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North Carolina Personal Lines Insurance — Requirements & Free Practice

US-NC · License preparation

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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.

corporation or partnership

Business-entity insurance producer license with no assigned lines of authority; lines of authority come from individual producers' licenses.

Licensing authority: North Carolina Department of Insurance · Application information

Annual business entity renewal
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Complete renewal electronically through NIPR and retain the responsible licensed producer and applicable individual licenses.
Deadline
Pay the annual renewal fee before March 31 expiration; renewal is on April 1.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Business entity reapplication after a tax identification number change
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Reapply through NIPR, pay fees and attach the Secretary of State certificate showing the new name.
Responsible producer
Continue meeting G.S. 58-33-31(b).
Trigger
Name change also changes the tax identification number.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Nonresident business entity licensure by reciprocity
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Prescribed request, fees, and home-state application or Uniform Business Entity Application.
Home license
Hold the equivalent resident business-entity producer license in good standing.
Reciprocity
Home state grants nonresident producer licenses to North Carolina residents on a reciprocal basis.
Responsible producer
Designate a licensed natural-person producer responsible for compliance; individuals supply the personal-lines authority.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Resident business entity initial licensure
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Uniform Business Entity Application and applicable fees.
Authority
No lines of authority are assigned to the entity license; the individual producers supply them.
Organization
Corporation, association, partnership, LLC, LLP or other legal entity; a sole proprietorship is not a business entity under G.S. 58-33-10(4).
Responsible producer
Designate a licensed natural-person producer responsible for compliance. Individuals selling personal-lines policies must have their own applicable licenses.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

personal lines agent

Individual personal-lines authority under G.S. 58-33-26(c1)(6), with resident and nonresident issuance pathways.

Licensing authority: North Carolina Department of Insurance, Commissioner of Insurance · Application information

Reinstatement of a CE lapsed license after four months
Personal Lines Agent
Examination
Pass the appropriate licensing examination, after which .0811(a) requires reinstatement.
Fingerprints
Reinstatement after a lapse exceeding one year requires fingerprints under .0418(a)(4).
Implementation notice
The CE page retains a prelicensing demand: If the required CE hours are not met by the end of the 4-month period, the license will become inactive. Licensees must complete pre-licensing and pass the state exam for each line of authority to be issued a new license. G.S. 58-33-30(d)(1) prohibits requiring a specific course, and .0811(a), temporarily amended May 6, 2026, requires the examination without that course demand.
Lapse
Did not satisfy reinstatement requirements within four months after the previous compliance year.
Reinstatement of a CE lapsed license within four months
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Deadline
Within four months after the end of the previous compliance year, complete the required CE and pay the $75 administrative reinstatement fee.
Lapse
License lapsed under G.S. 58-33-130(c).

