Ultimate Guide to Become a Life and Health Insurance Agent in the Evergreen State
If you want to sell life insurance, health insurance, disability income coverage, accident and sickness products, annuities, or related insurance products in Washington, you need the proper insurance producer license.
Most students search for this as a Washington life and health insurance license, but Washington uses slightly different terminology. The state commonly refers to the health-related line as Disability, so you will often see the combined license and exam described as Life and Disability rather than Life and Health.
That small wording difference matters. It shows up in state licensing materials, PSI exam outlines, application options, and exam prep. Think of it as Washington’s licensing dialect: same general insurance territory, different road signs.
Washington’s insurance licensing process is regulated by the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner, commonly called the OIC. Washington uses PSI for insurance licensing exams, and resident producer applicants generally need to pass the proper exam, apply online, and complete fingerprinting before the license can be issued. The OIC states that a producer is someone licensed to sell, solicit, or negotiate insurance in Washington.
Washington no longer requires producer candidates to complete prelicensing education before taking the insurance exam. The OIC says that, effective July 23, 2023, prelicensing education is no longer required to take the exam.
That does not mean the exam is easy. It means your preparation is now your responsibility. The Washington Life and Disability Producer Combo exam is a PSI exam with 150 questions/items and 195 minutes of testing time.
Quick Facts About the Washington Life and Health Insurance License
| Licensing Item | Washington Requirement |
|---|---|
| Common search term | Washington life and health insurance license |
| Washington terminology | Life and Disability |
| License type | Insurance Producer |
| State regulator | Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner |
| Testing vendor | PSI |
| Prelicensing education | Not required for producers as of July 23, 2023 |
| Life and Disability combo exam | 150 questions/items |
| Exam time | 195 minutes |
| Passing score | 70% |
| Application method | Online through NIPR |
| Fingerprinting | Required for Washington resident applicants |
| Fingerprint vendor | IdentoGO |
| Fingerprint fee | $49.00 |
| First-time full-lines producer license fee | $55 |
| CE requirement | 24 hours, including 3 ethics hours |
Washington candidates may take the insurance exam at PSI test centers or check whether they qualify for remote testing. The OIC directs candidates to PSI for exam scheduling, fees, eligibility, content outlines, and testing rules.
What Can You Sell With a Washington Life and Health Insurance License?
A Washington life and health insurance license, officially reflected in Washington terminology as Life and Disability, allows producers to work with insurance products that protect people, families, employees, and businesses from financial loss tied to death, illness, injury, disability, and related personal risks.
Depending on the specific line or combination of lines you hold, this may include:
Life Insurance Products
- Term life insurance
- Whole life insurance
- Universal life insurance
- Variable life insurance, with separate securities requirements
- Final expense insurance
- Group life insurance
- Life insurance riders
- Life insurance policy options
- Annuity-related products, when properly licensed
Health, Disability, Accident, and Sickness Products
- Individual health insurance
- Group health insurance
- Disability income insurance
- Accident insurance
- Sickness coverage
- Medical expense plans
- Medicare-related products, when applicable
- Long-term care concepts
- Supplemental health products
In Washington licensing language, the health side of the license is commonly called Disability. In student language and SEO language, “life and health” is still the phrase many people use. This page uses both so candidates can connect what they search for with what Washington actually calls it.
How to Get a Washington Life and Health Insurance License in 5 Steps
Step 1: Choose the Right Line of Authority
Before you schedule an exam or apply for a license, decide which line of authority fits your career goal.
Choose Life if you want to sell life insurance products, such as term life, whole life, universal life, and certain annuity-related products.
Choose Disability if you want to sell health, disability income, accident, sickness, and related products.
Choose Life and Disability if you want the broader path that combines both sides. This is the path many students mean when they search for a Washington life and health insurance license.
If you are still comparing license types, start with Insurance Licensing in Washington: Complete Guide to License Types and Requirements. That page gives the full Washington licensing map. This page focuses specifically on the Life and Health, or Life and Disability, path.
Step 2: Study for the Washington PSI Life and Disability Exam
Washington does not require producer candidates to complete prelicensing education before taking the exam. The OIC states that prelicensing education is no longer required to take the insurance exam as of July 23, 2023.
That rule change gives candidates more flexibility, but it also removes the guardrails. Nobody forces you to sit through a state-approved prelicensing course before test day. That means it is easier to underestimate the exam.
