Washington 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 program of study. Our students often express their appreciation for how we consistently go the extra mile.

With ProSchools’ exclusive Web-based program, you are able to study at home any hour or day of the week, thereby reinforcing what you learned in the classroom. Our unbeatable online quiz and mock state exams—included FREE—provide you with the confidence to pass the first time!

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

Where are the lectures held?
ProSchools holds classes in Tacoma and Vancouver. The address for the Tacoma classes is:
Shilo Inn
7414 South Hosmer
Tacoma, WA 9808
The address for the Vancouver classes is:
201 NE Park Plaza Dr., Suite 268
Vancouver, WA 98684

What content is covered in each insurance class?
ProSchools’ Washington insurance classes meet the state’s education requirement for insurance agent licensing. Here are some of the highlights covered in each course:

Washington Insurance Laws & Regulations (4 hours) Duties of the Washington state insurance commissioner Insurance agent license requirements Fair market practices   Washington Life Insurance (16 hours) Whole life products Term and endowment insurance products Group life and business uses of life insurance Annuities Retirement Plans   Washington Disability (Health) Insurance (16 hours) Disability income insurance Accidental death and dismemberment policies Senior care Group insurance Taxes and field underwriting   Washington Property and Casualty Insurance (16+16 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? 
No. Washington regulations require that you complete the mandated hours of education in an approved school. However, if you believe that it will be a hardship for you to attend classes at one of our locations (e.g., you live more than 50 miles away), contact the licensing division at the Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC); you may be eligible for a waiver to study at home.

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 Washington state insurance commissioner’s office will perform a background check through the Washington State Patrol.

Where can I get fingerprinted?
You will be fingerprinted at the Pearson Vue exam site. Be sure to take a cashier’s check or money order to pay the fingerprinting charge. Many police stations also offer the service if you call ahead for an appointment. Make sure they use form FD-258. Do not use a highlighter on the fingerprint card and do not fold it because it will not be accepted.

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 affiliated with an existing agency or appointed by an insurer.

How do I apply for the insurance license?
The insurance license application form is available from your new employer’s managing broker or online at the Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) www.insurance.wa.gov. Your application packet should include all of the following: a completed fingerprint card, at least one Appointment/Affiliation Notice, fingerprint processing fee payable to the Washington State Patrol, original exam score reports, signed prelicense education certificates of completion, and appropriate filing and license fees. 

If I hold a valid license in another state, how do I apply for a waiver for the prelicense education?
Washington permits a waiver of the general prelicense education for those lines in which a candidate holds a valid license in another state, if the candidate has been licensed continuously for a minimum of two years, and within the 90 days prior to applying. You may apply for a waiver by sending a letter, affirming that your license status conforms to these requirements. Include in the waiver request a statement that you understand a 4-hour course on Washington's rules and regulations still must be completed.

Where can I get an “Appointment/Affiliation Notice”?
At least one Appointment/Affiliation Notice (form #INS-18) must accompany your license application. A license will not be issued without one. This form is available from your new employer’s managing broker or online at www.insurance.wa.gov.

Where are the exam testing centers?
Test centers are located in Wenatchee, Lacey, Kennewick, Tukwila, Spokane, Vancouver, Yakima, and Everett. Specific locations and schedules are available in the State of Washington Insurance Candidate Handbook, and at www.pearsonvue.com. Scheduled test days vary widely by location. 

What can I take with me to the exam testing site?
You may not bring any materials to the exam site. You will be given some paper for math calculations.

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.” You are conveniently provided a copy of this list in the back of your ProSchools textbook.

How do I know if I passed?
You’ll be given your exam results immediately upon completion.

What about retesting if I fail?
Candidates who fail are required to retake only the portion of the exam they failed. A candidate must pass the failed portion within 90 days of passing the first portion in order to pass the entire exam. 

You may test as many times as necessary; however each time you test, you will have to pay the state exam fee. It is highly recommended that you study more before taking the test a second time.

Once I pass, when can I begin selling insurance?
Passing the test does not guarantee issuance of the license. You’ll be able to start selling insurance policies only after you have actually received your license.

Where do I obtain an insurance license application?
The individual insurance license application (INS-14) is available from your new employer’s managing broker or at www.insurance.wa.gov. You will need to sign and date it, and also have your employer sign it.

What’s the difference between an “affiliation” and an “appointment”?
An affiliation must be submitted if you represent and/or share commissions with a licensed firm, LLC or corporation. An appointment must be submitted if you directly represent an insurer.

What is the Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC)?
The OIC is the Washington department of insurance responsible for overseeing the industry in the state. Their mailing address is: State of Washington Office of Insurance Commissioner, P.O. Box 40257, Olympia, WA 98504-0257. Licensing instructions and forms (except the fingerprint card) are available at www.insurance.wa.gov  or by calling (360) 725-7144.

Where is the OIC located?
They are located in Tumwater, Washington. To hand deliver your license application, visit their office: Insurance 5000 Building, 5000 Capital Blvd., Tumwater, WA  98501.

Directions, I-5 from the south: Exit 102, Trosper Road. Turn right onto Trosper Road. At next light, turn left onto Capital Blvd. 5000 Insurance Building, 5000 Capitol Boulevard is one block down on the right.

Directions, I-5 from the north: Exit 102, Trosper Road. Turn left onto Trosper Road. At the second light, turn left on Capital Blvd. 5000 Insurance Building, 5000 Capitol Boulevard is one block down on the right.

Who is Pearson Vue?
Pearson Vue is the testing company hired by the OIC to administer Washington state insurance license exams. You may contact Pearson Vue directly at 800-274-8949 or online at www.pearsonvue.com.