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Nonresident license continuation
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing education
Home-state CE satisfies North Carolina CE on the reciprocal basis specified in G.S. 58-33-32(j).
License status
Maintain the home-state license in good standing and satisfy applicable licensing conditions; no annual producer renewal application.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Nonresident licensure outside mandatory reciprocity
Personal Lines Agent
Application
Meet application requirements and fees; retaliatory conditions and reciprocal waivers under .30(i) and (j) may apply.
Examination waiver
Outside G.S. 58-33-32 the Commissioner may license without the otherwise required written examination on home-state certification of a similar examination or continuous licensure before that examination was required. Another jurisdiction's examination is a condition, not a North Carolina leaf.
Home license
Hold a like license in another United States state or territory under G.S. 58-33-30(h)(2)a.
Nonresident licensure by reciprocity
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Submit the prescribed request, fees and home-state application or Uniform Application; licensing status may be verified through the NAIC producer database.
Home license
Hold the requested resident producer authority in good standing in the home state.
Reciprocity
The home state awards nonresident licenses to North Carolina residents on a reciprocal basis.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reinstatement after restoration of the home state license
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Deadline
Within 30 days after lapse, be otherwise entitled to licensure and provide satisfactory proof the home-state license was reinstated or reissued.
Lapse
NC nonresident license lapsed 30 days after loss of home-state license good standing.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reinstatement after relocation and a new home state license
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Notice
File a change-of-address notice within 60 days after issuance of the new home-state license.
Relocation
Provide satisfactory proof of relocation to another jurisdiction and acquisition of a new home-state license.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Resident licensure with the prior home state license examination exemption
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Application
Apply through NIPR and meet fees, resident application and fingerprint requirements. If the electronic licensing record is unavailable, .0402(e) requires a letter of clearance, valid for 90 days from issuance.
Implementation notice
The License Changes page states a narrower 90-day cancellation condition: An individual who applies for an insurance producer license in this State who was  licensed for the same kinds of insurance in his or her previous home state is not required to pass the NC exam per N.C.G.S. 58-33-32(g),. This exemption is only available if the application is received within 90 days after the applicant's previous home state license(s) are cancelled. ASD accepts the information on the Producer Database (PDB) maintained by the NAIC or affiliates or subsidiaries of the NAIC, indicating that the producer was licensed in good standing for the kind of insurance requested.
Prior authority
Previously licensed for the same lines in the home state.
Relocation
A producer moving to North Carolina must apply within 90 days after establishing legal residence.
Statutory exemption
G.S. 58-33-32(g) provides the exemption if currently licensed there, or applying within 90 days after cancellation with a good-standing certification, or NAIC records show the producer is or was licensed in good standing for the requested authority.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Reapplication after surrender or termination when examination waiver no longer applies
Personal Lines Agent
Age
At least 18 years old.
Application
Submit the Uniform Application through NIPR with truthful and complete information, fees, and documentation for affirmative background answers.
Appointment
The license alone does not authorize acting for an insurer; an insurer appointment is required by G.S. 58-33-40.
Education
G.S. 58-33-30(d)(1) prohibits requiring a specific amount or course of instruction; optional preparation is available.
Fingerprints
Complete the applicable live-scan fingerprint and criminal-history requirements under .0418.
Fitness
No act that is a ground for probation, suspension, nonrenewal or revocation under G.S. 58-33-46.
Prior license
A surrendered or terminated license has remained so long that examination waiver eligibility is lost; .0402(d)(1) requires all legal requirements for previously unlicensed persons.
Reissuance after revocation
Personal Lines Agent
Age
At least 18 years old.
Application
Submit the Uniform Application through NIPR with truthful and complete information, fees, and documentation for affirmative background answers.
Appointment
The license alone does not authorize acting for an insurer; an insurer appointment is required by G.S. 58-33-40.
Education
G.S. 58-33-30(d)(1) prohibits requiring a specific amount or course of instruction; optional preparation is available.
Fingerprints
Complete the applicable live-scan fingerprint and criminal-history requirements under .0418.
Fitness
No act that is a ground for probation, suspension, nonrenewal or revocation under G.S. 58-33-46.
Other conditions
Satisfy any applicable exemption or order; child-support-related cases also require compliance certification under G.S. 110-142.1 and fingerprints under .0418.
Prior revocation
G.S. 58-33-46(d) requires all Article 33 requirements before a revoked individual may be issued another license.
Resident license continuation
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Continuing education
Complete 24 CE credits each biennial period including three ethics credits; complete three flood credits every other period. Applicable CE exemptions, waivers and hardship extensions remain applicant conditions.
Course completion
Under .0802(f), a CE course requiring an examination is complete only on passing it; training/course requirements are conditions rather than a separately identified personal-lines licensing examination.
Disciplinary order
An ordered competency examination after an insurance-law violation is a separate secondary pathway recorded in the survey note.
License status
License continues until suspended or revoked; no annual producer renewal application.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Resident initial licensure by examination
Personal Lines Agent
Age
At least 18 years old.
Application
Submit the Uniform Application through NIPR with truthful and complete information, fees, and documentation for affirmative background answers.
Appointment
The license alone does not authorize acting for an insurer; an insurer appointment is required by G.S. 58-33-40.
Education
G.S. 58-33-30(d)(1) prohibits requiring a specific amount or course of instruction; optional preparation is available.
Exam timing
Apply before taking the exam; the handbook states the application eligibility period is six months.
Fingerprints
Complete the applicable live-scan fingerprint and criminal-history requirements under .0418.
Fitness
No act that is a ground for probation, suspension, nonrenewal or revocation under G.S. 58-33-46.
Residence
Reside in North Carolina or qualify under G.S. 58-33-30(h)(1) as a resident of a county contiguous to its state line.
Restoration after a child support related suspension
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Compliance
Obtain certification from the designated child-support representative through compliance, an agreement or applicable judicial relief; satisfy otherwise applicable license conditions.
Fingerprints
Rule .0418(a)(5) requires fingerprints from a producer applicant whose license was suspended or revoked for child-support nonpayment.
Suspension
License was suspended under G.S. 110-142.1 rather than revoked.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Temporary Insurance Producer License

