Washington insurancelicense requirements
Washington insurance license at a glance
- Prelicensing course
- None required
- Exam provider
- PSI
- Passing score
- 70%
- Exam fee
- $38 single, $55 combined
- License fee
- $55
- Fingerprints
- Required, through IdentoGO
- Continuing education
- 24 hours every 2 years
How to become an insurance agent in Washington
Below, you'll find the steps to a Washington insurance license, the exams for each line, and what it takes to keep your license active.
Requirements for Washington insurance producers
Contact the Washington insurance department
How much do insurance agents make in Washington?
Washington average insurance agent salary (all lines): $77,450
That is the mean annual wage for insurance sales agents in Washington 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: $101,305
- Health insurance agent: $62,463
- Property and casualty insurance agent: $54,362
Please note that salaries will vary based on experience level and local demand.
Does Washington require prelicensing education?
No, Washington no longer requires 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 Washington?
Becoming an insurance producer in Washington 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 taking a prelicensing course to help prepare for your licensing exam.
- Step 2: Schedule your exam with PSI Exams online at https://test-takers.psiexams.com/waoic or by calling (855) 205-5825. Exams can be taken at a PSI center or via remote online proctoring. Exams cost $38 each, or $55 for a Life and Disability or Property and Casualty combination, paid at the time of scheduling.
- Step 3: On exam day, bring two valid forms of government-issued ID, including one with a photograph. You will be denied entry if you do not meet these requirements. Security measures include restrictions on personal items, what can be brought into the testing room, and attire. Review the candidate bulletin at https://test-takers.psiexams.com/waoic for details. You need a minimum of 70% correct answers to pass. Your score will be shown on the screen and emailed to you.
- Step 4: Apply for your license through the Office of the Insurance Commissioner’s online application at https://www.insurance.wa.gov/ or through NIPR at https://nipr.com/. Submit a copy of your passing score report, and complete all application requirements within 180 days of passing.
- Step 5: Washington requires fingerprinting and a background check. After you submit your application, schedule your appointment with IdentoGO at www.Identogo.com or call (888) 771-5097. You will need your application transaction number to book. The fee is $52. IdentoGO sends your fingerprints electronically to the Washington State Patrol, who will forward them to the insurance commissioner’s licensing unit.
If you need assistance with any of these steps or have questions about specific requirements, contact the Washington insurance department for the most current information.
Washington insurance exam information
Washington Life Insurance Examination
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Questions | 100 Total Questions |
| Time limit | 2.5 Hours |
| Passing score | 70% |
| Pass rate | 46.0% (1,034 of 2,250 first-time test takers, 2025) |
Washington Disability Insurance Examination
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Questions | 100 Total Questions |
| Time limit | 2.5 Hours |
| Passing score | 70% |
| Pass rate | 57.2% (301 of 526 first-time test takers, 2025) |
Washington Life and Disability Insurance Examination
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Questions | 150 Total Questions |
| Time limit | 3 Hours and 15 Minutes |
| Passing score | 70% |
| Pass rate | 57.9% (1,735 of 2,996 first-time test takers, 2025) |
Washington Property Insurance Examination
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Questions | 100 Total Questions |
| Time limit | 2.5 Hours |
| Passing score | 70% |
| Pass rate | 47.7% (21 of 44 first-time test takers, 2025) |
Washington Casualty Insurance Examination
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Questions | 100 Total Questions |
| Time limit | 2.5 Hours |
| Passing score | 70% |
| Pass rate | 38.7% (24 of 62 first-time test takers, 2025) |
Washington Property and Casualty Insurance Examination
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Questions | 150 Total Questions |
| Time limit | 3 Hours and 15 minutes |
| Passing score | 70% |
| Pass rate | 56.4% (880 of 1,561 first-time test takers, 2025) |
Washington Personal Lines Insurance Examination
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Questions | 100 Total Questions |
| Time limit | 2 Hours and 15 minutes |
| Passing score | 70% |
| Pass rate | 64.6% (84 of 130 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
Washington insurance licensing fees
- Resident new license: Insurance Producer $55 (all lines), Surplus Lines Broker $200
- Nonresident new license: Insurance Producer $55/LOA, Surplus Lines Broker $200
- Renewal: Resident Insurance Producer $55, Surplus Lines $200; Nonresident Insurance Producer $55, Surplus Lines $200
- Late renewal/reinstatement: Resident & Nonresident late up to 60 days; reinstatement up to 1 year
Washington insurance license citizenship requirements
Background check required; fingerprints required (IDEMIA-IdentoGO, after application)
Where can I apply for a resident insurance license in Washington?
