Washington Insurance Exam: What You Need to Score and How the Test Works

Walking into the exam room without knowing what you're facing creates unnecessary stress. Here's exactly how the Washington insurance exam works so you can prepare with clear expectations.

The 70% Threshold

Washington requires a minimum score of 70% on all insurance licensing examinations. This applies to Life, Disability (Health), Property, Casualty, and Personal Lines exams equally.

The score is not curved or compared to other test-takers. You're measured against a fixed standard. Everyone who demonstrates sufficient knowledge passes; everyone who doesn't, doesn't.

There's no separate passing requirement for general versus state-specific content. Your overall percentage across all questions determines your result.

What 70% Actually Means in Practice

A 70% threshold means you can miss nearly one-third of scored questions and still pass. This provides margin for difficult questions or topics that didn't stick despite studying.

However, 70% across diverse content areas requires genuine understanding—you can't rely on deep knowledge in one area to compensate for complete gaps in others. The exam tests breadth, not just depth.

Effective preparation aims for practice scores well above 70%. When test-day stress affects performance, that buffer matters.

Exam Format: What You'll Actually See

Washington insurance exams are computer-based, multiple-choice tests administered by PSI ServicesHow Schedule Insurance License Exam. Each question presents a stem (the question) and four answer options. You select the single best answer.

Questions come in several styles:

Definition questions: What term describes a policy provision that allows the insured to...?

Scenario questions: A client owns a home valued at $400,000 and wants coverage for... What would you recommend?

Regulatory questions: Under Washington law, an agent must provide written disclosure when...?

Calculation questions: If a policy has a $500 deductible and the loss totals $2,000, what amount will the insurer pay?

The variety means you need both conceptual understanding and practical application skills.

The Pretest Question Factor

Every exam includes pretest questions—items being evaluated for potential future use. These questions are mixed throughout the exam and look identical to scored questions. You cannot identify which are which.

Pretest questions don't count toward your score, but since you can't distinguish them, treat every question as if it counts. This is by design.

Content Breakdown

Washington exams test two categories:

General/National Content (approximately 70-75%): Insurance principles, policy provisions, contract law, underwriting concepts, and product knowledge that apply regardless of state.

Washington-Specific Content (approximately 25-30%): Washington Insurance Code provisions, OIC regulations, state-specific requirements, and compliance rules unique to Washington.

Both categories contribute to your overall score. Strong general knowledge won't save you if you neglect Washington-specific material—and vice versa.