What is on the California Insurance Licensing Exam?
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Quick Answer
- California insurance exams require a 60% passing score and are administered by PSI Services at testing centers statewide or through remote online proctoring.
- Exam length varies by license type — Property and Casualty exams have 150 questions over 3 hours, while Life-Only exams have 75 questions over 1.5 hours.
- Each exam covers both national insurance concepts and California-specific laws, including content from the required 12-hour Ethics and California Insurance Code course.
The California insurance licensing exam is a multiple-choice test administered by PSI Services on behalf of the California Department of Insurance (CDI). Every exam includes a national section covering general insurance product knowledge and a state section testing California-specific laws, regulations, and ethical requirements. You'll receive your pass/fail result immediately on screen after completing the exam.
California Insurance Exam Format by License Type
| License Type | Questions | Time Limit | Passing Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life, Accident and Health | 150 | 3 hours | 60% |
| Property and Casualty (combined) | 150 | 3 hours | 60% |
| Life-Only | 75 | 1.5 hours | 60% |
| Accident and Health Only | 75 | 1.5 hours | 60% |
| Personal Lines | 75 | 1.5 hours | 60% |
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What Topics Are on the California Insurance Exam?
The exam is divided into a general knowledge section and a California state law section. The general portion covers foundational insurance concepts — policy types, coverage terms, exclusions, and how insurance products work. The state portion tests your understanding of California regulations, the CDI's role, ethical obligations, and anti-fraud requirements from the mandatory 12-hour pre-licensing coursePre License How To Get Your Insurance License In California ResourcesPre License How To Get Your Insurance License In California Resources.
According to the CDI, the state-specific content makes up approximately 30% of the exam. The remaining 70% covers national insurance principles. Review the CDI's published Educational Objectives0010 Producer Online Services 0200 Exam Info 0200 Industry for a detailed topic breakdown specific to your license type.
How to Take the California Insurance Exam
You have two options for taking your exam. In-person testing is available at the CDI's Los Angeles testing center and over 20 PSI testing centers across California. Remote online proctoring is also available through PSI's Bridge platform — you'll need a computer with a moveable webcam, microphone, and stable internet connection. Exams must be scheduled at least two days in advance through PSI's scheduling portalTest Takers.psiexams.com.
On exam day, bring one valid government-issued photo ID. California also offers exams in Spanish, Korean, Simplified Chinese, Vietnamese, and Tagalog — a notable advantage for California's diverse population.
What Happens If You Fail?
If you don't pass, you can reschedule immediately with no mandatory waiting period. However, candidates who fail the same exam 10 times within 12 months are barred from that exam for one year. Each retake requires a new exam fee. A diagnostic report accompanies your results so you can identify weak areas and focus your study timePre License How To Study Insurance Licensing Exam Resources where it matters most.
How California's Exam Compares to Other States
California's 60% passing score is notably lower than most states, which typically require 70%. However, the California exam is longer and more comprehensive — the 150-question P&C exam, for example, is larger than the Texas P&C exam at 150 questions with a 70% threshold. Don't let the lower passing score lull you into under-preparing. Focused preparation pays offPre License What Could Your Insurance License Be Worth Resources in both pass rates and career readiness. Explore the full range of career pathsPre License What Can You Do With A Property And Casualty Insurance License Resources a California license unlocks.
Walk into exam day knowing exactly what's coming. Aceable Insurance pairs CDI-approved pre-licensing education with built-in exam prep that mirrors the real test format. Get started with your California course today.Pre License How To Get Your Insurance License In California ResourcesPre License How To Get Your Insurance License In California Resources
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