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District of Columbia Life Insurance — Requirements & Free Practice

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Licenses, application pathways and examination requirements

Each license and applicant pathway has its own requirements and exemptions. Choosing practice questions does not determine your eligibility.

Insurance Producer

Individual producer license with Life authority. Variable Life and Variable Annuity may be added as a separate authorization on the producer license.

Licensing authority: District of Columbia Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking · Application information

Add Life authority to an existing resident producer license
Life
Application
Submit the NAIC Uniform Individual Application, declare its statements true, correct and complete, and pay prescribed fees.
Appointments
An insurer appointment is required only when acting as an agent of that insurer under § 31-1131.14(a).
Existing License
Hold an active resident producer license and apply to add Life authority; § 31-1131.09 exemption remains available to qualifying same-line license holders.
Fingerprints
Submit fingerprints, name, address and written consent to a criminal history record background check; bear its costs.
Fitness
No act constituting a statutory ground for denial, suspension or revocation under D.C. Code § 31-1131.12.
Minimum Age
At least 18 years old.
Pre Licensing Education
Complete a prelicensing course if required by the Commissioner under §§ 31-1131.05a and 31-1131.06(a)(3). The September 2022 Candidate Handbook states: "Candidates have to show proof of a Pre-Licensing Course of study prior to sitting for the District of Columbia Insurance License Examination."
Residency
Resident status is determined by principal residence, principal business location and whether the applicant holds a resident producer license elsewhere under § 31-1131.03(b).
Score Age
Apply within one year after passing the written Life examination; minimum passing score 70.
Nonresident late renewal within 30 days
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Request renewal by the means prescribed by the Commissioner and pay renewal fees.
Cycle
Two-year renewal; individuals expire in their birth month, business entities on May 31.
Education
Meet applicable approved continuing education: normally 24 hours including 3 ethics hours for resident individuals; course/sponsor assessments are training conditions rather than identified licensing examinations. Courses for recognized designations may qualify for credit under 106.6.
Fitness
License must not be subject to nonrenewal; fingerprints must be provided if legally required.
Home License
For nonresident renewal, continue equivalent resident authority in good standing; home-jurisdiction CE satisfies DC requirements subject to § 31-1131.16(b).
Late Window
Within 30 days after expiration; pay required late fee and supply missing CE evidence.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Nonresident reinstatement of expired license within one year
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Competency
Demonstrate fitness and knowledge of District law to the Commissioner; additional education/training may be required.
Expiration
License expired more than 30 days but not more than one year before the application.
Fee
Apply on the prescribed form and pay reinstatement fee; individual statutory penalty is twice the unpaid renewal fee.
Home License
Nonresident must retain equivalent home-jurisdiction authority in good standing.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Nonresident regular renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Request renewal by the means prescribed by the Commissioner and pay renewal fees.
Cycle
Two-year renewal; individuals expire in their birth month, business entities on May 31.
Education
Meet applicable approved continuing education: normally 24 hours including 3 ethics hours for resident individuals; course/sponsor assessments are training conditions rather than identified licensing examinations. Courses for recognized designations may qualify for credit under 106.6.
Fitness
License must not be subject to nonrenewal; fingerprints must be provided if legally required.
Home License
For nonresident renewal, continue equivalent resident authority in good standing; home-jurisdiction CE satisfies DC requirements subject to § 31-1131.16(b).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

New resident Life license after more than one year of lapse
Life
Application
Submit the NAIC Uniform Individual Application, declare its statements true, correct and complete, and pay prescribed fees.
Appointments
An insurer appointment is required only when acting as an agent of that insurer under § 31-1131.14(a).
Fingerprints
Submit fingerprints, name, address and written consent to a criminal history record background check; bear its costs.
Fitness
No act constituting a statutory ground for denial, suspension or revocation under D.C. Code § 31-1131.12.
Lapse
More than one year after expiration: no reinstatement under 26-A DCMR 103.6; meet current initial requirements, subject to the § 31-1131.09 same-line prior-license exemption.
Minimum Age
At least 18 years old.
