What are the Pre-Licensing Education Requirements for a Michigan Insurance License?

What Happens After You Complete Your Pre-Licensing Course?

After finishing your coursework, you'll take a certification exam administered by your education provider. You need a 70% or higher to pass. Once you pass, you'll receive a Certificate of Completion that you'll submit with your license application to DIFS.

A critical detail that catches some Michigan candidates off guard: your Certificate of Completion is valid for one year. You must take and pass your state licensing exam within that window. If you take the state exam before completing your pre-licensing course, DIFS will invalidate your exam results and you'll have to retake it at your own expense. The order matters — course first, then exam.

If you're looking for effective ways to prepare, building strong study habitsPre License How To Study Insurance Licensing Exam Resources from the start of your course work will carry you through both the certification exam and the state test.

What Does the Michigan State Licensing Exam Look Like?

Michigan's licensing exams are administered by PSI ServicesCandidate.psiexams.com at testing centers throughout the state. All exams are multiple choice and taken on a computer. You'll need two valid forms of government-issued ID, at least one with a photo and signature.

The exam format and passing scores vary by line of authority:

• Life Producer (Exam 16-65): 100 questions, 2-hour time limit, 72% passing score.
• Accident and Health Producer (Exam 16-66): 100 questions, 2-hour time limit, 75% passing score.
• Property Producer (Exam 16-67): 100 questions, 2-hour time limit.
• Casualty Producer (Exam 16-68): 100 questions, 2-hour time limit.
• Combined Life, Accident, and Health: 150 questions, 2.5-hour time limit, 73% passing score.

Each exam covers both a national section on general insurance principles and a state section on Michigan-specific laws and regulations. You'll receive your results immediately after completing the exam. If you don't pass, you can reschedule after reviewing your diagnostic report — but you'll pay the exam fee again. That's one of the biggest reasons investing in solid preparationPre License Is Becoming A Licensed Property And Casualty Insurance Agent Worth It Resources upfront pays off.

How Do You Apply for Your Michigan Insurance License?

Step 1: Complete your pre-licensing education and earn your Certificate of Completion.

Step 2: Apply for your license through the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR)Nipr.com. Make sure the name on your application matches your government-issued ID exactly — discrepancies will delay processing.

Step 3: Schedule and pass your PSI exam. Register through the PSI website or by calling (800) 733-9267. Schedule at least four to five business days in advance.

Step 4: Submit your application through NIPR once you've passed. DIFS will review your application, and once approved, your license is issued.

Michigan producer licenses are perpetual, meaning they don't have a traditional expiration date (except for Surplus Lines). However, you must maintain your continuing education requirements to keep your license in good standing. If you fall behind on CE, DIFS will suspend your license.

What Can Slow Down the Licensing Process in Michigan?

• Taking the state exam before completing your pre-licensing course, which invalidates your results
• Name discrepancies between your pre-licensing enrollment, exam registration, and license application
• Letting your Certificate of Completion expire before taking the state exam
• Not scheduling your PSI exam far enough in advance, especially at high-demand testing centers
• Incomplete or inaccurate NIPR application submissions

How Does Michigan Compare to Other States?

Michigan's 20-hour-per-line requirement is common nationally — many states require similar hours. What sets Michigan apart is the strict sequencing rule that invalidates exam results if you test before completing pre-licensing education. Not all states enforce this as rigidly. By contrast, states like Oklahoma, North Carolina, and Louisiana have eliminated pre-licensing education requirements entirely, allowing candidates to go straight to the exam.

Michigan's passing scores also vary more than most states. While many states use a flat 70% across all lines, Michigan ranges from 72% for Life to 75% for Health, so your preparation strategyPre License How To Get An Insurance License Resources should account for the specific line you're pursuing.

If you're exploring whether an insurance career is the right move, understanding first-year earning potentialPre License What Insurance Agents Actually Earn In Their First Year Resources can help you set realistic expectations and plan your path.

What About Continuing Education After You're Licensed?

Michigan requires 24 hours of CE every two years, including 3 hours of ethics. CE compliance is tracked on a biennial cycle tied to your birth month, and your credits must be completed before your compliance due date. If you hold multiple lines of authority, you don't need to double your hours — 24 total hours covers all lines.

If you don't complete CE on time, DIFS will suspend your license for 90 days. During suspension, you can service existing clients but cannot write new business. If CE still isn't completed after 90 days, your license and all carrier appointments are terminated. You then have up to one year to reinstate by completing outstanding CE and submitting a new application.

Start Your Michigan Insurance Career with Aceable Insurance

Getting licensed in Michigan is a straightforward process when you know the steps and follow them in order. Aceable Insurance offers state-approved pre-licensing courses designed to help you master the material efficiently — so you complete your education, pass the exam, and get to work. Whether you're starting with no experiencePre License How To Become An Insurance Agent With No Experience Resources or making a career switch, we'll help you get there. Start your Michigan pre-licensing education today.