California P&C Insurance License Registration Guide

How to get your California Property & Casualty Broker-Agent license — required to sell auto, homeowners, commercial property, liability, and workers' compensation insurance.

Quick Answer

To get a California Property & Casualty Broker-Agent license: complete 52 hours of pre-licensing education (20 hours Property + 20 hours Casualty + 12 hours ethics), 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, Vietnamese, Chinese (Mandarin), and Korean.

Exam Facts

FormatMultiple choice, computer-based at PSI testing centers
Questions~150 (combined Property + Casualty)
Time~3 hours
Passing score60% (sectional cuts apply)
License validity2 years (24 hours CE per renewal, 3 ethics)
Application fee$229 to CDI
Exam fee$54 to PSI per attempt
Languages (AB 451)English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese (Mandarin), Korean

Step-by-Step Process

1

Complete pre-licensing education

20 hours Property + 20 hours Casualty + 12 hours ethics = 52 hours total for the combined P&C license. CDI-approved online or classroom providers.

52 hours total (20 Property + 20 Casualty + 12 ethics)
2

Apply with CDI

Apply online at insurance.ca.gov, pay the $229 application fee, complete Live Scan fingerprinting (~$58) for the background check.

insurance.ca.gov · $229 · Live Scan required
3

Schedule the exam with PSI

Schedule at psiexams.com. About $54 per attempt. ~150 multiple-choice questions over ~3 hours, computer-based at a PSI center.

psiexams.com · ~$54 · 150 questions · 3 hours
4

Pass the exam

Passing score is 60% (with sectional cuts). Immediate pass/fail results on screen. Wait the required period to retake after a failure.

60% to pass · immediate results
5

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.

License inactive until insurer appointment

Contacts & Resources

CDI Producer Licensinginsurance.ca.gov · (800) 967-9331
PSI Exam schedulingpsiexams.com · (855) 579-4632
CDI License Lookupcdi.ca.gov/licensing
AB 451 Multilingual Resourcesinsurance.ca.gov
IIABCal (CA agents association)iiabcal.org
PIA of California (Professional Insurance Agents)piaca.org

Frequently Asked Questions

Who needs a California Property & Casualty Broker-Agent license?+

Anyone in California who sells auto, homeowners, dwelling/rental, commercial property, liability, or workers' compensation insurance must hold a P&C Broker-Agent license issued by the California Department of Insurance (CDI).

How much does the California P&C 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?+

20 hours Property + 20 hours Casualty + 12 hours ethics = 52 hours total for the combined P&C license. Property-only or Casualty-only licenses each need 20 hours + 12 hours ethics.

What is the passing score?+

60% — sectional cuts apply. You must pass each section, not just the overall.

Is the California P&C exam available in Spanish, Chinese, or Vietnamese?+

Yes. AB 451 (2018) legally requires CDI to offer producer license exams in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese (Mandarin), and Korean.

Can I hold both a Life & A&H license and a P&C license?+

Yes. Many California agents hold both. Each requires separate pre-licensing hours and exam, but you can apply to CDI for both simultaneously.

Last updated: May 2026