On this page, you'll find a comprehensive guide for getting an insurance agent license in Ohio and the state requirements. We'll walk you through the process, and we'll be here to answer any questions you have along the way.

The Ohio Department of Insurance requires each person selling insurance in the state to hold an insurance producer license. You will choose which line of authority you want to be licensed in: health insurance, life insurance, property and casualty insurance, or any combination of those lines.

Once you know which license you need, you're ready to begin. In the State of Ohio, there are 5 steps to getting your insurance license.

1. Complete a Prelicensing Course

The first step is to complete a prelicensing education course. Advantage Education Group offers prelicensing courses that will prepare you to successfully pass the state exam on your first attempt. Our online courses can be supplemented with web classes and learning tools like flashcards and study manuals.

Ohio requires potential agents to complete 20 hours of prelicensing education for each line of authority before attempting the state exam. The specific hour requirements are as follows:

20 hours - Life Agent

20 hours - Accident and Health Agent

20 hours - Property Agent

20 hours - Casualty Agent

20 hours - Personal Lines Agent

Upon the completion of the prelicensing course, you will be issued a Certificate of Completion and Advantage Education Group will report your course completion to the state. This certificate is valid for 180 days from the date of completion; you will need to take and pass your state exam within this timeframe.

Ohio requires you to bring a copy of the Certificate(s) of Completion to your licensing exam. If you are taking a remote exam, you MUST email your certificate(s) to [email protected] within 24 hours of passing the exam. The Ohio Department of Insurance is unable to process any license application without receipt of the valid certificate(s). Failure to submit the certificate(s) to [email protected] will delay the licensure process.

2. Pass a Licensing Exam

After you finish your prelicensing course, you are now ready to take the state licensing exam. You must score 70% or higher to pass your state licensing exam. You will be required to pay an additional exam fee to retake the test, so it is important to pass the first time.

3. Get Fingerprinted

Once you have passed your state exam, you will need to be fingerprinted by a National WebCheck provider. Details on the background check can be found on the ODI Background Check website. When you have your fingerprints taken, be sure to inform the provider that you need the “direct copy” option. Webcheck requests are processed within 2 business days.

4. Apply for License

After passing the exam, you are ready to apply for your license. Once the Ohio Department of Insurance has verified that you have met all of the standards for licensure, they will issue your license. You can print a copy of the issued license on the ODI Agent Locator.

5. Plan for Continuing Education

Continuing education (CE) is required for all Ohio insurance agents and adjusters for license renewal. The continuing education requirements for agents are generally 24 hours every 2 years, including 3 hours of topics approved as ethics. There are additional CE requirements to sell certain products, such as annuities, long-term care, and flood insurance.

Nonresident license holders are currently required to adhere to their home state continuing education requirements.

It's important to stay on top of any changes to Ohio insurance statutes and continuing education requirements, which can be found on the Ohio Department of Insurance website.

We're Here to Help

Our goal is to prepare you for your insurance licensing exam, and then guide you through your career as a licensed professional. Once you pass your exam and successfully apply for a license, your license will need to be renewed every 2 years. Learn more about how to renew an Ohio insurance license by visiting our Ohio CE requirements page.

Once you begin the process of becoming a licensed insurance professional, we're here to help you every step of the way. Get started today by reviewing our prelicensing course catalog.

Ohio Licensing Requirements FAQ

What will be on the exam?

The exam will test over general insurance industry knowledge, insurance policies and product knowledge specific to your license type, and Ohio state law. PSI provides a detailed content outline for each exam available in their candidate handbook, including insurance adjuster exams.

Where can I take the state exam?

Remote exams are available to ensure accessibility and safety. These exams require you to have a computer or laptop that is compatible with the PSI Bridge remote testing platform. If you do not have a compatible computer, you must schedule an in-person exam. Exams may also be taken in-person at a PSI testing site. Exams taken at a PSI location may include an additional provider fee.

How do I schedule my state exam?

Every insurance licensing exam is accompanied by an exam fee that must be paid at the time of reservation by a credit or debit card, voucher, or electronic check. You can schedule your state exam through PSI.

How should I prepare for my remote state exam?

Before scheduling your remote licensing exam, test the compatibility of your computer, webcam, and microphone. PSI Bridge requires a Google Chrome Browser. Exams must be scheduled at least two days in advance, and you are allowed to cancel or reschedule your exam up to 48 hours before your reservation time.

Next, download PSI Bridge. Please note that the download can take up to 30 minutes, so we recommend you do this before the day of your test to prevent any last-minute technical problems.

Login to the testing platform 30 minutes before your exam reservation time. A state or government ID is required to be presented to verify your identity. For remote exams, a military ID is not accepted as a valid form of identification.

Your remote test requires you to be alone in a private room for the duration of the exam. The surface you have your computer on must be clear of all objects. You cannot have a phone, headphones, or a wristwatch on while you are taking the exam. Food and drink are also prohibited.

All exams are monitored by a third-party to ensure all testing requirements are followed. The monitors are able to answer questions that do not pertain to the content of the exam via live chat.

If you experience any technical issues while downloading PSI Bridge or during your exam, you can call PSI's Technical Support at (844) 267-1017.

Finally, remember to email your Certificate(s) of Completion to [email protected] within 24 hours of passing the exam.

How should I prepare for my in-person state exam?

Report to the testing center 30 minutes before your exam time for the check-in process. If you arrive late, you will not be admitted to the test center and will forfeit the exam fee.

You will be required to present 2 forms of current, signature identification:

A primary ID (photograph and signature) such as a Driver’s license or Passport

A secondary ID (signature) such as a Debit or Credit card

You must also bring your Certificate(s) of Completion from a completed prelicensing course of study. No personal items are allowed to be taken into the testing center. All personal items, including bags and wallets, will have to remain in your vehicle or be checked into provided storage space. Cell phones, calculators, electronic devices, and