Pre Licensing Education
Complete a prelicensing course if required by the Commissioner under §§ 31-1131.05a and 31-1131.06(a)(3). The September 2022 Candidate Handbook states: "Candidates have to show proof of a Pre-Licensing Course of study prior to sitting for the District of Columbia Insurance License Examination."
Residency
Resident status is determined by principal residence, principal business location and whether the applicant holds a resident producer license elsewhere under § 31-1131.03(b).
Score Age
Apply within one year after passing the written Life examination; minimum passing score 70.
Renewal with military or extenuating circumstance waiver request
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Assessment
Any unspecified examination the Commissioner might require is an applicant condition.
Circumstance
Unable to comply with renewal procedures because of military service or another extenuating circumstance.
Discretion
May request waiver of renewal procedures and any examination requirement, penalty or sanction arising from failure to comply; the statute does not guarantee a waiver.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Resident late renewal within 30 days
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Request renewal by the means prescribed by the Commissioner and pay renewal fees.
Cycle
Two-year renewal; individuals expire in their birth month, business entities on May 31.
Education
Meet applicable approved continuing education: normally 24 hours including 3 ethics hours for resident individuals; course/sponsor assessments are training conditions rather than identified licensing examinations. Courses for recognized designations may qualify for credit under 106.6.
Fitness
License must not be subject to nonrenewal; fingerprints must be provided if legally required.
Home License
Resident producer requirements apply.
Late Window
Within 30 days after expiration; pay required late fee and supply missing CE evidence.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Resident reinstatement of expired license within one year
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Competency
Demonstrate fitness and knowledge of District law to the Commissioner; additional education/training may be required.
Expiration
License expired more than 30 days but not more than one year before the application.
Fee
Apply on the prescribed form and pay reinstatement fee; individual statutory penalty is twice the unpaid renewal fee.
Home License
Resident requirements apply.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Resident regular renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Request renewal by the means prescribed by the Commissioner and pay renewal fees.
Cycle
Two-year renewal; individuals expire in their birth month, business entities on May 31.
Education
Meet applicable approved continuing education: normally 24 hours including 3 ethics hours for resident individuals; course/sponsor assessments are training conditions rather than identified licensing examinations. Courses for recognized designations may qualify for credit under 106.6.
Fitness
License must not be subject to nonrenewal; fingerprints must be provided if legally required.
Home License
Resident producer requirements apply.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reinstatement after suspension or revocation
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
File prescribed reinstatement application and fee.
Discipline
After suspension, revocation or denial of reinstatement; revocation/denial ordinarily requires waiting three years unless the Commissioner’s order provides otherwise.
Education
The Commissioner may require specified training or education in addition to continuing education.
Fitness
Demonstrate moral qualifications, competence and knowledge of District law; Commissioner considers misconduct, remediation, character, competence and paid fines.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Add Variable Life and Variable Annuity authority by nonresident reciprocity
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the prescribed request and fee and a completed NAIC Uniform Application or the application submitted to the home jurisdiction.
Existing Life Authority
Add Variable Life and Variable Annuity authority to a Life producer license; for business entities, NIPR permits existing or simultaneous Life authority.
Home License
Equivalent Life and variable-product authority in the home jurisdiction in good standing.
Licensing Evidence
A license held elsewhere is an applicant condition; any other jurisdiction’s own examination is not a DC route leaf.
Ongoing Authority
The DC license and appointment terminate if equivalent home-jurisdiction authority terminates, is suspended or revoked.
Qualification
File evidence of each license or authorization required to solicit or sell variable life under 26-A DCMR 2733.1.
Reciprocity
The Commissioner waives requirements other than § 31-1131.08 when the home jurisdiction grants reciprocal nonresident licenses; otherwise the Commissioner may waive them.
Securities Registration
Individual applicants must supply a FINRA CRD number. Any securities qualification examination concerns another profession and is an applicant condition, not a Life insurance examination leaf.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Add Variable Life and Variable Annuity authority as a resident
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Existing Life Authority
Add Variable Life and Variable Annuity authority to a Life producer license; for business entities, NIPR permits existing or simultaneous Life authority.
