Key Takeaways
L&H License Definition
A life and health insurance license allows you to sell insurance products that protect from financial hardship due to death, illness, or medical expenses.
Cost
License course: $139+
Exam fee: $29 – $100
License fee: $15 – $200
Fingerprint fee: $20 – $70
Time
Total time: 2-4 weeks
License Course
4.8/5 | Best Insurance Courses of 2024
Select Your State
For state-specific instructions to get your Life and Health Insurance License.
Life Insurance License
What is a life Insurance License: A life insurance license authorizes you to sell insurance products that provide financial protection to beneficiaries when the policyholder dies.
This state-issued license allows you to sell various types of life insurance policies, explain coverage options to clients, and earn commissions on the policies you sell.
What Can You Sell with a Life Insurance License?
With a life insurance license, you can sell these products:
- Term Life Insurance
- Whole Life Insurance
- Universal Life Insurance
- Variable Life Insurance
- Final Expense/Burial Insurance
- Annuities
Note
Certain products require additional securities licenses through FINRA. Variable life and variable universal life products require Series 6, Series 7, and/or Series 66 licenses.
Who Needs a Life Insurance License?
Anyone who sells, solicits, or negotiates life insurance products needs this license. The most common professionals who need a life insurance license include:
- Insurance Agents and Brokers – Agents or producers selling life insurance products
- Financial Advisors – Advisors who include life insurance as part of their financial planning
- Bank Employees – Bank representatives who sell life insurance products
- Employee Benefits Specialists – Professionals who help businesses set up group life insurance for employees
Health Insurance License
What is a Health Insurance License: A health insurance license authorizes you to sell insurance products that help people pay for medical care, including doctor visits, hospital stays, prescriptions, and other health-related expenses.
This license allows you to sell both individual and group health coverage, explain benefits and policy options, and help clients navigate the complex world of health insurance.
What Can You Sell with a Health Insurance License?
With a health insurance license, you can sell:
- Individual and Family Health Plans
- Group Health Insurance
- Medicare Advantage & Supplement Plans
- Dental & Vision Insurance
- Short-term Health Insurance
- Disability Insurance
- Long-term Care Insurance
- Critical Illness Insurance
- Hospital Indemnity Plans
Who Needs a Health Insurance License?
The health insurance license is required for anyone who sells or advises on health-related insurance products. Common roles requiring this license include:
- Health Insurance Agents and Brokers – Professionals specializing in individual, family, or group health coverage
- Employee Benefits Consultants – Specialists who design and implement health benefit packages for businesses
- Medicare Specialists – Agents focusing on Medicare Advantage, Supplement, and prescription drug plans
- Insurance Agency Staff – Any employee who discusses health insurance options or processes applications
- Healthcare Navigators – Professionals who help people enroll in marketplace or government health programs
- HR Benefits Coordinators – Human resources staff who manage and explain company health insurance benefits
If your role involves explaining health insurance benefits, comparing plans, or helping people enroll in health coverage, you need this license.
This applies whether you work for an insurance company, an independent agency, or even certain healthcare facilities that offer insurance enrollment services.
Getting Your Life and Health Insurance License
The process of getting your Life and Health license varies by state, but generally consists of the following steps:
- Pre-licensing Education – Complete 20-40 hours of approved coursework for each license (we recommend Kaplan)
- Licensing Exam – Pass the state exam testing your knowledge of insurance concepts and laws
- License Application – Submit your application with required documentation
In some states, the life and health insurance lines are combined into one license. In others, the two lines are separated into individual licenses.
Getting both licenses together also saves time and money compared to pursuing them both, separately. But if you’ll never need the other line, you can work toward the single license.
Should I get the multi-line license, or a single-line license?
The answer depends on the role you’re licensing for. If you’ll only ever need the life insurance license OR the health insurance license, then go for the individual license.
If there’s a chance you’ll ever need both licenses, we recommend getting them both at the same time – especially if your state offers a combined exam. The study and testing requirements have quite a bit of overlap, and the combined exam will often save you money.
Common Question
Life and Health Insurance License Requirements
While specific requirements vary by state, most states require you to meet these criteria:
- Age Requirement – You must be at least 18 years old
- Background Check – Pass a criminal background check with fingerprinting in most states
- Pass the Insurance License Exam – Score a 70% or higher on a proctored test
- Renewal and Continuing Education – Take a CE course and pay a renewal fee every 2-3 years
Life and Health Insurance Exam
The life and health insurance exams ensure you have an understanding of insurance policies, laws, and ethics – to the level that the consumer is reasonably protected.
The exams typically include:
- Life Insurance Exam – 50-85 questions over 1-2 hours
- Health Insurance Exam – 50-85 questions over 1-2 hours
- Combined Life and Health Exam – 100-170 questions over 2-3 hours
The exams cover topics including insurance basics, policy provisions and options, policy riders, tax treatment of insurance, state insurance laws, and ethical sales practices.
Questions are multiple choice, and you’ll receive your pass/fail results immediately after completing the exam.
How hard is the life and health insurance exam?
The life and health insurance exam requires serious preparation, but it’s definitely passable with proper study.
Pass rates for insurance licensing exams typically range from 50-60% for first-time test takers.
The exam challenges test-takers because it covers extensive material, includes technical insurance terminology, tests on specific state regulations, and requires memorization of policy details and coverage amounts. Most successful test-takers spend 35-50 hours studying over 2-3 weeks before attempting the exam.
Using a high quality pre-licensing course, taking practice exams, and focusing on understanding the vocabulary will significantly improve your chances of passing on the first attempt.
Common Question
Life and Health Insurance License FAQ
How much does it cost to get your life and health insurance license?
The total cost to get your life and health insurance license typically ranges from $240 – $500. This includes the pre-licensing education course ($140 – $300), exam fees ($50 – $100), and licensing fees ($50 – $200). Costs vary significantly by state and education course tier.
How long does it take to get a life and health insurance license?
Most people complete the licensing process in 2-4 weeks, including pre-licensing education, exam preparation, and application processing.
Is life insurance a high paying job?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, insurance sales agents earned a median annual salary of $60,370 in 2024, with top earners making over $130,000. Life insurance sales is generally a commission-based position, meaning that if you’re a high-producing salesperson, your income can easily be in the higher tier.
How hard is it to pass the insurance license exam?
The exam has a 50-60% first-time pass rate and requires 35-50 hours of study for most people. Using a high quality exam-prep course and taking your study seriously will greatly improve your chances of passing on the first attempt.
How to get started in life insurance sales?
Start by getting your state’s life insurance license, then seek opportunities with established insurance companies or agencies that offer training programs. Check out StateRequirement Jobs to find openings that suit your needs.
