Washington Insurance Exam Fees and Retake Policies
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Quick Answer:
- Washington insurance exam fees range from $35 to $52 depending on single or combined line exams
- You must wait 24 hours before retaking a failed exam with no limit on total attempts
- Each retake requires paying the full exam fee again, making first-attempt success the most cost-effective approach
Understanding exam costs and retake policies helps you plan your path to Washington licensure. While the fees themselves aren't prohibitive, repeated attempts add up quickly. Here's everything you need to know about Washington insurance exam fees and what happens if you need to retake.
Exam Fee Structure
The Washington Office of the Insurance CommissionerHow Schedule Insurance License Exam contracts with PSI Services to administer licensing exams. Exam fees are paid directly to PSI when scheduling your appointment:
Single-Line Exams: $35
Covers one line of authority (Life, Disability/Health, Property, or Casualty)
Combined-Line Exams: $52
Covers two related lines in one sitting (Life and Disability, Property and Casualty, or Personal Lines)
Payment is required at scheduling via credit card, debit card, electronic check, or voucher. There are no discounts for multiple exam purchases.
What Fees Cover
Your exam fee includes access to the testing center (or remote proctoring platform), the exam itself, and immediate score reporting. You'll receive your pass/fail result along with a diagnostic report showing performance by topic area immediately upon completing the exam.
Exam fees do not include study materials or exam preparation courses. Those costs vary based on your chosen preparation method. Investing in quality preparation, as covered in our exam study guidePre License How To Study Insurance Licensing Exam Resources, typically proves more cost-effective than paying for multiple exam attempts.
Retake Policies
If you don't pass your Washington insurance exam, you can retake it after a mandatory 24-hour waiting period. There's no limit on the number of times you can attempt the exam.
Each retake requires paying the full exam fee again. If you fail a combined exam, you must retake the entire combined exam, not just the sections where you struggled.
The 24-hour waiting period provides minimal time for additional study. Use your score report to identify weak areas and focus your preparation before rescheduling. Rushing to retake without addressing knowledge gaps often produces similar results.
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Passing Score Requirements
Washington requires a minimum score of 70% to pass all insurance licensing exams. This applies to the combined score across general and state-specific sections. There's no separate passing requirement for each section, though both contribute to your overall score.
The 70% threshold is fixed, not curved. Your success depends entirely on your knowledge, not on how other candidates perform.
Cost Analysis: First Attempt vs. Retakes
The financial case for passing on your first attempt is straightforward:
Pass first time: $35-52 exam fee plus preparation costs
Pass on third attempt: $105-156 in exam fees (3x) plus preparation costs plus additional study time
Beyond direct costs, failed attempts delay your earning potential. Every week spent retaking exams is a week you're not working as a licensed producer. For most candidates, investing more in preparation upfront costs less than paying for multiple exam attempts.
Score Validity
Passing exam scores remain valid for 180 days. You must submit your license application within this window, or you'll need to retake the exam even if you previously passed.
This timeline provides adequate time for completing fingerprinting and application requirements, but don't delay unnecessarily. Starting your application promptly after passing ensures you become licensed while your score remains valid.
Special Circumstances
Qualifying military veterans may be eligible for exam fee reimbursement through the VA. Check eligibility requirements through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
If you need testing accommodations for documented disabilities, request these when scheduling your exam through PSI. Accommodations may include extended time, separate testing rooms, or other modifications.
Minimize Your Exam Costs
The most effective way to minimize exam costs is passing on your first attempt. This means investing adequately in preparation before scheduling your exam, not after failing.
Quality exam prep courses cost less than multiple exam attempts while dramatically improving your pass probability. The best investment is preparing thoroughly before your first attempt, not learning from failed exams.
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