How to get an insurance license in Washington: the official requirements
The insurance producer license, its lines of authority, pre-licensing education, the exam, the fingerprint or background check and how to apply, from the Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner.
To sell insurance in Washington, you get licensed by the Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner. The Washington insurance producer license, with full lines of authority. How to apply: Apply for the license online after you pass the exam; the confirmation carries the OIC or NIPR transaction number you need for fingerprinting. Pre-licensing education: No pre-licensing course is needed: Washington does not require pre-licensing training before the exam, though many people take it to improve their chances. Licensing exam: The insurance license exam, given by PSI Services. Fingerprints and background check: Electronic fingerprints for a background check, scheduled only after you submit the application; the license is issued once the results arrive.
Washington insurance producer license requirements
| Requirement | Washington |
|---|---|
| License you apply for | The Washington insurance producer license, with full lines of authority. |
| Lines of authority | Full lines: life, disability (health), property, casualty and personal lines; Washington calls the health line "disability". |
| How to apply | Apply for the license online after you pass the exam; the confirmation carries the OIC or NIPR transaction number you need for fingerprinting. |
| Eligibility | Not stated in the official source we read. Check with the Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner. |
| Pre-licensing education | No pre-licensing course is needed: Washington does not require pre-licensing training before the exam, though many people take it to improve their chances. |
| Licensing exam | The insurance license exam, given by PSI Services. |
| Fingerprints and background check | Electronic fingerprints for a background check, scheduled only after you submit the application; the license is issued once the results arrive. |
| Insurer appointment | Not stated in the official source we read. Check with the Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner. |
| State fees | Not stated in the official source we read. Check with the Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner. |
| License term | Not stated in the official source we read. Check with the Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner. |
| Continuing education | Not stated in the official source we read. Check with the Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner. |
Where the official source we read does not state something, the table says so rather than guessing. Fees shown are the regulator's own. Fees charged by exam vendors, course providers, fingerprint vendors and application portals are not included.
How to get licensed in Washington
- Schedule and pass the exam with PSI.
- Apply for your license online.
- Have your fingerprints taken, using the transaction number from your application.
- The Office issues the license once it receives your background-check results.
Go further
Requirements state by state.
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Questions people ask
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How this page is built
Each fact on this page comes from the Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner (sources named below), read on the dates shown, with the exact wording we relied on kept on file. Requirements and fees change; the Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner's current instructions govern. We re-read each state's sources every six months (next review by May 7, 2027).
- Not legal advice.
- Licensing rules can change. Verify current requirements with the issuing agency.
- Fees shown are the regulator's own. Fees charged by exam vendors, course providers, fingerprint vendors and application portals are not included.
- This page covers the resident individual license. Nonresident, business entity, limited lines, adjuster and temporary licenses have their own rules.
- Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner, Producer license (full and limited lines), official source, read Nov 6, 2026.
- Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner, Fingerprint requirements, official source, read Nov 6, 2026.
- Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner, You want to get licensed and would like training, official source, read Nov 6, 2026.