How to get a New Jersey life & health license
Requirements, exam, fees and the order to do things in — from the NJ Department of Banking and Insurance (DOBI) and the exam handbook.
Step by step
- Complete pre-licensing education — 20 hours from a New Jersey-approved provider.
- Schedule and pass the state exam with PSI ($38). Read the candidate handbook.
- Get fingerprinted if required — Required (IdentoGo Live Scan); ~$66.
- Apply for the license through NIPR or the NJ Department of Banking and Insurance (DOBI) ($170).
- Get appointed by an insurance company (agents) and keep up with continuing education — 24 per 2-yr term incl. 3 ethics (N.J.A.C. 11:17-3.6) hours per renewal (license term: 2 years).
Pre-licensing & exam prep courses
- Kaplan Financial Education — state-approved pre-licensing and exam prep, the long-running market leader
- ExamFX — pre-licensing and exam prep with a pass guarantee
- AceableAgent — mobile-first pre-licensing courses
- XCEL Solutions — low-cost online pre-licensing and exam prep
Pick a course approved in New Jersey. Some links may be affiliate links.
New Jersey Life & Health requirements
| Life | Accident & Health | |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-licensing education | 20 hours | 20 hours |
| Exam vendor | PSI | PSI |
| Exam fee | $38 | $38 |
| Questions / time | — | — |
| License application fee | $170 | $170 |
| Fingerprints | Required (IdentoGo Live Scan); ~$66 verify | Required (IdentoGo Live Scan); ~$66 verify |
| Continuing education | 24 per 2-yr term incl. 3 ethics (N.J.A.C. 11:17-3.6) hours · 2 years | 24 per 2-yr term incl. 3 ethics (N.J.A.C. 11:17-3.6) hours · 2 years |
Life: Separate Life and Health exams. Pre-licensing 20 hrs per N.J.A.C. 11:17-3.4; certificates never expire. Question count/time not published in bulletin. App fee $170 per NIPR (bulletin: $150 license fee + processing).
Accident & Health: Separate 'Health' exam.
Minimum age 18. Sources: PSI New Jersey Insurance Candidate Information Bulletin · NIPR – New Jersey resident individual requirements · NIPR – New Jersey state information · N.J.A.C. 11:17-3.6 Continuing education. Checked 2026-10. Values marked verify haven't been confirmed against an official source yet.
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Life & Health license rules across the US
Other New Jersey licenses
Property & Casualty license · Adjuster license · All New Jersey insurance licenses
Questions
How long does it take to get a life and health insurance license in New Jersey?
The 20 hours of pre-licensing take most people 1–3 weeks. After you pass, license approval usually takes a few days to a few weeks after fingerprints clear.
How much does a New Jersey Life & Health license cost?
State fees (exam + application) come to about $416, plus fingerprints and a course if you take one.
Who runs the New Jersey insurance exam?
PSI. Book the exam on the vendor's site after reading the candidate handbook.