Last reviewed: August 21, 2026. This California guide is built from current California Department of Insurance 2026 Ethics and Insurance Code FAQ, CDI applicant guidance, and CDI/PSI examination guidance. Always verify the final rule with the state insurance department before enrolling, scheduling an exam, or submitting a license application.
Current update: The former general 20- and 40-hour producer prelicensing requirements were repealed effective January 1, 2026. Do not wait to finish the 12-hour ethics course before scheduling the exam; do complete it before the license is issued.
Quick Answer
Effective January 1, 2026, California removed the 20- and 40-hour general prelicensing requirements for major-line producer applicants. The 12-hour Ethics and California Insurance Code course remains required before license issuance, but it is not required before scheduling or taking the licensing examination.
| Prelicensing education | 12-hour ethics course required before license issuance |
|---|---|
| Exam provider | PSI |
| Criminal history report | Consent and disclosure review as required by CDI |
| Fingerprints | Follow current CDI instructions for resident fingerprint impressions. CDI's 2026 applicant FAQ says to pass the exam, submit fingerprints, and then submit the license application. |
| Paper application | Electronic application is the normal resident path |
| Exam attempts | Verify the current retake limits in the CDI/PSI Candidate Information Bulletin |
Required Prelicensing Hours
- Major-line producer licenses: no 20- or 40-hour general prelicensing course requirement effective January 1, 2026.
- 12-hour California Ethics and Insurance Code course: required before license issuance.
- The 12-hour course does not have to be completed before scheduling or taking the licensing examination.
- Bail agents and public insurance adjusters remain subject to separate 20-hour requirements.
Study Method, Certificate, and Validity Rules
Allowed study method:
- Use the current CDI examination objectives and a focused preparation course for the license examination.
- Complete a CDI-approved 12-hour Ethics and California Insurance Code course before license issuance.
Certificate submission:
Follow the approved ethics-course provider and CDI completion-reporting instructions; retain the completion record.
Certificate validity: The 12-hour ethics course must be completed before license issuance; verify current completion-record validity with CDI.
Common exemption references:
The 2026 repeal applies to property, casualty, commercial lines, personal lines, limited lines automobile, life, and accident and health or sickness producer applicants; it does not repeal separate bail-agent or public-adjuster requirements.
Licensing Workflow
The order matters because some states require education, fingerprints, background items, exam authorization, or an application step before another step can happen. For California, the source workflow is:
- Study the current CDI license examination objectives; a general 20- or 40-hour producer course is no longer required
- Schedule and pass the PSI licensing examination
- Submit fingerprints under the current CDI resident instructions
- Submit the resident license application
- Complete the approved 12-hour Ethics and California Insurance Code course before license issuance
- Complete any required insurer appointment
How to Prepare for the Exam
Use the current state examination objectives and a focused exam-prep course to study. The required ethics and insurance-code course is a license-issuance requirement, not a prerequisite for scheduling or taking the major-line producer examination.
TSI National supports national insurance licensing workflows with courses, practice tests, video learning, and live class options. Start with the current course catalog here: TSI National insurance prelicensing courses.
State Verification Links
- Official state insurance department
- State license lookup / licensing page
- Current rule update note
- NIPR state requirements center
FAQ
Does California require insurance prelicensing education?
Effective January 1, 2026, California removed the 20- and 40-hour general prelicensing requirements for major-line producer applicants. The 12-hour Ethics and California Insurance Code course remains required before license issuance, but it is not required before scheduling or taking the licensing examination.
Who is the exam provider for California?
The current reviewed sources list PSI. Confirm the current candidate handbook before choosing an exam date.
Should I study if California has no required prelicensing hours?
Yes. No-hour states still test insurance terms, state law, products, ethics, and licensing rules. A prep course and practice tests can reduce wasted exam attempts.
Can a nonresident use this guide?
This page is written for resident licensing workflow planning. Nonresident applicants usually follow reciprocity rules through NIPR or the state portal, so verify the nonresident path before applying.
Compliance note: This page is a practical study and licensing workflow guide, not legal advice. State requirements can change; verify current rules with the state insurance department, NIPR, Sircon, Pearson VUE, PSI, or the applicable exam vendor before acting.