How to get a Washington life & health license
Requirements, exam, fees and the order to do things in — from the Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) and the exam handbook.
Step by step
- Study for the exam — Washington 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 ($38). Read the candidate handbook.
- Get fingerprinted if required — Required for residents (IDEMIA/IdentoGO, after application submitted); $52 from Oct 1 2026 (was $49).
- Apply for the license through NIPR or the Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) ($55).
- Get appointed by an insurance company (agents) and keep up with continuing education — 24 per 2 years incl. 3 ethics 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 Washington (optional here, but it lifts pass rates). Some links may be affiliate links.
Washington Life & Health requirements
| Life | Accident & Health | |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-licensing education | None required | None required |
| Exam vendor | PSI | PSI |
| Exam fee | $38 | $38 |
| Questions / time | 100 · 150 min | 100 · 150 min |
| License application fee | $55 | $55 |
| Fingerprints | Required for residents (IDEMIA/IdentoGO, after application submitted); $52 from Oct 1 2026 (was $49) | Required for residents (IDEMIA/IdentoGO, after application submitted); $52 from Oct 1 2026 (was $49) |
| Continuing education | 24 per 2 years incl. 3 ethics hours · 2 years | 24 per 2 years incl. 3 ethics hours · 2 years |
Life: Pre-licensing education eliminated July 23 2023 (HB 1061, per OIC); PSI bulletin rev. 8/3/2026 still says pre-license required – conflict, OIC page taken as authoritative. Life+Disability combo: 150 q / 195 min / $55.
Accident & Health: WA calls the line 'Disability'.
Minimum age 18. Sources: PSI Washington OIC Candidate Information Bulletin (rev. 8/3/2026) · NIPR – Washington resident individual requirements · WA OIC – Producers pre-licensing education · WA OIC – Fingerprint requirements. 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 Washington licenses
Property & Casualty license · Adjuster license · All Washington insurance licenses
Questions
How long does it take to get a life and health insurance license in Washington?
Washington 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 Washington Life & Health license cost?
State fees (exam + application) come to about $186, plus fingerprints and a course if you take one.
Who runs the Washington insurance exam?
PSI. Book the exam on the vendor's site after reading the candidate handbook.