Generalized Compliance FAQ

Insurance Licensing Compliance FAQ

This guide summarizes common resident insurance licensing requirements by state: exam vendor, prelicensing education, fingerprints/background items, application order, paper application availability, and exam-attempt limits.

Source: e-PAL Agent Licensing Requirements QuickGuide, February 2026 version, from TSI National’s Sircon approval list. Updated: May 5, 2026. North Carolina is shown as no prelicensing required per TSI’s current compliance update.

Licensing rules change. Always confirm final filing requirements with the state department of insurance, Sircon/NIPR, and the exam vendor before submitting an application.

Prelicensing Required

17 jurisdictions currently require prelicensing education before, during, or as part of the licensing process.

ARKANSAS, CALIFORNIA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KENTUCKY, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, OREGON, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN

No Prelicensing Required

33 jurisdictions do not list mandatory prelicensing education in the current guide.

ALABAMA, ALASKA, ARIZONA, DELAWARE, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, HAWAII, IDAHO, IOWA, KANSAS, LOUISIANA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MISSOURI, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEVADA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW MEXICO, NORTH CAROLINA, NORTH DAKOTA, OKLAHOMA, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH CAROLINA, SOUTH DAKOTA, TENNESSEE, TEXAS, UTAH, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WASHINGTON, WYOMING

Special Rule

Mississippi is line-specific in the guide.

Mississippi: No for life only; yes for all other license types.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do all states require prelicensing education?

No. Many states allow candidates to test without mandatory prelicensing education, but exam prep is still strongly recommended.

What should I complete first?

Use the state-specific order below. Some states require education before testing; some require an application or background step before exam authorization; others allow exam-first licensing.

Are fingerprints always required?

No. Fingerprint and criminal history requirements vary by state and resident/nonresident status. When listed, follow the state/vendor timing carefully because some fingerprint results expire quickly.

Does this replace state instructions?

No. This is a TSI National working guide. The state department of insurance, Sircon/NIPR, and the exam vendor control final requirements.

State Licensing Quick Guide

ALABAMA

Exam provider
University of AL
Prelicense education required?
No
Criminal history report
Consent
Fingerprints
Res – X (FieldPrint) Fingerprints are valid for 30 days only. The department recommends that fingerprints be submitted after successful passage of the insurance exam and the day before applying for the license.
Order of licensing process
1. Schedule and pass license exam
2. Submit fingerprints
3. Submit license application and fees
including proof of citizenship
4. Obtain company appointment
Paper application
No, electronic only
Exam attempts
After a second failure, applicant must wait 3 months before making a third attempt. If applicant fails two more times he or she must wait 6 months.

ALASKA#

Exam provider
Pearson VUE
Prelicense education required?
No
Criminal history report
Consent
Fingerprints
Res – X
Available at Anchorage exam site State of Alaska Department of Public Safety
Order of licensing process
1. Schedule and pass license exam
2. Submit fingerprints
3. Submit application and fees
Paper application
Yes, electronic preferred
Exam attempts
No limit

ARIZONA

Exam provider
PSI
Prelicense education required?
No
Criminal history report
Consent
Fingerprints
Res – X
FieldPrint arizona.fieldprint.com
Order of licensing process
1. Schedule and pass exam
2. Submit fingerprints
3. Provide proof of lawful presence
4. Submit license application and fees
Paper application
Yes, electronic preferred
Exam attempts
Applicants are limited to 4 attempts within a 1-yr period. After the 4th attempt applicant must wait 1 yr. from last attempt.

ARKANSAS#

Exam provider
PSI
Prelicense education required?
Yes
Criminal history report
Res X
Fingerprints
Not listed
Order of licensing process
1. Complete prelicense education (major lines)
2. Submit license application and fees
3. Submit criminal background report
4. Obtain exam authorization and pass
license exam
5. Obtain company appointment
Paper application
No, electronic only
Exam attempts
Must pass within 90 days or 3 attempts. Failure to pass requires a wait of 4 weeks and repeat the process of applying for approval to test.