Apply through OIC online application or NIPR
How can I apply for a non-resident insurance license in Washington?
- 1. Reciprocity generally applies. Must hold an active resident license.
- 2. Must answer background questions.
- 3. Amendments handled outside NIPR.
- 4. Variable requires FINRA CRD number.
- 5. Apply via NIPR and pay $55 plus NIPR processing fees.
Washington carrier appointments and insurance license terminations
- Required to report appointments: Yes
- Permits JIT appointments: Yes
- Appointment exemptions: Travel licenses require travel-specific license
- Initial appointment deadlines: Within 15 days of contract execution or first business submission (earlier of the two)
- Appointment deadline rule: WA ST 48.17.160(2)
- Can be processed via NIPR: Yes
- Fees for resident/nonresident agency or individual: $20
- Appoint agencies: Yes; agency appointment covers affiliated producers
- Adjuster appointments via NIPR: No
- Appointment effective date can be specified: No; date is transaction processed by state
- State requires appointment renewal: Yes via Washington portal
- Appointment renewal fee: Resident $16, Nonresident $30
- Licenses require appointment or affiliation: No
Washington insurance license termination details
- Terminations processed via NIPR: Yes
- Termination date can be specified: Yes; must not be in future and <15 days old
- Termination fee: No
- Allows carriers to terminate if license expired: No
- Not-for-cause termination notices: Email permitted
Washington insurance license renewals
Resident renewal period begins: 90 days before expiration ; Resident renewal date: Last day of birth month every 2 years based on year of first license issue ; Nonresident renewal period: 90 days before expiration ; Nonresident renewal date: Last day of birth month every 2 years based on year of first license issue
Washington insurance license continuing education (CE) requirements
- Total CE hours per renewal: 24
- Renewal period: 2 years
- CE due before license renewal
- Ethics: 3 hours
- Flood-specific: 3 hours NFIP
- LTC-specific: 8-hour initial + 4 hours per 2 years
- Annuity: one-time 4-hour course
- Exemptions: Age 65+, retired, limited license holders
- CE reminder: 60 days prior
- CE transcript lookup: https://www.insurance.wa.gov/find-your-continuing-education-ce-history
Washington 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. Washington 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 180 days to apply.
Yes. Washington candidates can test online with a remote proctor through PSI, or in person at a test center.
Expect to pay $38 single, $55 combined for the exam and $55 for the license. Fingerprinting and any exam prep are extra.
No. Washington does not require a prelicensing course, though a course helps you prepare for the exam.
The passing score is 70%. In 2025, 57.9% of first-time test takers passed the Washington life and health exam, according to the NAIC.
Yes. Resident applicants in Washington are fingerprinted through IdentoGO.
Apply through OIC online application or NIPR after you pass your exam.
Washington 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: insurance.wa.gov
- Exam provider, exam fee, passing score, online exams, where to apply and time to apply after passing: test-takers.psiexams.com
- License fee: insurance.wa.gov
- Fingerprints: insurance.wa.gov
- Continuing education: insurance.wa.gov
- Pass rates: NAIC state exam reports
- Average salary: Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025
Compiled from official Washington and exam provider sources as of . Licensing rules and fees change, so confirm them with the Washington insurance department before you apply.
Conclusion
If you're ready to start your journey toward becoming a licensed insurance agent in Washington, 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?
