California Life & A&H Insurance License Registration Guide
How to get your California Life & Accident-Health Agent license — required to sell life insurance, annuities, and health/disability/LTC products.
To get a California Life & Accident-Health Agent license: complete the 12-hour Ethics & California Insurance Code course (as of 2026, AB 943 removed the per-line prelicensing hours), apply to CDI at insurance.ca.gov ($229), complete Live Scan fingerprinting, schedule the ~150-question / ~3-hour PSI exam at psiexams.com ($54, 60% to pass), and obtain an appointment from an admitted insurer before selling. AB 451 requires the exam in English, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean and Tagalog.
Exam Facts
| Administering body | California Department of Insurance (CDI), Producer Licensing Bureau — exam delivered by PSI Services LLC |
|---|---|
| Questions | 150 questions |
| Time limit | 195 minutes |
| Passing score | 60% |
| Fees |
Source: CDI — Licensing Fees |
| Languages offered | English · Spanish · Simplified Chinese · Vietnamese · Korean · Tagalog |
Step-by-Step Process
Complete pre-licensing education
Only the 12-hour Ethics & California Insurance Code course is required (AB 943 removed the per-line prelicensing hours effective 2026). CDI-approved online or classroom providers.
Apply with CDI
Apply online at insurance.ca.gov, pay the $229 application fee, complete Live Scan fingerprinting (~$58) for the background check.
Schedule the exam with PSI
Schedule at psiexams.com. About $54 per attempt. 150 multiple-choice questions over 195 minutes, computer-based at a PSI center.
Pass the exam
Passing score is 60% (with sectional cuts). Immediate pass/fail results on screen. After a failure, you must wait the required period to retake.
Get appointed by an insurer
License is INACTIVE after issuance until an admitted insurer files an appointment with CDI. Only then can you legally sell.
Contacts & Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Who needs a California Life & Accident-Health Agent license?+
Anyone in California who sells life insurance, annuities, health insurance, disability insurance, or long-term care insurance must hold a Life & A&H Agent license issued by the California Department of Insurance (CDI).
How much does the California Life & A&H license cost?+
Roughly $400-500 total before commissions: $229 CDI application fee + ~$54 PSI exam fee + ~$58 Live Scan fingerprinting + $40-100 pre-licensing course.
How long does it take to get licensed?+
Typical timeline: 1-2 weeks for pre-licensing, schedule the exam within 30 days, results immediate, license issued within 2-4 weeks of passing — total 4-8 weeks.
How many hours of pre-licensing education are required?+
As of January 1, 2026, California removed the 20-hours-per-line prelicensing requirement (AB 943). Only the 12-hour Ethics and California Insurance Code course is still required — from a CDI-approved provider, before the license is issued.
What is the passing score?+
60% — sectional cuts apply. You must pass each section of the combined exam, not just the overall score.
Is the California insurance exam available in Spanish, Chinese, or Vietnamese?+
Yes. AB 451 (Stats. 2023, ch. 136) legally requires CDI to offer producer license exams in English, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean and Tagalog.
How often must I renew my license?+
Every 2 years. You must complete 24 hours of continuing education per renewal cycle, 3 of which must be ethics.
Last updated: October 2026
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