Your Ultimate Guide to Getting an Insurance License in the Golden State
California is one of the largest and most competitive insurance markets in the country. Whether you want to sell life insurance, health insurance, homeowners insurance, auto insurance, commercial coverage, or personal lines policies, you will need to understand how the California insurance licensing process works before you can legally begin selling.
The good news is that California’s licensing process is manageable when you break it into steps. The not-so-good news is that California has its own terminology, state-specific requirements, and a required ethics course that students sometimes misunderstand.
This guide explains how to get a California insurance license, including the major license types, exam requirements, fees, fingerprinting, application process, continuing education, and California-specific rules.
California insurance licenses are regulated by the California Department of Insurance, commonly called CDI. California license exams are scheduled through PSI Services LLC, which handles examination scheduling for individuals licensed by CDI’s Producer Licensing Bureau.
Important California note: Effective January 1, 2026, California repealed the old 20-hour line-specific prelicensing education requirement for several producer license types, including property, casualty, personal lines, life, and accident and health or sickness. However, California still requires applicants to complete 12 hours of study on ethics and the California Insurance Code before the license can be issued.
TESTivity does not replace California’s required 12-hour Ethics and California Insurance Code course. For that required course, we recommend Achievable.me. Once that requirement is handled, TESTivity helps you prepare for the actual licensing exam with study tools, practice questions, flashcards, audio, video, mind maps, learning games, and exam-readiness support.
GetTheLicense.org Recommends the TESTivity Platinum Study Package–California Edition
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Quick Facts About Getting a California Insurance License
| Requirement | California Information |
|---|---|
| State regulator | California Department of Insurance |
| Testing vendor | PSI Services LLC |
| Required ethics course | 12 hours of Ethics and California Insurance Code |
| Old 20-hour line-specific prelicensing requirement | Repealed for many producer license types effective January 1, 2026 |
| Producer exam passing score | 60% |
| Common combined exams | Property and Casualty; Life, Accident & Health or Sickness |
| Application system | Sircon / CDI online licensing services |
| Fingerprinting | Required for unlicensed resident applicants |
| Resident Live Scan vendor fee | $74 through CDI’s vendor |
| Common license filing fee | $188 for major resident producer licenses |
| Common exam fee | $55 per scheduled exam date at a CDI examination site; PSI fees may differ depending on exam site |
| Renewal cycle | Generally two years |
| CE requirement | 24 hours every two-year license term, including 3 hours of ethics, for major producer licenses |
California’s producer exams use a 60% passing score. The Property and Casualty exam and the Life, Accident & Health or Sickness exam are each listed as 150 questions with a 3-hour time limit.
What Type of California Insurance License Do You Need?
Before you apply for a California insurance license, you need to know which type of insurance you want to sell. California uses official license names that may sound slightly different from the everyday phrases students search online.
Life Insurance
A California life-only license allows you to sell life insurance products. Depending on the products you plan to sell, you may also need additional training for annuities.
Accident and Health or Sickness Insurance
This is California’s official terminology for what many students call “health insurance.” It generally applies to health, disability, medical expense, accident, and sickness-related insurance products.
Life, Accident & Health or Sickness
Many students pursue both life and health authority together. If you want to sell both life insurance and health insurance products, this is usually the combined path you will study for.
For a step-by-step breakdown, see How to Get a Life and Health Insurance License in California.
Property Insurance
Property insurance deals with coverage for homes, buildings, personal property, and other property-related risks.
Casualty Insurance
Casualty insurance deals with liability, injury, negligence, auto liability, commercial liability, and related risk exposures.
Property and Casualty Insurance
Students who want to sell auto, homeowners, commercial property, general liability, and related products usually pursue both property and casualty authority. California allows applicants to apply for what is commonly called a property and casualty agent license by selecting both property agent and casualty agent license types on the application. CDI notes that applicants checking both property and casualty license types pay one filing fee.
For a step-by-step breakdown, see How to Get a Property and Casualty Insurance License in California.