Temporary authorization for servicing a personal-lines insurance business under G.S. 58-33-66.

Licensing authority: Commissioner · Application information

Temporary licensure — death disability business
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Discretion
The Commissioner must deem the license necessary to service the insurance business.
Eligibility
Member or employee of a licensed producer business entity after death or disability of the individual designated in its application or license.
Restrictions
The Commissioner may restrict authority, require a licensed producer or insurer sponsor and revoke for danger to insureds or the public. Death/disability licenses are limited to insurers that appointed the predecessor.
Term
Up to 180 days or longer for good cause; terminates on transfer of the business.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Temporary licensure — death disability family
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Discretion
The Commissioner must deem the license necessary to service the insurance business.
Eligibility
Spouse, surviving spouse, court-appointed personal representative or guardian of a producer who dies or becomes mentally or physically disabled; allow transfer, recovery or licensing of replacement personnel.
Restrictions
The Commissioner may restrict authority, require a licensed producer or insurer sponsor and revoke for danger to insureds or the public. Death/disability licenses are limited to insurers that appointed the predecessor.
Term
Up to 180 days or longer for good cause; terminates on transfer of the business.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Temporary licensure — military designee
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Discretion
The Commissioner must deem the license necessary to service the insurance business.
Eligibility
Designee of a producer entering active service in the United States Armed Forces.
Restrictions
The Commissioner may restrict authority, require a licensed producer or insurer sponsor and revoke for danger to insureds or the public. Death/disability licenses are limited to insurers that appointed the predecessor.
Term
Up to 180 days or longer for good cause; terminates on transfer of the business.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Temporary licensure — public interest
No examination is required for this applicant pathway.
Discretion
The Commissioner must deem the license necessary to service the insurance business.
Eligibility
Any other circumstance the Commissioner determines would best serve the public interest.
Restrictions
The Commissioner may restrict authority, require a licensed producer or insurer sponsor and revoke for danger to insureds or the public. Death/disability licenses are limited to insurers that appointed the predecessor.
Term
Up to 180 days or longer for good cause; terminates on transfer of the business.

Official no-examination sources

Effective from 2026-09-22.

