Why Ohio Real Estate Agents Are Getting Insurance Licenses

Why Real Estate and Insurance Are a Perfect Match

You already understand property values, risk assessment, and client relationships. That's exactly the foundation insurance sales requires. The difference? Insurance offers something real estate can't: recurring income.

Every homeowner you help needs homeowners insurance. Every property transaction involves title insurance. Your existing clients already trust your judgment on their biggest financial decisions. Why not help them protect those investments?

According to the Bureau of Labor StatisticsSales Insurance Sales Agents.htm Ooh, employment of insurance sales agents is projected to grow 6 percent from 2023 to 2033, faster than the average for all occupations. Ohio's robust insurance market—home to major companies like State Farm and Nationwide—provides numerous opportunities for licensed professionals.

The Real Benefits of Dual Licensing

Adding insurance to your real estate practice isn't just about extra income—it transforms how you serve clients and build your business.

Become a One-Stop Shop for Homebuyers

Think about the typical homebuyer's journey. They find a home with your help, secure financing, and then scramble to find homeowners insurance before closing. Often, they're searching online at the last minute, talking to agents who don't know their situation.

With an insurance license, you become their complete solution. You already know the property, the neighborhood risks, and their budget. You can ensure they have proper coverage before closing day—no last-minute scrambling, no coverage gaps, no surprises.

Build Income That Doesn't Reset to Zero

Real estate income is feast-or-famine. Close three deals in a month, and you're thriving. Hit a slow quarter, and you're stressed. Insurance changes that equation.

Property and casualty agents typically earn around 10-15% commission on new homeowners policies. The renewal commissions are smaller (2-5% on average), but they keep coming as long as your client keeps the policy. After a few years of building your book, those renewals create a baseline income that supports you through slow real estate months.

For agents who already excel at building client relationshipsPre License Tips Becoming A Successful Insurance Agent Resources, this renewal income becomes substantial over time.

Strengthen Client Relationships

In real estate, you might only hear from clients every 5-10 years when they move again. Insurance gives you annual touchpoints. Policy renewals, coverage reviews, and life changes all create reasons to stay connected.

That ongoing relationship means you're top of mind when they're ready to buy their next property, when their friends ask for a realtor recommendation, or when they need to refer someone for insurance.

Serve Clients During Market Slowdowns

When the real estate market cools, your existing insurance clients still need coverage. Renewals still pay. New homeowners in your area still need policies. Insurance provides income stability that pure real estate commissions can't match.

Cross-Referral Opportunities

Your insurance clients who rent may eventually buy homes. Your real estate clients need insurance. Each side of your business feeds the other, creating a self-sustaining referral engine that grows over time.

Higher Lifetime Client Value

A single real estate transaction might earn you a commission once. That same client with home, auto, and umbrella policies through you generates income every year for as long as they keep those policies. Understanding the best-paying insurance careersPre License What Are The Best Paying Jobs In Insurance Resources helps you see the full earning potential.

Leverage Ohio's Diverse Economy

Ohio's economic diversity creates unique opportunities for dual-licensed professionals. Manufacturing, healthcare, agriculture, and the growing tech corridor all generate both real estate transactions and specialized insurance needs. A factory manager relocating to Columbus needs both a home and comprehensive coverage. A healthcare professional buying near the Cleveland Clinic needs a realtor who understands their unique liability concerns.

What Ohio Actually Requires

Ohio requires state-approved pre-licensing education before you can sit for the licensing exam. According to Section 3905.04 of the Ohio Revised CodeOhio Revised Code Section 3905.04 Codes.ohio.gov, the hours required depend on your chosen license type.

Pre-Licensing Education Requirements

The Ohio Department of Insurance (ODI)Insurance.ohio.gov requires 20 hours of pre-licensing education for each line of authority:

• Property Insurance: 20 hours—covers homeowners, commercial property, and related coverages
• Casualty Insurance: 20 hours—covers liability, auto, and related products
• Property and Casualty Combined: 40 hours total—the most relevant license for real estate professionals
• Life Insurance: 20 hours
• Accident and Health Insurance: 20 hours

When selecting your pre-licensing education provider, choose a program that's approved by the Ohio Department of Insurance. Quality education significantly impacts your exam success. Learn more about enrolling in Ohio pre-licensingPre License How Do I Enroll In Ohio Insurance Pre Licensing Resources.

The State Exam

Ohio insurance exams are administered by PSI Services and require a passing score of 70%. The exam tests your knowledge of general insurance concepts, products specific to your license type, and Ohio state insurance law.

Exam details vary by license type:

• Property and Casualty: 150 questions, 2.5-hour time limit
• Life and Health Combined: 150 questions, 2.5-hour time limit
• Life or Health separately: 100 questions each, 2-hour time limit

You must present your Certificate of Completion at the exam. For remote proctored exams, you must email your certificate to ohcert@psiexams.com within 24 hours of passing. Understanding what to expect on the Ohio examPre License What To Expect On The Ohio Insurance Exam Resources helps you prepare effectively.

