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.
To get a California Property & Casualty Broker-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, Vietnamese, Chinese (Mandarin), and Korean.
Exam Facts
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 ~3 hours, computer-based at a PSI center.
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.
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 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?+
As of January 1, 2026, California removed the Property and Casualty prelicensing-hours 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, 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 still requires its own PSI exam, but as of 2026 (AB 943) neither requires per-line prelicensing hours — only the shared 12-hour Ethics and California Insurance Code course — and you can apply to CDI for both simultaneously.
Last updated: August 2026
Ready to study?
You've got the paperwork — now pass the test with our free tools.
