Insurance Exam Guide
New Jersey Life & Health Insurance Exam 2026
A complete walkthrough of everything involved in getting your New Jersey Life, Accident & Health insurance license — from the 20-hour DOBI pre-licensing requirement to walking out with your license number. This guide covers eligibility, the Pearson VUE exam, what happens if you fail, NJ-specific regulations like the IHC and SEHB programs, and how to prepare. Ready to start practicing? Try FREE practice questions from our New Jersey question bank.
What This License Is
A New Jersey Life, Accident & Health insurance license (also called a Life & Health or “LA&H” license) allows you to sell life insurance, annuities, accident insurance, and health insurance to individuals and businesses in New Jersey. It is issued by the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance (DOBI) and is required for anyone who solicits, negotiates, or sells these products in the state.
This is a resident producer license. If you live in New Jersey and want to sell insurance here, this is the license you need. New Jersey is part of the NIPR reciprocity network, so once you hold an NJ resident license, you can typically apply for non-resident licenses in other states relatively efficiently.
The licensing process has four main steps: complete 20 hours of DOBI-approved pre-licensing education, get fingerprinted through IdentoGO, pass the Pearson VUE state exam, and submit your license application through NIPR or Sircon with a $100 fee. New Jersey also has several state-specific insurance programs — the NJ Individual Health Coverage (IHC) Program and the NJ Small Employer Health Benefits (SEHB) Program — that are tested on the exam. This guide walks through everything you need to know.
Eligibility Requirements
To apply for a New Jersey Life & Health insurance license, you must meet the following requirements set by DOBI:
Age: You must be at least 18 years old at the time of application.
Background check: You must submit fingerprints for a criminal background check. New Jersey processes background checks through IdentoGO by IDEMIA and reports results to DOBI. A criminal history does not automatically disqualify you, but certain convictions — particularly felonies involving fraud, dishonesty, or breach of trust — may result in denial. The NJ Insurance Fraud Prevention Act also plays a role in evaluating applicant backgrounds.
Pre-licensing education: You must complete a DOBI-approved pre-licensing course of at least 20 hours before sitting for the Pearson VUE exam. More on this below.
Residency: You do not need to be a U.S. citizen, but you must be a New Jersey resident to apply for a New Jersey resident license. Non-residents can obtain an NJ non-resident license if they hold a license in their home state.
Honesty on application: You must truthfully answer all background questions on your license application. Misrepresentation is itself grounds for denial or license revocation by DOBI.
There is no degree or prior experience requirement. Anyone who meets the age, education, and background check requirements can apply. DOBI evaluates each application individually.
Pre-Licensing Education
Before you can take the Pearson VUE licensing exam, you must complete a DOBI-approved pre-licensing course. New Jersey requires:
Life, Accident & Health (combined)
20 hours of DOBI-approved pre-licensing education. This covers life insurance, accident & health insurance, annuities, and New Jersey insurance law and regulations including the IHC Program, SEHB Program, and the NJ Insurance Fraud Prevention Act. Many providers offer this as a single combined course.
Life-Only or Accident & Health Only
If you only want one line of authority, you still need to complete the approved course for that specific line. If you later decide to add the other line, you will need to complete additional pre-licensing education and pass the additional exam.
Courses are available online (self-paced) or in-person from DOBI-approved education providers. Online self-paced courses are the most popular option — they typically cost between $50 and $200 and let you study on your own schedule. You must complete the course and pass a final course exam to receive your certificate of completion.
After completing the course, your education provider reports your completion to Pearson VUE electronically, unlocking your ability to schedule the state exam. Keep a copy of your certificate of completion for your records.
Your pre-licensing education certificate is valid for 12 months. You must pass the Pearson VUE state exam within 12 months of completing your pre-licensing course. If 12 months pass without passing the exam, you will need to retake the pre-licensing course before scheduling another exam attempt.
Fingerprinting
New Jersey requires electronic fingerprinting for all insurance license applicants. Your fingerprints are submitted for a criminal background check that DOBI reviews as part of the license application process.
You should get fingerprinted before or shortly after passing your exam. DOBI will not issue your license until the background check clears. Getting fingerprinted early prevents delays in receiving your license after you pass the exam.
New Jersey uses IdentoGO by IDEMIA for electronic fingerprinting. You can schedule an appointment online at an enrollment center near you. IdentoGO has locations throughout New Jersey, including in the Newark, Trenton, Edison, Cherry Hill, and Parsippany areas. The fingerprinting fee is approximately $50.