CALIFORNIA

Exam provider
PSI
Prelicense education required?
Yes
Criminal history report
Consent
Fingerprints
Res- X
Available at exam site or Accurate Biometrics .
Applicants should bring Live Scan Request form with them to fingerprint site.
NR -X Prior to applying unless filed in res. state
Order of licensing process
1. Complete prelicense education
2. Schedule and pass license exam
3. Submit fingerprints
4. Submit license application
5. Obtain company appointment
Paper application
No, electronic only
Exam attempts
10 attempts
An applicant who fails 10 times is barred from taking that exam for 12 months from the last failed exam.

COLORADO

Exam provider
Pearson VUE
Prelicense education required?
Yes
Criminal history report
Consent
Fingerprints
Not listed
Order of licensing process
1. Complete prelicense education
2. Schedule and pass license exam
3. Submit license application and fees
including proof of citizenship
Paper application
No, electronic only
Exam attempts
Candidates taking online exam are allowed 2 attempts per exam. Subsequent exams must be taken at exam site.

CONNECTICUT

Exam provider
Pearson VUE
Prelicense education required?
Yes
Criminal history report
Consent
Fingerprints
Not listed
Order of licensing process
1. Complete prelicense education
2. Schedule and pass license exam
3. Submit license application and fees
4. Obtain company appointment
Paper application
No, electronic only
Exam attempts
Candidates taking online exam are allowed 2 attempts per exam. Subsequent exams must be taken at exam site.

DELAWARE#

Exam provider
Pearson VUE
Prelicense education required?
No
Criminal history report
Res – X
Dated within 90 days
Fingerprints
Res – X State and federal criminal history information obtained from the Delaware State Police.
Request fingerprint card from state police
Order of licensing process
1. Submit application and fees
2. Schedule and Pass exam
3. Submit State Criminal Background
Report and fingerprint card.
4. Obtain company appointment
Paper application
No, electronic only
Exam attempts
Major lines candidates retake only the failed portion, but must pass the failed portion within 1yr. of passing the first portion or retake entire exam.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Exam provider
Pearson VUE
Prelicense education required?
No
Criminal history report
Consent
Fingerprints
Res – Taken and submitted to DISB by FieldPrint.
Order of licensing process
1. Schedule and pass license exam
2. Submit license application and fees
3. Schedule and submit fingerprints
4. Obtain company appointment
Paper application
No, electronic only
Exam attempts
No limit

FLORIDA

Exam provider
Pearson VUE
Prelicense education required?
Yes
Criminal history report
Consent
Fingerprints
Res – Live Scan, (IdentoGO) registration
NR – 2 cards required or Live Scan, (IdentoGO) registration
Order of licensing process
1. Applicant must have a valid SSN and
if a legal alien, work authorization is
also required
2. Complete prelicense education
3. Submit application with fees
4. Register and submit fingerprints
5. Schedule and pass license exam
6. Obtain company appointment
Paper application
No, electronic only
Exam attempts
Limited to 5 attempts for same exam in a 12-month period. When 5 attempts has been reached, candidate must wait until there are only 4 exams in the 12-month period.

GEORGIA

Exam provider
Pearson VUE
Prelicense education required?
Yes
Criminal history report
Consent
Fingerprints
Georgia Applicant Processing Services, via IdentoGO.
Order of licensing process
1. Complete prelicense education
2. Schedule and pass license exam
3. Complete Citizenship Affidavit
4. Submit license application and fees
5. Submit fingerprints
6. Obtain company appointment
Paper application
No, electronic only
Exam attempts
1st and 2nd failure, wait 14 days to retest. 3rd or more must wait 60 days. Online exam may only be attempted twice then retest at exam site. No limit.

HAWAII

Exam provider
Pearson VUE
Prelicense education required?
No
Criminal history report
Consent
Fingerprints
Res Obtain from FieldPrint
(Fingerprints are valid for 60 days)
Order of licensing process
1. Schedule and pass license exam
2. Submit fingerprints
3. Submit application and fees
4. Obtain company appointment
Paper application
No, electronic only
Exam attempts
No limit, however tests taken via OnVUE that result in failure, wait 2 weeks to retest. Second and subsequent tests via OnVue must wait 4 weeks.