The Washington Life and Disability exam still tests:
- Washington insurance laws and regulations
- Producer responsibilities
- General insurance concepts
- Life insurance basics
- Types of life policies
- Life policy provisions, options, and riders
- Annuities
- Accident and health policy provisions
- Disability income insurance
- Medical plans
- Group health insurance
- Senior health and special-needs coverage
- Federal tax considerations
This is where Washington-specific preparation matters. TESTivity’s Washington Life and Health study tools are built from the ground up with Washington in mind. They are not generic national materials wearing a Washington sticker and hoping nobody notices.
Washington uses PSI. PSI exams have their own style, structure, and question rhythm. Over 20+ years of insurance exam prep experience, TESTivity has learned that Prometric, Pearson VUE, and PSI do not always test the same way. The worst thing you can do is study with material that does not resemble what you will actually see on the screen in the testing center.
Why Exam Prep Matters in Washington
Washington gives candidates flexibility by not requiring mandatory prelicensing hours. But flexibility can become a trap if it leads to scattered studying.
The Washington L&H insurance exam is a content-heavy multiple-choice exam. 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 3: Schedule and Pass the Washington Life and Disability Exam
Washington insurance licensing exams are administered by PSI. The OIC says candidates can test at a PSI test center or check whether they qualify for remote testing. The OIC also directs candidates to the PSI candidate information bulletin for exam fees, eligibility, exam content outlines, and testing center rules.
The Washington Life and Disability Producer Combo exam includes 150 questions/items and allows 195 minutes.
Washington requires a score of at least 70% to pass the state insurance license exam.
For a deeper exam strategy, see How to Pass the Insurance Licensing Exam in Washington.
Step 4: Apply for Your Washington Life and Health Producer License
After passing the required exam, apply for your Washington insurance producer license through NIPR, the National Insurance Producer Registry.
Your application will generally require:
- Personal identifying information
- Washington residency information
- License class and line of authority
- Background questions
- Exam information
- Payment of required licensing fees
NIPR’s Washington resident licensing guidance includes state-specific notes for several license types and lines of authority. For example, life settlements broker applicants must have an active producer life license for one year before applying for a life settlements broker license.
For most new Life and Disability producer candidates, the main sequence is: pass the exam, apply online, complete fingerprinting, and wait for the state to issue the license.
Step 5: Complete Fingerprinting and Background Check
Washington resident applicants must complete fingerprinting as part of the background-check process. The OIC says applicants do not need to mail fingerprints because IdentoGO transmits them electronically. The current fingerprinting cost listed by the OIC is $49.00.
Washington’s fingerprinting order is important:
- Pass the required insurance exam.
- Submit your Washington insurance license application.
- Schedule fingerprinting through IdentoGO.
- Pay the fingerprinting fee.
- Allow IdentoGO to transmit the results electronically.
Do not assume your license is active simply because you passed the exam. Your license cannot be issued until Washington has received and processed the required application and background-check information.
Washington Life and Health Exam Details
The Washington Life and Disability Producer Combo exam is administered by PSI. The PSI exam information lists the Life and Disability Producer Combo exam as 195 minutes with 150 questions/items.
General Exam Facts
| Exam Item | Washington Detail |
|---|---|
| Testing vendor | PSI |
| Common exam name | Life and Disability Producer Combo |
| Common student search term | Life and Health |
| Exam length | 150 questions/items |
| Time allowed | 195 minutes |
| Passing score | 70% |
| Exam delivery | PSI test center or possible remote testing |
| Prelicensing education | Not required for producers |
| State regulator | Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner |
Washington Life and Disability Exam Content Areas
The Washington Life and Disability exam is designed to test both national insurance knowledge and Washington-specific rules. Candidates should expect content from these major areas:
| Exam Content Area | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Federal laws and regulations | Tests federal rules that affect insurance transactions |
| Washington laws, rules, and regulations | Tests state-specific producer duties, licensing rules, and prohibited practices |
| General insurance concepts | Covers contract basics, risk, underwriting, and core insurance principles |
| Life insurance basics | Builds the foundation for life products and policy design |
| Types of life insurance policies | Tests term, whole, universal, and related policy structures |
| Life policy provisions, options, and riders | Often a major source of detailed exam questions |
| Annuities | Tests accumulation, payout, suitability, and product structure |
| Accident and health policy provisions | Covers health and disability policy language |
| Disability income and related insurance | Important because Washington uses “disability” terminology |
| Medical plans | Tests health coverage concepts and plan structures |
| Group health insurance | Covers employer and group coverage issues |
| Senior and special-needs coverage | Includes Medicare-related and senior market concepts |
| Federal tax considerations | Tests tax treatment of life and health products |
A strong study plan should not treat these as isolated islands. Life insurance provisions connect to riders. Annuities connect to tax rules. Disability income connects to elimination periods, benefit periods, and policy definitions. Washington law connects to almost everything because producer conduct, advertising, replacement, unfair practices, and licensing rules can appear across the exam.