When you go, bring a valid government-issued photo ID. Your fingerprint results are submitted electronically to DOBI — you do not need to mail anything. Make sure you use the correct DOBI service code when scheduling your IdentoGO appointment so that your results are routed to the right agency.
Exam Options
The New Jersey insurance licensing exam is administered by Pearson VUE. You have three exam options depending on which license lines you want:
| Exam | Questions | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Life, Accident & Health (combined) | 150 | 2 hrs 30 min |
| Life-Only | 75 | 75 minutes |
| Accident & Health Only | 75 | 75 minutes |
Which should you choose? Most people take the combined Life, Accident & Health exam. It qualifies you to sell life insurance, annuities, and health insurance with a single exam and a single license. The combined exam is the industry standard choice — most NJ agencies and carriers expect producers to hold both lines.
The Life-Only or Accident & Health Only exams make sense if you have a very specific role in mind. Keep in mind that the NJ IHC and SEHB programs are health insurance programs — if you plan to sell individual or small group health, you need the A&H line. Most candidates simply take the combined exam to maximize their options.
What the Exam Covers
The combined Life, Accident & Health exam tests your knowledge across the following topic areas. New Jersey has several unique state-specific programs that appear on the exam:
Life insurance (~35% of exam): Term life, whole life, universal life, variable life, policy provisions, beneficiary designations, settlement options, group life insurance, and insurable interest requirements. Questions cover both conceptual understanding and specific policy details including nonforfeiture options and dividend options.
Health & Accident Insurance (~28%): Individual and group health policies, disability income, long-term care, Medicare supplements, HMOs, PPOs, deductibles, copayments, coordination of benefits, COBRA continuation coverage, and policy provisions. The NJ Individual Health Coverage Program and NJ Small Employer Health Benefits Program are specifically tested here.
Annuities (~12%): Fixed, variable, and indexed annuities; immediate vs. deferred annuities; payout options (life-only, joint and survivor, period certain); suitability considerations for recommending annuities; and the tax treatment of annuity payments.
General Insurance Principles (~10%): Fundamental concepts of insurance, risk management, insurable interest, types of insurers (stock vs. mutual), reinsurance, and the insurance producer's role in the marketplace.
New Jersey Insurance Code, Laws & Regulations (~15%): DOBI regulations, the NJ Individual Health Coverage (IHC) Program and its eligibility rules, the NJ Small Employer Health Benefits (SEHB) Program for groups of 2–50 employees, the NJ Insurance Fraud Prevention Act, replacement regulations (notice to both applicant and existing insurer), producer licensing and appointment requirements, and unfair trade practices under NJ law.
The New Jersey Insurance Code section — roughly 15% of the exam — is where many candidates lose points. New Jersey has unique market regulations including the IHC and SEHB Programs that do not exist in most other states. Generic national study materials will not cover these programs in sufficient depth. Make sure you study NJ-specific content alongside the general insurance concepts.
Scheduling with Pearson VUE
After completing your pre-licensing education, you can schedule your exam through Pearson VUE's New Jersey insurance portal. You will need to create a Pearson VUE account if you do not already have one.
When scheduling, you will select:
The specific exam you want to take (combined Life, Accident & Health; Life-Only; or A&H Only).
Whether you want to test in-person at a Pearson VUE testing center or remotely via online proctoring (OnVUE).
Your preferred date and time. Pearson VUE testing centers in New Jersey typically have availability within 1–2 weeks. Online proctoring often has faster availability.
You can reschedule or cancel your exam appointment up to 2 business days before your scheduled date without a penalty. Cancellations within 2 business days may forfeit your $59 exam fee. Pearson VUE accepts payment by credit or debit card when you register online.
Exam Fees
Here is a full breakdown of the fees involved in getting your New Jersey insurance license:
State exam fee: $59
This is the exam fee per attempt, paid to Pearson VUE when you schedule. If you fail and want to retake the exam, you will pay $59 again for each attempt. The fee applies to both the combined exam and each individual line exam.
Fingerprinting: ~$50
Paid to IdentoGO by IDEMIA when you schedule your fingerprinting appointment. This is a one-time fee for the background check submitted to DOBI. The exact fee may vary slightly by location.
License application fee: $100
Paid through NIPR or Sircon when you submit your license application after passing the exam. This covers your initial New Jersey resident producer license, which is valid for two years.
