California Insurance License Requirements

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Qualifications

Minimum Age : 18 years

Residency : California residency is not required

Step-by-Step Application Procedures

For detailed information, please refer directly to the California Department of Insurance guidelines.

Step 1 - Fingerprint impressions are required for unlicensed applicants and can be submitted at anytime prior to taking the license examination, even before submitting the license application. Please select the following link for instructions: California Resident Licensing Fingerprint Requirements .

Note: Fingerprint impressions may be taken at the California Department of Insurance examination sites. Failure to submit fingerprints in a timely manner may cause a delay in the issuance of your license.

Step 2 - 1033 Application for Written Consent - Any person who has been convicted of felony crimes of dishonesty or breach of trust in a state or federal jurisdiction, or who has been convicted of any violation of Title 18 U.S.C.§ 1033 (the "Act"), must first obtain the written consent of the Commissioner prior to engaging or continuing to engage in the business of insurance in California.

Step 3 - Complete prelicensing requirements consisting of 20 hours of approved accident and health prelicensing study and 12 hours of approved prelicensing study on ethics and the California Insurance Code. When an applicant seeks both the fire and casualty broker-agent license and the accident and health agent license, the applicant shall only be required to complete one 12-hour course on ethics and the California Insurance Code.

Exemptions from general insurance prelicensing classroom courses:

• Applicants for a life-only agent license, accident and health license, personal lines broker-agent license, limited lines automobile insurance agent license, and fire and casualty broker-agent license, who are currently licensed as non-residents in California shall be required to complete only 12 hours of study on ethics and California Insurance Code. (Sections 1749 (g) and (h)), or;
• An applicant holding any of the following designations: a Life Underwriter Training Council Fellowship (LUTCF), Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC), Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS), Fellow, Life Management Institute (FLMI), Health Insurance Associate (HIA), Registered Employee Benefits Consultant (REBC) or Registered Health Underwriter (RHU) is exempt from the 20 hours of prelicensing education.

Step 4 - Apply for an insurance license online - Go to the Fast Licensing Application Service is Here (FLASH) for both resident and nonresident applicants to apply for an insurance license online. This link takes the applicant to the procedures of how to file an application online. If you already know how to use the online application service, you may select the following link to go directly to the FLASH online application . 

Step 5 -Fees:

• License filing fee: $128. 
• Examination fee: $37, per scheduled examination date.

Step 6 - Schedule and pass examination. This link will provide you with information on how to schedule your examination: Insurance License Examination Information

Additional Documents : The Insurance Commissioner may require such other documents as will aid in determining whether the applicant meets the qualifications for a license.

All filing fees submitted are not refundable, whether or not the application is acted upon or the examination taken.

License Requirements Summary

*Any person who has been convicted of felony crimes of dishonesty or breach of trust in a state or federal jurisdiction, or who has been convicted of any violation of Title 18 U.S.C. Section 1033 (the "Act"), must first obtain the written consent of the Commissioner prior to engaging or continuing to engage in the business of insurance in California.

The California Candidate Handbook provides additional information regarding the examination procedures.

Securities License Requirements

Any securities professional associated with a member firm-including partners, officers, directors, branch managers, department supervisors, and salespersons-must register with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). The registration application requires information about the individual's prior employment and disciplinary history. FINRA prescribes two levels of qualification and registration:

• Registered representatives, generally sales personnel
• Principals, generally officers of the firm and other management personnel involved in the day-to-day operation of the firm's investment banking or securities business

As part of the registration process, securities professionals must pass examinations administered by FINRA to demonstrate competence in the areas in which they will work. These mandatory qualification examinations cover a broad range of subjects on the markets, as well as the securities industry and its regulatory structure, ensuring a minimum level of understanding and expertise. For additional information, you should consult with your broker-dealer management team. You may also visit FINRA's website for detailed information.