How to Get an Iowa Insurance License

2. Pass a Licensing Exam

Making Exam Reservations

Licensing exams are provided by Pearson VUE. An exam fee must be paid at the time of reservation by credit card, debit card, voucher or electronic check. You can make an exam reservation through the following methods:

• Online: Make an online reservation at http://www.pearsonvue.com/ia/insurance at least 24 hours before the desired exam date or 5 days in advance if paying by electronic check
• Phone: (877-540-5825)
  • Before calling, you must have the following:
    • Legal name, address, Social Security number, daytime phone number, and date of birth
    • Name of the exam
    • Preferred  exam date and test center location

What to Bring

Two forms of current signature identification:

1. A primary ID (photograph and signature, not expired) such as a Driver’s License or Passport
2. A secondary ID (signature, not expired) such as a Debit or Credit card

Exam Procedures

• Report to the test center 30 minutes before the exam to verify identification and be photographed for the score report.
• No personal items are allowed in the testing room such as cell phones, watches, wallets, or purses.
• Studying is not allowed in the test center.
• The test administrator will provide you with materials to make notes or calculations. You may not write on these items before the exam begins or remove these items from the testing room.
• You will have the opportunity to take a tutorial that will not reduce the exam time.

Exam Format

• Each major line exam is given in a multiple-choice format.
• The exam consists of two parts:
  1. The general section deals with basic insurance product knowledge
  2. The state section deals with insurance laws, rules, and regulations, and practices that are unique to Iowa
• Each exam contains “pretest” questions that are mixed in with the scored questions and are not identified. Pretest questions may not be covered in your educational materials and do not affect your final score!
• The passing score required on each exam is 70%.
• When you complete the exam, you will receive a score report marked “pass or fail”.
• Candidates who fail will receive a score report that includes a numeric score, diagnostic and re-testing information.

*Must have passed the Personal Lines exam prior to taking this exam, required to show proof of passing exam score at testing site

Combination Examinations are no longer available. Life and Accident & Health or Property & Casualty Exams scheduled together will have a reduced testing fee.

3. Apply for a License

After passing the exam, apply for your license by completing an application at http://www.nipr.com. The application process must be completed within 90 days of passing the exam.