Pre-licensing course: $50–$200
Varies by education provider. Online self-paced courses are generally at the lower end of this range. Some providers include additional study materials.
Total estimated cost: $200–$400 for the entire licensing process from start to finish, assuming you pass the exam on your first attempt. New Jersey's lower exam fee ($59 vs. higher in some states) and 20-hour pre-licensing requirement keep initial costs relatively modest compared to states with longer pre-licensing requirements.
In-Person vs. Remote Testing
Pearson VUE offers two testing options for the New Jersey insurance exam:
In-Person (Testing Center)
Take the exam at a Pearson VUE testing center. New Jersey has testing centers throughout the state, including in Newark, Trenton, Edison, Cherry Hill, and Parsippany. You will test on a computer at the center under proctored conditions. This is a good option if you want a structured, distraction-free environment. Given New Jersey's dense population and urban centers, testing centers are generally easy to reach.
Remote (Online Proctoring)
Take the exam from home using Pearson VUE's OnVUE online proctoring software. You will need a computer with a webcam, microphone, and a stable internet connection. A live proctor monitors you via webcam throughout the entire exam. You must be alone in the room and your workspace must be completely clear of all materials.
The exam content, format, time limit, and fee are identical regardless of which option you choose. Remote testing is convenient but requires a private space and reliable technology. If you have any concern about your home setup — background noise, unstable internet, or limited privacy — opt for an in-person testing center. Technical issues during remote testing can delay or invalidate your exam session.
Exam Day
If testing in person: Arrive at the Pearson VUE testing center at least 30 minutes before your scheduled appointment. You will need a valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID). The name on your ID must exactly match the name on your exam registration. You will be given a locker for personal items — no phones, notes, watches, or study materials are allowed in the testing room. You may be given a whiteboard or scratch paper.
If testing remotely: Log into Pearson VUE's OnVUE software about 15 minutes before your scheduled time. The proctor will verify your identity via webcam, ask you to show your room and desk (including walls and under the desk), and then launch your exam. No other programs should be open on your computer, and your phone must be completely out of reach.
The exam is computer-based and multiple-choice. You can flag questions to review and navigate freely between questions. Your score is calculated instantly when the time runs out or when you submit. You will see your pass/fail result on screen immediately after the exam ends, followed by a printed or emailed score report.
Passing Score
The passing score for all New Jersey insurance licensing exams is 70%.
Combined Exam
105 of 150
You must answer at least 105 questions correctly on the combined Life, Accident & Health exam.
Life-Only
53 of 75
You must answer at least 53 questions correctly to pass the Life-Only exam.
A&H Only
53 of 75
You must answer at least 53 questions correctly to pass the Accident & Health Only exam.
New Jersey uses a straight 70% passing score. The exam includes scenario-based questions that require careful reading and practical application of insurance concepts. The NJ-specific questions about the IHC Program, SEHB Program, and Insurance Fraud Prevention Act require specific knowledge that goes beyond general insurance principles. Most successful candidates study for 40–60 hours total, including the 20-hour pre-licensing course and additional self-study with practice tests.
If You Pass
When you pass the exam, you will see your result on screen immediately. Pearson VUE reports your passing score to DOBI electronically, typically within 1–2 business days.
Your next step is to apply for your license through NIPR (National Insurance Producer Registry) or Sircon. New Jersey uses these third-party platforms for producer license applications.
You must apply within 12 months of passing the exam. If you wait longer than 12 months, your exam results expire and you will need to retake the exam before applying for your license.
Your license will not be issued until your IdentoGO background check clears — this is why it is important to get fingerprinted early in the process. Background check processing times vary, so do not wait until after passing to begin the fingerprinting process.
If You Fail
If you do not pass, you will see your score on screen immediately along with a diagnostic score report that breaks down your performance by topic area. This report tells you exactly which sections you need to focus on before retaking the exam.
New Jersey allows you to retake the exam without a mandatory waiting period for the first several attempts. You can reschedule through Pearson VUE as soon as availability permits:
First several retakes
You can reschedule as soon as Pearson VUE has availability — often within a few days. You will need to pay the $59 exam fee again for each attempt.
After multiple failed attempts
If you fail the exam multiple times, you may be required to complete additional DOBI-approved pre-licensing education before retaking the exam. Your pre-licensing certificate is valid for 12 months — if that window expires, you will need to retake the pre-licensing course entirely before scheduling another attempt.
