Insurance Exam Guide
North Carolina Life & Health Insurance Exam 2026
A complete walkthrough of everything involved in getting your North Carolina Life, Accident & Health insurance license — from pre-licensing education to walking out with your license number. This guide covers eligibility, education requirements, the state exam, what happens if you fail, and how to prepare. Ready to start practicing? Try FREE practice questions from our North Carolina question bank.
What This License Is
A North Carolina 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 North Carolina. It is issued by the North Carolina Department of Insurance (NCDOI) 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 North Carolina and want to sell insurance here, this is the license you need. Once you hold it, you can also apply for non-resident licenses in other states through reciprocity agreements.
The licensing process has four main steps: complete pre-licensing education, get fingerprinted, pass the state exam, and submit your license application through the NCDOI's online system. This guide walks through each step in detail.
Eligibility Requirements
To apply for a North Carolina Life & Health insurance license, you must meet the following requirements:
Age: You must be at least 18 years old.
Background check: You must submit fingerprints for a criminal background check. North Carolina processes background checks through IdentoGO or a similar approved fingerprint vendor and reports results to the NCDOI. A criminal history does not automatically disqualify you, but certain convictions — particularly felonies involving fraud, dishonesty, or breach of trust — may result in denial.
Pre-licensing education: You must complete an NCDOI-approved pre-licensing course before sitting for the exam. More on this below.
Residency: You do not need to be a U.S. citizen, but you must be a North Carolina resident to apply for a resident license.
There is no degree or prior experience requirement. Anyone who meets the age, education, and background check requirements can apply.
Pre-Licensing Education
Before you can take the licensing exam, you must complete an NCDOI-approved pre-licensing course. North Carolina requires:
Life, Accident & Health (combined)
20 hours of pre-licensing education. This includes content on life insurance, accident & health insurance, annuities, and North Carolina insurance law and regulations. Many providers offer this as a single combined course.
Life-Only or Accident & Health Only
20 hours of pre-licensing education for each individual line. If you later want to add the other line, you'll need to complete an additional approved course and pass the corresponding exam.
Courses are available online or in-person from NCDOI-approved education providers. Online self-paced courses are the most popular option — they typically cost between $50 and $200. You must complete the course and pass a final course exam.
After completing the course, you'll receive a certificate of completion. Your education provider reports your completion to the testing vendor electronically. Keep a copy of your certificate — you may need it for your license application.
Your pre-licensing education is valid for 12 months. You must pass the state exam within 12 months of completing your pre-licensing course. If 12 months pass without passing the exam, you'll need to retake the pre-licensing course.
Fingerprinting
North Carolina requires electronic fingerprinting for all insurance license applicants. Your fingerprints are used for a criminal background check processed through the NCDOI.
You should get fingerprinted before or shortly after passing your exam. The NCDOI will not issue your license until your background check clears, and processing can take several weeks.
North Carolina uses IdentoGO by IDEMIA or a similar approved fingerprint vendor. You can schedule an appointment at an enrollment center throughout North Carolina. The fingerprinting fee is approximately $38 to $45.
When you go, you'll need to bring a valid government-issued photo ID. Your fingerprint results are submitted electronically to the NCDOI — you do not need to mail anything. Use the NCDOI-specific service code when scheduling your appointment through IdentoGO.
Exam Options
The North Carolina insurance licensing exam is administered by Pearson VUE. You have three exam options depending on which license 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 all three lines of insurance with a single exam and a single license. There's no cost savings from taking the individual exams, and taking both separately means two exam sessions and two fees.
The Life-Only or Accident & Health Only exams make sense if you only plan to sell one line and want a shorter, more focused test. You can always add the other line later by passing the additional exam.
What the Exam Covers
The combined Life, Accident & Health exam tests your knowledge across the following areas:
Life insurance (~32% of exam): Term life, whole life, universal life, variable life, policy provisions, beneficiary designations, settlement options, group life insurance.
Health & Accident Insurance (~29%): Individual and group health policies, disability income, long-term care, Medicare supplements, HMOs, PPOs, deductibles, copayments, policy provisions.
Annuities (~12%): Fixed annuities, variable annuities, immediate vs. deferred, payout options, suitability, tax treatment of annuity payments.
General Insurance Principles (~10%): Fundamental concepts of insurance, risk management, insurable interest, types of insurers, and the producer's role in the marketplace.
NC Insurance Code, Laws & Regulations (~17%): State-specific regulations, the role of the North Carolina Department of Insurance (NCDOI), unfair trade practices, policy delivery requirements, free-look periods, replacement regulations, producer responsibilities, and NCDOI enforcement actions.
The North Carolina Insurance Code sections are heavily tested. Roughly 17% of the exam focuses on NC-specific rules and regulations. This is the area that trips up candidates who use only generic national study materials.
Scheduling Your Exam
After completing your pre-licensing education, you can schedule your exam through Pearson VUE's online portal. You'll need to create an account if you don't already have one.