IDAHO

Exam provider
Pearson VUE
Prelicense education required?
No
Criminal history report
Consent
Fingerprints
Res – Live Scan through exam vendor, Pearson VUE
Order of licensing process
1. Schedule and pass license exam
2. Submit fingerprints
3. Submit application and fees
4. Obtain company appointment
Paper application
No, electronic only
Exam attempts
No limit on attempts. Results are valid for 180 days.

ILLINOIS

Exam provider
Pearson VUE
Prelicense education required?
Yes
Criminal history report
Consent
Fingerprints
Not listed
Order of licensing process
1. Complete prelicense education
2. Schedule and pass license exam
3. Submit license application and fees five days following exam
Paper application
No, electronic only
Exam attempts
No limit on attempts, but must pass both the general designated exam and the state designated exam within 90 days.

INDIANA

Exam provider
Pearson VUE
Prelicense education required?
Yes
Criminal history report
Consent
Fingerprints
Not listed
Order of licensing process
1. Complete prelicense education
2. Schedule and pass license exam
3. Submit license application and fees
Paper application
Yes, electronic preferred
Exam attempts
No limit

IOWA#

Exam provider
Pearson VUE
Prelicense education required?
No
Criminal history report
Consent
Fingerprints
Res – Obtain via FieldPrint. License application must be submitted prior to fingerprinting.
Order of licensing process
1. Schedule and pass license exam
2. Submit application and fees
3. Submit fingerprints
4. Obtain company appointment
Paper application
No, electronic only
Exam attempts
No limit

KANSAS

Exam provider
Pearson VUE
Prelicense education required?
No
Criminal history report
Consent
Fingerprints
Res – X
Request fingerprint cards from the KS DOI and complete the waiver agreement. Prints are taken by local law enforcement agency and mailed to KS DOI Sign cards in the presences of law enforcement. Digital print may be accepted if in FD258 format.
Order of licensing process
1. Obtain tax clearance from Dept of Revenue
2. Submit license application and fees
3. Submit fingerprints and waiver
4. Provide proof of FINRA registration for variable
5. Pass license exam (exam may be taken in advance of submitting application)
6. Obtain company appointment
Paper application
Yes, electronic preferred
Exam attempts
No limit but must wait 7 days between each attempt.

KENTUCKY#

Exam provider
State
Prelicense education required?
Yes
Criminal history report
Res – X
Fingerprints
Not listed
Order of licensing process
1. Complete prelicense education
2. Request criminal background check
via Admin Office of the Courts
3. Submit license application and fees
4. Schedule and pass license exam
5. Obtain company appointment
Paper application
Yes, electronic preferred
Exam attempts
Unlimited attempts within 120 day period. After 120 days, application will be rejected. Exam retake cannot occur same day as failed exam.

LOUISIANA

Exam provider
PSI
Prelicense education required?
No
Criminal history report
Consent
Fingerprints
Res – taken at exam site
Order of licensing process
1. Schedule and pass license exam
2. Submit license application and fees
3. Submit fingerprints
4. Obtain company appointment
Paper application
No, electronic only
Exam attempts
No limit

MAINE

Exam provider
Pearson VUE
Prelicense education required?
No
Criminal history report
Consent
Fingerprints
Not listed
Order of licensing process
1. Schedule and pass license exam
2. Submit application and fees
3. Obtain company appointment
Paper application
Yes
Exam attempts
No limit

MARYLAND

Exam provider
Prometric
Prelicense education required?
No
Criminal history report
Consent
Fingerprints
Not listed
Order of licensing process
1. Schedule and pass license exam
2. Submit license application and fees
Paper application
No, electronic only
Exam attempts
Candidates must wait 4 days after each attempt. No limit to number of attempts.

MASSACHUSETTS

Exam provider
Prometric
Prelicense education required?
No
Criminal history report
Consent
Fingerprints
Not listed
Order of licensing process
1. Schedule and pass license exam
2. Submit application and fees
3. Obtain company appointment
Paper application
Yes
Exam attempts
No limit

MICHIGAN

Exam provider
PSI
Prelicense education required?
Yes
Criminal history report
Consent
Fingerprints
Not listed
Order of licensing process
1. Complete prelicense education
2. Schedule and pass license exam
3. Submit license application and fees
4. Obtain company appointment
Paper application
No, electronic only
Exam attempts
No limit