Qualification
File evidence of each license or authorization required to solicit or sell variable life under 26-A DCMR 2733.1.
Securities Registration
Individual applicants must supply a FINRA CRD number. Any securities qualification examination concerns another profession and is an applicant condition, not a Life insurance examination leaf.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Nonresident licensure by reciprocity
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the prescribed request and fee and a completed NAIC Uniform Application or the application submitted to the home jurisdiction.
Home License
Hold an equivalent resident Life producer license in good standing in the home jurisdiction.
Licensing Evidence
A license held elsewhere is an applicant condition; any other jurisdiction’s own examination is not a DC route leaf.
Ongoing Authority
The DC license and appointment terminate if equivalent home-jurisdiction authority terminates, is suspended or revoked.
Reciprocity
The Commissioner waives requirements other than § 31-1131.08 when the home jurisdiction grants reciprocal nonresident licenses; otherwise the Commissioner may waive them.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Resident licensure with same line prior license exemption
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the NAIC Uniform Individual Application, declare its statements true, correct and complete, and pay prescribed fees.
Appointments
An insurer appointment is required only when acting as an agent of that insurer under § 31-1131.14(a).
Examination Exemption
No prelicensing education or examination under § 31-1131.09(a).
Fingerprints
Submit fingerprints, name, address and written consent to a criminal history record background check; bear its costs.
Fitness
No act constituting a statutory ground for denial, suspension or revocation under D.C. Code § 31-1131.12.
Minimum Age
At least 18 years old.
Prior Licensure
Currently licensed for the same Life line in another jurisdiction.
Residency
Resident status is determined by principal residence, principal business location and whether the applicant holds a resident producer license elsewhere under § 31-1131.03(b).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Resident initial licensure by examination
Life
Application
Submit the NAIC Uniform Individual Application, declare its statements true, correct and complete, and pay prescribed fees.
Appointments
An insurer appointment is required only when acting as an agent of that insurer under § 31-1131.14(a).
Fingerprints
Submit fingerprints, name, address and written consent to a criminal history record background check; bear its costs.
Fitness
No act constituting a statutory ground for denial, suspension or revocation under D.C. Code § 31-1131.12.
Minimum Age
At least 18 years old.
Pre Licensing Education
Complete a prelicensing course if required by the Commissioner under §§ 31-1131.05a and 31-1131.06(a)(3). The September 2022 Candidate Handbook states: "Candidates have to show proof of a Pre-Licensing Course of study prior to sitting for the District of Columbia Insurance License Examination."
Residency
Resident status is determined by principal residence, principal business location and whether the applicant holds a resident producer license elsewhere under § 31-1131.03(b).
Score Age
Apply within one year after passing the written Life examination; minimum passing score 70.
Resident licensure with same line prior license exemption
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the NAIC Uniform Individual Application, declare its statements true, correct and complete, and pay prescribed fees.
Appointments
An insurer appointment is required only when acting as an agent of that insurer under § 31-1131.14(a).
Examination Exemption
No prelicensing education or examination under § 31-1131.09(a).
Fingerprints
Submit fingerprints, name, address and written consent to a criminal history record background check; bear its costs.
Fitness
No act constituting a statutory ground for denial, suspension or revocation under D.C. Code § 31-1131.12.
Minimum Age
At least 18 years old.
Prior Licensure
Application received within 90 days after cancellation of the prior same-line license; certification or NAIC producer database must show good standing at cancellation.
