Ohio insurancelicense requirements
Ohio insurance license at a glance
- Prelicensing course
- 20 hours per line
- Exam provider
- PSI
- Passing score
- 70%
- Exam fee
- $49 per exam
- License fee
- $10 per line of authority
- Fingerprints
- Required, through National WebCheck
- Continuing education
- 24 hours every 2 years
How to become an insurance agent in Ohio
Below, you'll find the steps to a Ohio insurance license, the exams for each line, and what it takes to keep your license active.
Requirements for Ohio insurance producers
Contact the Ohio insurance department
How much do insurance agents make in Ohio?
Ohio average insurance agent salary (all lines): $77,010
That is the mean annual wage for insurance sales agents in Ohio 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: $84,582
- Health insurance agent: $52,431
- Property and casualty insurance agent: $45,413
Please note that salaries will vary based on experience level and local demand.
Does Ohio require prelicensing education?
Ohio 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 Ohio?
Becoming an insurance producer in Ohio 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.
- Step 2: Schedule your exam with PSI Exams online at www.psiexams.com or by calling (855) 807-3995. Exams are taken in person at a PSI center. Pay the exam fee at booking. Reschedule or cancel at least 48 hours in advance to avoid losing your fee. Ensure your registration name matches your ID. IMPORTANT NOTE: Use the same name for Achievable prelicensing courses, exam scheduling, and license application as on your ID.
- Step 3: On exam day, bring one valid government-issued ID with your photo and signature, and a paper copy of your prelicensing certificate (valid for 180 days; electronic copies are not accepted). Results are immediate. Review PSI’s candidate bulletin for security measures at https://test-takers.psiexams.com/ohins.
- Step 4: Complete an electronic criminal background check using National WebCheck. Find an approved WebCheck vendor through the Ohio Attorney General's BCI Community Listing at https://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Business/Services-for-Business/WebCheck/WebCheck-Community-Listing. All PSI examination centers are also approved WebCheck providers.
- Step 5: Apply for your license at NIPR at https://nipr.com/.
If you need assistance with any of these steps or have questions about specific requirements, contact the Ohio insurance department for the most current information.
Ohio insurance exam information
Ohio Life Insurance Examination- Series 11-44
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Questions | 100 Total Questions |
| Time limit | 2 Hours |
| Passing score | 70% |
| Pass rate | 51.1% (1,776 of 3,474 first-time test takers, 2025) |
Ohio Accident and Health Insurance Examination- Series 11-45
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Questions | 100 Total Questions |
| Time limit | 2 Hours |
| Passing score | 70% |
| Pass rate | 67.5% (678 of 1,005 first-time test takers, 2025) |
Ohio Life, Accident and Health Insurance Examination- Series 11-35
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Questions | 150 Total Questions |
| Time limit | 2.5 Hours |
| Passing score | 70% |
| Pass rate | 60.8% (3,157 of 5,189 first-time test takers, 2025) |
Ohio Property Insurance Exam- Series 11-46
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Questions | 100 Total Questions |
| Time limit | 2 Hours |
| Passing score | 70% |
| Pass rate | 29.6% (8 of 27 first-time test takers, 2025) |
Ohio Casualty Insurance Examination- Series 11-47
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Questions | 100 Total Questions |
| Time limit | 2 Hours |
| Passing score | 70% |
| Pass rate | 25.9% (7 of 27 first-time test takers, 2025) |
Ohio Property and Casualty Insurance Examination- Series 11-36
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Questions | 150 Total Questions |
| Time limit | 2.5 Hours |
| Passing score | 70% |
| Pass rate | 62.8% (1,226 of 1,952 first-time test takers, 2025) |
Ohio Personal Lines Insurance Examination- Series 11-43
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Questions | 100 Total Questions |
| Time limit | 2 Hours |
| Passing score | 70% |
| Pass rate | 48.9% (201 of 411 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
Ohio insurance licensing fees
- Resident new license major lines: $10 per LOA
- Resident limited lines: $10 per LOA
- Resident surplus lines: $100 per application
- Nonresident major lines: $10 per LOA
- Nonresident limited lines: $10 per LOA
- Nonresident surplus lines: $100 per application
- Resident renewal major lines: $0
- Resident renewal limited lines: $25
- Resident renewal surplus lines: $100
- Nonresident renewal major lines: $25
- Nonresident renewal limited lines: $25
- Nonresident renewal surplus lines: $100
Ohio insurance license citizenship requirements
Non-citizens must show proof of U.S. work authorization; must provide work permit from Department of Immigration
Where can I apply for a resident insurance license in Ohio?