MINNESOTA

Exam provider
PSI
Prelicense education required?
Yes
Criminal history report
Consent
Signed background authorization form
Fingerprints
Res – taken at exam site
Order of licensing process
1. Complete prelicense education
2. Schedule and pass license exam
3. Obtain and submit fingerprints
4. Submit license application and fees
5. Obtain company appointment
Paper application
No, electronic only
Exam attempts
No limit

MISSISSIPPI

Exam provider
Pearson VUE
Prelicense education required?
No – life only
Yes – all other license types
Criminal history report
Consent
Fingerprints
Not listed
Order of licensing process
1. Complete prelicense education
2. Schedule and pass license exam
3. Submit license application and fees
4. Obtain company appointment
Paper application
Yes, electronic preferred
Exam attempts
No limit

MISSOURI

Exam provider
Pearson VUE
Prelicense education required?
No
Criminal history report
Consent
Fingerprints
Not listed
Order of licensing process
1. Schedule and pass license exam
2. Submit application and fees
3. Obtain company appointment
Paper application
Yes
Exam attempts
No limit

MONTANA

Exam provider
Pearson VUE
Prelicense education required?
No
Criminal history report
Consent
Fingerprints
Res – Impressions submitted on cards for MT criminal records search
Order of licensing process
1. Schedule and pass exam
2. Submit fingerprints
3. Submit license application and fees
4. Obtain company appointment
Paper application
No, electronic only
Exam attempts
Applicants taking an online exam are allowed 2 attempts per exam. All subsequent attempts must be taken at exam site.

NEBRASKA

Exam provider
PSI
Prelicense education required?
No
Criminal history report
Consent
Fingerprints
Not listed
Order of licensing process
1. Schedule and pass exam
2. Submit license application and fees
3. Obtain company appointment
Paper application
No, electronic only
Exam attempts
No limit

NEVADA#

Exam provider
Pearson VUE
Prelicense education required?
No
Criminal history report
Res – X
Fingerprints
Res – Law enforcement agency or authorized vendor. Live Scan Digital (preferred method) available through IdentoGO.
Order of licensing process
1. Schedule and pass license exam
2. Submit license application and fees
3. Upload supporting documentation
4. Obtain and submit fingerprints
5. Provide proof of FINRA registration
if applying for variable
6. Obtain company appointment
Paper application
No, electronic only
Exam attempts
No limit but applicants taking an online exam are allowed 2 attempts per exam. All subsequent attempts must be taken at exam site.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Exam provider
PSI
Prelicense education required?
No
Criminal history report
Consent
Fingerprints
Not listed
Order of licensing process
1. Schedule and pass exam
2. Submit license application and fees
3. Obtain company appointment
Paper application
No, electronic only
Exam attempts
No limit

NEW JERSEY

Exam provider
PSI
Prelicense education required?
Yes
Criminal history report
Res – Consent
Fingerprints
Res – Live Scan
Order of licensing process
1. Complete prelicense education
2. Schedule and pass license exam
3. Submit fingerprints
4. Submit license application and fees
5. Obtain company appointment
Paper application
Yes, electronic preferred
Exam attempts
No limit

NEW MEXICO

Exam provider
PSI
Prelicense education required?
No
Criminal history report
Consent
Fingerprints
Res – X (IdentoGO)
Order of licensing process
1. Schedule and pass license exam
3. Submit fingerprints
4. Submit license application and fees
5. Obtain company appointment
Paper application
No, electronic only
Exam attempts
4 attempts. After the 4th failed exam there is a 6 months waiting period to retake exam.

NEW YORK

Exam provider
PSI
Prelicense education required?
Yes
Criminal history report
Consent
Fingerprints
Not listed
Order of licensing process
1. Complete prelicense education
2. Schedule and pass license exam
3. Submit license application (3 days following exam) and fees include CRD number if applying for variable
4. Obtain company appointment
Paper application
Yes, electronic preferred
Exam attempts
No limit

NORTH CAROLINA

Exam provider
Pearson VUE
Prelicense education required?
No
Criminal history report
Consent
Fingerprints
Res – Live Scan
Order of licensing process
1. Schedule and pass license exam
2. Submit license application and fees
3. Submit fingerprints
4. Obtain company appointment
Paper application
No, electronic only
Exam attempts
Follow current Pearson VUE/NCDOI exam rules.
  • TSI note: Updated per TSI compliance note: North Carolina removed the prelicensing requirement.