Personal Lines Insurance
A California personal lines license is more limited than a full property and casualty license. It generally focuses on personal auto, homeowners, renters, and similar personal insurance products.
Adjuster Licenses
California adjuster licensing is separate from producer licensing. The 2026 repeal of the 20-hour prelicensing education requirement applies to many producer license types, but CDI’s notice states that bail agents and public insurance adjusters must continue to complete their 20-hour prelicensing education requirement.
How to Get a California Insurance License in 5 Steps
Step 1: Choose the Right California Insurance License Type
Start by deciding what kind of insurance career you want.
If you want to sell life insurance, health insurance, Medicare-related products, disability income insurance, or annuities, you will probably be looking at life, accident and health or sickness, or the combined Life, Accident & Health or Sickness path.
If you want to sell auto, homeowners, commercial property, liability, or business insurance, you will probably be looking at property, casualty, personal lines, or the combined Property and Casualty path.
This matters because the license type determines which exam you take, what content you study, and what authority you can use once licensed.
California’s licensing maze is not impossible, but it does reward careful map-reading. Pick the wrong license type and you may find yourself holding a golden ticket to the wrong door.
Step 2: Complete California’s Required 12-Hour Ethics and California Insurance Code Course
California has made a major change to its prelicensing education rules.
Effective January 1, 2026, California repealed the requirement for insurance producer license applicants to complete the old 20-hour line-specific prelicensing education course for property, casualty, commercial lines, personal lines, limited lines automobile, life, and accident and health or sickness licenses. However, California still requires producer license applicants to complete 12 hours of study on ethics and the California Insurance Code before the license can be issued.
That distinction is important.
California did not remove every education requirement. It removed the old 20-hour line-specific requirement for certain producer licenses, but the 12-hour ethics and code requirement remains alive and kicking.
Recommended provider for California’s required ethics course
TESTivity does not currently offer the required California 12-hour Ethics and California Insurance Code course. For that requirement, we recommend Achievable.me.
Use Achievable to satisfy California’s required ethics course. Then use TESTivity to prepare for the insurance licensing exam itself.
Step 3: Study for the California Insurance Licensing Exam
Once you know your license type and understand the ethics requirement, your next job is to prepare for the actual licensing exam.
California producer exams are administered through PSI. PSI handles scheduling for CDI’s Producer Licensing Bureau, and applicants can schedule exams online or by phone. CDI’s exam information also notes that PSI offers additional exam sites and other testing services.
The exam is where many students underestimate the process. The repeal of the old 20-hour line-specific prelicensing requirement does not mean the exam suddenly became simple. The exam still tests insurance concepts, policy provisions, state law, definitions, exclusions, application scenarios, and California-specific rules.
That is where TESTivity comes in.
TESTivity is designed to help students prepare for content-heavy, multiple-choice licensing exams using multiple learning tools instead of relying on passive reading alone.
The TESTivity study system can include:
- Online study manual
- Exam simulator
- Practice questions
- Audio course
- Video instruction
- Flashcards
- Mind maps
- Learning games
- Test Day Cheat Sheet
- AI Tutor
- Pass-readiness tools
For exam-focused guidance, see How to Pass the Insurance Licensing Exam in California.
Why Exam Prep Matters in California
California gives candidates flexibility by not requiring mandatory prelicensing hours. But flexibility can become a trap if it leads to scattered studying.
The California insurance exams are content-heavy multiple-choice exams. You are not just memorizing definitions. You need to recognize policy language, understand how coverages work, identify exclusions and conditions, and apply insurance law to exam-style scenarios.
That is why TESTivity uses a multi-tool study system instead of relying on one flat textbook.
The TESTivity Platinum Study Package includes:
Step 4: Schedule and Pass Your California Insurance Exam
California residents generally need to pass the required license examination before submitting the individual license application. CDI’s licensing FAQ states that California resident applicants must first pass the qualifying license examination before submitting the license application for exam-required license types such as life, accident and health, property, casualty, personal lines, and limited lines automobile.
