District of Columbia insurancelicense requirements
District of Columbia insurance license at a glance
- Prelicensing course
- None required
- Exam provider
- Pearson VUE
- Passing score
- 70 (scaled score)
- Exam fee
- $75 per exam
- License fee
- $100
- Fingerprints
- Required, through Fieldprint
- Continuing education
- 24 hours every 2 years
How to become an insurance agent in District of Columbia
Below, you'll find the steps to a District of Columbia insurance license, the exams for each line, and what it takes to keep your license active.
Requirements for District of Columbia insurance producers
Contact the District of Columbia insurance department
How much do insurance agents make in District of Columbia?
District of Columbia average insurance agent salary (all lines): $119,380
That is the mean annual wage for insurance sales agents in District of Columbia 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: $130,606
- Health insurance agent: $62,322
- Property and casualty insurance agent: $54,082
Please note that salaries will vary based on experience level and local demand.
Does District of Columbia require prelicensing education?
No, the District of Columbia does not require any insurance pre-licensing education. We highly recommend taking a course on your own to prepare for the state's licensing exam.
How do I get my insurance license in District of Columbia?
Becoming an insurance producer in District of Columbia 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 (optional): Complete a prelicensing course to help you prepare for and pass your insurance licensing exam.
- Step 2: Schedule your exam online at Pearson VUE or by phone at 800-274-0610. Review the candidate handbook for more information at https://www.pearsonvue.com/content/dam/VUE/vue/en/documents/publications/120900.pdf. The exam fee is $75, payable when you reserve your exam.
- Step 3: On the day of your exam, bring two forms of signature identification: a primary government-issued ID (driver’s license, passport, military ID, etc.) that includes your photograph and signature, and a secondary ID with your signature, which may be a debit or credit card. Failure to meet these requirements will prevent you from taking the exam. You will receive a score report at the end of your exam, marked “pass” or “fail.”
- Step 4: After passing your exam, apply for your license through NIPR.
- Step 5: After you submit your application, schedule fingerprinting and a background check through Fieldprint ($31.50). Fingerprints completed before you submit your application will not be accepted. Contact Sheila Johnson-Parker via email to arrange your fingerprinting appointment.
If you need assistance with any of these steps or have questions about specific requirements, contact the District of Columbia insurance department for the most current information.
District of Columbia insurance exam information
District of Columbia Life Insurance Examination
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Questions | 90 Total Questions (80 scored, 10 pretest) |
| Time limit | 2 hours |
| Passing score | 70 (scaled score) |
| Pass rate | 37.3% (133 of 357 first-time test takers, 2025) |
District of Columbia Accident and Health Insurance Examination
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Questions | 85 Total Questions (75 scored, 10 pretest) |
| Time limit | 2 hours |
| Passing score | 70 (scaled score) |
| Pass rate | 42.1% (64 of 152 first-time test takers, 2025) |
District of Columbia Property Insurance Examination
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Questions | 85 Total Questions (75 scored, 10 pretest) |
| Time limit | 2 hours |
| Passing score | 70 (scaled score) |
| Pass rate | 51.6% (16 of 31 first-time test takers, 2025) |
District of Columbia Casualty Insurance Examination
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Questions | 90 Total Questions (80 scored, 10 pretest) |
| Time limit | 2 hours |
| Passing score | 70 (scaled score) |
| Pass rate | 50.0% (16 of 32 first-time test takers, 2025) |
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
District of Columbia insurance licensing fees
- Initial individual fees: Resident Producer $100, Resident Surplus Lines $200, Resident Limited Lines $100; Nonresident Producer $100, Nonresident Surplus Lines $200, Nonresident Limited Lines $100
- Renewal fees: Resident Producer $100, Resident Limited Lines $100, Resident Surplus Lines $200; Nonresident Producer $100, Nonresident Limited Lines $100, Nonresident Surplus Lines $200
- Late renewal allowed: 30 days (up to 365 days for nonresident via NIPR)
- Pre-licensing courses: No
- Exam required: Yes
District of Columbia 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 District of Columbia?
Apply through NIPR
How can I apply for a non-resident insurance license in District of Columbia?
- 1. Must be at least 18 years old.
- 2. Residence address cannot be a P.O. Box.
- 3. Applicant with a provisional status reason will be deferred for state review.
- 4. Apply via NIPR and pay $100 plus NIPR processing fees.
- 5. Reciprocity applies. Must answer background questions.
District of Columbia carrier appointments and insurance license terminations
- Required to report appointments: Yes
- Permits Just-in-time appointments: Yes
- Initial appointment deadline: Within 30 days of contract execution or first business submission
- Can be processed via NIPR: Yes
- Fees for appointing: Resident $25, Nonresident $25
- Appoint agencies: Yes
- Agency appointment covers affiliated producers: No
- Adjuster appointments via NIPR: No
- Appointment effective date can be specified: No
- State requires appointment renewal: Yes, via NIPR Portal, Mar 4–May 31, $25 per appointment
District of Columbia insurance license termination details
- Termination reasons: Not required
- Termination date can’t be specified
- Termination fee: None
- Allows carriers to terminate if license expired: Yes
- Notices must be mailed (not emailed)
District of Columbia insurance license renewals
Resident renewal begins 90 days before expiration ; Renewal date: Last day of birth month every 2 years based on first license issue ; Late renewal period: 30 days after expiration (reinstatement allowed up to 365 days via NIPR) ; Agency renewal: 60 days prior to expiration until May 31 biennially
District of Columbia insurance license continuing education (CE) requirements
- Total CE hours: 24
- Ethics: 3 hours
- Flood: 3 hours (P&C)
- Annuity: one-time 4-hour course
- Major lines: >50% credit through company-sponsored courses; P&C must complete 3 hours flood training
- Limited lines and special exemptions apply
- CE instructors get credit
- CE transcript lookup: NAIC SOLAR
District of Columbia 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. District of Columbia requires no prelicensing course, so you can book your exam as soon as you are ready. Allow time for your fingerprint appointment too. After you pass, you have 1 year to apply.
No. District of Columbia insurance exams are taken in person at Pearson VUE test centers.
Expect to pay $75 per exam for the exam and $100 for the license. Fingerprinting and any exam prep are extra.
No. District of Columbia does not require a prelicensing course, though a course helps you prepare for the exam.
The passing score is 70 (scaled score). In 2025, 37.3% of first-time test takers passed the District of Columbia life exam, according to the NAIC.
Yes. Resident applicants in District of Columbia are fingerprinted through Fieldprint.
Apply through NIPR after you pass your exam.
District of Columbia requires 24 hours every 2 years to keep your license active.
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 and where to apply: disb.dc.gov
- Exam provider, exam fee, passing score, online exams and time to apply after passing: pearsonvue.com
- License fee: nipr.com
- Fingerprints: disb.dc.gov
- Continuing education: disb.dc.gov
- Pass rates: NAIC state exam reports
- Average salary: Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025
Compiled from official District of Columbia and exam provider sources as of . Licensing rules and fees change, so confirm them with the District of Columbia insurance department before you apply.
Conclusion
If you're ready to start your journey toward becoming a licensed insurance agent in District of Columbia, 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.
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