When scheduling, you'll select:
The specific exam you want to take (combined, Life-Only, or A&H Only).
Whether you want to test in-person at a testing center or remotely via online proctoring.
Your preferred date and time. In-person testing centers typically have availability within 1–2 weeks.
You can reschedule or cancel your exam appointment up to 2 business days before your scheduled date without penalty. Cancellations within 2 days may forfeit your exam fee.
Exam Fees
The exam fee in North Carolina is straightforward:
State exam fee: ~$65
This is the exam fee per attempt. If you fail and want to retake the exam, you'll pay the fee again. This applies to each individual exam — if you take the combined exam, it's one fee of approximately $65.
Testing vendor fee
Pearson VUE may charge an additional scheduling/convenience fee depending on the testing option selected. Check the Pearson VUE website for the current total when scheduling.
Total per attempt: approximately $65–$85. Payment is by credit or debit card when you schedule through the Pearson VUE website.
Separately, you'll pay for fingerprinting (~$38–$45) and your license application fee after you pass the exam. Budget approximately $250–$350 total for the entire licensing process from start to finish, including the pre-licensing course.
In-Person vs. Remote Testing
You have two options for taking the exam:
In-Person (Testing Center)
Take the exam at a Pearson VUE testing center. North Carolina has testing center locations throughout the state — cities like Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, Durham, and Asheville all have testing centers. You'll test on a computer at the center under proctored conditions. This is the traditional option and what most people choose.
Remote (Online Proctoring)
Take the exam from home or another private location using online proctoring software. You'll need a computer with a webcam, microphone, and a stable internet connection. A live proctor monitors you via webcam throughout the exam. You must be alone in the room and your workspace must be clear of all materials.
The exam content, format, time limit, and fee are identical regardless of which option you choose. The remote option is convenient if you don't live near a testing center, but be aware that technical issues (internet drops, webcam problems) can disrupt your session. If you have a reliable setup and a quiet room, remote testing works well.
Exam Day
If testing in person: Arrive at the testing center at least 30 minutes before your scheduled appointment. You'll need to present 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'll be given a locker or asked to leave personal belongings outside the testing room — no phones, notes, or study materials are allowed.
If testing remotely: Log into the proctoring software about 15 minutes before your scheduled time. The proctor will verify your identity via webcam, ask you to show your room and workspace, and then launch your exam. Make sure your phone is out of reach and your desk is completely clear.
The exam is multiple-choice on a computer. You can flag questions to review and navigate back and forth between questions. At the end of the allotted time (or when you submit), your score is calculated instantly and you'll see your pass/fail result on screen.
Passing Score
The passing score for all North Carolina insurance licensing exams is 70%.
Combined Exam
105 of 150
You must answer at least 105 questions correctly to pass.
Life-Only
53 of 75
You must answer at least 53 questions correctly to pass.
A&H Only
53 of 75
You must answer at least 53 questions correctly to pass.
North Carolina requires a 70% passing score. The questions are designed to test practical knowledge, and the exam includes several NC Insurance Code questions and scenario-based questions that require careful reading. Most successful candidates study for 40–80 hours over 2–4 weeks.
If You Pass
When you pass the exam, you'll see your result on screen immediately. The testing vendor reports your passing score to the NCDOI electronically, typically within 1–2 business days.
Your next step is to apply for your license through Sircon or NIPR (National Insurance Producer Registry). North Carolina uses these third-party platforms for 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'll need to retake the exam.
Your license will not be issued until your fingerprint background check clears — this is why it's important to get fingerprinted early in the process.
If You Fail
If you don't pass, you'll see your score on screen along with a diagnostic report that breaks down your performance by topic area. This report is extremely valuable — it tells you exactly which sections you need to study before retaking the exam.
North Carolina allows you to retake the exam without a mandatory waiting period for the first several attempts. However:
First several attempts
You can reschedule as soon as Pearson VUE has availability. You'll need to pay the exam fee again each time (~$65).
After multiple failed attempts
If you fail the exam multiple times, you may be required to complete additional pre-licensing education before being permitted to retake the exam. Check with the NCDOI for specific requirements based on your situation.
Each retake costs approximately $65. Use your diagnostic report to focus your studying. Most candidates who fail do so because of the North Carolina Insurance Code sections — if that's where your weak spots are, prioritize those topics.
Applying for Your License
Once you've passed the exam and completed fingerprinting, you're ready to apply for your license. North Carolina accepts applications through:
1. Create an account on Sircon or NIPR
Go to sircon.com or nipr.com and register for an account.
2. Submit your application
Fill out the license application, which asks for personal information, your exam results (usually auto-populated), and background questions about any criminal or regulatory history.
3. Pay the license fee
Pay the applicable initial license fee. Check the NCDOI website for the current fee schedule.
4. Wait for processing
The NCDOI 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 license status on the NCDOI Licensing portal.
Once issued, your North Carolina insurance license number will be visible in the NCDOI's public database and you can begin transacting insurance business in the state.
License Types
North Carolina 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.