Each retake costs $59. Use your diagnostic score report strategically. Candidates who fail the New Jersey exam most often struggle with the NJ-specific sections — the IHC Program eligibility rules, SEHB Program details, replacement notice requirements, and the Insurance Fraud Prevention Act. These topics require NJ-specific study materials, not just general insurance content.
Applying for Your License
Once you have passed the exam and completed fingerprinting, you are ready to apply for your New Jersey insurance producer license. New Jersey accepts applications through NIPR and Sircon:
1. Create an account on NIPR or Sircon
Go to nipr.com or sircon.com and register for an account if you do not already have one.
2. Submit your application
Fill out the New Jersey resident producer license application. This includes your personal information, exam results (usually auto-populated from Pearson VUE), and background disclosure questions about any criminal or regulatory history.
3. Pay the $100 license fee
Pay the $100 initial resident producer license fee when you submit your application through NIPR or Sircon. Payment is made online.
4. Wait for processing
DOBI reviews your application and background check results. If everything is in order, your license is typically issued within 2–4 weeks. You can check your application status on the NIPR or Sircon portal. Once issued, your New Jersey insurance license number will appear in DOBI's public producer database.
Once your license is issued, you are authorized to transact insurance in New Jersey. You will also need to be appointed by an insurer before making your first sale on their behalf — see the Insurer Appointments section below.
License Types
New Jersey insurance producer licenses are categorized by line of authority. When you pass the combined exam, you receive a license with both Life and Accident & Health lines of authority. The main license types relevant to this guide are:
Life Only: Authorized to sell life insurance and annuities in New Jersey.
Accident & Health Only: Authorized to sell health insurance, disability income, long-term care, and products covered under the NJ IHC and SEHB Programs.
Combined Life & Health: Authorized to sell all of the above. This is the most common and practical license type — the combined exam is almost always the better choice for producers planning to build a full practice.
If you plan to sell variable products (variable life insurance or variable annuities), you will also need FINRA securities licenses (Series 6 or Series 7) in addition to your New Jersey state insurance license. The state insurance license alone does not authorize you to sell variable products.
Continuing Education
To keep your New Jersey insurance license active, you must complete 24 hours of continuing education (CE) every 2 years. Of those 24 hours, New Jersey requires a specific allocation:
At least 3 hours must be ethics. New Jersey mandates an ethics component in every CE renewal cycle. This is non-negotiable — you cannot substitute other topics for the ethics requirement.
The remaining 21 hours can cover any DOBI-approved topics relevant to your lines of authority — life insurance, health insurance, annuities, long-term care, or other approved subjects.
CE courses are available online from DOBI-approved providers. A full 24-hour CE package typically costs between $30 and $80 from online providers. Make sure the courses you take are approved by DOBI for New Jersey credit.
If you fail to complete CE or renew on time, your license will lapse. A lapsed license means you are no longer authorized to transact insurance in New Jersey. You can typically reinstate a recently lapsed license by completing CE and paying any required fees, but staying current is far simpler and protects your income stream.
Insurer Appointments
Having a New Jersey insurance license is necessary but not sufficient to sell insurance. You also need to be appointed by at least one insurance company before you can solicit or sell their products. An appointment is the formal authorization from an insurer to represent their products to consumers.
In New Jersey, a producer must be appointed by an insurer before soliciting. This is stricter than some states. You cannot begin selling on behalf of a carrier until the appointment is on file with DOBI. The insurer files the appointment — you do not file it yourself. When you join an agency or sign a contract with a carrier, the insurer handles filing the appointment notice with DOBI on your behalf.
You can be appointed by multiple insurance companies simultaneously. Your appointment status is visible in DOBI's public producer database. If a carrier terminates your appointment for cause, DOBI must be notified and the termination reason may be reported. Understanding appointment rules is important and is tested on the NJ licensing exam.
Study Strategy
Most successful candidates spend 40 to 60 hours studying over a period of 2 to 4 weeks. Here is a proven approach for the New Jersey exam:
1. Complete your pre-licensing course actively
The 20-hour pre-licensing course covers all foundational material. Take notes, especially on NJ-specific rules and programs. Do not rush through it just to check a box — the course is your first comprehensive pass through the content.