Background Check and Fingerprinting

Ohio requires all insurance license applicants to undergo a criminal background check through fingerprinting per Section 3905.051 of the Ohio Revised CodeOhio Revised Code Section 3905.051 Codes.ohio.gov. You'll need to complete this through a National WebCheck provider.

When getting fingerprinted, request the "direct copy" option so results go directly to the Ohio Department of Insurance. WebCheck requests are typically processed within 2 business days.

Application Process

Once you've passed your exam and completed fingerprinting, apply through NIPR (National Insurance Producer Registry)Nipr.com. The application fee is $10 for each line of authority, plus transaction fees.

Processing typically takes 7-10 business days. Your pre-licensing certificate is valid for 180 days from completion, so schedule your exam promptly. You must apply for your license within 180 days of passing the exam. For complete guidance, see our article on what it takes to become an Ohio insurance agentPre License What Does It Take To Become An Insurance Agent In Ohio Resources.

The Legal Reality You Can't Ignore

Here's where things get complicated. You can't just add insurance sales to your real estate practice without serious consideration of compliance issues.

Disclosure Requirements Matter

Federal regulations under the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA)Regulations 1024 Rules Policy are clear about relationships between real estate services and insurance referrals. If there's common ownership between your real estate and insurance activities, affiliated business disclosures become mandatory.

Ohio real estate law also has specific requirements. According to Section 4735.71 of the Ohio Revised CodeOhio Revised Code Section 4735.71 Codes.ohio.gov, dual agency relationships require full disclosure and written consent. While this primarily addresses real estate transactions, the principle of disclosure extends to any situation where you're serving clients in multiple capacities.

Additionally, Ohio's title insurance regulations under Chapter 3953 of the Ohio Revised CodeOhio Revised Code Chapter 3953 Codes.ohio.gov prohibit certain referral arrangements. Title insurance companies and agents cannot pay commissions to real estate agents simply for referring title insurance business.

Talk to a lawyer before proceeding. Also check with your real estate broker. Many brokerages have policies about agents engaging in insurance sales, and some may prohibit it entirely.

Continuing Education Never Ends

Your initial license is just the beginning. Ohio requires 24 hours of continuing education every two years for license renewal, with at least 3 hours focused on ethics.

Licenses must be renewed by the last day of your birth month every two years. Miss your CE deadline, and your license lapses. You'll need to complete requirements and pay reinstatement fees to resume selling.

There are additional training requirements for specific products:

• Annuity products: One-time 4-hour suitability and best interest standards course required before selling
• Long-term care: Initial 8-hour training plus 4-hour refresher every 24 months
• Flood insurance: One-time 3-hour NFIP certification training

Before You Take the Plunge

Stop and consider these practical realities:

Know your market. Do your real estate clients actually need property and casualty insurance? Or would life and health coverage serve them better? Don't chase a license that won't help your actual client base.

Count the real costs. Exam fees, prep courses, application fees, continuing education, errors and omissions insurance, potential conflicts with your broker—add it all up before committing.

Consider the time investment. You're already managing property showings, closings, client calls, and marketing. Adding insurance sales means more appointments, more paperwork, more compliance requirements. Can your schedule handle it?

Calculate realistic expectations. Stop thinking about renewal commissions as passive income. They're smaller percentages that require active relationship management and policy retention. Most new agents don't see significant renewal income for years.

Is Dual Licensing Right for You?

For some real estate professionals, insurance licensing opens genuine opportunities. You can serve clients more completely, build recurring income, and create a more stable financial foundation for your business.

But dual licensing isn't automatic success. It requires legal compliance, ongoing education, and significant time investment. The renewals everyone talks about? They're real, but they take years to build and depend entirely on maintaining client relationships.

The agents who succeed at dual licensing are those who see insurance not as a side hustle, but as a genuine extension of the service they provide to clients. Understanding how to turn your license into a successful careerPre License Turning Your Ohio Insurance License Into A Successful Career Resources helps you capitalize on Ohio's opportunities.

Ready to Get Started?

If you've considered the requirements and believe insurance licensing fits your practice, Aceable Insurance offers Ohio pre-licensing coursesOhio Insurance License Navigation Link designed to help you pass on your first attempt.

Our mobile-friendly platform adapts to your schedule, covering everything the PSI exams test on. Aceable Insurance maintains full ODI approval for all Ohio pre-licensing courses, meeting every state standard while delivering education in a format that actually works with your life.

With comprehensive content, practice exams that mirror the state test, and expert instructor support, you'll be prepared for both the exam and the real-world situations you'll face as an agent.