How to Get a Life and Health Insurance License in Maryland

The steps in Maryland

1. Prepare for the examMaryland does not require a pre-licensing course. Most people still use an online prep course and practice exams.
2. Pass the state examExams are run by Prometric. You take one combined life and health exam.
3. Apply for your licenseApply online through NIPR after you pass. The state fee is $54 for the license, with no extra charge per line. NIPR adds a small transaction fee.
4. Get appointedThe insurance companies you will represent appoint you. When you join an agency, it usually handles this for you.

What it costs

Pre-licensing course	Not required (optional prep, often $50 to $350)
State exam	$65 per attempt
Fingerprints	Not required for residents
License fee	$54
Typical total	$119 to $534

The low end assumes you pass the first time without a paid course. The high end includes a full-price course and one retake. Many agencies cover or reimburse licensing costs, so ask before you buy anything.

Estimate my exact cost

Good to know

• Maryland dropped its pre-licensing course requirement on October 1, 2024, so a prep course is optional. If you do not pass, you wait 4 days to retake the exam.
• After you are licensed: 24 hours of continuing education every 2 years, including 3 hours of ethics.

Official sources

• Maryland resident licensing requirements
• insurance.maryland.gov/Producer/Pages/Producer-Initial-and-Renewal-Licenses.aspx
• insurance.maryland.gov/Pages/Bulletins/24-19-Repealing-the-Prelicensing-Education-and-Experience-Requirements.aspx
• prometric.com/files/mia/Maryland-Insurance-LIB.pdf

New to licensing? Start with How to Get Your Life and Health Insurance License for the full picture.

Checked against official Maryland sources in October 2026. Fees and rules change, so confirm with the Maryland insurance department before you pay. This is general information, not licensing advice.