Becoming and staying licensed as an insurance agent in the United States involves two distinct phases of education: prelicensing and continuing education (CE). At BetterCE, we help licensed professionals meet their insurance CE requirements through online, text-based courses and live webinars.
Before we get into that, it is important to understand what distinguishes prelicensing from insurance continuing education and why each plays a crucial role in your career.
What Is Prelicensing Education?
Prelicensing is the initial step for anyone seeking to become an insurance agent. Depending on the state you are trying to become licensed in, you may or may not have to take a state-approved prelicensing course in the line of licensing you want to sell. Some states require taking a pre-licensing course, while others do not. You should check with your state’s Department of Insurance to be certain.
Regardless of whether the state requires a pre-licensing course, we strongly encourage you to take one. The study materials for any type of license are vast and often complex. Pre-licensing courses not only help you better understand the subject matter more easily, but they also help narrow the focus of the topics that are most likely to be covered on the state exam. Prelicensing courses cover the following foundational knowledge:
- Definitions
- Insurance laws
- Policy types
- Ethical standards
They are structured to help you pass the licensing exam, not to prepare you for long-term client work. Many states require at least 20 to 40 hours of study, although some require more, depending on the license type.
These courses are typically offered by private education providers, and many states allow them to be completed entirely online. Some states also approve in-person classes through community colleges or local training centers, but most learners prefer online options due to their flexibility.
Once you have completed your studies, you will be required to take an exam to show that you are proficient in the lines of insurance you wish to sell. The exam is strictly proctored and must be taken in a state-approved facility. The topics covered typically include both state-specific and national components. Most states require a minimum passing score of 70 percent.
After you successfully pass your pre-licensing examination, there are 2 additional steps that must be completed in almost every state. First, you must undergo fingerprinting from a facility specifically approved by the Department of Insurance for the state for which you are applying. The purpose of this is to run a background check through a national database to ensure that you do not have a criminal background that would prohibit you from being eligible to sell insurance. States differ in the types of crimes allowed, but generally, individuals with recent felonies or crimes of moral turpitude are not eligible for licensing. Again, you should check with your state’s Department of Insurance to be certain if this is a concern.
After obtaining your fingerprints, only 1 step remains: completing your license application. This is a relatively straightforward procedure that requires you to fill out an application, provide responses to additional background questions, and then pay the initial application fees. The fees vary by state, ranging from $25 to as much as $250. For most states, you can review the fees as well as access your application through the National Insurance Producer Registry, here: NIPR
What Is Continuing Education (CE)?
Once you are licensed, your focus shifts to staying compliant. Insurance continuing education (CE) is mandatory in all states and required for license renewal or continuation of your license. Almost all states require agents to complete 24 hours of CE every two years, including at least 3 hours on ethics; however, a handful of states have slightly different CE requirements (Missouri, Massachusetts, New York, Nevada, Iowa, and Kansas). Many states also require that you take special training if you sell certain products. For example, most states require that you take product-specific training if you sell Annuity Products, Long Term Care Policies, or Flood Insurance. These courses apply to your CE requirements. Again, you can verify the specific requirements and fees in the State Requirement section of NIPR, located here: NIPR STATE REQUIREMENTS. BetterCE Insurance CE courses are designed to help licensed professionals stay current with laws, regulations, and industry best practices. The topics are more applied than prelicensing.
These might include:
- Annuities
- Long-term care
- Social Security strategies
- Anti-money laundering
BetterCE offers CEU courses in two formats: text-based online courses and live webinars. Agents can study at their own pace and track the credit hours they earn. Most importantly, BetterCE reports your credits to your state’s department of insurance on the same day courses are completed. Some states also allow you to carry forward extra CE credits for insurance to your next renewal period. However, rules vary by location, so it is important to confirm with your state department or a CE provider.
How Prelicensing and CE Compare
Prelicensing and CE are two completely different phases of your professional development. Here’s how they stack up:
| Category | Prelicensing | Continuing Education (CE) |
| When Required | Before the licensing exam | After licensure |
| Purpose | Prepare for the state exam | Renew and maintain the license |
| Frequency | One-time per license | Recurs every renewal cycle |
| Content | Insurance basics, laws, ethics | Law changes, product updates, advanced topics |
| Format | Lecture, online modules, live classes | Self-paced text-based or webinars |
| Testing | Required final and licensing exam | Unlimited quizzes or tests per course |
| Compliance Risk | Cannot take the licensing exam | License suspension or revocation |
How CE Meets Real-World Needs
While prelicensing teaches you how to pass the test, CE helps you stay competent in a fast-changing industry. That difference matters when clients rely on you for accurate, up-to-date information.
CE also provides you with the opportunity to specialize. You can select insurance CE topics that align with your practice, such as Medicare planning, long-term care insurance, or estate strategies. This personalization not only sharpens your expertise but also expands your value to clients.
We built BetterCE’s platform with these real-world needs in mind. Our course tracking, flexible scheduling, and automated state reporting simplify the process, especially for agents managing multiple licenses.
BetterCE Is Your Solution for Last-Minute CE
Explore Smarter CE Options Designed Around You
At BetterCE, we believe continuing education for insurance agents should be easy to access, easy to track, and worth your time. That is why we offer online CE credits in both text-based and webinar formats so that you can learn how and when you want.
We ensure that every course is approved in your state and handle credit reporting, so you never miss a deadline. Our unlimited exam retakes, clear course guides, and friendly support help you focus on what matters most: staying compliant and staying sharp.
Whether you’re gearing up for your next renewal or simply want a better way to manage your insurance CE courses, we’re here to support you. Explore our course catalog today and take the next step in maintaining an active license and keeping your knowledge current.
