California Personal Lines Insurance License Registration Guide
How to get your California Personal Lines Broker-Agent license — the entry-level P&C license for selling personal auto and residential property insurance only.
To get a California Personal Lines Broker-Agent license: complete the 12-hour Ethics & California Insurance Code course (as of 2026, AB 943 removed the Personal Lines prelicensing hours), apply to CDI at insurance.ca.gov ($229), complete Live Scan fingerprinting, schedule the 90-question / 135-minute PSI exam at psiexams.com ($54; CDI publishes no pass mark), and obtain an appointment from an admitted insurer before selling. This license sells personal auto + residential property only — no commercial.
Exam Facts
| Administering body | California Department of Insurance (CDI), Producer Licensing Bureau — exam delivered by PSI Services LLC |
|---|---|
| Questions | 90 questions |
| Time limit | 135 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 Personal Lines 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. 90 multiple-choice questions over 135 minutes, computer-based at a PSI center.
Pass the exam
Passing score is 60%. Immediate pass/fail results on screen. Wait the required period to retake after a failure.
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 Personal Lines Broker-Agent license?+
Anyone in California who sells PERSONAL auto and PERSONAL residential property insurance only (not commercial). It's the entry-level P&C license with a narrower scope.
What's the difference between Personal Lines and the full P&C Broker-Agent license?+
Personal Lines is limited to PERSONAL auto + homeowners/renters/dwelling (1-4 family residential). The full P&C license also includes commercial property, commercial auto, casualty/liability, and workers' compensation. Personal Lines has a shorter exam (both now require only the 12-hour ethics course as of 2026).
How much does the California Personal Lines license cost?+
Roughly $350-450 total: $229 CDI application fee + ~$54 PSI exam fee + ~$58 Live Scan fingerprinting + $30-80 pre-licensing course.
How many hours of pre-licensing are required?+
As of January 1, 2026, California removed the 20-hour Personal Lines prelicensing requirement (AB 943). Only the 12-hour Ethics and California Insurance Code course is still required before the license is issued.
How long is the exam?+
90 multiple-choice questions with a 60% passing score. The March 2026 candidate bulletin allows 135 minutes; CDI’s own website table says 2 hours, and the two have not been reconciled.
Is the California Personal Lines 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.
Can I upgrade from Personal Lines to the full P&C license later?+
Yes. As of 2026 (AB 943) no additional prelicensing hours are required — you simply add the line of authority and sit for the full P&C exam (~150 questions). Many agents start with Personal Lines and upgrade as their book grows.
Last updated: October 2026
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