How to Get a Life and Health Insurance License in Virginia

The steps in Virginia

1. Prepare for the examVirginia 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, annuities, and health exam.
3. Get fingerprintedVirginia requires fingerprints for a background check, about $38.
4. Apply for your licenseApply online through NIPR or Sircon. Virginia charges $15 per line, so life and annuities plus health is $30; NIPR adds about $5.60.
5. 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	$35 per attempt
Fingerprints	$38
License fee	$30
Typical total	$103 to $488

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

• Fingerprints are done at Fieldprint and must be less than 90 days old when you apply. A passed exam stays good for 183 days, so apply soon after. Use a street address, not a PO Box.
• After you are licensed: 16 hours of continuing education every 2 years, including 3 hours of ethics.

Official sources

• Virginia resident licensing requirements
• scc.virginia.gov/regulated-industries/bureau-of-insurance/licensed-agent/applying-for-a-individual-va-insurance-license
• scc.virginia.gov/media/sccvirginiagov-home/regulated-industries/insurance/licensing--registration/apply-for-an-individual-virginia-insurance-license/insva-cib-final.pdf
• scc.virginia.gov/regulated-industries/bureau-of-insurance/licensed-agent/application-fees
• scc.virginia.gov/regulated-industries/bureau-of-insurance/current-agents-agencies/continuing-education-requirements

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

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