How to Get Your Delaware Insurance License in 2026
Delaware has no mandatory pre-licensing hours. Prep well — the Pearson VUE exam is $90 per attempt (one of the highest fees in the US). Complete dual fingerprinting, apply via NIPR, and you're licensed. Access 1M+ incorporated businesses and Delaware's coastal property market.
Exam Prep Cost
$139 – $299
Time to License
2 – 4 weeks
Avg DE Salary
$65,000/yr
Exam Only
No pre-lic required
No Mandatory Pre-Licensing: Delaware has no required pre-licensing hours. However, with a $90 Pearson VUE exam fee (among the highest in the US), investing in exam prep is essential to avoid costly retakes.
Dual Fingerprinting Required: Delaware requires two separate background checks — Delaware State Police and IdentoGO (federal/FBI). Schedule both early — your license won't be issued until both clear.
Top 3 Delaware Insurance Exam Prep Courses
1. ExamFXBest Value
94–99% pass rate. Three tiers: Self-Study ($169.95), Video ($219.95), Live Online ($299.95). Pass guarantee critical with DE's $90 retake cost.
From $169.95
LAH Self-Study
2. A.D. BankerPass Guarantee
Silver $169.95 / Gold $196.90 / Platinum $296.85. Pass Guarantee on every tier. 6-month access — ideal for working professionals.
From $169.95
Silver Package
3. Kaplan Financial EducationMost Comprehensive
4 tiers from $139 (Basic) to $349 (Career Launcher). Live & OnDemand review. Money-back guarantee. Lowest entry price among major providers.
From $139
Basic Self-Study
Best Delaware Insurance Exam Prep Courses
All 5 schools are Delaware DE DOI-approved. Price: Low to High.
Quick Price Comparison (Course Only)
WebCE
Starting at
$109.95
- Exam Prep Only — does not satisfy DE pre-licensing requirement
- Most affordable DE exam prep starting at $109.95
- Flash Tutor flashcards and Exam Tutor practice tests included
- 94% pass rate claim
Available Packages (2)
Exam Prep Complete Package (40hr L&H)
- DE LAH exam prep (state-specific content)
- Exam Tutor unlimited practice tests
- Flash Tutor flashcards
- 90-day access
Kaplan Financial Education
Most ComprehensiveStarting at
$139
- Exam Prep Only -- Delaware has no pre-licensing requirement
- Most comprehensive DE exam prep library — 4 tiers
- Career Launcher includes Insurance Accelerator career course (12-mo access)
- Live & OnDemand review class on EssentialPlus and Career Launcher tiers
Available Packages (8)
LAH — Basic ($139)
- DE LAH exam prep — foundational course
- QBank practice questions
- Mastery exam simulation
- 60-day access
ExamFX
Best ValueStarting at
$169.95
- Exam Prep Only -- Delaware has no pre-licensing requirement
- 94–99% pass rate claim — critical with DE's $90 exam fee
- Pass guarantee: score 80%+ on readiness exam or get a refund
- Self-Study, Video Study, and Live Online tiers
Available Packages (6)
Life, Accident & Health — Self-Study
- DE LAH exam prep (DE-specific content)
- Online self-study portal (60 days)
- Practice exams and readiness exam
- Instructor support included
A.D. Banker
Pass GuaranteeStarting at
$169.95
- Exam Prep Only -- Delaware has no pre-licensing requirement
- Pass Guarantee on every tier
- Silver $169.95 / Gold $196.90 / Platinum $296.85
- DE Life & Health and P&C exam prep available
Available Packages (3)
Silver (L&H or P&C)
- DE exam prep (state-specific content)
- Online self-paced format
- 6-month access
- Pass Guarantee included
Xcel Solutions
Starting at
$199
- Exam Prep Only -- Delaware has no pre-licensing requirement
- Two clear tiers: Standard $199 / Premier $299
- Premier includes Prepared to Pass guarantee
- Recorded review class and flashcards in Premier tier
Available Packages (4)
LAH — Standard
- DE LAH exam prep
- Core course + practice exams
- DE-specific content
- Online self-study format
Prices verified March 2026. Prices may change. Always confirm current pricing on the school's website before enrolling.
How Much Do Delaware Insurance Agents Earn?
DE Average
$65,000/yr
Source: ZipRecruiter / Indeed (2025)
Top Producers
$100,000–$150,000+
Commercial lines in Wilmington corridor
Top Delaware Insurance Markets
How to Get Your Delaware Insurance License
Choose Your License Type
Select your lines: Life, Accident & Health (LAH) for life, annuities, health, Medicare; Property & Casualty (P&C) for auto, home, and commercial; or Personal Lines for personal auto and homeowners only. Delaware's corporate economy makes the P&C license especially valuable for commercial account development.
Complete Exam Prep (Strongly Recommended)
No pre-licensing hours required, but Delaware's $90 exam fee makes thorough preparation essential. Enroll in a prep course from ExamFX, A.D. Banker, or Kaplan. Most candidates study 1–2 weeks. Look for courses covering Delaware-specific regulations, the Court of Chancery, and coastal property considerations.
Complete Dual Fingerprinting
Schedule both: (1) Delaware State Police fingerprinting for state criminal records, and (2) IdentoGO for federal/FBI records. Total cost: approximately $65–$85. Submit fingerprints before or at the time of your application — the DDOI will not issue your license until both background checks clear.
Pass the Pearson VUE Exam ($90)
Schedule at pearsonvue.com/de/insurance or call (800) 274-0455. Exam fee: $90. Online proctored testing (OnVUE) also available. A score of 70% is required. Exam scores are valid for 12 months — apply within this window.
