North Carolina insurancelicense requirements
North Carolina insurance license at a glance
- Prelicensing course
- 20 hours per line
- Exam provider
- Pearson VUE
- Passing score
- 70 (scaled score)
- Exam fee
- $45 per exam
- License fee
- $82 + $50 per line of authority
- Fingerprints
- Required
How to become an insurance agent in North Carolina
Below, you'll find the steps to a North Carolina insurance license, the exams for each line, and what it takes to keep your license active.
Requirements for North Carolina insurance producers
Contact the North Carolina insurance department
How much do insurance agents make in North Carolina?
North Carolina average insurance agent salary (all lines): $72,330
That is the mean annual wage for insurance sales agents in North Carolina 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: $80,854
- Health insurance agent: $50,121
- Property and casualty insurance agent: $43,412
Please note that salaries will vary based on experience level and local demand.
Does North Carolina require prelicensing education?
North Carolina requires producer licensing candidates to take and complete a state-approved prelicensing course (20 hours per line). You will also need to apply for your license with the state insurance department and register for the state licensing exam. Make sure to register for all 3 (prelicensing course, license application, state exam) using the personally identifiable information exactly as it appears on your government-issued ID. Discrepancies will delay the licensing process.
How do I get my insurance license in North Carolina?
Becoming an insurance producer in North Carolina 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 a prelicensing course approved by the Department of Insurance. After passing the Certificate Exam, Achievable will process your Examination Admission Ticket within 2 business days. You may then download/print your ticket from your Achievable account. Ensure your ticket is accurate and complete it as directed. Your NIPR application is valid for six months, and you must pass the licensing exam within that window.
- Step 2: Submit an electronic application via NIPR at https://nipr.com/ and pay the necessary fees. You will receive an Authorization Email from Pearson VUE containing your reserved NPN (National Producer Number) and other crucial details. You must complete this step before registering for your licensing exam. NIPR will also send an email with fingerprinting scheduling instructions.
- Step 3: Schedule your exam with Pearson VUE at www.pearsonvue.com or call (800) 274-0668. Exam fees apply. To cancel or reschedule, contact Pearson VUE at least 48 hours before your appointment, or the fee is forfeited. Important Note: Ensure the name used during your Achievable courses, exam registration, and license application matches your ID. Strict security measures apply during exams.
- Step 4: On exam day, bring two valid IDs, one with a photo and signature, and your Examination Admission Ticket. If you fail the exam, you'll receive a score report with diagnostic details; if you pass, you'll get a "pass" report. Pearson VUE will submit passing scores to NIPR.
- Step 5: North Carolina requires fingerprinting for license processing. Electronic Live Scan fingerprints are required; fingerprint cards are not accepted. After your NIPR application, you'll receive a Fingerprint Submission Packet-Releases Form. Schedule fingerprinting with local law enforcement, ensuring they offer Livescan fingerprints (the agency may charge a fee). Bring the completed packet and a photo ID to your appointment. Afterward, upload pages 1 to 3 of the SBI release forms to the NIPR Attachment Warehouse. The $38 fingerprint fee is paid through NIPR.
- Step 6: If all requirements are met, Pearson VUE will approve your application, and you'll receive an email to print your license within 48 to 72 hours.
If you need assistance with any of these steps or have questions about specific requirements, contact the North Carolina insurance department for the most current information.
