Understanding high-paying insurance rolesPre License What Are The Best Paying Jobs In Insurance Resources helps you identify where to focus your career development.
New agents often benefit from starting with established agencies that provide training, mentorship, and access to carrier appointments. As you build experience, opportunities expand into specialized markets, independent agencies, and agency ownershipPre License Tips Becoming A Successful Insurance Agent Resources.
Are There Any Pre-Licensing Exemptions?
Certain professional designations exempt holders from product-specific pre-licensing requirements:
Life, Accident and Health: Holders of CLU (Chartered Life Underwriter) or LUTCF (Life Underwriter Training Council Fellow) designations are exempt from product education requirements.
Property and Casualty: Holders of CPCU (Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter), CIC (Certified Insurance Counselor), or AAI (Accredited Adviser in Insurance) designations are exempt from product education requirements.
Even with these exemptions, all applicants must still complete the 12-hour Ethics and California Insurance Code course before their license can be issued.
Start Your California Insurance Career
California's updated licensing requirements and massive market make this an ideal time to pursue an insurance career in the Golden State. The streamlined education requirements mean you can move from decision to licensed agent faster than ever, while the comprehensive exam ensures you enter the field prepared to serve clients effectively.
Success in California's competitive market starts with solid preparation. Even though pre-licensing hours have decreased, the exam still tests real knowledge. Agents who invest in quality exam preparationPre License How To Pass The Property And Casualty Exam Resources position themselves for first-attempt success and confident client interactions from day one.
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