California Property and Casualty License (2026)

Getting your property and casualty license in California doesn’t have to be difficult.

State websites aren’t very good at making things simple. So we’ve laid out the entire process, step-by-step – with helpful recommendations, to make your life easier.

Be sure to bookmark this page (Ctrl+D) to reference it through your licensing process.

California Property and Casualty License Requirements

Before you begin the licensing process, make sure you meet all state requirements.

The California Department of Insurance requires all P&C license candidates to:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Be a resident of California (non-residents need a different license type)
• Pass a background check

How to Get a California Property and Casualty License

Step 1: California Insurance Pre-License Education Course

The first step to getting your California Property and Casualty License, you’ll need to complete a pre-licensing education course.

California requires new agents to complete 20 hours of pre-licensing education for each line of insurance you’d like to work with, along with 12 hours of Ethics and California Insurance Code.

Note
Property & Casualty are considered separate lines in California, so you’ll need to take a total of 52 hours of pre-license coursework to get your P&C License.

Aside from filling your education requirement, this course is designed specifically to give you the required knowledge to pass the California P&C Insurance License Exam.

Several companies provide pre-license courses, often offering a variety of course types to choose from. Some different course types include:

• Standard, online self-paced video courses
• Live online courses following a specific schedule
• In-person courses following a specific schedule (less common)

You’ll also see optional features like flashcards, practice exams, money-back guarantees, cram sheets, etc…

Prices for P&C exam prep courses normally range between $140 – $400, depending on the type and features offered.

Most people choose the live online insurance course, but if you’re highly motivated and a great test-taker, the self-paced option may work for you.

Understanding how you learn and retain information will help you choose the course that maximizes your chances of passing the exam on your first attempt.

Note
The 12-hour Ethics and the California Insurance Code course is only required once. If you come back later for a California Life and Health license, you will not need to retake this part of the pre-license course.

Step 2: California P&C Insurance License Exam

After you’ve completed your exam prep course, the next step is to take the California P&C Insurance License Exam.

Since property and casualty are technically two separate lines, you can choose to test for each line separately, or you can take a combo exam that covers both lines.

To pass any of the producer exams, you’ll need to answer at least 60% of the questions correctly.

PSI handles all insurance licensing examinations for the California Insurance Department.

Register for your exam on the PSI California Insurance page.

Is the California P&C exam hard?

Property and Casualty insurance exams are intentionally tough, with nationwide first-time pass rates around 50-70%.

Through the years, we’ve spoken to many test-takers, and we’ve personally taken several insurance exams. Based on this experience, we believe low pass can be blamed on lack of preparation.

Whether or not you’re a “good test-taker”, competence breeds confidence. This means if you know the material, you’ll do fine on the exam.

If you take your exam prep course seriously and spend the proper time to understand the terms and concepts, passing on your first try is absolutely achievable.

Step 3: Fingerprinting and Background Check

After passing the your state exam, the next step is fingerprinting and a background check.

First, You’ll need to complete a Request for Live Scan Service – Form BCIA 8016. Print this form and keep it for your fingerprint appointment.

Fingerprinting can be scheduled through any of the CA OAG Live Scan Locations.

The fingerprinting fee is $49, plus a “rolling fee,” – between $8 and $50 depending on the vendor.

Once you’ve completed your fingerprints, the Live Scan vendor will send your data to the California Department of Insurance. Submitting your application will trigger the background check to begin – both with the state and the FBI.

Fill and print Form BCIA 8016, then Schedule your fingerprinting appointment with a vendor on the CA OAG Live Scan Locations page.

California Insurance License Background Checks

Background checks are conducted to protect consumers from fraud and dishonest practices. They primarily look for felony convictions, financial crimes like theft or fraud, and any previous insurance license suspensions or revocations.

Minor offenses or misdemeanors usually won’t stop you from getting a license, but failing to disclose them on your application can result in denial.

If you think you may have an issue with passing the background check, we recommend contacting the California Department of Insurance before starting your licensing journey.

Step 4: California Insurance License Application

After completing your fingerprints, the next step is to submit your California Insurance License Application.

California’s insurance applications are administered through Sircon.

The application fee is $188.

Submit your application, using the Sircon California page.

Application Processing

Once you’ve submitted everything, CDI will process your application.

If you’ve done everything correctly and nothing comes up on your background check, this process should only take a few days. Keep an eye out for an email with your approval and new license number!

If the state needs further information from you regarding your background check, be sure to respond promptly to any requests or correspondence.

After Getting Your P&C License

Getting your P&C license is an excellent first step – especially if you’re just starting your career in insurance!

Once you’ve accomplished that, these are the most common next steps newly licensed insurance producers take.

Get an Insurance Job

Once you’ve gotten your license, you’re now eligible to sell insurance! This means you can put the license to work and start making all those commissions you’ve been dreaming about.

The best place to find open positions near you is StateRequirement Jobs. This is an insurance-focused job board that’s 100% free for job seekers.

Get Your Life and Health License

Adding an California Life and Health license dramatically increases your value to insurance agencies and makes you more attractive as a job candidate. 

Most agency owners prefer to hire producers who can handle both P&C and Life/Health lines because it allows them to serve clients more completely. When you’re competing for jobs against other new agents, having both licenses gives you a significant advantage.

Get Licenses in Multiple States

Having an insurance license in other states is another way to improve your value as an insurance agent – especially if your agency already works with clients in multiple states.

Each state has its own licensing requirements, but many states offer reciprocity with California, meaning you can get that state’s license only by applying and paying a fee – no additional exam required.

Click each state above for specific details about getting licensed. The investment in additional state licenses often pays for itself through expanded business opportunities.

Get an Insurance Certification

Beyond just having your license, certifications show clients and employers that you’ve developed deep expertise in specific areas of insurance. 

Having a professional certification can lead to higher commissions, better job opportunities, and increased credibility with clients. You’ll also have a deeper product knowledge that helps you serve customers more effectively.

The most popular certifications for new P&C agents are:

• Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) – A comprehensive program covering all major areas of insurance and risk management.
• Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) – The highest level of insurance certification, focused on property and casualty insurance expertise.
• Certified Professional Insurance Agent (CPIA) – A practical certification that focuses on sales and client service skills.

Most certifications require coursework, passing an exam, and paying a fee, but the investment in your professional development often leads to significant returns through increased business and higher-value clients.

California Insurance License Renewal and Continuing Education

Maintaining your California P&C license requires ongoing education and timely renewal.

Failure to complete your continuing education or renew your license on time will lead to your license being suspended or cancelled. Late renewals and reinstatements come with additional fines and fees – so be sure to keep your license in good standing.

Sources and Links

California P&C License FAQ