Apply via NIPR and Receive Your License
Apply at nipr.com. Fee: $100 + $5.60 NIPR transaction fee = $105.60. Delaware accepts only electronic applications — no paper submissions. License is issued after DDOI reviews your application, exam scores, and background check results.
Get Appointed and Plan Your Renewal
Get appointed by a carrier or agency to legally sell insurance. Mark your calendar: Delaware renews on a fixed schedule — December 1 through February 28 of even-numbered years. Complete 24 CE hours (3 ethics) before the renewal window. Late CE triggers a $200 penalty fee.
Delaware Insurance License Requirements
Eligibility
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Dual fingerprinting: DE State Police + IdentoGO
- No pre-licensing education required
- No college degree required
Pearson VUE Exam
- $90 per attempt — one of the highest in the US
- 70% passing score required
- Exam score valid 12 months
- Online proctored (OnVUE) available
Application
- NIPR only (electronic applications only)
- $100 + $5.60 NIPR fee = $105.60
- Fingerprinting: ~$65–$85 (two providers)
- License issued electronically via NIPR
Renewal
- 24 CE hours per 2-year cycle (3 ethics)
- Renewal: Dec 1 – Feb 28 of even years
- $200 late CE penalty if missed
- 25yr+ agents / designation holders get 12 CE auto-credit
Delaware Insurance License FAQ
Does Delaware require pre-licensing education to get an insurance license?
No. Delaware does not require any mandatory pre-licensing education hours. You can sit for the Pearson VUE state licensing exam without completing any coursework first. However, given that the Pearson VUE exam fee is $90 per attempt — one of the highest in the US — most candidates invest in a quality exam prep course from Kaplan, ExamFX, or A.D. Banker to ensure they pass on the first try.
How much does it cost to get a Delaware insurance license?
Total costs range from approximately $363 to $621. For the Life, Accident & Health (LAH) license: optional prep course ($139–$299) + Pearson VUE exam fee ($90) + NIPR application fee ($105.60 with transaction fee) + dual fingerprinting ($65–$85) = roughly $399–$579. Delaware has higher-than-average costs due to the $90 exam fee, $100 application fee, and dual-fingerprinting requirement.
Why does Delaware require dual fingerprinting?
Delaware requires background checks through two separate channels: the Delaware State Police (for state criminal records) and IdentoGO (for the federal/FBI database). Each submission has its own fee — combined total is approximately $65–$85. You'll need to schedule two separate appointments. Submit fingerprints before or at the time of your license application — DDOI will not issue your license until both background checks clear.
When do Delaware insurance licenses renew?
Delaware insurance licenses renew on a fixed statewide schedule: the renewal window runs from December 1 through February 28 (or 29 on leap years) of even-numbered years — for example, February 28, 2026 and February 28, 2028. This is unique — most states use birth-month-based renewal. You must complete 24 CE hours (including 3 ethics hours) before the renewal deadline. A $200 late CE penalty applies if you miss the deadline.
Do long-tenured agents or designation holders get any CE relief in Delaware?
Yes. Delaware agents who have been continuously licensed for 25 or more years automatically receive 12 CE credit hours per biennial renewal period — reducing their remaining CE requirement from 24 to just 12 hours (plus the 3 ethics hours, which must still be completed). Agents holding certain professional designations — including CPCU, CLU, ChFC, CIC, CFP, CEBS, FLMI, AAI, FSPA, or RHU — also qualify for the same automatic 12-hour CE credit.
How long does it take to get a Delaware insurance license?
Delaware is one of the faster states since no mandatory pre-licensing hours are required. Most candidates complete the process in 2–4 weeks: 1–2 weeks of self-study with a prep course, a few days to schedule and pass the $90 Pearson VUE exam, and 1–2 weeks for the dual fingerprinting and background check to clear. The main variable is how quickly the Delaware State Police background check processes.
How much do insurance agents make in Delaware?
Delaware insurance agents earn an average of approximately $65,000–$66,000 per year based on ZipRecruiter and Indeed data (2025). This reflects base salary. Commission-based independent agents — particularly those specializing in commercial lines serving the Wilmington financial corridor (JP Morgan, Bank of America card operations, WSFS Financial) — frequently earn $100,000–$150,000+. Delaware's outsized corporate economy for its geographic size creates strong commercial insurance demand.
What makes Delaware a strong insurance market despite being so small?
Delaware punches well above its weight. Over 1 million businesses are incorporated in Delaware due to its Court of Chancery and business-friendly legal environment — many need commercial insurance. Wilmington is a major financial services hub. The coastal resort communities of Rehoboth Beach and Lewes generate significant demand for high-value homeowners, flood, and vacation property coverage. Fast-growing suburbs like Middletown and Bear create consistent personal lines demand.
Does Delaware offer insurance license reciprocity for out-of-state agents?
Yes. Delaware participates in NAIC non-resident reciprocity. Producers holding an active resident license in their home state can apply for a Delaware non-resident license through NIPR without retaking the Delaware exam. Apply via nipr.com and pay the applicable non-resident fee. Non-resident agents must comply with their home state CE requirements for renewal.
What insurance lines can I get licensed for in Delaware?
Delaware offers Life, Accident & Health (LAH), Property, Casualty, and Personal Lines licenses. The LAH license covers life insurance, annuities, health, disability, LTC, and Medicare. The full P&C license covers auto, home, commercial property, general liability, and workers' comp. Personal Lines is a restricted P&C license for personal auto and homeowners only. Many agents pursue both LAH and P&C for maximum flexibility.
Income Disclaimer: Salary figures are estimates based on publicly available data and vary significantly by state, market, experience level, employer type, and individual effort. Past or average earnings are not a guarantee of future results. CertLaunch makes no income guarantees of any kind.
Sources:
Licensing requirements, exam fees, and course availability change frequently. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing board before enrolling or submitting any application. Learn how we source our data.