California insurancelicense requirements
California insurance license at a glance
- Prelicensing course
- 12-hour ethics course
- Exam provider
- PSI
- Exam fee
- $55 per exam
- License fee
- $188
- Fingerprints
- Required, through Capital Live Scan
How to become an insurance agent in California
Below, you'll find the steps to a California insurance license, the exams for each line, and what it takes to keep your license active.
Studying for a California license? California Property & Casualty License Exam Prep and California Life & Health License Exam Prep cover the California exam, education rules and licensing steps.
Requirements for California insurance producers
Contact the California insurance department
How much do insurance agents make in California?
California average insurance agent salary (all lines): $93,660
That is the mean annual wage for insurance sales agents in California in the Bureau of Labor Statistics' May 2025 survey.
Estimates by line, from Achievable's May 2026 salary research (not BLS figures):
- Life insurance agent: $87,803
- Health insurance agent: $54,428
- Property and casualty insurance agent: $47,143
Please note that salaries will vary based on experience level and local demand.
Does California require prelicensing education?
Since January 1, 2026 (AB 943), California no longer requires 20 hours of prelicensing education per line of authority. You still need to complete a one-time, 12-hour course on ethics and the California Insurance Code from a Department-approved provider, such as Achievable's (Department course 393923). It isn't required to schedule or take the licensing exam, but it must be finished before your license is issued, and the certificate is valid for three years. Register for the course, the exam, and your license application using your name exactly as it appears on your government-issued ID; discrepancies will delay the licensing process.
How do I get my insurance license in California?
Becoming an insurance producer in California requires passing a state-mandated insurance exam in the specific line or lines you wish to specialize in, as well as completing the following steps:
- Step 1: Complete the 12-hour Ethics and California Insurance Code course with a Department-approved education provider, such as Achievable's California Insurance Code and Ethics course. Study the License Examination Objectives for the license you want; an exam prep course such as Achievable's covers them, but it doesn't replace the 12-hour ethics course.
- Step 2: Schedule your exam with PSI Exams. The fastest way to schedule is online at https://www.psiexams.com/ or by calling 833-518-7456. You can take your exam at a PSI examination center or via a remote online proctored exam. Review the candidate bulletin for detailed security measures at https://candidate.psiexams.com/index.jsp.
- Step 3: On the day of your exam, bring one valid form of government-issued identification (driver’s license, passport, military ID, etc.) that includes your name and photograph. If you cannot provide the required ID, call 833-518-7456 at least 21 days before your appointment. Without the correct identification, you will not be allowed to take the exam. After passing, keep your examination letter as it is crucial for the licensing process.
- Step 4: Apply for your license online via Sircon at https://www.sircon.com/products/individuals/index.jsp. Create an account and submit your application. Use the Check License Application Status Service (CLASS) at https://interactive.web.insurance.ca.gov/apex_extprd/f?p=115:1 to monitor your application status. California requires fingerprinting and background checks as part of the licensing process. After you file your license application, submit your fingerprints through Capital Live Scan (total fee $74). Visit the California Department of Insurance website at https://www.insurance.ca.gov/0200-industry/0200-prod-licensing/0100-applicant-info/0300-ca-fingerprint/index.cfm for fingerprinting options.
If you need assistance with any of these steps or have questions about specific requirements, contact the California insurance department for the most current information.
California insurance exam information
California Life Agent Examination
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Questions | 75 Total Questions |
| Time limit | 105 Minutes |
| Passing score | 60% |
| Pass rate | 63.0% (10,054 of 15,950 first-time test takers, 2025) |
California Accident and Health Agent Examination
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Questions | 75 Total Questions |
| Time limit | 105 Minutes |
| Passing score | 60% |
| Pass rate | 76.0% (2,559 of 3,367 first-time test takers, 2025) |
California Life, Accident and Health or Sickness Agent Examination
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Questions | 150 Total Questions |
| Time limit | 195 Minutes |
| Passing score | 60% |
| Pass rate | 59.6% (9,101 of 15,281 first-time test takers, 2025) |
California Property Broker-Agent Insurance Examination
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Questions | 75 Total Questions |
| Time limit | 98 Minutes |
| Passing score | 60% |
| Pass rate | 44.4% (24 of 54 first-time test takers, 2025) |
California Casualty Broker-Agent Insurance Examination
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Questions | 75 Total Questions |
| Time limit | 98 Minutes |
| Passing score | 60% |
| Pass rate | 50.0% (48 of 96 first-time test takers, 2025) |
California Property and Casualty Broker-Agent Examination
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Questions | 150 Total Questions |
| Time limit | 195 Minutes |
| Passing score | 60% |
| Pass rate | 57.5% (3,150 of 5,479 first-time test takers, 2025) |
California Personal Lines Broker-Agent Insurance Examination
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Questions | 90 Total Questions |
| Time limit | 135 Minutes |
| Passing score | 60% |
| Pass rate | 45.5% (1,014 of 2,228 first-time test takers, 2025) |
California Limited Lines Auto Examination
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Questions | 60 Total Questions |
| Time limit | 105 Minutes |
| Passing score | 60% |
Pass rates are for first-time test takers, from the NAIC's state exam reports. Each rate shows its year, and it is the most recent NAIC figure we have for that exam.