NORTH DAKOTA

Exam provider
PSI
Prelicense education required?
No
Criminal history report
Consent
Fingerprints
Res – Live Scan taken at exam site
Order of licensing process
1. Schedule and pass license exam
2. Submit fingerprints
3. Submit license application and fees
4. Obtain company appointment
Paper application
No, electronic only
Exam attempts
No limit

OHIO

Exam provider
PSI
Prelicense education required?
Yes
Criminal history report
Res – X
Fingerprints
Res – X
National WebCheck
Order of licensing process
1. Complete prelicense education
2. Schedule and pass license exam
3. Submit fingerprints
4. Submit license application and fees
5. Obtain company appointment
Paper application
No, electronic only
Exam attempts
No limit

OKLAHOMA

Exam provider
PSI
Prelicense education required?
No
Criminal history report
Consent
Fingerprints
Not listed
Order of licensing process
1. Schedule and pass license exam
2. Three days after exam submit license app
3. Obtain company appointment
Paper application
No, electronic only
Exam attempts
No limit

OREGON

Exam provider
PSI
Prelicense education required?
Yes
Criminal history report
Consent
Fingerprints
Res – X
taken at exam site
Order of licensing process
1. Complete prelicense education
2. Schedule and pass license exam
3. Submit fingerprints
4. Submit license application and fees
5. Obtain company appointment (not submitted to DOI)
Paper application
No, electronic only
Exam attempts
No limit

PENNSYLVANIA

Exam provider
PSI
Prelicense education required?
No
Criminal history report
Consent
Fingerprints
Res – X
IdentoGO Enrollment Center
Order of licensing process
1. Schedule and pass license exam
2. Submit fingerprints
3. Submit license application and fees
4. Obtain company appointment
Paper application
Yes, electronic preferred
Exam attempts
Must pass failed portion within 90 days.

RHODE ISLAND#

Exam provider
Pearson VUE
Prelicense education required?
No
Criminal history report
Res – X
Fingerprints
Not listed
Order of licensing process
1. Pass licensing exam
2. Apply for license 3-5 days after passing
exam
3. Obtain and submit BCI report with NIPR
transaction number
Paper application
No, electronic only
Exam attempts
No limit
After 2 failed attempts via online testing candidate must register and test at a physical site.

SOUTH CAROLINA

Exam provider
Pearson VUE
Prelicense education required?
No
Criminal history report
Consent
Fingerprints
Res-IdentoGO Enrollment Center
Order of licensing process
1. Schedule and pass license exam
2. Submit license application and fees
3. Submit fingerprints
4. Obtain company appointment
Paper application
No, electronic only
Exam attempts
Each exam may only be taken 6 times in a one year period. Combination exams are presented as one score.

SOUTH DAKOTA

Exam provider
Pearson VUE
Prelicense education required?
No
Criminal history report
Consent
Fingerprints
Not listed
Order of licensing process
1. Schedule and pass license exam
2. Submit license application and fees
3. Obtain company appointment
Paper application
No, electronic only
Exam attempts
No limit
Combination exams are presented as one score.

TENNESSEE

Exam provider
Pearson VUE
Prelicense education required?
No
Criminal history report
Consent
Fingerprints
Res – IdentoGO Enrollment Center
Order of licensing process
1. Schedule and pass license exam
2. Submit Fingerprints
3. Submit license application and fees
4. Obtain company appointment
Paper application
Yes, electronic preferred
Exam attempts
Applicants who fail the first time must wait 10 days before retaking the exam. After subsequent
attempts applicant must wait 30 days.