2. Focus on New Jersey-specific programs (~15% of exam)
Study the NJ Individual Health Coverage (IHC) Program — who qualifies, what carriers must offer, and guaranteed issue rules. Study the NJ Small Employer Health Benefits (SEHB) Program — it covers groups of 2 to 50 employees and has specific eligibility and rating rules. Learn the NJ Insurance Fraud Prevention Act — what constitutes fraud, reporting requirements, and penalties. Also study replacement regulations: in NJ, you must provide replacement notice to both the applicant and the existing insurer.
3. Use practice exams to identify weak areas
Take a full-length practice exam to establish a baseline. Focus additional study on your lowest-scoring topic areas. Aim for 80%+ consistently on practice tests before scheduling the real exam. The actual passing score is 70%, so a 10-point buffer on practice tests is your target.
4. Review NJ-specific rules the day before
The day before your exam, review your notes specifically on NJ-specific content: IHC Program eligibility, SEHB Program rules, CE requirement (24 hours including 3 hours ethics), appointment requirements (must be appointed before soliciting), and replacement notice rules. These are commonly tested and benefit from last-minute reinforcement.
Practice Tests
Taking practice tests is the most effective way to prepare for the New Jersey insurance exam. Practice tests help you understand the question format, build time management skills for 150 questions in 2.5 hours, and identify gaps in your NJ-specific knowledge.
Insurance Test Practice exams: You can take New Jersey insurance practice exams on Insurance Test Practice. The practice exams cover all tested topics including life insurance, health insurance, annuities, the NJ IHC Program, SEHB Program, and the Insurance Fraud Prevention Act. Questions are written in the same multiple-choice format as the actual Pearson VUE exam.
A good benchmark: if you can consistently score 80% or higher on full-length practice tests, you are likely ready for the real exam. Do not schedule your exam until you are regularly hitting 80%+ — this is the single best predictor of passing the actual New Jersey insurance exam.
Common Mistakes
These are the most common reasons candidates fail the New Jersey insurance exam:
Confusing NJ IHC and SEHB eligibility rules. The Individual Health Coverage Program covers individual health insurance in New Jersey's individual market — carriers must offer guaranteed issue coverage to eligible individuals. The Small Employer Health Benefits Program covers groups of 2 to 50 employees. Candidates frequently confuse the eligibility thresholds, carrier obligations, and rating rules between these two programs. These are NJ-unique programs and are specifically tested.
NJ-specific replacement regulations. When replacing an existing life or health policy, New Jersey requires that a replacement notice be provided to both the applicant and the existing insurer. Some candidates only know the general principle of providing notice to the applicant and miss the NJ-specific requirement to also notify the existing insurer. This distinction is tested.
Continuing education: 3 of 24 hours must be ethics. New Jersey's ethics CE requirement is specific — exactly 3 of the 24 required CE hours must be dedicated to ethics. Candidates sometimes know the total (24 hours) but forget the ethics sub-requirement. Both figures appear on exam questions.
Producer appointment: must be appointed before soliciting. New Jersey requires that a producer be appointed by an insurer before soliciting on their behalf — not merely before the first sale closes. This is stricter than some other states. Getting the timing of the appointment requirement wrong is a common mistake on NJ Insurance Code questions.
Not reading questions carefully. The exam includes “all of the following EXCEPT” and “which of the following is NOT” style questions. Misreading these negation questions is a consistently common and avoidable mistake. Take the time to read every question fully before selecting an answer.
Quick Reference
| Exam Provider | Pearson VUE |
| Questions (Combined) | 150 |
| Passing Score | 70% |
| Time Limit (Combined) | 2 hrs 30 min |
| Exam Fee | $59 per attempt |
| Pre-Licensing Hours | 20 hours (DOBI-approved) |
| Fingerprinting | IdentoGO by IDEMIA (~$50) |
| License Application Fee | $100 (via NIPR or Sircon) |
| Continuing Education | 24 hrs every 2 years (3 hrs ethics required) |
| Minimum Age | 18 years old |
| Licensing Authority | NJ DOBI (state.nj.us/dobi) |
| NJ Individual Health Market | IHC Program (Individual Health Coverage) |
| NJ Small Group Health Market | SEHB Program (groups of 2–50 employees) |
| Insurance Fraud Act | NJ Insurance Fraud Prevention Act |
| Producer Appointment | Required before soliciting (not just before first sale) |
| Replacement Notice | Required to both applicant and existing insurer |
| Exam Results Valid | 12 months |
| Pre-Licensing Valid | 12 months after completion |