Personal Lines Agent

Provider
Pearson VUE
Format
Four-option multiple-choice; general and state-specific content scored together
Exam questions
80 scored questions; up to 16 additional unscored pretest questions
Time limit
1 hour, 45 minutes
Passing score
Scaled score of 70 on the 0–100 reporting scale
Exam fee
$45.00 per examination attempt
Examination outline
  • I. TERMS AND CONCEPTS .............................................. 11
    • A. Risk
    • B. Hazard
    • C. Peril
    • D. Economic Loss
    • E. Indemnity
    • F. Insurable Interest
    • G. Deductible
    • H. Direct loss vs. Indirect loss (loss of use)
    • I. Named peril vs. Open peril
    • J. Specific vs. blanket coverage
    • K. Property loss valuation
    • K.1. Actual Cash Value
    • K.2. Replacement cost
    • K.3. Functional replacement cost
    • K.4. Salvage value
    • L. Mortgagee/loss payee
    • M. Misrepresentation, breach of warranty, concealment
    • N. Negligence, liability, and supplementary payments
    • O. Bodily injury, property damage, personal injury
    • P. Accident/Occurrence
    • Q. Liability Limits: single and split
    • R. Certificate of Insurance
    • S. Binder
    • T. Endorsement
    • U. Liberalization clause
    • V. Major classes of policy provisions
    • V.1. Declarations
    • V.2. Definitions
    • V.3. Insuring agreements
    • V.4. Exclusions/Waiver
    • V.5. Conditions
    • W. Insurance
    • X. Application
    • Y. Subrogation
    • Z. Adhesion
    • AA. Consent to Rate
  • II. PERSONAL INSURANCE COVERAGES...................... 30
    • A. Standard Fire Policy ............................................... 5
    • A.1. Perils and losses covered and excluded
    • A.2. Inception/expiration
    • A.3. Limitations on amount payable
    • A.3.a. Policy limit
    • A.3.b. Actual Cash Value
    • A.3.c. Cost to repair or replace
    • A.3.d. Pro rata liability
    • A.3.e. Interest of the insured
    • A.4. Insurer’s options in the loss settlement
    • A.5. Concealment, misrepresentations, fraud
    • A.6. Requirements in the event of loss
    • A.7. Appraisal
    • A.8. Subrogation
    • A.9. Suit against the company
    • A.10. Abandonment
    • A.11. Waiver
    • B. Basic (DP-1), Broad (DP-2), and Special (DP-3) dwelling property forms ......................................... 4 (The candidate should be able to compare the major features of these forms.)
    • B.1. General nature and eligibility
    • B.2. Coverage items and other coverages
    • B.3. Property excluded
    • B.4. Perils covered and excluded
    • B.5. Other conditions and provisions (e.g., loss settlement subrogation)
    • B.6. Personal Liability and Theft Coverages
    • C. Homeowner’s policies (including amendatory endorsements) ........................................................ 15 Ref: This section is based on the North Carolina Rate Bureau Forms as adapted from the HO-2011 program of the Insurance Services Offices.
    • C.1. Eligibility and forms available
    • C.2. Definitions
    • C.3. Section I (The candidate should be able to analyze and compare the several Homeowners policies with respect to the following items.)
    • C.3.a. Coverage items and additional coverages
    • C.3.b. Property limited or excluded
    • C.3.c. Perils covered and excluded
    • C.3.d. Relationship among amounts of insurance
    • C.3.e. Loss settlement
    • C.3.f. Other conditions
    • C.4. Section II
    • C.4.a. Liability insuring agreement and exclusions
    • C.4.b. Medical payments insuring agreement and exclusions
    • C.4.c. Additional coverages
    • C.4.d. Section II conditions
    • C.5. Conditions applicable to Sections I and II
    • C.6. Frequently Used Homeowner endorsements
    • C.6.a. Scheduled personal property (personal articles floater) Ref: HO-04-61
    • C.6.b. Personal injury Ref: HO-32-82
    • C.6.c. Personal property replacement cost Ref: HO-04-90
    • C.6.d. Permitted incidental occupancies Ref: HO-04-42
    • C.6.e. Watercraft Ref: HO-24-75
    • C.6.f. Water Back Up and Sump Discharge or Overflow Ref: HO-04-84
    • C.6.g. Refrigerated property coverage Ref: HO-04-98
    • C.7. North Carolina amendatory endorsements (mandatory)
    • C.7.a. Special provisions HO-32-32