TEXAS#

Exam provider
Pearson VUE
Prelicense education required?
No
Criminal history report
Consent
Fingerprints
Res – X
Taken at IdentoGO
Order of licensing process
1. Schedule and pass license exam
2. Submit fingerprints
3. Submit license application and fees
4. Obtain company appointment
Paper application
No, paper not accepted if electronic is available.
Exam attempts
No limit

UTAH

Exam provider
Prometric
Prelicense education required?
No
Criminal history report
Consent
Fingerprints
Res – X
Live Scan taken at exam site
Order of licensing process
1. Schedule and pass license exam
2. Submit license application and fees
3. Submit fingerprints
4. Obtain company appointment
Paper application
No, electronic only
Exam attempts
No limit

VERMONT

Exam provider
Prometric
Prelicense education required?
No
Criminal history report
Consent
Fingerprints
Not listed
Order of licensing process
1. Schedule and pass license exam
2. Submit license application and fees
48 hours following exam
3. Obtain company appointment
Paper application
Yes, hardship exception only
Exam attempts
Not listed

VIRGINIA

Exam provider
Prometric
Prelicense education required?
No
Criminal history report
Consent
Fingerprints
Res – Obtain via FieldPrint. License application must be submitted within 90 days of fingerprinting.
Order of licensing process
1. Schedule and pass license exam
2. Submit fingerprints
4. Submit license application and fees
5. Obtain company appointment
Paper application
No, electronic only
Exam attempts
3 attempts. After 3rd failing score, there is a 30 calendar day waiting period before retaking the exam.

WASHINGTON

Exam provider
PSI
Prelicense education required?
No
Criminal history report
Consent
Fingerprints
Res – X
Available at exam site or IdentoGO
Order of licensing process
1. Schedule and pass license exam
2. Submit license application and fees
3. Submit fingerprints
4. Obtain company appointment
Paper application
No, electronic only
Exam attempts
No limit

WEST VIRGINIA

Exam provider
Pearson VUE
Prelicense education required?
Yes
Criminal history report
Consent
Fingerprints
Res – X
IdentoGO Enrollment Center
Order of licensing process
1. Complete prelicense education
2. Schedule and pass license exam
3. Submit fingerprints
4. Submit license application and fees
5. Obtain company appointment
Paper application
Yes, electronic preferred
Exam attempts
Candidates are limited to 8 attempts to pass each line of authority.

WISCONSIN

Exam provider
PSI
Prelicense education required?
Yes
Criminal history report
Res – X (electronic process)
Fingerprints
Res – Obtain via FieldPrint. Fingerprints can be submitted at any time but an application will not be processed until fingerprints results are received.
Order of licensing process
1. Complete prelicense education
2. Submit fingerprints
3. Schedule and pass license exam
4. Submit license application and fees
5. Obtain company appointment
Paper application
No, electronic only
Exam attempts
No limit

WYOMING

Exam provider
Pearson VUE
Prelicense education required?
No
Criminal history report
Res – X
Fingerprints
Res
Upon receipt of licensing app/fees, DOI sends fingerprint packet to applicant. DOI will obtain results of report from DCI.
Order of licensing process
1. Schedule and pass license exam
2. Submit license application and fees
3. Submit fingerprints
4. Obtain company appointment
Paper application
Yes, electronic preferred
Exam attempts
No limit
After 2 failed attempts via online testing candidate must register and test at a physical site.

Workbook Notes

X Required with application
*Column indicates if producer must submit criminal history report or give consent with license application.
For insurer requirements for background investigation prior to appointment, refer to the State-Required Background Investigation QuickGuide.
1. Appointment submitted after license is issued, Time restrictions may apply
2. No appointments filed. Sponsoring insurance company required to maintain current list of producers contracted to act as agents. List must be available to the Insurance Commissioner upon
request.
3. No appointments filed. Producer maintains list of appointing insurers. List must be available to the Insurance Commissioner upon request.

# State Specific Footnotes:

AR – License application and criminal background must be received by DOI before registering for exam. Once approved, applicant will receive an authorization to test.
AK – Non-Anchorage candidates should submit 1 fingerprint card to the DOI office.
DE – Fingerprint and background results are sent to applicant who then submits to DOI by fax or email.
IA – All Non-Citizens of the U.S. must provide a copy of a work permit issued by the Department of Immigration for the state.
KY – Financial responsibility required but proof is not required to be filed with license application.
NV – Applicants must attach a completed Fingerprint Background Waiver form to application. Non-citizens must submit work authorization.
RI – Residents must carry E&O coverage.
TX – Prelicense education requirements apply to general and limited lines temporary agent license applicants.