California’s producer exam passing score is 60%. CDI lists the following common exam formats:
| California Insurance Exam | Questions | Time Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Life, Accident & Health or Sickness | 150 | 3 hours |
| Property and Casualty | 150 | 3 hours |
| Life-Only | 75 | 1.5 hours |
| Accident and Health or Sickness | 75 | 1.5 hours |
| Property | 75 | 1.5 hours |
| Casualty | 75 | 1.5 hours |
| Personal Lines | 90 | 2 hours |
CDI tells candidates to arrive at least 30 minutes before the scheduled exam for sign-in and identification verification. Late candidates may not be admitted and may forfeit the exam registration fee.
Step 5: Submit Your California License Application and Fingerprints
After passing the exam, resident applicants can proceed with the license application process.
California individual insurance producer applicants generally submit license applications electronically through Sircon or another approved online service. CDI explains that most individual insurance producer applicants must submit their license application electronically.
Unlicensed resident applicants must also submit fingerprints. CDI’s fingerprinting page says all unlicensed applicants are required to submit fingerprint impressions, and new license applicants should submit fingerprints after filing the insurance license application or soon after so CDI receives results from the California Department of Justice and FBI.
CDI’s current resident Live Scan vendor fee is $74, which includes FBI, DOJ, and vendor fees.
A clean application may process in approximately one to two weeks after online submission, assuming the applicant has passed the exam, completed required prelicensing education, cleared fingerprint review, and has no background issues requiring additional review.
California Insurance Exam Details
California’s insurance licensing exams are computer-based and administered through PSI. CDI has contracted with PSI to conduct the license examination program, including a network of computer examination centers and online remote proctored exams.
Life, Accident & Health or Sickness
This is the common combined exam for students who want to sell both life and health insurance products.
Property and Casualty
This is the common combined exam for students who want broad authority to sell property, casualty, auto, homeowners, and commercial insurance products.
Personal Lines
This is a more limited license path focused on personal insurance products.
Single-Line Exams
California also offers separate exams for Life-Only, Accident and Health or Sickness, Property, and Casualty.
California Exam Languages
CDI states that, beginning in 2024, certain English-language license examinations were required to be offered in Spanish, Korean, Simplified Chinese, and Vietnamese, and that Tagalog was added in July 2024.
This can be an important California-specific benefit for applicants who prefer to test in one of those languages.
California Insurance License Fees
California licensing fees can change, so applicants should always confirm current fees with CDI before applying. As of the current CDI fee schedule, many major resident producer licenses list the following:
| Fee Type | Current Amount |
|---|---|
| License filing fee | $188 |
| Renewal fee | $188 |
| Late renewal fee | $282 |
| Examination fee | $55 |
| Resident Live Scan vendor fingerprint fee | $74 |
CDI’s fee page lists $188 filing fees and $55 exam fees for major resident producer licenses such as life-only, accident and health, property, casualty, personal lines, and property and casualty. CDI also states that filing fees are not refundable.
For applicants taking exams through PSI locations, fee details may differ depending on the testing arrangement, so candidates should confirm fees during scheduling.
Fingerprinting and Background Check Requirements
California requires fingerprinting for unlicensed resident applicants. The purpose is to allow background review through the California Department of Justice and the FBI.
The fingerprinting process generally works like this:
- Submit the insurance license application.
- Use CDI’s fingerprinting website or Live Scan vendor process.
- Register and schedule a Live Scan appointment.
- Have fingerprints electronically captured and submitted.
- Keep your fingerprint records, including your ATI number.
CDI warns that fingerprint results must be received and cleared before a license can be issued.
TESTivity Tip
Do not treat fingerprinting like a tiny clerical footnote. It is one of those small gears that can jam the entire licensing machine. If your exam is passed but fingerprints are missing or delayed, your license issuance can be delayed too.
California Insurance License Application Process
California resident applicants for exam-required licenses generally follow this order:
- Complete required education, including the 12-hour Ethics and California Insurance Code requirement.