Apply through NIPR
How can I apply for a non-resident insurance license in Ohio?
- 1. Must be at least 18 years old. Must answer background questions.
- 2. Must not have any serious RIRS or 1033 actions.
- 3. Reciprocity generally applies. Must have an active license in your resident state for the same LOA.
- 4. Variable requires FINRA CRD number; Specialty classes may require exams or bonds.
- 5. Apply via NIPR.
Ohio carrier appointments and insurance license terminations
- Required to report appointments: Yes
- Permits JIT appointments: Yes
- Initial appointment deadlines: Within 30 days of contract execution or first business submission
- Initial appointment deadline rule: OH ADC 3901-5-09(K)
- Can be processed via NIPR: Yes
- Fees for appointing resident or nonresident: $10 per LOA
- Appoint agencies: Yes
- Agency appointment covers affiliated producers: No
- Agency notes: Individuals + business entity must be appointed; monthly invoicing; $10 each
- Adjuster appointments via NIPR: No
- Appointment effective date can be specified: Yes; must not be future; <30 days old; July 1–30 cannot request date prior to July 1
- State requires appointment renewal: Yes
- Appointment renewal process: Invoice mailed; pay by mail or online epay; auto-renew annually July 1; invoice each August; $10 per renewal
- Renewal period: Month of August
- Renewal fee: $10
Ohio insurance license termination details
- Terminations processed via NIPR: Yes
- Termination reasons: Cancelled
- Termination date can be specified: Yes; must not be future; <30 days old; July 1–30 cannot request date prior to July 1
- Termination fee: None
- Allows termination if license expired: No
- Not-for-cause notice: Must be mailed
Ohio insurance license renewals
Renewal period begins: 90 days before expiration ; Resident renewal date: Last day of birth month every 2 years, based on first license issuance year ; Late renewal: Allowed up to 1 year after expiration ; Nonresident rules: Same as resident schedule
Ohio insurance license continuing education (CE) requirements
- Total hours per period: 24
- Renewal period: 2 years
- CE due before license renewal: Yes
- License renewal date: Last day of birth month
- CE due: Prior to expiration
- CE reminders: Sent 90 days before expiration
- Ethics: 3 hours
- Flood: 3 hours NFIP
- LTC: 8-hour initial + 4 hours every 2 years
- Annuity: One-time 4-hour
- Can rollover: Yes, up to 12 hours
- CE transcripts: https://gateway.insurance.ohio.gov/UI/ODI.Agent.Public.UI/AgentSearch.mvc/DisplaySearch
Ohio 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.
No. Ohio insurance exams are taken in person at PSI test centers.
Expect to pay $49 per exam for the exam and $10 per line of authority for the license. Fingerprinting and any exam prep are extra.
Yes. Ohio sets this requirement: 20 hours per line.
The passing score is 70%. In 2025, 60.8% of first-time test takers passed the Ohio life and health exam, according to the NAIC.
Yes. Resident applicants in Ohio are fingerprinted through National WebCheck.
Apply through NIPR after you pass your exam.
Ohio 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, exam provider, exam fee, license fee, fingerprints, continuing education, passing score, online exams and where to apply: test-takers.psiexams.com
- Pass rates: NAIC state exam reports
- Average salary: Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025
Compiled from official Ohio and exam provider sources as of . Licensing rules and fees change, so confirm them with the Ohio insurance department before you apply.
Conclusion
If you're ready to start your journey toward becoming a licensed insurance agent in Ohio, 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?
