How hard is the life and health insurance exam?

The exam is very passable with structured preparation, but candidates often underestimate the breadth of material. Policy provisions, health-plan cost sharing, annuities, taxation, and state rules all require attention.

What score is needed to pass?

Many states use 70% as the passing standard, but some use another standard or scaled scoring. The current state candidate handbook is the authoritative source.

Should I study life or health first?

Start with general insurance concepts, then study life, annuities, and health in focused blocks. Finish with state law and mixed practice tests so you learn to switch between subjects as you will on exam day.

Do PSI or Pearson VUE write the insurance laws on the exam?

The state determines the licensing requirements and content outline. PSI or Pearson VUE may administer the test and publish the candidate handbook, but state statutes and regulations govern the license.

Updated for 2026

Life & Health Insurance License

Prepare for your life and health insurance license exam with realistic questions, clear explanations, and state-specific study resources.

Combined exams may be labeled Life, Accident & Health, Life and Health, or a general-lines license exam depending on the state.

Instant explanationsNo signup requiredState-specific paths

Free interactive sample

Life & Health · Life insurance

1/3

Which life policy provision allows the owner to borrow against accumulated policy value?

Exam blueprint

Exam structure and common topic weighting

There is no single national insurance license exam. States publish their own outlines, but these ranges show the topics candidates commonly see. Use them to plan study time, then replace the estimates with your state’s current outline.

Life insurance

20-30%

Policy types, provisions, riders, beneficiaries, taxation, and underwriting

Health and accident

20-30%

Medical expense, disability, long-term care, group coverage, and managed care

General insurance concepts

10-20%

Contracts, risk, agency, underwriting, claims, and consumer protection

Annuities and retirement

10-20%

Fixed and variable annuities, accumulation, payout options, and tax treatment

State law and regulation

10-25%

Licensing, replacement, unfair practices, marketing, and state rules

How hard is the Life & Health exam?

The material is learnable, but the breadth and scenario wording make the exam harder than a simple vocabulary test.

The exam combines contract language, tax concepts, policy provisions, and state law.
Small wording changes can distinguish life, health, and annuity rules.
Many questions require applying a provision to a client scenario rather than recalling a term.

Passing-score guidance

A 70% standard is common, but some jurisdictions use a different percentage or scaled score. Your candidate handbook is the final authority.

A safer practice target: 80-85%

Reach that range repeatedly on fresh, mixed-topic tests—not just questions you recognize—before scheduling the real exam.

Insurance licensing steps

The order varies slightly, but most applicants move through this sequence.

Step 1

Check requirements

Confirm age, residency, and prelicensing rules.

Step 2

Complete education

Take required state-approved coursework, if applicable.

Step 3

Register

Use the state-designated testing vendor and exam code.

Step 4

Pass the exam

Bring required ID and follow test-center rules.

Step 5

Apply

Submit the license application and required fees.

Step 6

Finish screening

Complete fingerprints, background checks, or appointments.

Exam-day logistics

PSI and Pearson VUE insurance exams

Many states contract with PSI or Pearson VUE to schedule and deliver insurance producer exams. The provider does not stay the same across every state or license line.

Download the current candidate handbook

Match the exact exam name and code

Verify ID and test-center requirements

Review cancellation and retake rules

Choose your study resource

Start with your state so the law questions, provider details, and licensing steps match your exam.

Candidate questions

Frequently asked questions

It varies by state. Some states offer a combined Life, Accident & Health exam, while others let candidates test for life and health separately. Confirm the line and exam code before scheduling.

Reviewed by Insurance Test Practice Editorial Team

Insurance licensing exam content specialists · Last reviewed August 14, 2026

Review methodology