To become an insurance agent and sell insurance in Virginia, you need to get licensed. Our step-by-step guide offers detailed instructions for obtaining and maintaining your license. We’ve also included information on renewal and reciprocity so you’ll have everything you need to start an exciting new career as an insurance agent. Keep reading to learn details on the following steps.
- Prepare for the Virginia state insurance exam
- Register for and pass the state exam
- Submit application
- Stay compliant and renew your license
Let’s get started!
#1: Prepare for the Virginia Insurance Agent License State Exam
While the state doesn’t require a pre-licensing course, we highly recommend taking All-Lines’ Training Virginia Insurance Exam Prep Course to ensure you are fully prepared to pass the state exam.
Every All-Lines course has been rigorously prepared and is regularly updated. Our online classroom allows you to print reference materials, take practice tests, and even create your own quizzes to help with subjects you are struggling with. Once you’re consistently making 90% on your practice tests and passing all the quizzes with flying colors…it’s exam time!
#2: Register for and Pass the Virginia Insurance Exam
When you’re ready to take the exam, register through Prometric.
- Detailed information on Prometric’s testing policies, procedures, and scoring methods is available for download in the License Information Bulletin on the page linked above.
#3: Get a Fingerprint Background Check
Virginia resident applicants must schedule an appointment to be fingerprinted at one of Fieldprint’s 93 locations as part of the application requirements. You must attach a copy of your fingerprinting receipt to your license application.
Schedule an appointment through Fieldprint. Use code: FPVABOIProducer.
#4: Submit Application for Your Virginia Insurance License
You may apply for your license online through the National Insurance Producer Registry. Make sure you are applying for the insurance license you tested for.
You can find step-by-step instructions on the Virginia State Corporation Commission website.
#4: Complete Virginia’s Insurance Continuing Education and License Renewal Requirements
Virginia insurance producers are required to complete 16 hours of continuing education (CE) every two years. You cannot receive credit for any course more than once in a reporting period and any excess CE credits cannot be applied to the next compliance cycle.
- Three hours must be an Ethics course
Producer licenses are renewed on the last day of your birth month and are dependent on whether your birth year is even or odd. For example, if you were born in an odd-numbered year, your license will expire at the end of your birth month in odd-numbered years. If you were born in an even-numbered year, your license will expire at the end of your birth month in even-numbered years. For questions regarding license renewal, you can contact BOILicenseRenewal@scc.virginia.gov.
You can renew your license through Sircon or NIPR.
Additional Information for Virginia Insurance Agents
Virginia Insurance License Lookup:https://www.scc.virginia.gov/boi/consumerinquiry/
Virginia Insurance Agent Licensing Fees
- All-Lines Training Exam Prep Course: $179
- Exam Fee: $35
- Fingerprinting Fee: $35.72
- Application Fee: $15
- Renewal Fee: $10
Virginia Insurance Agent License Reciprocity
Insurance agent and producer license reciprocity refers to a mutual agreement between states that says an agent holding a license in his or her home state can successfully apply for a license in another state without having to take that state’s exam or pre-licensing course.
As an insurance agent, you can apply for a reciprocal license in any other state as long as the license you are applying for covers the same lines of authority. So if you hold a Personal Lines license, for example, you will not qualify for a Property and Casualty Lines reciprocal license because P&C covers more lines of authority than your current license.
Your home state license needs to be in good standing, and you will need to apply for the license, pay the fees, and register the licenses with NIPR. Holding multiple licenses will allow you to sell insurance policies across state lines, increasing your customer base and your income.
Virginia Department of Insurance Contact Information
Website: https://scc.virginia.gov/pages/Bureau-of-Insurance
Mailing Address:
Bureau of Insurance – SCC
P.O. Box 1157
Richmond, Virginia 23218
Phone: 877-310-6560
Email: agentlicensing@scc.virginia.gov
If you have questions, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re here to help.
