NJ Insurance License: Everything You Need to Know

Insurance is an important aspect of our lives, as it provides a safety net in times of crisis. If you’re interested in pursuing a career in the insurance industry in New Jersey, you’ll need to obtain an NJ insurance license. In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about getting your NJ insurance license, including the requirements, fees, and exam information.

What is an NJ Insurance License?

An NJ insurance license is a certification that is required by the state of New Jersey for individuals who want to work in the insurance industry. This license allows you to sell, solicit, and negotiate insurance products in the state of New Jersey. There are two types of NJ insurance licenses: the property and casualty (P&C) license and the life and health (L&H) license.

The P&C license allows you to sell insurance products that cover property and liability, such as homeowner’s insurance and auto insurance. The L&H license allows you to sell insurance products that cover life and health, such as life insurance and health insurance.

Requirements for Obtaining an NJ Insurance License

In order to obtain an NJ insurance license, you must meet certain requirements. These requirements vary depending on the type of license you wish to obtain. Here are the general requirements:

Type of License
Pre-Licensing Education Hours
Exam
Fingerprinting
Background Check
P&C
20 hours
Yes
Yes
Yes
L&H
20 hours
Yes
Yes
Yes

As you can see from the table above, you must complete 20 hours of pre-licensing education for either license. You must also pass an exam, be fingerprinted, and undergo a background check.

Pre-Licensing Education

The pre-licensing education requirement is designed to ensure that you have a basic understanding of the insurance industry and the products you will be selling. The courses must be taken from an approved provider and cover topics such as insurance law, ethics, and coverage.

You can take the pre-licensing courses online or in person. The courses typically take 2-3 days to complete and are self-paced. Once you have completed the courses, you will receive a certificate of completion, which you will need to present when you take the exam.

Exam

The exam is administered by Pearson VUE, which is a third-party testing company. The exam tests your knowledge of insurance concepts and products. You will have 2 hours to complete the exam, which is a multiple-choice test.

You must receive a score of at least 70% to pass the exam. If you do not pass on your first try, you can retake the exam after waiting a certain amount of time. The cost of the exam is $55 per attempt.

Fingerprinting and Background Check

As part of the licensing process, you must be fingerprinted and undergo a background check. You will need to schedule an appointment to be fingerprinted, and the cost of the fingerprinting is $64.50. The background check is conducted by the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance and costs $39.15.

How to Apply for an NJ Insurance License

Once you have completed the pre-licensing education, passed the exam, and undergone the fingerprinting and background check, you can apply for your NJ insurance license. Here’s how:

  1. Visit the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance website.
  2. Click on “Apply for a License.”
  3. Select “Individual Licensing.”
  4. Select “Insurance.”
  5. Select the type of license you wish to apply for (P&C or L&H).
  6. Complete the application and pay the $160 license fee.
  7. Wait for your license to be approved. This process can take up to 60 days.

FAQ

How much does it cost to get an NJ insurance license?

The total cost of getting an NJ insurance license is approximately $418.65. This includes the pre-licensing education, exam fee, fingerprinting fee, background check fee, and license fee.

How long does it take to get an NJ insurance license?

The entire licensing process can take up to 60 days. This includes completing the pre-licensing education, taking the exam, being fingerprinted and undergoing a background check, and waiting for your license to be approved.

Do I need to renew my NJ insurance license?

Yes, you will need to renew your NJ insurance license every two years. The renewal fee is $160, and you will need to complete a certain number of hours of continuing education to renew your license.

Can I transfer my insurance license from another state?

Yes, you can transfer your insurance license from another state to New Jersey. You will need to submit an application and pay a fee. You may also need to complete additional pre-licensing education and take the New Jersey state-specific exam.

Can I sell multiple types of insurance with one license?

No, you will need to obtain separate licenses for each type of insurance you wish to sell. For example, if you want to sell both P&C and L&H insurance, you will need to obtain both licenses.

Conclusion

An NJ insurance license is necessary if you want to work in the insurance industry in New Jersey. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can obtain your license and start selling insurance products. Remember to stay up to date with the continuing education requirements and renew your license every two years.