Last verified: October 25, 2026. Your state's Department of Insurance and candidate handbook are the final authority.
The short answer
Getting a life insurance license follows the same basic order in every state: pick your license line, finish any required pre-licensing education, pass the state exam, get fingerprinted, apply for the license (usually through NIPR), then get appointed with carriers. The details (hours, fees, vendors) vary by state, so this checklist links each item to the official source you should confirm it against. For the full walkthrough, see our guide to becoming an insurance agent.
Want it on paper? Get the printable version of this checklist free in the printable checklist appendix.
Before you start: what to have ready
- A government-issued photo ID that matches the name you'll use on your exam reservation and application.
- Your Social Security number (license applications ask for it).
- An email address you check daily; exam results, deficiency notices and approvals usually arrive by email.
- Honest answers to background questions. Applications ask about criminal history and administrative actions, so read your state's guidance first if you have a past issue.
- Your state's candidate handbook, downloaded from the exam vendor (Pearson VUE, PSI or Prometric, depending on your state).
Step 1: Choose your license line and check your state's rules
Decide which line of authority you need. TPG agents sell life insurance and related products, so this checklist covers the life line (TPG doesn't work in property and casualty). Then open your state's Department of Insurance site and candidate handbook to confirm age, education and exam requirements. Our state-by-state licensing pages link to each state's details.
- Line of authority chosen (life, or life and health)
- State DOI licensing page bookmarked
- Candidate handbook downloaded
Step 2: Complete any required pre-licensing education
Requirements range widely. California no longer requires pre-licensing hours before the exam for life, but you must complete a 12-hour course on ethics and the California Insurance Code before the license is issued (California Department of Insurance). Ohio requires 20 hours of pre-licensing education for the life line, and the course certificate is valid for 180 days (Ohio candidate handbook). Other states fall somewhere in between, so hours vary by state; check with your state's Department of Insurance.
One option is the $39 JustInsurance pre-licensing course. Any course approved in your state works.
- Required hours confirmed for your state
- State-approved course completed
- Completion certificate saved (note its expiration date)
Step 3: Schedule and pass the state exam
Book through your state's vendor and pay at reservation. Examples: the Texas Life Agent exam is $39 (Pearson VUE Texas handbook), the Georgia Life Agent exam is $67 (Pearson VUE Georgia handbook) and the Ohio life exam is $49 (Ohio candidate handbook). See what's on the exam and how to study.
- Exam reserved (many vendors require booking at least 24 hours ahead)
- Matching ID ready for exam day
- Score report saved after you pass
A passing score doesn't last forever. In Florida, for example, a passing score is valid for one year (Pearson VUE Florida handbook), so don't wait long to apply.
Step 4: Get fingerprinted
Most states require fingerprints for a new resident license. The vendor and fee depend on your state: Ohio charges $72.25 at a PSI site (Ohio candidate handbook), and Georgia uses IdentoGO after you submit your application (Pearson VUE Georgia handbook). Fees and processing times vary by state; check with your state's Department of Insurance.
- Fingerprint vendor and order of steps confirmed (some states want the application first)
- Fingerprint appointment completed and receipt saved
Step 5: Apply for your license
Most states take resident applications through NIPR or a state portal such as Sircon. NIPR charges a $5.60 transaction fee on top of the state's license fee (NIPR). State fees differ: for example $50 in Texas (Pearson VUE Texas handbook), $10 in Ohio (Ohio candidate handbook), and a $100 license fee plus $20 processing fee in Georgia (Pearson VUE Georgia handbook).
- Application submitted and fees paid
- Any deficiency notice answered quickly
- License number and National Producer Number (NPN) recorded
Step 6: Get E&O coverage and carrier appointments
A license lets you sell in your state; an appointment lets you sell a specific carrier's products. Carriers run their own contracting checks, and they require errors and omissions (E&O) insurance. Some states charge appointment fees; rules vary by state and carrier. Read more about getting appointed and E&O for agents.
- E&O policy in place
- Carrier contracting paperwork submitted
- Appointments confirmed before you sell
What TPG reimburses (and what it doesn't)
Joining TPG is free. Agents are independent 1099 contractors. After your first three sales, TPG reimburses:
- The $39 JustInsurance licensing course
- Your state exam fee
- Your state license fee
TPG does not reimburse fingerprinting, the NIPR fee or appointment fees. Reimbursement only applies if and when those three sales happen; sales and income aren't guaranteed.
FAQ
What documents do I need for an insurance license?
Usually a government photo ID, your Social Security number, a pre-licensing certificate if your state requires one, your exam score report and fingerprint receipt. Some states ask for more; Georgia, for example, requires a notarized citizenship or lawful-presence affidavit (Pearson VUE Georgia handbook).
What is the first step to getting a life insurance license?
Check your state's requirements and complete any required pre-licensing education. Some states, like Ohio, require a course before you can test.
How much does a life insurance license cost in total?
It depends on your state: a course (if required), the exam fee, fingerprints, the state license fee and the $5.60 NIPR fee. See our Texas, Florida and California cost breakdowns.
Is there a free printable insurance license checklist?
Yes. Use it free in the printable checklist appendix.
Next step
- Free printable checklist
- Join TPG free and get help with licensing and contracting. A license doesn't guarantee acceptance, carrier appointment or sales.
Sources
- California Department of Insurance, 12-hour ethics FAQ
- Ohio Department of Insurance candidate handbook
- Pearson VUE candidate handbooks: Texas (124400), Georgia (121100), Florida (121000)
- NIPR, Apply for an initial license
Life Insurance License Checklist (2026)
From The Price Group · thepricegroup.io · Verified October 25, 2026. Confirm every item with your state's Department of Insurance.
My state: ____________ Exam vendor: ____________ Target exam date: ____________
1. Get ready
- Government photo ID (name matches your application)
- Social Security number
- State candidate handbook downloaded
- Background questions reviewed (criminal history / administrative actions)
2. Pre-licensing education
- Required hours confirmed (ranges from none before the exam in CA, plus a 12-hour ethics course before licensing, to 20 hours in OH)
- State-approved course completed · Date: ______
- Certificate saved · Expires: ______
3. State exam
- Exam booked (often 24+ hours ahead) · Fee paid: $______
- ID packed for exam day
- Passed · Score report saved · Date: ______
- Note: passing scores expire (e.g., 1 year in FL). Apply soon.
4. Fingerprints
- Vendor confirmed (e.g., IdentoGO in GA, PSI in OH) · Fee: $______
- Appointment done · Receipt saved
5. License application
- Applied via NIPR or state portal · State fee: $______ · NIPR fee: $5.60
- Deficiency notices answered
- License # ____________ · NPN ____________
6. Before you sell
- E&O insurance in place (carriers require it)
- Carrier contracting submitted
- Appointments confirmed
Cost tracker
| Item | Paid | Reimbursed by TPG after 3 sales? |
|---|---|---|
| Licensing course ($39 JustInsurance) | $____ | Yes |
| State exam fee | $____ | Yes |
| State license fee | $____ | Yes |
| Fingerprinting | $____ | No |
| NIPR fee ($5.60) | $____ | No |
| Appointment fees | $____ | No |
Joining TPG is free. Agents are independent 1099 contractors. Reimbursement applies only after your first three sales; sales and income are not guaranteed.
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