Washington Life and Health License Fees
Washington’s OIC publishes producer licensing fees. The first-time individual full-lines producer license fee for life, disability/health, property, casualty, or personal lines is currently $55.
The OIC lists the current fingerprinting cost at $49.00 through IdentoGO.
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| First-time full-lines individual producer license | $55 |
| Fingerprinting/background check through IdentoGO | $49 |
| On-time full-lines producer renewal | $55 |
| Late renewal, up to 30 days late | $82.50 |
| Late renewal, 31 to 60 days late | $110 |
| Reinstatement, 61 days to 12 months after expiration | $165 |
Exam fees are paid through PSI and should be confirmed in the current PSI candidate information bulletin before scheduling.
Fingerprinting and Background Check for Washington Life and Health Applicants
Fingerprinting is required for Washington resident insurance applicants. IdentoGO transmits fingerprints electronically, so applicants do not need to send fingerprint cards to the OIC.
Washington Fingerprinting Checklist
Before fingerprinting:
- Pass the Washington Life and Disability exam.
- Submit your Washington insurance license application.
- Schedule fingerprinting through IdentoGO.
- Pay the $49 fingerprinting fee.
- Confirm your information matches your application.
- Keep your fingerprint receipt.
This is one of the easiest steps to mishandle because many candidates assume fingerprints come before the application. In Washington, the cleaner sequence is exam, application, fingerprinting, state review.
Washington Life and Health License Application Process
After passing your exam, apply through NIPR.
Basic Application Steps
- Go to NIPR.
- Select Washington.
- Choose the resident individual producer application.
- Select the appropriate line of authority, such as Life, Disability, or Life and Disability.
- Complete the required personal information.
- Answer all background questions accurately.
- Pay the Washington licensing fee.
- Complete fingerprinting through IdentoGO.
- Watch for state communication if additional information is needed.
Small mistakes can slow things down. Make sure your name, address, exam information, and application details match. If you answer “yes” to a background question, be prepared to provide supporting documentation if the state requests it.
Washington Life and Health License Renewal and Continuing Education
Washington resident individual producers with life, disability, property, casualty, or personal lines authority must complete 24 hours of continuing education, including 3 ethics hours, before renewal or reinstatement.
Renewal Quick Facts
| Renewal Item | Washington Requirement |
|---|---|
| CE requirement | 24 hours |
| Ethics requirement | 3 hours |
| On-time full-lines renewal fee | $55 |
| Late renewal up to 30 days | $82.50 |
| Late renewal 31 to 60 days | $110 |
| Reinstatement 61 days to 12 months | $165 |
Do not wait until the last few days of your license term to complete CE. Reporting delays, course access issues, and payment problems can turn a simple renewal into a paper porcupine.
Washington-Specific Life and Health Licensing Quirks
Washington Calls Health “Disability”
The biggest wording issue for new candidates is that Washington often uses Disability where many people expect to see Health. A student may search for “Washington health insurance license,” but state materials may refer to a Disability line of authority or a Life and Disability exam.
For this reason, the phrase Washington life and health insurance license is useful for search and student clarity, while Life and Disability should be used when explaining the official exam and license language.
Washington Does Not Require Producer Prelicensing Education
Washington removed the producer prelicensing education requirement effective July 23, 2023. Candidates can schedule the licensing exam without first completing a state-required prelicensing course.
That rule gives you flexibility, but it also means your study process has to be self-disciplined.
Washington Uses PSI
Washington insurance licensing exams are administered through PSI. PSI exams have their own feel, pacing, and question structure.
TESTivity’s Washington exam simulator is built to help students practice in a way that reflects the Washington PSI exam, rather than relying on generic questions written for a vague national audience.