    • C.7.b. Home day care business liability exclusions and limited property coverage HO-32-96
    • D. Other personal policies .......................................... 1
    • D.1. Mobile Homeowners Policy
    • E. Flood Insurance ...................................................... 3 (The candidate is not responsible for differences in the Flood Program’s treatment of personal exposures and commercial exposures.)
    • E.1. National Flood Insurance Program
    • E.1.a. Background and purpose
    • E.1.k. Programs
    • E.1.k.4) Emergency
    • E.1.k.5) Regular
    • E.1.k.6) Who needs flood insurance
    • E.1.l. Flood maps and zone determinations
    • E.1.m. Policies available
    • E.1.n. Definitions
    • E.1.o. General rules
    • E.1.p. Rating
    • E.1.q. Claims handling process
    • E.1.r. Write your own company
    • E.3. Excess flood insurance
    • E.4. Private flood insurance
    • F. Watercraft/yacht ...................................................... 1
    • F.1. Hull coverage
    • F.2. Liability (protection and indemnity) coverage
    • G. Personal umbrella liability ..................................... 1
    • G.1. General nature
    • G.2. Underlying coverages
    • G.3. Self-Insured retention
  • III. PERSONAL AUTO POLICY (NORTH CAROLINA RATE BUREAU FORM) ................................................. 15
    • A. General nature and eligibility
    • B. Definitions
    • B.1. Named insured
    • B.2. An insured
    • B.3. Covered automobile
    • B.3.a. Non-owned
    • B.3.b. Temporary substitute
    • C. Standard coverages, parts A through D (The candidate should have knowledge of the insuring agreement, exclusions, and other items of the coverage listed below.)
    • C.1. Liability
    • C.2. Medical payments
    • C.3. Uninsured motorists/underinsured motorists
    • C.4. Damage to your auto (physical damage)
    • C.5. Insured’s duties
    • C.6. General provisions
    • D. Other coverages available
    • D.1. Towing and labor Ref: NC 03 03
    • D.2. Extended transportation expenses Ref: NC 03 02
    • D.3. Extended non-owned coverage Ref: NC 03 06
    • D.4. Coverage for Damage to Your Auto Ref: NC 03 15
  • IV. NORTH CAROLINA STATUTES AND REGULATIONS PERTINENT TO PERSONAL LINES ............................. 24
    • A. Contract of Insurance Ref: Article 1 (G.S. 58-1-10)
    • B. Commissioner of Insurance Ref: Article 2 (G.S. 58-2-5, 40, 50, 60, 65, 69, 70, 75, 155, 160, 161, 162, 163, 180, 185, 195, 200); 11 NCAC, Chapter 19, Section .0103
    • C. General Regulations for Insurance Ref: Article 3 (G.S. 58-3-10, 15, 25, 40, 115, 120, 130, 135, 140, 145)
    • D. Licensing of Agents, Limited Representatives, and Adjusters Ref: Article 33 (G.S. 58-33-1, 5, 10, 17, 20, 26, 31, 32, 40, 46, 50, 56, 60, 66, 70, 75, 76, 80, 82, 83, 85, 95, 100, 105, 110, 115, 120, 125, 130, 132, 135); 11 NCAC, Chapter 4, Section .0423
    • E. Insurance Information & Privacy Protection Act Ref: Article 39 (G.S. 58-39-5 through 58-39-120)
    • F. Regulation of Credit Insurance Ref: Article 57 (G.S. 58-57-65)
    • G. Unfair Trade Practices Ref: Article 63 (G.S. 58-63-15, 20, 50)
    • H. False Pretenses and Cheats Ref: Article 19 (G.S. 14-100)
    • I. Continuing Education Ref: 11NCAC, Chapter 6A, Section .0800; 11 NCAC, Chapter 4, Section .0423
    • J. North Carolina Rate Bureau Ref: Article 36 (G.S. 58-36-1, 15, 20, 25, 30, 45, 55, 65, 75, 80)
    • K. North Carolina Motor Vehicle Reinsurance Facility Ref: Article 37 (G.S. 58-37-1,5, 25, 30, 35, 50, 55, 60)
    • L. General Regulations of Business Ref: Article 43 (G.S. 58-43-5, 10)
    • M. Fire Insurance Policies Ref: Article 44 (G.S. 58-44-1, 5, 30)
    • N. Essential Property Insurance for Beach Area Property Ref: Article 45 (G.S. 58-45-1, 5, 10, 15, 35)
    • O. Fair Access to Insurance Requirements Ref: Article 46 (G.S. 58-46-1, 5, 10, 15)
    • P. Post Assessment Insurance Guaranty Association Ref: Article 48 (G.S. 58-48-5, 10, 25, 35)
    • Q. Motor Vehicle Liability Policy Defined Ref: (G.S. 20-279.21); 11 NCAC, Chap. 4, Section .0415
    • R. Cancellation or Nonrenewal of Motor Vehicle Policy Ref: (G.S. 20-310)
    • S. Consumer Division Ref: II NCAC, Chapter 4, Subsections .0120, .0121, .0122, .0415, .0423, .0429
Examination sources