Residency
Resident status is determined by principal residence, principal business location and whether the applicant holds a resident producer license elsewhere under § 31-1131.03(b).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Life

Provider
Pearson VUE
Format
Computer-administered written examination
Exam questions
80 scored questions and 10 pretest questions: 50 scored plus 5 pretest general knowledge; 30 scored plus 5 pretest District-specific
Time limit
2 hours
Passing score
70 minimum score
Examination outline
  • Life General Knowledge — I. TYPES OF POLICIES (15 scored questions)
    • Traditional whole life products
    • Traditional whole life products / Ordinary whole life
    • Traditional whole life products / Limited-pay and single-premium life
    • Interest/market-sensitive/adjustable life products
    • Interest/market-sensitive/adjustable life products / Universal life
    • Interest/market-sensitive/adjustable life products / Variable whole life
    • Interest/market-sensitive/adjustable life products / Variable universal life
    • Interest/market-sensitive/adjustable life products / Interest-sensitive whole life
    • Interest/market-sensitive/adjustable life products / Indexed life
    • Term life
    • Term life / Types
    • Term life / Types / Level
    • Term life / Types / Decreasing
    • Term life / Types / Return of premium
    • Term life / Types / Annually renewable
    • Term life / Special features
    • Term life / Special features / Renewable
    • Term life / Special features / Convertible
    • Annuities
    • Annuities / Single and flexible premium
    • Annuities / Immediate and deferred
    • Annuities / Fixed and variable
    • Annuities / Indexed
    • Annuities / Accumulation and Annuity Periods
    • Annuities / Payout options
    • Combination plans and variations
    • Combination plans and variations / Joint life (first to die)
    • Combination plans and variations / Survivorship life (second to die)
  • Life General Knowledge — II. POLICY RIDERS, PROVISIONS, OPTIONS, AND EXCLUSIONS (15 scored questions)
    • Policy riders
    • Policy riders / Waiver of premium and waiver of monthly deduction
    • Policy riders / Guaranteed insurability
    • Policy riders / Payor benefit
    • Policy riders / Accidental death and/or accidental death and dismemberment
    • Policy riders / Term riders
    • Policy riders / Other insureds
    • Policy riders / Long term care
    • Policy riders / Return of premium
    • Policy riders / Disability
    • Policy riders / Cost of Living
    • Policy provisions and options
    • Policy provisions and options / Entire contract
    • Policy provisions and options / Insuring clause
    • Policy provisions and options / Free look
    • Policy provisions and options / Consideration
    • Policy provisions and options / Owner’s rights
    • Policy provisions and options / Beneficiary designations
    • Policy provisions and options / Beneficiary designations / Primary and contingent
    • Policy provisions and options / Beneficiary designations / Revocable and irrevocable
    • Policy provisions and options / Beneficiary designations / Common disaster
    • Policy provisions and options / Beneficiary designations / Minor beneficiaries
    • Policy provisions and options / Beneficiary designations / Designation by class
    • Policy provisions and options / Premium Payment
    • Policy provisions and options / Premium Payment / Modes
    • Policy provisions and options / Premium Payment / Grace period
    • Policy provisions and options / Premium Payment / Automatic premium loan
    • Policy provisions and options / Premium Payment / Level or flexible
    • Policy provisions and options / Reinstatement
    • Policy provisions and options / Policy loans, withdrawals, partial surrenders
    • Policy provisions and options / Non-forfeiture options
    • Policy provisions and options / Dividends and dividend options (e.g. participating, non-participating)
    • Policy provisions and options / Incontestability
    • Policy provisions and options / Assignments
    • Policy provisions and options / Suicide
    • Policy provisions and options / Misstatement of age and gender
    • Policy provisions and options / Settlement options
    • Policy provisions and options / Accelerated death benefits
    • Policy exclusions
    • Policy exclusions / War
    • Policy exclusions / Aviation
    • Policy exclusions / Dangerous Occupation
  • Life General Knowledge — III. COMPLETING THE APPLICATION, UNDERWRITING, AND DELIVERING THE POLICES (12 scored questions)
    • Completing the application
    • Completing the application / Required signatures
    • Completing the application / Changes in the application
    • Completing the application / Consequences of incomplete applications
