Oregon Insurance Licenses: Frequently Asked Questions

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How can I learn more about what an insurance career really offers?
Visit the career information section of our Web site for a helpful overview of the exciting world of insurance. Talking to successful professionals is another great way to learn more about being an insurance agent on a daily basis. Check out our free articles to help you decide if an insurance career is right for you!

Why is ProSchools’ program better than the competition’s?
You may find cheaper programs, but you will not be able to find a better online program of study. Our high pass rates prove we are the best at getting new insurance careers launched!

With ProSchools’ online program, you are able to study at home any hour or day of the week. Our unbeatable online quizzes and mock state exams provide you with the confidence you will pass the first time!

What kind of financial investment does it take to start a new career
in insurance?
Investment in your new insurance career is surprisingly low. For under $500, you can be trained, tested, licensed and ready to go to work in just a couple of weeks.

Where are the lectures held?
Prelicense courses are taught in West Portland. ProSchools classroom is located inside the Cedar Hills Shopping Center at 10226 SW Park Way, Portland, Oregon.

What content is covered in each insurance class?
ProSchools’ Oregon insurance classes meet the state’s education requirement for insurance producer licensing. Here are a few highlights of what’s covered in each Oregon insurance class:

Oregon Life Insurance (20 Hours) Whole life products Term and endowment insurance products Group life and business uses of life insurance Annuities Retirement Plans   Oregon Health Insurance (20 Hours) Disability income insurance Accidental death and dismemberment policies Senior care Group insurance Taxes and field underwriting   Oregon Property and Casualty Insurance (40 Hours) Insurance concepts and contracts Dwelling policy forms Homeowners policy Auto insurance Commercial package policy Business owners policy Workers compensation insurance

Can I complete the program at home?
Yes. Oregon regulations allow you to complete the mandated hours of education at home. You will log in and log out of each session, and the computer will keep track of your total hours accumulated.

Why is a background check required?
Since insurance professionals have access to individuals’ and businesses’ personal and financial information, state licensing agencies need to protect the public by ensuring only trustworthy people enter the profession.

Prior to receiving your license, you must submit a set of fingerprints with your license application. With these fingerprints, the Oregon Insurance Division will perform a background check through the Oregon State Police.

When should I submit my Oregon insurance license application form?
The earlier the better! Submit your application as soon as possible—even before you start your education program. Why? Because the background check may take as long as a month to complete.

Where can I get fingerprinted?
You can get fingerprinted at any ProSchools office location. Many police stations also offer the service, if you call ahead for an appointment.

How do I know in which lines of insurance I need to be licensed?
The manager who has expressed interest in hiring you as an insurance agent knows which lines of insurance you’ll be selling. Contact him/her to find out which coursework you’ll need.

Do I need to find a company to work for before completing the education?
Generally, students complete the education as a result of having already selected an employer for whom they’d like to work. However, it is not required that you already know for whom you’d like to work before completing the education requirement and applying for the license. But you will not be able to activate your license until you are “sponsored” by an experienced insurance manager who will serve as your mentor while you “learn the ropes.”

How do I apply for an Oregon insurance license?
You may submit a "paperless" application or submit your application manually.
To submit a "paperless" application you must:

• Obtain the "paperless" application by clicking here.
• Pay the application fees by credit card. The application and processing fees are $75 ($30 application + $45 license).
• If you are applying for your initial insurance license, you must submit a completed fingerprint card.

• Fill out the application completely
• Pay the application fees. The application and processing fees are $75 ($30 application + $45 license).
• If you are applying for your initial insurance license, you must submit a completed fingerprint card.

When can I take my insurance exam?
To sit for the examination, you must (1) send your application to the DCBS; (2) complete the required courses and obtain a certificate of completion issued by ProSchools for those courses; (3) have received from DCBS your exam eligibility notice that authorizes you to sit for the examination; (4) within 180 days, arrange to take and pass all of your exams.

I am already licensed and want to add a line of authority. Do I have to submit another application?
Yes. If you already have an Oregon insurance license under one class of insurance and wish to obtain another class of licensure, you must fill out another Oregon Producer Application and send it to the state with the required application and license fee.

What can I take with me to the exam testing site?
You may not bring any materials to the exam site. You can use a simple 4-function calculator, if needed, but it cannot have any programmable memory functions. You will not be allowed any type of Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), such as a Palm Pilot or any other electronic device with storage capacity. If needed, you will be given a piece of paper to use for math questions.

What is the exam like?
The exam is administered on a computer. However, you really don’t need to know how to use a computer. An exam proctor will explain all of the procedures, answer any questions about the testing process, and monitor the exams. During the exam, you may change answers, and/or go back and review previous questions.

What’s covered on the state exam?
The state itemizes exam content in a document entitled “Exam Content Outline.” The Exam Content Outline is provided by the test provider.

How do I know if I passed the exam?
You’ll be given your exam results immediately upon completion. You will receive a score for each section. If you have an average score of at least 70%, you pass. (You do NOT have to score 70% on each section.) Within a short time after the test is scored, you will be given a printed score sheet.

What about retesting if I fail?
You may test as many times as necessary during your 180-day examination window; however, each time you test, you will have to pay the exam fee. It is highly recommended that you study more before taking the test a second time.

Who is the Department of Consumer and Business Services (DCBS)?
Located in Salem, the DCBS is the Oregon state agency responsible for overseeing the insurance industry. You may contact the DCBS Agent Licensing Division at 503-947-7981 or online at www.oregoninsurance.org.

Who is Thompson Prometric?
Prometric is the testing company hired by the Oregon State DCBS to administer Oregon’s insurance license exams. You may contact Prometric directly at 888-763-0135 or online at www.prometric.com.

Once I pass, when can I begin selling insurance?
Passing the test does not guarantee issuance of the license. You will be able to start selling insurance policies only after actually receiving your license, which usually takes approximately 10-15 business days after passing the exam.