5 Comments to “What type of licensing is required for insurance agents or underwriters?”

1. Brenda Z says:

   March 15, 2010 at 3:45 pm

   First you will need to pass an exam in the insurance area you will be licensed, such as Life, Health, Auto etc. Your State issues the license and exam. Contact your State’s Insurance Department and they can help you. Some states require you to take an online course prior to taking your exam. Come on and join us, it is a great career!
2. mbrcatz17 says:

   March 16, 2010 at 9:36 am

   Agents are required to have a license to sell insurance, whatever type of insurance you’re selling, issued from your state. You have to pass a test to get the license.

   Underwriters don’t have any legal requirements, however, you can’t underwrite if you don’t know the business. Because of that, there aren’t many people willing to hire and train from the ground up – years of insurance experience help. SOME underwriters, however, are really wholesale brokers – in which case you still need a license.
3. Michael W says:

   March 16, 2010 at 4:12 pm

   It all depends on the state you live in because the licensing is state specific. Most states require that you take a course prior to registering for the exam. As a Life Agent, I took the Life, Health, and Disability course/exam. Here in California, our department of insurance requires a 52-hour course to be a life agent. This can be done in a classroom or online (I prefer classroom). Takes a lot of studying, but it’s very well worth it. Also, be very wary of the companies you work with because of contracts and their pay structure and benefits. If you have anymore questions I’ll be happy to assist you the best I can.
4. doncunn8 says:

   March 17, 2010 at 11:11 pm

   The two major catagories are (1) Life and health insurance, and (2) Casualty insurance. Each require their own license. Casualty insurance includes auto ins., homeowners ins., business, workmen’s comp., liability, etc.

   In addition to training (no of hours instruction) you will need to get a company to sponsor you, then take an examination at the state level. After that you are required to complete X number of hours each year as continuing education, in order to maintain your license.

   Please do not get the idea that selling insurance is an easy job because it is anything but that. It is hard to convince someone, for instance, to buy life insurance because it is concerned with death and shows no immediate gratification for the money spent. Not like selling someone a new car, a boat, travel trailer, etc. It is very hard work.
5. Donna C says:

   March 20, 2010 at 11:21 am

   I live in Texas and yes you need licences. You need to have a license even if you work in an agency. Not everyone has one, but if you take money, you need one.
   In Texas you have to have one, to write property and casualty and then one for life and health.

   Call your state board and they will answer any questions that you have.