Life Health Test
The life and health insurance license exam, or life health test, is required to be taken by those employed as an insurance salesperson in the United States. Passing the exam is required to obtain licensure to sell these products.
Each state has classes available for you to take before you take the life health test. These classes include topics such as personal lines, life, auto, fire, casualty, and code of ethics. Some of these are required by the state in which you live, since each state regulates its insurance licensing. Because course requirements vary, you will need to check with your individual state. Most courses can be taken online.
To obtain an insurance license, you must first meet certain requirements. These will vary, but there are some similarities. You must be at least 18 years of age and a resident of the state in which you are applying for your license. You must take and pass the life health test. You cannot be an employee of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, or work in a state service office or in a funeral home. A fingerprint report is also required so the state can perform a background check on you.
If you are deemed eligible to take the life health test, you must register with the testing administrator (Prometric in most states), pay the exam fee, and schedule an appointment. This can be done online or via fax, telephone, or mail. The fees to take the exam range from $60-$75. Once the exam registration process is complete, you will be given a confirmation number. You will need to keep this until you take the life health test.
On the day of your life and health test, plan to arrive at the testing center 30 minutes early for check-in. You will need to bring a valid form of ID that contains both your signature and photograph. You will not be allowed to bring any personal items, except soft ear plugs, into the testing area. Anything else must be kept in a locker during the life health test.
The life portion of the life health test includes questions relating to insurance basics, policies and principles, tax implications, riders, annuities, and underwriting premiums. The health portion includes topics such as premiums, individual and group policies, disability income, special needs, tax considerations, health maintenance organizations (HMOs), and health, dental, and accident insurance concepts. You will also be tested on insurance regulations.
The life health test is computer-based and must be completed within two hours and 30 minutes. There are 150 multiple-choice questions that follow three formats: “direct question”, “incomplete sentence” and “all of the following except…” You will receive your results when you complete the test. Your score will appear on your computer screen and a score report will be printed for you. Your score report will contain your overall grade and score, as well as the percentage of questions correctly answered (for each section and overall). The score report will tell you if you passed or failed.
It’s important to pass the life health test the first time. If you fail it, you must go through the application process again. This includes re-registering and paying another fee. You can retake the life health test as many times as necessary.