California Insurance License — Exam Prep & Requirements
Regulated by California Department of Insurance. PSI administers California exams, and fingerprinting goes through Live Scan. The 12-hour Ethics and California Insurance Code course is completed after you pass, before the license is issued — and one 12-hour course covers every license type you apply for at once. California is one of the few states that publishes its question counts.
Verified 2026-09-23 against CDI — Accident and Health agent application procedures (12-hour ethics course) and PSI Candidate Information Bulletin for California insurance examinees (Feb 2025).
Pick your line in California
Each line is a separate license and separate exam. We mirror the CA content outline.
Not sure which one you need? Read the national overview for Life & Health (L&H), Property & Casualty (P&C) or Personal Lines (PL).
Life & Health
L&HSell life, accident & health insurance products. Covers policy provisions, riders, annuities, medical expense and disability coverage, plus state-specific regulations.
Property & Casualty
P&CSell property, casualty, auto and commercial lines insurance. Covers homeowners, commercial property, liability coverage, business owner policies, and underwriting fundamentals.
Personal Lines
PLSell personal auto, homeowners, dwelling, and inland marine policies to individuals. A focused subset of P&C with shorter pre-licensing requirements in most states.
California Insurance License FAQ
How do I get an insurance license in California?
Complete pre-licensing education (12 hours for L&H, 12 hours for P&C, 12 hours for Personal Lines), pass the state exam, complete a background check, and apply for licensure with California Department of Insurance. PSI administers California exams, and fingerprinting goes through Live Scan. The 12-hour Ethics and California Insurance Code course is completed after you pass, before the license is issued — and one 12-hour course covers every license type you apply for at once. California is one of the few states that publishes its question counts.
How much does the California insurance exam cost?
Exam fees are set by California Department of Insurance and its testing vendor, and change from time to time — check their current schedule before you book.
Who regulates insurance licensing in California?
California Department of Insurance (CDI) handles all producer licensing, exam approval, and continuing education in California.
Can I take more than one insurance line at a time in California?
Yes — most candidates take L&H and P&C separately, but you can schedule both on the same day if you’re ready. Personal Lines is a faster subset of P&C if you only plan to sell to individuals.
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