Massachusetts insurancelicense requirements
Massachusetts insurance license at a glance
- Prelicensing course
- None required
- Exam provider
- Pearson VUE
- Passing score
- 70 (scaled score)
- Exam fee
- $37 per producer exam
- License fee
- $225
- Continuing education
- 45 hours every 3 years
How to become an insurance agent in Massachusetts
Below, you'll find the steps to a Massachusetts insurance license, the exams for each line, and what it takes to keep your license active.
Requirements for Massachusetts insurance producers
Contact the Massachusetts insurance department
How much do insurance agents make in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts average insurance agent salary (all lines): $103,070
That is the mean annual wage for insurance sales agents in Massachusetts 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: $97,164
- Health insurance agent: $60,231
- Property and casualty insurance agent: $52,169
Please note that salaries will vary based on experience level and local demand.
Does Massachusetts require prelicensing education?
No, Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts?
Becoming an insurance producer in Massachusetts 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): Consider completing a prelicensing course to better prepare for your licensing exam.
- Step 2: Schedule your exam with Pearson VUE either online at https://www.pearsonvue.com/us/en/ma/insurance.html or by calling (888) 674-1558. An examination fee will apply. To avoid forfeiting the fee, reschedule or cancel at least 48 hours before your appointment.
- Step 3: On exam day, bring a government-issued ID with a photo (e.g., driver’s license, passport). Without this ID, you won’t be allowed to take the exam. Before you leave the test center you’ll receive a score report marked pass or fail; only candidates who fail are given a numeric score.
- Step 4: Apply for your license through NIPR at https://nipr.com/. Wait 48-72 hours after passing the exam before submitting your application. Visit the Department’s Licensing webpage at https://www.mass.gov/orgs/division-of-insurance for forms and more information.
If you need assistance with any of these steps or have questions about specific requirements, contact the Massachusetts insurance department for the most current information.
Massachusetts insurance exam information
Massachusetts Life Insurance Examination
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Questions | 100 Total Questions |
| Time limit | 2 Hours |
| Passing score | 70 (scaled score) |
| Pass rate | 45.4% (3,669 of 8,083 first-time test takers, 2025) |
Massachusetts Accident & Health or Sickness Insurance Examination
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Questions | 100 Total Questions |
| Time limit | 2 Hours |
| Passing score | 70 (scaled score) |
| Pass rate | 56.8% (1,832 of 3,224 first-time test takers, 2025) |
Massachusetts Property Insurance Examination
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Questions | 100 Total Questions |
| Time limit | 2 hours |
| Passing score | 70 (scaled score) |
| Pass rate | 45.1% (610 of 1,353 first-time test takers, 2025) |
Massachusetts Casualty Insurance Examination
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Questions | 100 Total Questions |
| Time limit | 2 hours |
| Passing score | 70 (scaled score) |
| Pass rate | 52.8% (619 of 1,173 first-time test takers, 2025) |
Massachusetts Personal Lines Insurance Examination
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Questions | 100 Total Questions |
| Time limit | 2 hours |
| Passing score | 70 (scaled score) |
| Pass rate | 30.8% (156 of 507 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
Massachusetts insurance licensing fees
- Initial license fees: Resident Producer $225 (additional $75 lead paint surcharge for property/casualty/personal-lines LOAs)
- Resident Surplus Lines Broker: $150
- Nonresident Producer: $225 (with same surcharge for P/C/personal-lines)
- Nonresident Surplus Lines Broker: $150
- Renewal fees: Resident Producer $225; Resident Surplus Lines Broker $150; Nonresident Producer $225; Nonresident Surplus Lines Broker $150
Where can I apply for a resident insurance license in Massachusetts?
Apply through NIPR
How can I apply for a non-resident insurance license in Massachusetts?
- 1. Must hold an active resident license in their home state.
- 2. Variable requires FINRA CRD number and Life.
- 3. Must answer background questions.
- 4. Reciprocity generally applies.
- 5. Apply via NIPR and pay $75 plus NIPR processing fees.
Massachusetts carrier appointments and insurance license terminations
- Required to report appointments: Yes
- Permits Just-in-time appointments: Yes
- Initial appointment deadline: Within 15 days of contract execution or first business submission (MA ST 175 § 162S)
- Can be processed via NIPR: Yes
- Fees for appointing: Resident $75; Nonresident $75
- Appoint agencies: Yes
- Agency appointment covers affiliated producers: Yes (appointment automatically applies to all affiliated agency members)
- State requires appointment renewal: Yes - via email through OPRA system, July 19–August 31; fee $75 per member or entity
Massachusetts insurance license termination details
- Terminations processed via NIPR: Yes
- Termination fee: None
- Allows carriers to terminate if license expired: Yes
- Not-for-cause notices must be mailed
Massachusetts insurance license renewals
Resident renewal period begins 90 days before expiration ; Renewal date: Birth date every 3 years based on year of first state license issue ; Late renewal / reinstatement allowed up to 1 year after expiration
Massachusetts insurance license continuing education (CE) requirements
- CE requirement: 60 hours in the first licensing period, then 45 hours every subsequent 3-year period
- CE due before expiration (birth date)
- Ethics requirement: 3 hours
- Flood (NFIP): 3 hours
- LTC-specific: 8-hour initial certification + 4-hour every 2 years
- Annuity: one-time 4-hour course
- Adjusters (if licensed): 15 hours per 3-year renewal cycle (in addition to other CE if dually licensed)
- CE rollover allowed: Up to 45 CE credits
- Missed renewal: can reinstate within 12 months with late fee; after 12 months must reapply and retake qualifying exams
Massachusetts 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. Massachusetts requires no prelicensing course, so you can book your exam as soon as you are ready. After you pass, you have 1 year to apply.
No. Massachusetts insurance exams are taken in person at Pearson VUE test centers.
Expect to pay $37 per producer exam for the exam and $225 for the license. Any exam prep is extra.
No. Massachusetts does not require a prelicensing course, though a course helps you prepare for the exam.
The passing score is 70 (scaled score). In 2025, 45.4% of first-time test takers passed the Massachusetts life exam, according to the NAIC.
Apply through NIPR after you pass your exam.
Massachusetts requires 45 hours every 3 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, exam fee, passing score and where to apply: pearsonvue.com
- Exam provider and online exams: pearsonvue.com
- License fee: nipr.com
- Continuing education: pearsonvue.com
- Time to apply after passing: nipr.com
- Pass rates: NAIC state exam reports
- Average salary: Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025
Compiled from official Massachusetts and exam provider sources as of . Licensing rules and fees change, so confirm them with the Massachusetts insurance department before you apply.
Conclusion
If you're ready to start your journey toward becoming a licensed insurance agent in Massachusetts, 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?