Additional requirements
California insurance licensing fees
- Initial individual fees: Resident Insurance Producer $188, Life-Only $188, Accident & Health $188, Property/Casualty $188, Personal Lines Broker $188, Surplus Lines Broker $646; Nonresident Producer $188, Nonresident Surplus Lines Broker $188
- Renewal fees: Resident Producer $188, Nonresident Producer $188
California insurance license citizenship requirements
Proof of citizenship required - must comply with state requirements including address and licensing disclosures
Where can I apply for a resident insurance license in California?
Apply through Sircon
How can I apply for a non-resident insurance license in California?
- 1. Must have a valid, good-standing insurance license for the same lines of authority in your home state.
- 2. Must provide a valid business email and mailing address must be business entity's business address or a P.O. Box.
- 3. Fingerprints generally required. Must answer all background questions honestly.
- 4. Reciprocity generally applies
- 5. Apply via NIPR and pay $188 plus NIPR processing fees.
California carrier appointments and insurance license terminations
- Required to report appointments: Yes
- Permits just-in-time appointments: Yes
- Agencies appointed and affiliated producers covered: Agencies can be appointed; affiliated producers are automatically covered
- Initial appointment deadlines/rules: Within 14 days of first business submission (Life/Health), prior to solicitation for Property/Casualty
- Can be processed via NIPR: Yes
- Appointment fees: Resident $32, Nonresident $32
- State renewal period: No, perpetual
California insurance license termination details
- Termination reasons: Voluntary termination; inadequate production; cancelled by general agent; death; company defunct/liquidation; company indebtedness; poor policyholder service; agent moved
- Termination effective date: Date supplied on transaction, must not be in the future
- Termination fee: $32
- Carriers cannot terminate solely because license expired
- Notices can be emailed
California insurance license renewals
License valid for 2 years ; Renewal period begins 90 days before expiration ; Renewal date: Last day of license anniversary month every 2 years based on year of first state license issuance ; Late/reinstatement allowed: up to 1 year after expiration
California insurance license continuing education (CE) requirements
- Total CE hours per renewal: 24 hours
- CE due before license renewal date: Yes
- Ethics requirement: 3 hours
- Flood CE: 3 hours NFIP every 2 years
- LTC-specific CE: 8-hour initial + 4 hours per renewal cycle
- Annuity CE: 8-hour initial + 4 hours per renewal cycle
- Adjusters CE: 24 hours biennially
- CE rollover allowed for non-ethics credits
- Must complete additional state-specific courses for homeowners, limited lines auto
California insurance license FAQs
There is no set timeline: most of it depends on how long you study and how soon you can book an exam. Start with the prelicensing requirement: 12-hour ethics course. Allow time for your fingerprint appointment too. After you pass, you have 1 year to apply.
Yes. California candidates can test online with a remote proctor through PSI, or in person at a test center.
Expect to pay $55 per exam for the exam and $188 for the license. Fingerprinting and any exam prep are extra.
Yes. California sets this requirement: 12-hour ethics course.
Yes. Resident applicants in California are fingerprinted through Capital Live Scan.
Apply through Sircon after you pass your exam.
For what an agent does, the types of insurance and how multi-state licensing works, see our guide to insurance licensing by state.
Sources
- Prelicensing: insurance.ca.gov
- Exam provider and online exams: insurance.ca.gov
- Exam fee: insurance.ca.gov
- License fee: insurance.ca.gov
- Fingerprints: insurance.ca.gov
- Where to apply: insurance.ca.gov
- Time to apply after passing: insurance.ca.gov
- Pass rates: NAIC state exam reports
- Average salary: Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025
Compiled from official California and exam provider sources as of . Licensing rules and fees change, so confirm them with the California insurance department before you apply.
Conclusion
If you're ready to start your journey toward becoming a licensed insurance agent in California, Achievable's license exam prep covers each major line: Life & Health insurance license exam prep, Property & Casualty license exam prep, and Personal Lines license exam prep. Our comprehensive study materials and practice exams are designed to help you pass your licensing exam on the first attempt.
Interested in insurance licensing in other states?
