How to Become a Licensed Insurance Broker

Becoming an insurance broker requires a great deal of study.

Most insurance in the United States is sold by brokers to individuals and small businesses, so brokering insurance is a major business. However, becoming an insurance broker requires a great deal of study and a clean background. States conduct criminal and financial background checks for everyone who applies to become an insurance agent, so if you have a sordid past or one with a history of poor money management, you'll have to straighten that out before you can apply.

Instructions

1. Make sure you have a clean criminal background. If you have a felony, you are automatically disqualified from becoming an insurance broker; misdemeanors are considered on a case-by-case basis.

2. Contact your state's department of insurance and find out the requirements in your state. Some states require classroom training; others allow you to self-study.

3. Obtain the study material from Pearson VUE, the company that administers the licensing exams for each state.

4. Complete your classroom training (if required) and pass your licensing pretest.

5. Schedule the test and complete it in the time allotted.

6. Obtain a copy of your exam-passage certificate from Pearson and mail that to the state to make sure a copy is on file.

Tips & Warnings

• Read every question on the licensing exam more than once. Questions often use double negatives to confuse you.

• Disclose anything in your criminal background on your application. Having a misdemeanor doesn't automatically disqualify you, but lying about having one will.

• States conduct an FBI background check, and if you have something in your past, it will show up.

References

• A.D. Banker

Resources

• Pearson VUE