North Carolina insurance exam information
North Carolina Life Insurance and Annuity Examination
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Questions | 60 Total Questions (55 scored, 5 pretest) |
| Time limit | 75 Minutes |
| Passing score | 70 (scaled score) |
| Pass rate | 51.0% (3,942 of 7,728 first-time test takers, 2025) |
North Carolina Accident and Health or Sickness Examination
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Questions | 60 Total Questions (55 scored, 5 pretest) |
| Time limit | 75 Minutes |
| Passing score | 70 (scaled score) |
| Pass rate | 60.8% (3,065 of 5,040 first-time test takers, 2025) |
North Carolina Property Insurance Examination
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Questions | 60 Total Questions (55 scored; 5 pretest) |
| Time limit | 75 Minutes |
| Passing score | 70 (scaled score) |
| Pass rate | 48.5% (1,049 of 2,161 first-time test takers, 2025) |
North Carolina Casualty Insurance Examination
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Questions | 60 Total Questions (55 scored; 5 pretest) |
| Time limit | 75 Minutes |
| Passing score | 70 (scaled score) |
| Pass rate | 52.9% (1,127 of 2,131 first-time test takers, 2025) |
North Carolina Personal Lines Insurance Examination
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Questions | 96 Total Questions (80 scored; 16 pretest) |
| Time limit | 1 Hour and 45 Minutes |
| Passing score | 70 (scaled score) |
| Pass rate | 42.4% (250 of 589 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
North Carolina insurance licensing fees
- Initial license fees: Resident/Nonresident Insurance Producer: $82 (includes the $38 fingerprint fee) + $50 per LOA; Surplus Lines Producer: $94
- Renewal fees: Resident/Nonresident Surplus Lines Producer: $84
- Specialty adjusters and public adjusters: $54–$207 depending on license type
North Carolina insurance license citizenship requirements
Full criminal background check required; fingerprints required for resident licensing
Where can I apply for a resident insurance license in North Carolina?
Apply through NIPR
How can I apply for a non-resident insurance license in North Carolina?
- 1. Must be at least 18 years old.
- 2. Permanent legal residence must be the US. Reciprocity generally applies.
- 3. Must provide a valid business email address. Must answer background questions.
- 4. Variable requires FINRA CRD number; Personal Lines cannot be combined with P&C.
- 5. Apply via NIPR and pay $44 plus NIPR processing fees.
North Carolina carrier appointments and insurance license terminations
- Required to report appointments: Yes
- Permits JIT appointments: Yes
- Initial appointment deadlines: Within 15 days of first business submission
- Can be processed via NIPR: Yes
- Fees for appointing resident/nonresident agency or individual: $10–$11 per line
- Appoint agencies: No
- Adjuster appointments via NIPR: No
- Appointment effective date can be specified: Yes, must be within 15 days of processing date
North Carolina insurance license termination details
- Terminations processed via NIPR: Yes
- Termination date can be specified: Yes, within 15 days of processing
- Termination fee: $10 per line
- Allows termination if license expired: Yes
- Not-for-cause notices must be mailed
North Carolina insurance license renewals
Resident individual producer renewal: Last day of birth month every 2 years based on year of birth ; Nonresident: Perpetual license, no fixed renewal
North Carolina insurance license continuing education (CE) requirements
- CE total hours per period: 24
- Renewal period: 2 years
- Ethics: 3 hours
- Flood: 3 hours every 4 years if property line held
- LTC: 8-hour initial, 4-hour every 2 years
- Adjusters: 24 hours biennially (3 hours ethics, 3 hours flood every 4 years)
- CE transcripts: https://sbs.naic.org/solar-external-lookup/license-manager
North Carolina 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: 20 hours per line. Allow time for your fingerprint appointment too.
Expect to pay $45 per exam for the exam and $82 + $50 per line of authority for the license. Fingerprinting and any exam prep are extra.
Yes. North Carolina sets this requirement: 20 hours per line.
The passing score is 70 (scaled score). In 2025, 51.0% of first-time test takers passed the North Carolina life exam, according to the NAIC.
Yes. Resident applicants in North Carolina are fingerprinted.
Apply through NIPR 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: ncdoi.gov
- Exam provider, exam fee, fingerprints, passing score and where to apply: pearsonvue.com
- License fee: nipr.com
- Pass rates: NAIC state exam reports
- Average salary: Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025
Compiled from official North Carolina and exam provider sources as of . Licensing rules and fees change, so confirm them with the North Carolina insurance department before you apply.
Conclusion
If you're ready to start your journey toward becoming a licensed insurance agent in North Carolina, 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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