Insurance sales agent: state license, then on-the-job training
Agents typically need a high school diploma, though some employers prefer a bachelor's degree. Every agent needs a license in each state where they work, with separate licenses for life and health and for property and casualty; selling securities also takes FINRA exams.
For: Confident, persistent people who like meeting clients and explaining options, and can handle rejection.
Route 1: Pre-licensing course → state exam → license Required
In most states, licenses are issued only to applicants who complete specified courses and pass state exams on insurance fundamentals and state insurance laws.
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Start here
High school diploma
Some employers prefer a bachelor's degree in a field such as business.
BLS
Insurance Sales Agents — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Courses
State-specified courses
BLS
Insurance Sales Agents — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Exam gate
State licensing exam
Life and health insurance and property and casualty insurance need separate licenses.
BLS
Insurance Sales Agents — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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License
State insurance license
Needed in every state where you work; most states also require continuing education.
License steps by stateBLS
Insurance Sales Agents — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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On the job
Shadow an experienced agent
Learn the products, the sales process and how to work with clients.
BLS
Insurance Sales Agents — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Goal
Insurance sales agent
BLS
Insurance Sales Agents — Summary (Quick Facts)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
Route 2: Adding securities: FINRA exams To sell financial products
Some agents also sell securities and other financial products.
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Start here
Licensed insurance agent
BLS
Insurance Sales Agents — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Exam gate
SIE
Open to anyone 18 or older; no firm needed; valid for four years.
FINRA
Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) ExamFinancial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
Open to anyone 18 or older; no firm association needed; a pass stays valid for four years. Re-read 2026-10-20 from the Internet Archive capture of 4 Oct 2026 (finra.org blocks automated reads).
View source -
Exam gate
Series 6 or Series 7
Series 6 is for agents who sell products such as mutual funds and variable annuities; Series 7 qualifies a general securities representative.
BLS
Insurance Sales Agents — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
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Goal
Agent who also sells securities
FINRA representative exams need a sponsoring member firm.
FINRA
Series 7 — General Securities Representative ExamFinancial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
finra.org answers automated reads with a Cloudflare check; read from the Internet Archive capture of 16 Oct 2026.
View source
Licenses, registrations and certifications
Each one is marked: a state or federal license is the law, a registration through an employer comes with the job, and a voluntary certification is one employers may ask for.
- State insurance license
State licensing authorities · State license - Required. Separate licenses for life and health and for property and casualty insurance.
BLS
Insurance Sales Agents — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
- FINRA Series 6 or Series 7
FINRA, through a sponsoring firm · Registration through an employer - Needed only to sell securities and other financial products.
BLS
Insurance Sales Agents — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
- Insurance specialty certifications
Industry organizations · Voluntary - Not required for employment, but may give candidates an advantage.
BLS
Insurance Sales Agents — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
State licensing matrix
Agents must be licensed in each state where they work. Most state licensing authorities also require continuing education on insurance laws, consumer protection, ethics and policy details. BLS
View source
| State or city | What you need |
|---|---|
| Texas Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) |
No prelicensing course: pass the state exam first (InsTX-LAH05 for life, accident and health; InsTX-PC06 for property and casualty), get fingerprints through IdentoGO, then apply on Sircon or NIPR within one year. Agent application fee $50. A temporary license needs a sponsor who already has an insurance license; it lasts 180 days and cannot be renewed. TDIGeneral lines – life, accident, health and HMO: apply for a licenseTexas Department of Insurance (TDI)
TDICareers in insurance: How to become an insurance agent or adjusterTexas Department of Insurance (TDI)
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| California California Department of Insurance (CDI) |
From 1 January 2026 the 20-hour prelicensing course is no longer required for property, casualty, personal and commercial lines, limited line automobile, life, and accident and health licenses. The 12 hours of ethics and California Insurance Code is still required before the license is issued (not before the exam). Fingerprints come after the exam, before the application. California CDI12 Hours of Ethics and California Insurance Code — Frequently Asked Questions (AB 943)California Department of Insurance (CDI)
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| New York Department of Financial Services (DFS) |
A DFS-approved prelicensing course: 40 hours for life, accident and health (20 for life only or accident and health only), 40 for personal lines, 90 for property/casualty. Holders of CPCU, CLU, ChFC and some other designations are exempt. Exams are given by PSI. NY DFSAgent and Broker Prelicensing EducationNew York State Department of Financial Services (DFS)
dfs.ny.gov answers automated reads with 403; read from the Internet Archive capture of 10 Mar 2026. View source |
Where to go next
Every career page in this cluster: entry, license, BLS pay and outlook.
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