- Schedule and pass the required insurance license exam through PSI.
- Submit the individual license application electronically.
- Submit fingerprints through the required process.
- Wait for CDI to review and issue the license.
CDI’s resident applicant FAQ states that California resident applicants must first pass the qualifying license examination before submitting the individual license application.
CDI’s quick guide also states that the license will be issued if the applicant has passed the licensing examination, completed required prelicensing education, cleared fingerprints through DOJ and FBI, and submitted a clean application.
Applying for Multiple Lines
If you are pursuing a full Property and Casualty license, make sure you select both property and casualty license types where appropriate. CDI notes that applicants may apply for what is known as a property and casualty agent license by selecting both property agent and casualty agent license types on the application.
The same concept applies to students pursuing both life and accident and health authority. Be careful that the license type you select matches the authority you actually want.
California Insurance License Renewal and Continuing Education
California insurance licenses generally renew every two years. For major producer license types, including life agents, accident and health or sickness agents, property broker-agents, casualty broker-agents, and personal lines broker-agents, California requires 24 hours of continuing education every two-year license term, including 3 hours of ethics training.
California also has additional product-specific training requirements for certain lines and products. For example, agents who sell long-term care insurance or annuities may need additional initial and ongoing training beyond the general CE requirement.
CDI’s online renewal service through Sircon allows licensees to renew or reinstate licenses online if renewal requirements are met.
California-Specific Licensing Quirks to Know
California has a few licensing details that make it different from many other states.
1. California Changed Its Prelicensing Rules in 2026
This is the big one.
As of January 1, 2026, California repealed the old 20-hour line-specific prelicensing education requirement for several producer license types, including life, accident and health or sickness, property, casualty, personal lines, commercial lines, and limited lines automobile. But the 12-hour Ethics and California Insurance Code requirement remains.
2. The Required Ethics Course Is Not Optional
Students should not confuse “no old 20-hour line-specific requirement” with “no required education at all.” California still requires 12 hours of Ethics and California Insurance Code study before a license can be issued.
For that required course, we recommend Achievable.me.
3. California Uses Specific License Names
Many students search for “California life and health insurance license,” but California’s official terminology includes Life-Only and Accident and Health or Sickness. Likewise, a “P&C license” may involve selecting both property and casualty authorities.
4. The Exam Still Requires Serious Study
The old prelicensing-hour rule changed, but the exam still tests insurance concepts, laws, policy provisions, exclusions, definitions, and applied scenarios. Skipping structured study is still a fast way to donate an exam fee to the testing goblin.
5. Fingerprinting Can Delay License Issuance
California fingerprints must clear through the appropriate process before the license can be issued. Applicants should follow CDI’s fingerprinting instructions carefully and keep their records.
6. Language Access May Be Available
California has expanded language access for certain license examinations, including Spanish, Korean, Simplified Chinese, Vietnamese, and Tagalog.
Recommended Study Path for California Insurance Students
California’s licensing process has two different kinds of preparation:
Required Course Preparation
California requires 12 hours of study on ethics and the California Insurance Code before the license can be issued. TESTivity does not currently offer this required course. We recommend Achievable.me for students who need to satisfy California’s required ethics education.
Exam Preparation
Once the required ethics course is handled, the real challenge is preparing to pass the licensing exam.
That is where TESTivity fits.
TESTivity helps students prepare through repeated exposure to the material in different formats:
- Read the concept in the study manual.
- Hear it reinforced in the audio course.
- Watch it explained in video.
- Test yourself with practice questions.
- Drill terms with flashcards.
- Organize concepts with mind maps.
- Reinforce recall with learning games.
- Use the AI Tutor for confusing areas.
- Finish with the Test Day Cheat Sheet and exam simulator.
Insurance licensing exams are content-heavy and multiple-choice. That means students usually need more than one pass through the material. TESTivity is built around that reality.