Variable Life and Variable Annuities May Require Securities Registration
Variable life and variable annuity products are securities-linked products. Candidates who want to sell variable products typically need the proper insurance authority plus securities registration. NIPR’s Washington guidance references FINRA CRD requirements for variable life and variable annuity applicants.
Life Settlements Broker Has an Additional Requirement
NIPR notes that Washington life settlements broker applicants must have an active insurance producer life license in any state for one year before applying.
This does not affect most brand-new life and health candidates, but it matters if your long-term plan includes life settlements.
Study for the Washington Life and Health Exam with TESTivity
Washington does not require prelicensing education, but the exam still decides whether you move forward. That means your study tools matter.
Generic national material can leave gaps because it may not reflect Washington terminology, Washington state law, or PSI-style exam structure. The Washington Life and Disability exam requires more than loose memorization. You need to understand life policies, health and disability concepts, annuities, tax treatment, policy provisions, producer duties, and state-specific rules.
TESTivity’s Washington Life and Health study tools are built specifically for Washington candidates preparing for PSI exams.
TESTivity Washington Life and Health Study Tools Include:
- Washington Insurance Exam Study Guide / Study Manual
Build your foundation with a structured study manual written around the Washington exam. - Washington Insurance Exam Practice Questions / Exam Simulator
Practice with questions designed to mimic PSI-style structure, pacing, and logic. - Insurance Exam Flashcards
Use active recall to master terms, definitions, Washington rules, provisions, riders, and policy concepts. - Insurance Exam Audio Course
Reinforce key ideas while driving, walking, exercising, or working around your schedule. - Insurance Exam Video Course
Clarify tough topics like annuities, disability income, health provisions, replacement, and tax treatment. - Insurance Exam Mind Maps
Connect major insurance systems visually so the exam feels less like a pile of loose puzzle pieces. - Insurance Exam Learning Games
Make repetition less dry with crossword-style and interactive review. - Insurance Exam Cheat Sheet
Use a final review tool in the last stretch before test day. - AI Insurance Exam Tutor
Get help understanding weak areas, confusing terms, and difficult exam topics.
For the strongest path, choose the TESTivity Platinum Study Package, which combines the full set of Washington-specific tools into one complete exam-prep system.
Washington Life and Health Insurance License FAQ
About This Washington Life & Health Insurance License Guide
This guide was created for GetTheLicense.org by the TESTivity insurance education team. TESTivity has spent more than 20 years helping insurance licensing candidates prepare for state exams with practical, exam-focused study tools.
Our approach is simple: students should prepare for the exam they are actually going to take. Washington uses PSI. Washington calls the health-related line Disability. Washington has its own licensing process, state-law emphasis, application steps, and fingerprinting rules. TESTivity’s Washington Life and Health tools are designed around that reality.
Licensing requirements, fees, exam procedures, and vendor rules can change. Always confirm final requirements with the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner, PSI, NIPR, and IdentoGO before scheduling your exam or submitting your application.
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 Washington PSI format, and a pass guarantee. Built by the people who teach the exam — used by the candidates who pass it!
Ready to Get Your Washington Life and Health Insurance License?
Your path is clear: choose your line of authority, study for the Washington PSI exam, pass the test, apply through NIPR, complete fingerprinting, and wait for the state to issue your license.
But the exam is the gatekeeper.
Do not study with generic material that only half-matches the Washington exam. TESTivity’s Washington Life and Health study tools are built for Washington candidates, Washington terminology, Washington law, and PSI-style testing.
Start with the TESTivity Platinum Study Package or choose the Washington Life and Health tools that match your learning style. Study smarter, practice harder, and walk into your PSI exam ready.
📋 Official Washington L&H Insurance Licensing Resources
To ensure absolute accuracy when registering for your exam and filing your application, we recommend utilizing these official state materials alongside your TESTivity Platinum Study Package.
Instant PDF Downloads
-
Washington L&H Insurance Candidate Information Bulletin (PDF)
Direct mirror hosted by GetTheLicense.org -
Washington Life and Disability Insurance Licensing Exam Content Outline (PDF)
Official exam breakdown and topic weighting
Official Portals & Live Verification
-
Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC)
For resident agent regulations and fee schedules -
PSI Washington L&H Insurance Licensing Exam Page
To schedule your exam, find test centers, or check live updates