    • Completing the application / Warranties and representations
    • Completing the application / Collecting the initial premium and issuing the receipt
    • Completing the application / Replacement
    • Completing the application / Disclosures at point of sale (e.g., HIPAA, HIV consent)
    • Completing the application / USA PATRIOT Act/anti-money laundering
    • Completing the application / Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA) Privacy
    • Underwriting
    • Underwriting / Insurable interest
    • Underwriting / Medical information and consumer reports
    • Underwriting / Fair Credit Reporting Act
    • Underwriting / Risk classification
    • Underwriting / Stranger/Investor-owned life insurance (STOLI/IOLI)
    • Delivering the policy
    • Delivering the policy / When coverage begins
    • Delivering the policy / Explaining the policy and its provisions, riders, exclusions, and ratings to the client
    • Contract law
    • Contract law / Elements of a contract
    • Contract law / Elements of a contract / Consideration
    • Contract law / Elements of a contract / Offer and Acceptance
    • Contract law / Elements of a contract / Competent parties
    • Contract law / Elements of a contract / Legal purpose
    • Contract law / Unique aspects of the insurance contract
    • Contract law / Unique aspects of the insurance contract / Conditional
    • Contract law / Unique aspects of the insurance contract / Unilateral
    • Contract law / Unique aspects of the insurance contract / Adhesion
    • Contract law / Unique aspects of the insurance contract / Aleatory
  • Life General Knowledge — IV. RETIREMENT AND OTHER INSURANCE CONCEPTS (8 scored questions)
    • Third-party ownership
    • Life Settlements
    • Group life insurance
    • Group life insurance / Conversion privilege
    • Group life insurance / Contributory vs. noncontributory
    • Retirement plans
    • Retirement plans / Qualified plans
    • Retirement plans / Nonqualified plans
    • Life insurance needs analysis/suitability
    • Life insurance needs analysis/suitability / Personal insurance needs
    • Life insurance needs analysis/suitability / Business insurance needs
    • Life insurance needs analysis/suitability / Business insurance needs / Key person
    • Life insurance needs analysis/suitability / Business insurance needs / Buy sell
    • Social Security benefits
    • Tax treatment of insurance premiums, proceeds, and dividends
    • Tax treatment of insurance premiums, proceeds, and dividends / Individual life
    • Tax treatment of insurance premiums, proceeds, and dividends / Group life
    • Tax treatment of insurance premiums, proceeds, and dividends / Modified Endowment Contracts (MECs)
  • Life District of Columbia Specific — I. DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA LAWS, RULES, AND REGULATIONS COMMON TO LIFE, ACCIDENT AND HEALTH, PROPERTY, AND CASUALTY INSURANCE (20 scored questions)
    • Commissioner of Insurance, Securities and Banking
    • Commissioner of Insurance, Securities and Banking / Broad Powers & Duties
    • Commissioner of Insurance, Securities and Banking / Examination of Records
    • Commissioner of Insurance, Securities and Banking / Notice of Hearings
    • General Insurance Definitions
    • General Insurance Definitions / Domestic, Foreign, Alien
    • General Insurance Definitions / Stock & Mutual Companies
    • General Insurance Definitions / Certificate of Authority
    • Licensing Requirements
    • Licensing Requirements / Producer
    • Licensing Requirements / License denial, nonrenewal, suspension or revocation
    • Licensing Requirements / Appointments
    • Licensing Requirements / Commissions
    • Licensing Requirements / Reporting of actions
    • Licensing Requirements / License Renewal
    • Unfair Trade Practices
    • Unfair Trade Practices / False Advertising
    • Unfair Trade Practices / Rebating
    • Unfair Trade Practices / Misrepresentation
    • Unfair Trade Practices / Defamation
    • Unfair Trade Practices / Discrimination
    • Unfair Trade Practices / Twisting
    • Unfair Trade Practices / Penalties
    • Unfair Trade Practices / Claims
    • Fiduciary Capacity of Licensee
    • AIDS Law
    • Insurance Guaranty Associations
  • Life District of Columbia Specific — II. DISTICT OF COLUMBIA LAWS, RULES, AND REGULATIONS PERTINENT TO LIFE INSURANCE ONLY (10 scored questions)
    • Required Provisions
    • Required Provisions / Grace Period
    • Required Provisions / Reinstatement
    • Other Provisions
    • Other Provisions / Policy Loan
    • Other Provisions / Benefits Protected from Creditors
    • Group Life
    • Group Life / Termination Rights
    • Annuities
    • Annuities / Variable Annuities
    • Variable Life
    • Credit Life
    • Standard Nonforfeiture Law
Examination sources