California Insurance License Guide

The main sequence

Most resident producer candidates choose the line of authority they need, complete required California prelicensing and Ethics/California Insurance Code education, study the CDI exam objectives, pass the PSI license exam, submit the license application through Sircon Online Services or NIPR, and submit fingerprints through the California live scan process. [2] [4] [7] [11]

Start with the license type

Common producer paths include Life-Only, Accident & Health, Life plus Accident & Health, Property Broker-Agent, Casualty Broker-Agent, Property & Casualty Broker-Agent, Personal Lines Broker-Agent, and Limited Lines Automobile Insurance Agent. Confirm your exact license type with CDI before you pay for a course, schedule an exam, or file an application. [1] [13]

Use the current CDI instructions

California rules, forms, fees, vendor details, and exam bulletins can change. Treat CDI as the authority and use CertLaunch as a planning guide, not a substitute for the current state instructions.

General insurance plus Ethics/California Insurance Code

CDI Form LIC 446-8 lists both general insurance hours and Ethics/California Insurance Code hours. Life-Only, Accident & Health, Property Broker-Agent, Casualty Broker-Agent, Personal Lines, and Limited Lines Automobile examples each list 20 general hours plus 12 Ethics/California Insurance Code hours. [13]

Combined lines require more general hours

Life, Accident & Health Agent candidates and Property & Casualty Broker-Agent candidates are listed with 40 general insurance hours plus 12 Ethics/California Insurance Code hours. The 12 Ethics/California Insurance Code hours only need to be taken once under LIC 446-8. [13]

Check approval before enrolling

Some nonresident applicants or candidates with certain designations may have different education rules. Before choosing a prelicensing course, verify current CDI approval, course fit, access length, practice tools, support, and completion reporting. You can start with the California insurance prelicensing school comparison. [12] [14]

Schedule through PSI

CDI identifies PSI Services LLC as the scheduling vendor for California DOI Producer Licensing Bureau exams. CDI says candidates can schedule with PSI online or by phone at (833) 518-7456. [7] [8]

Study from the bulletin and objectives

The CDI/PSI Candidate Information Bulletin lists exam times, question counts, procedures, score reporting, and test-center rules. Examples include 75 questions for Life, 75 for Accident and Health or Sickness, 150 for Life plus Accident and Health or Sickness, and 150 for Property and Casualty. [9] [10]

Passing score and exam format

The bulletin says most listed exams require 60% to pass, while Life and Disability Analyst, Adjuster, and Bail exams require 70%. CDI also says remote online proctored exams are available through PSI Bridge for all insurance licensing exams. [7] [10]

Choose the format that fits your setup

Remote testing can save travel time, but it comes with equipment, room-check, ID, and internet requirements. A PSI test center may feel more structured if you do not want to manage your own camera, workspace, and connection during the exam.

Convenience fees

CDI describes a $43 convenience fee for PSI test-center locations and says remote online proctored exams have a $43 fee in addition to CDI's license examination fee. Re-check current CDI and PSI fee language before paying because fee pages and vendor charges can change. [7] [15]

Avoid stale vendor assumptions

California insurance exams currently route through PSI, not Pearson VUE. If you see older or cross-state instructions naming a different vendor, follow CDI's current California page instead.

File through Sircon Online Services or NIPR

CDI says individual license applications must be submitted electronically through Sircon Online Services or NIPR, unless the applicant follows the good-cause exemption process. Keep your confirmation details and watch CDI status messages after filing. [4] [5] [6]

Submit fingerprints after applying or soon after

CDI says unlicensed applicants must submit fingerprint impressions. The fingerprint page tells new license applicants to submit fingerprints after filing the application, or soon after, so Department of Justice and FBI results can be received promptly. [11]

Capital Live Scan registration

For the CDI live scan process, use the Department fingerprinting website or Capital Live Scan portal to register, pay, and schedule. After registering through the CLS portal, present your 7-character Payment ID or QR code to the fingerprinting technician, and print or download the Request for Live Scan form as directed by CDI. CDI's current fingerprint page lists a $74 total fee through the Department live scan vendor: $17 FBI, $32 DOJ, and $25 Capital Live Scan. [11]

Fingerprint delays

Fingerprint delays can delay license approval. CDI also says if a license is not issued within 12 months after fingerprint submission, a new set of fingerprints is required. [11]

Renewal and CE basics

California insurance licenses also have renewal and continuing education rules. CDI says many resident life, accident and health, property, casualty, and personal lines licensees must complete 24 CE hours each two-year term, including 3 hours of ethics. [16] [17]

Limited lines and product-specific training

Limited Lines Automobile agents have a different CE total: 20 hours each license term including 3 ethics hours. Extra training rules may apply for long-term care, annuities, and homeowners valuation, depending on the license and products you sell. [16]

Keep checking CDI

Before renewal, check CDI for the rule set that applies to your license. Nonresident, exemption, product-training, and late-renewal details should be verified directly before you submit CE or payment.

Compare before you buy

A course is only useful if it fits the California requirement, your line of authority, and the way you study. Compare course approval, format, access period, support, practice questions, final-exam review, and total cost before enrolling.

Use official objectives

Practice exams are not the same as the real California exam. Use practice questions to find weak areas, then return to CDI educational objectives and the Candidate Information Bulletin for the official study frame. [10] [14]

Next step

When you are ready to enroll, review the California school comparison. Then return here to complete the PSI exam, Sircon or NIPR application, fingerprinting, renewal, and CE process in order.