Washington
Washington Insurance Licensing Requirements
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On this page, you’ll find a comprehensive guide for becoming a licensed insurance agent and the Washington state requirements. We’ll walk you through the process, and we’ll be here to answer any questions you have along the way.
The Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) requires each person selling insurance in the state to hold an insurance producer license. You will choose which line of authority you want to be licensed in: health insurance, life insurance, property and casualty insurance, or any combination of those lines.
Once you know which license you need, you’re ready to begin. In the State of Washington, there are 5 steps to getting your insurance license.
Step 1: Complete a Prelicensing Course
The first step is to complete a prelicensing course. A.D. Banker offers prelicensing courses that will prepare you to successfully pass the state exam on your first attempt. We offer online courses that can be supplemented with web classes and learning tools like flashcards and study manuals.
Note: As of 7/24/2023, prelicensing education is no longer required in Washington.
Step 2: Pass a Licensing Exam
After you finish your prelicensing course, you are now ready to take the state licensing exam. You must score 70% or higher to pass your state licensing exam.
Step 3: Apply for a License
After passing the exam, you are ready to submit your license application and pay the application fee with the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR).
Step 4: Get Fingerprinted
Washington requires fingerprint impressions from all unlicensed applicants. E-fingerprint services are offered at all IDEMIA IdentoGO centers.
Fingerprinting can be scheduled at an IdentoGO center. For more information, or to schedule reservations at any of the available Washington state centers, please contact IdentoGO online or by calling (888) 771-5097.
Step 5: Plan for Continuing Education
Insurance continuing education (CE) is required for all Washington resident insurance agents for license renewal. The CE requirements for agents are generally 24 hours every 2 years, including 3 hours of ethics training. There are additional requirements to sell certain products, such as annuities, long-term care, and flood insurance.
Nonresident license holders are currently required to adhere to their home state’s continuing education requirements.
It’s important to stay on top of any changes to Washington laws and licensing requirements, which can be found on the Washington OIC website.
Washington Licensing FAQ
Where can I take the state exam?
- Remote exams are available to ensure accessibility and safety. These exams require you to have a computer or laptop that is compatible with the PSI Bridge remote testing platform. Exams may also be taken in-person at a PSI testing site.
- If you do not have a compatible computer, you must schedule an in-person exam.
How do I schedule my state exam?
- Every insurance licensing exam is accompanied by an exam fee that must be paid at the time of reservation by a credit or debit card, voucher, or electronic check. You can schedule your state exam through PSI.
How should I prepare for my in-person state exam?
- Report to the testing center 30 minutes before your exam time for the check-in process.
- You will be required to present a valid government ID.
- If you arrive late, you will not be admitted to the test center and will forfeit the exam fee.
- No personal items are allowed in the testing center.
- Food and drink are also prohibited.
- If you have any questions about the exam process, testing locations, or security measures, please contact PSI or the Washington Department of Insurance.
What is the format of the state exam?
- All licensing exams are taken on a computer and are multiple choice. The exam will cover both a general section with basic insurance product knowledge and a state section with specific insurance laws, rules, regulations, and practices that are unique to Washington.
How long is the state exam?
Depending on which line of insurance you are testing on, the amount of time and number of questions on the exam vary. Exams will last 2 hours and 15 minutes to 3 hours and fifteen minutes and can have 100–150 questions.
| Exam Type | Time | Questions |
| Life | 2 hours 30 minutes | 100 |
| Disability | 2 hours 30 minutes | 100 |
| Life & Disability Combo | 3 hours 15 minutes | 150 |
| Property | 2 hours 30 minutes | 100 |
| Casualty | 2 hours 30 minutes | 100 |
| Property & Casualty Combo | 3 hours 15 minutes | 150 |
| Personal Lines | 2 hours 15 minutes | 100 |
| Adjuster | 2 hours 15 minutes | 100 |
What score do I need to pass my state exam?
- For all insurance exams, you need a score of 70% or higher to pass. Immediately after your exam, you will receive a pass or fail notification.
What happens if I fail my state exam?
- You will receive a diagnostic report indicating your strengths and weaknesses on the exam. You can send a copy of your score report to curriculum@adbanker.com for our team to review and respond with personalized feedback. You must wait 24 hours to reschedule a new exam. If you would like more detailed information, or if you have any questions about the exam process, please visit PSI’s website.
Disclaimer
This information is intended for general guidance and is subject to change based on updates from the Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) and PSI. Please visit the official Washington OIC website for the most up-to-date information on licensing, continuing education, and exam policies.