Related TESTivity Study Tools
Once you understand California’s licensing requirements, use TESTivity to prepare for the exam itself:
- Insurance Exam Prep Course: TESTivity Platinum Study Package
- Insurance Exam Practice Questions / Exam Simulator
- Insurance Exam Study Guide / Study Manual
- Insurance Exam Flashcards
- Insurance Exam Audio Course
- Insurance Exam Video Course
- AI Insurance Exam Tutor
- Insurance Exam Cheat Sheet
- Insurance Exam Mind Maps
- Insurance Exam Learning Games
TESTivity California Insurance Exam Prep
California’s licensing process tells you what boxes must be checked. TESTivity helps you prepare for the box that makes most students nervous: the exam.
The TESTivity Platinum Study Package is designed for students who want a complete, multi-modal study experience. Instead of forcing you to rely on one giant textbook and a prayer, TESTivity gives you multiple ways to absorb, review, practice, and retain the material.
With TESTivity, you can:
- Study from a structured online manual.
- Practice with exam-style questions.
- Build confidence using the exam simulator.
- Review key definitions with flashcards.
- Reinforce topics with audio lessons.
- Watch difficult concepts explained on video.
- Connect ideas using mind maps.
- Make repetition easier with learning games.
- Ask questions with the AI Tutor.
- Use the Test Day Cheat Sheet for final review.
California requires the 12-hour Ethics and California Insurance Code course before a license can be issued. We recommend Achievable.me for that requirement.
Then, when it is time to prepare for the actual California insurance licensing exam, TESTivity helps you study like passing matters.
Ready to PASS Your California Insurance Exam? Start the TESTivity Platinum Study Package
93% pass rate · Video, Mind Maps, Audio, Textbook, Learning Games, Flashcards, Cheat Sheet, Exam Simulator & AI Tutor · Pass guarantee included
Frequently Asked Questions About Getting a California Insurance License
About This California Insurance License Guide
GetTheLicense.org creates licensing guides for students preparing for state insurance exams across the United States. Our goal is to make state licensing requirements easier to understand and to help future insurance professionals choose the right study path.
This California guide is based on current information from the California Department of Insurance, including licensing procedures, exam information, ethics education requirements, fingerprinting requirements, fee information, and continuing education rules. Because state licensing rules can change, applicants should always verify final requirements with the California Department of Insurance before applying, scheduling an exam, or purchasing required education.
About the author
Matt Williams
Matt Williams has been teaching insurance pre-licensing curriculum for over 20 years and has helped thousands of people pass their exams on their first attempt. Matt holds Life & Health, Property & Casualty, and Adjuster insurance licenses along with the Series 7, 8, 24, 63, and 65 FINRA/NASAA designations, and the CLU, ChFC, and CFP® professional credentials. He is a certified trainer in adult education and the founder of TESTivity.
The TESTivity Platinum Study Package is built around exactly this map: video lessons weighted to the actual exam outline, mind maps that show how coverage types relate to each other, a full-length exam simulator that mirrors the California PSI format, and a pass guarantee. Built by the people who teach the exam — used by the candidates who pass it!
Ready to Start Your California Insurance Career?
Getting licensed in the Golden State starts with understanding the rules. California requires the 12-hour Ethics and California Insurance Code course before your license can be issued, and we recommend Achievable.me for that requirement.
But checking the education box is only part of the journey.
To pass the California insurance licensing exam, you need to understand the material, recognize how questions are written, and practice until the concepts feel familiar instead of foggy.
That is what TESTivity is built for.
Start with the TESTivity Platinum Study Package and prepare with the full suite of study tools: practice questions, exam simulator, flashcards, audio, video, mind maps, learning games, AI Tutor, and the Test Day Cheat Sheet.
Use Achievable for California’s required ethics course. Use TESTivity to prepare for the exam.
Put yourself on the fast track to pass your California Insurance licensing exam with the TESTivity Platinum Study Package
93% pass rate · Video, Mind Maps, Audio, Textbook, Learning Games, Flashcards, Cheat Sheet, Exam Simulator & AI Tutor · Pass guarantee included