A New Hampshire Property and Casualty License (P&C) allows you to sell auto, home, commercial, and other property-related insurance products in New Hampshire.
Getting your property and casualty license in New Hampshire 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.
New Hampshire Property and Casualty License Requirements
Before you begin the licensing process, make sure you meet all state requirements.
The New Hampshire Insurance Department requires all P&C license candidates to:
Be at least 18 years old
Be a resident of New Hampshire (non-residents need a different license type)
Pass a background check
How to Get a New Hampshire Property and Casualty License
Step 1: New Hampshire Insurance Pre-License Education
The first step to getting your New Hampshire Property and Casualty License, you’ll need to complete a pre-licensing education course.
There is no specific pre-license credit hour requirement – rather, the state only requires you complete an “approved course.”
Aside from filling your education requirement, this course is designed specifically to give you the required knowledge to pass the New Hampshire 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.
Recommended
We recommend Kaplan insurance exam prep courses – especially for the P&C exam.
With industry-leading pass rates and a 4.7/5 star rating, more than 80% of our New Hampshire readers choose them.
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.
Step 2: New Hampshire P&C Insurance License Exam
After you’ve completed your exam prep course, the next step is to take the New Hampshire P&C Insurance License Exams.
In New Hampshire, Property and Casualty are two separate lines of authority. You can choose to take an individual exam for each line, or a combined exam that covers both lines.
Since property and casualty are two separate lines, you’ll take two separate exams – one for the Property Insurance line, and one for the Casualty Insurance line.
To pass any of the exams, you’ll need to answer at least 70% of the questions correctly.
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: New Hampshire Insurance License Application
After passing your exams, the next step is to submit your New Hampshire Insurance License Application.
New Hampshire’s insurance applications are administered through NIPR.
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.
Once you’ve submitted everything, the licensing department 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 a New Hampshire 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.
The most common states to begin with are the states that border yours. For New Hampshire, this includes:
Vermont
Maine
Massachusetts
Each state has its own licensing requirements, but many states offer reciprocity with New Hampshire, meaning you can get that state’s license only by applying and paying a fee – no additional exam required.
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.
New Hampshire Insurance License Renewal and Continuing Education
Maintaining your New Hampshire P&C license requires ongoing education and timely renewal.
License renewal requirements:
Renew your license every 2 years
Complete 24 hours of continuing education (CE) per renewal period
Pay the $150 renewal fee
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.
How much does it cost to get New Hampshire Property and Casualty License?
The total cost to get a New Hampshire P&C license is around $460. The cost will vary depending on your insurance exam prep course, and whether or not you pass your exam(s) the first time.
How long does it take to get a New Hampshire Property and Casualty License?
The total time to get a New Hampshire P&C license is between 2-4 weeks. This time will vary depending on how much time you spend in your insurance exam prep course, your exam and fingerprinting schedule timeline, and the time it takes for the state to review your application.
What does a New Hampshire P&C License allow me to sell?
A New Hampshire Property and Casualty License (P&C) allows you to sell auto, home, commercial, and other property-related insurance products in New Hampshire.