How do I get licensed to sell insurance in all 50 states?

Asked by: Jazmyne Conroy  |  Last update: July 11, 2025
Score: 4.4/5 (32 votes)

If you plan to sell or discuss insurance outside your home state, you'll need to get a non-resident insurance license. Some states require you to pass an additional state insurance license exam to get one. Others only require that you apply and pay a fee.

How to get licensed to sell insurance in multiple states?

If you don't have a license already, you will want to earn your resident license first, then apply for a non-resident license in other states where you plan to write business. There is no single license that allows you to sell in multiple states.

Do you need an insurance license in every state?

If you plan to work as an insurance agent or broker, or establish an insurance-related business, you must obtain the right license (or multiple licenses) before you can begin to sell products or services. This must be done for every state in which you plan to operate.

In what states do insurance agents make the most money?

Best-Paying States for Insurance Sales Agents

The states and districts that pay Insurance Sales Agents the highest mean salary are New York ($108,960), New Jersey ($106,910), Illinois ($105,150), Minnesota ($100,750), and Massachusetts ($100,590). How Much Do Insurance Sales Agents Make in Your City?

Can you be licensed in one state and insured in another?

In general, your car must be registered and insured in the same state, since both vehicle registration and auto insurance are based on your permanent residence. In fact, using an address for insurance that's different from the primary residence where you keep your vehicle is a form of insurance fraud.

How To Get Your Non-Resident Insurance License In All 50 States

29 related questions found

Can insurance agents work in multiple states?

Yes, you can hold non-resident insurance licenses in different states. Many insurance professionals choose to obtain licenses in multiple states to expand their client base and access a wider market.

How do you get licensed in two states?

A: Answer to your first question is no. You can only have one driver's license. So let's say you spend your winters in California and summers in South Dakota. In most instances you need to select where you want to be or are a resident of.

Which insurance license makes the most money?

The Top Five Highest-Paying Insurance Career Jobs In 2024
  • Insurance Agent.
  • Insurance Underwriter.
  • Actuary.
  • Personal Finance Advisors.
  • Claims Adjusters, Appraisers, Examiners, and Investigators.

Can a insurance agent be a millionaire?

If you have a great work ethic and are willing to place yourself out there to establish relationships with clients, you will get more opportunities to earn a higher income. Selling insurance may even make you a millionaire.

What insurance companies don't require a license?

Insurance companies that will insure you without a license include The Hartford, Geico, and AAA. You may still need to insure your vehicle as an unlicensed driver if you can't drive due to age or health issues, in which case you will need to list a primary driver on the policy.

Do all 50 states require insurance?

Auto liability insurance is mandatory in 49 states and the District of Columbia. New Hampshire, the only state that does not require auto liability insurance, requires drivers to show that they are able to provide sufficient funds in the case of an at-fault accident (i.e., financial responsibility).

Can I transfer my insurance license to another state?

States will often give you the option to simultaneously transfer your resident license to the new state as well. You'll have around 30 days to contact the insurance department with your new address. If you wait too long, you may have to submit a new application and pay licensing fees for your new resident license.

Can you sell insurance with 2 different companies?

Independent insurance agents can represent multiple companies and typically try to find insurance policies that offer the best coverage for your circumstances. Learn more about working with an investment professional.

Can State Farm agents sell other insurance?

Depends on how the agents are designated. If they are direct employees then they could be out of work. If they are contractors then nothing much, they just can't sell the particular products they don't offer in California.

Why is selling insurance so hard?

The hardest part of being an insurance agent often revolves around the constant need for lead generation and sales. Many agents struggle with the cold calling aspect, where rejection is frequent, and maintaining a steady stream of new clients can be challenging.

Who is the richest insurance agents?

Insurance Billionaires
  • Berkshire Hathaway's, Warren Buffet. ...
  • Patrick Ryan of the Ryan Specialty Group. ...
  • Erie Indemnity Chairman, Thomas Hagen. ...
  • W.R. Berkley's William R. ...
  • Mark and Robyn Jones of Goosehead Insurance. ...
  • Brown & Brown's, J. ...
  • Mercury General's, George Joseph. ...
  • Henry Engelhardt of the Admiral Group.

Why are insurance agents so rich?

One of the primary reasons insurance agents can accumulate wealth is their commission-based income structure. Unlike salaried employees, agents earn a percentage of the premiums they sell to clients. As they build a client base and generate more sales, their income potential increases.

Which insurance license is hardest to get?

Each insurance licensing exam presents its own challenge. Between Life and Health, students say that the Health insurance exam is the more difficult. Health insurance policies are simply more complicated than life insurance policies. The Property insurance exam is easier than the Casualty insurance exam.

What is the most lucrative type of insurance to sell?

While there are many kinds of insurance (ranging from auto insurance to health insurance), the most lucrative career in the insurance field is for those selling life insurance.

Which state pays insurance agents the most?

According to the BLS, the top paying states/cities for insurance sales agents (mean wages) in 2021 were:
  • District of Columbia: $100,050/year, or $48.10/hour.
  • New York: $93,610/year, or $45.01/hour.
  • Massachusetts: $ 90,160/year, or $43.34/hour.
  • Georgia: $83,760/year, or $40.27/hour.
  • New Jersey: $81,640/year, $39.25/hour.

What is multiple state licensure?

This means that if you're an RN living in a compact state, you can get a compact license (or multi-state) and can practice in all compact jurisdictions.

How do I establish dual residency in two states?

According to the 183-day rule for state residency, a person is considered a resident of a state if they spend more than 183 days per year in that particular state. This includes living in one state but working in another. If you have not been to your domicile state for 183 days, you can be considered a dual resident.

Which states offer license reciprocity?

Which are the reciprocal agreement states with California in real estate? California does not offer reciprocity with any other state. Even if you are licensed in another state, you will have to go through the same licensing process as every other applicant.