How to get a Pennsylvania life & health license
Requirements, exam, fees and the order to do things in — from the Pennsylvania Insurance Department and the exam handbook.
Step by step
- Study for the exam — Pennsylvania doesn't require a pre-licensing course for this license, but most first-time candidates take an exam-prep course.
- Schedule and pass the state exam with PSI ($45). Read the candidate handbook.
- Get fingerprinted if required — Required for new resident producers (IdentoGO; fee paid at enrollment center, ~$25).
- Apply for the license through NIPR or the Pennsylvania Insurance Department ($55 (+~$12.50 online fee)).
- Get appointed by an insurance company (agents) and keep up with continuing education — 24 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 Pennsylvania (optional here, but it lifts pass rates). Some links may be affiliate links.
Pennsylvania Life & Health requirements
| Life (16-01) | Accident & Health (16-02) | |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-licensing education | None required | None required |
| Exam vendor | PSI | PSI |
| Exam fee | $45 | $45 |
| Questions / time | 120 min | 120 min |
| License application fee | $55 (+~$12.50 online fee) | $55 (+~$12.50 online fee) |
| Fingerprints | Required for new resident producers (IdentoGO; fee paid at enrollment center, ~$25) verify | Required for new resident producers (IdentoGO; fee paid at enrollment center, ~$25) verify |
| Continuing education | 24 hours · 2 years | 24 hours · 2 years |
Life (16-01): No pre-licensing education listed in PSI bulletin (PA repealed mandatory pre-licensing). Combined Life, A&H (16-03): $55, 170 min.
Minimum age 18. Sources: PSI Pennsylvania Insurance Candidate Information Bulletin · PSI Pennsylvania Insurance test listing (fees). Checked 2026-10. Values marked verify haven't been confirmed against an official source yet.
Get a free Pennsylvania Life & Health study plan
A week-by-week exam plan, the exam outline and reminders to book fingerprints and apply. Free; launching soon, join the list.
Life & Health license rules across the US
Other Pennsylvania licenses
Property & Casualty license · Adjuster license · All Pennsylvania insurance licenses
Questions
How long does it take to get a life and health insurance license in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania has no required pre-licensing hours, so many candidates sit the exam within 1–3 weeks of studying. After you pass, license approval usually takes a few days to a few weeks after fingerprints clear.
How much does a Pennsylvania Life & Health license cost?
State fees (exam + application) come to about $200, plus fingerprints and a course if you take one.
Who runs the Pennsylvania insurance exam?
PSI. Book the exam on the vendor's site after reading the candidate handbook.