Accident & Health Only: Authorized to sell health, disability, long-term care, and related products.
Combined Life & Health: Authorized to sell all of the above. This is the most common license type and is what you get when you pass the combined exam.
If you plan to sell variable products (variable life insurance or variable annuities), you'll also need FINRA securities licenses (Series 6 or Series 7) in addition to your state insurance license. The state insurance license alone does not authorize you to sell variable products.
Continuing Education
To keep your license active, you must complete 24 hours of continuing education (CE) every 2 years before your license renewal date. Of those 24 hours:
At least 3 hours must cover Ethics.
The remaining 21 hours can cover any approved insurance topics relevant to your lines of authority.
CE courses are available online from NCDOI-approved providers. Costs vary but typically range from $20 to $60 for a full 24-hour package.
Your initial license renewal is 2 years from your issue date. If you fail to complete CE or renew on time, your license will lapse. You can reinstate a lapsed license within a certain period by completing CE and paying any back fees, but it's much easier to stay current.
Insurer Appointments
Having a license is necessary but not sufficient to sell insurance. You also need to be appointed by at least one insurance company. An appointment is the formal authorization from an insurer that allows you to represent their products.
Appointments are initiated by the insurance company, not by you. When you join an agency or sign a contract with a carrier, the insurer files an appointment notice with the NCDOI on your behalf. There is no separate fee for you — the insurer pays the appointment fee.
You can be appointed by multiple insurance companies simultaneously. Many producers are appointed with several carriers to offer a wider range of products to their clients. Your appointment status is visible in the NCDOI's public licensing lookup portal.
Study Strategy
Most successful candidates spend 40 to 80 hours studying over a period of 2 to 4 weeks. Here's a proven approach:
1. Complete your pre-licensing course actively
Don't rush through it just to check a box. The pre-licensing course covers all the foundational material you'll be tested on. Take notes, especially on North Carolina-specific rules.
2. Focus on NC Insurance Code
This is where most candidates lose points. Memorize key provisions: free-look periods, grace periods, policy replacement rules, and the Commissioner's authority under the NC Insurance Code.
3. Use practice exams to identify weak areas
Take a full-length practice exam early in your studying to establish a baseline. Then focus your study time on the topics where you scored lowest. Repeat until you're consistently scoring above 80% on practice tests.
4. Review the morning of the exam
Do a quick review of your notes and key figures (policy time limits, specific NC Insurance Code provisions) the morning of your exam. Don't try to cram new material — just reinforce what you already know.
Practice Tests
Taking practice tests is the single most effective way to prepare. They help you get comfortable with the question format, identify knowledge gaps, and build confidence before the real exam.
Insurance Test Practice exams: You can take North Carolina insurance practice exams on Insurance Test Practice. The practice exams cover all tested topics including life insurance, health insurance, annuities, and the North Carolina Insurance Code. Questions are written in the same multiple-choice format as the actual exam.
A good benchmark: if you can consistently score 80% or higher on practice tests, you're likely ready for the real exam. The actual passing score is 70%, so aiming for 80% gives you a comfortable margin.
Common Mistakes
These are the most common reasons candidates fail the North Carolina insurance exam:
Underestimating the NC Insurance Code sections. Many candidates study general insurance concepts well but neglect the state-specific material. The NC Insurance Code questions are specific and detailed — you need to know exact time periods, specific rules, and regulatory procedures enforced by the NCDOI.
Relying only on the pre-licensing course. The pre-licensing course provides a foundation, but it is not sufficient exam prep on its own. You need additional study and practice tests.
Not reading questions carefully. The exam includes “all of the following EXCEPT” and “which of the following is NOT” questions. Misreading these is a common and avoidable mistake.
Confusing similar concepts. The exam tests distinctions between similar products (term vs. whole life, HMO vs. PPO, individual vs. group policies). Make sure you understand the key differences, not just the general ideas.
Poor time management. With 150 questions in 2.5 hours on the combined exam, you have about 60 seconds per question. Don't spend too long on any single question — flag it and come back.
Quick Reference
| Minimum age | 18 years old |
| Pre-licensing education | 20 hours (combined LA&H) |
| Education validity | 12 months after completion |
| Combined exam | 150 questions, 2 hrs 30 min |
| Life-Only exam | 75 questions, 75 minutes |
| A&H Only exam | 75 questions, 75 minutes |
| Passing score | 70% |
| State exam fee | ~$65 per attempt |
| Retakes allowed | No limit (may require additional education after multiple failures) |
| Exam results valid | 12 months |
| Fingerprinting | IdentoGO or approved vendor (~$38–$45) |
| License application | Sircon or NIPR |
| Processing time | 2–4 weeks after application |
| Continuing education | 24 hours every 2 years (3 hrs Ethics) |
| Exam administrator | Pearson VUE |
| Testing options | In-person or remote (online proctoring) |
| Regulator | NC Department of Insurance (NCDOI) |
| Guaranty association | NCLIFGA (NC Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association) |