Kentucky Insurance License Requirements: Everything You Need to Know

Understanding every Kentucky insurance license requirement before you begin saves you from surprises mid-process. The Kentucky Department of Insurance (KDOI) has established a clear set of criteria covering eligibility, education, background checks, examinations, and post-license obligations. This post covers all of it in depth — from who qualifies for a license to what you must do to keep it once you have it.

Basic Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for a Kentucky resident insurance producer license, you must be at least 18 years old at the time of application. Administrators must be at least 21. You must have a valid Social Security Number or Federal Employer Identification Number, and you must be a Kentucky resident for a resident license. If you answer "yes" to any background disclosure questions on the application, you must submit supporting documentation, though disclosures do not automatically disqualify you.

Prelicensing Education Requirements

Kentucky requires 20 hours of KDOI-approved prelicensing education for each major line of authority. The major lines include Life, Accident & Health, Property, Casualty, and Personal Lines. Each line requires its own 20-hour course and separate examination. Kentucky is a forced-progression state, which means students must complete each page and lesson in the prescribed sequence before advancing.

Course completion triggers several obligations. The provider reports your completion to the KDOI electronically on a daily basis. You must also receive, sign, and date your Certificate of Completion (Form CPL-01). This certificate must be on file with the KDOI before your application can be fully processed. Certificates are valid for one year from the date of completion.

Certain designations and degrees may qualify for PLE exemptions. Contact the KDOI Licensing Division at (502) 564-6004 or DOI.LicensingMail@ky.gov to inquire about exemption documentation requirements.

Background Check Requirement

Every Kentucky resident applicant must obtain a criminal background report through the Kentucky Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) at kycourts.gov. The fee is approximately $25. Unlike Indiana, Ohio, or Tennessee, Kentucky does not use fingerprint biometric background checks for insurance producers. The AOC court-based system is less expensive and faster — results are typically available within one business day. The background report is valid for 60 days.

Examination Requirements

Kentucky administers its own licensing exams directly — the state does not contract with Pearson VUE, PSI, or Prometric for producer licensing exams. Note that as of July 1, 2024, PSI Services LLC took over administration of continuing education and prelicensing course oversight, but the state exam itself is still scheduled and administered through the KDOI's own eServices system. The passing score is 70%. The exam fee is $50. You may retake beginning on the next business day by filing an Exam Retake Form and paying another $50 fee. You are limited to three attempts within 120 days. All exams are in-person only — there is no remote option.

Specialty Training Requirements

Kentucky requires additional training for agents who sell certain specialty products. For annuity products, agents must complete the 4-hour Annuity Best Interest training course, a one-time requirement established under 806 KAR 12:120, effective January 1, 2022. For long-term care insurance, Life or Accident & Health licensees must complete a 4-hour initial LTC course before selling LTC products, plus a 1-hour LTC refresher course each renewal period. For NFIP flood insurance, a standard 3-hour one-time course is required. These specialty training credits count toward an agent's 24-hour CE requirement.

Continuing Education Requirements

Every Kentucky insurance producer must complete 24 hours of approved continuing education (CE) every two years, including at least 3 hours on ethics. Licenses expire on the last day of your birth month in the applicable renewal year. CE courses must be from KDOI-approved providers, and as of July 1, 2024, PSI Services LLC oversees CE provider approvals and course reviews for Kentucky.

License Renewal

Kentucky producer licenses renew every two years and expire on the last day of the licensee's birth month. The renewal fee is $40 for resident individual producers. You may renew up to 90 days before your expiration date. If you miss the deadline, a late fee of $80 applies.

Kentucky PLE and Exam Requirements vs. Nearby States

Frequently Asked Questions

• Do I need to complete 20 hours of PLE for each line of authority I want? Yes. Kentucky requires 20 hours of approved prelicensing education per major line of authority. If you want both a Life license and a Property & Casualty license, you must complete 20 hours for each — 40 hours total — and pass a separate examination for each line.
• Is there a minimum age to get a Kentucky insurance license? Yes. You must be at least 18 years old to apply for a Kentucky insurance producer license. Applicants for an Administrator license must be at least 21.
• Can I get a Kentucky license if I have a criminal background? A criminal background does not automatically disqualify you. The KDOI evaluates disclosures on a case-by-case basis. You are required to submit supporting documentation when you answer "yes" to background questions on your NIPR application. Contact the KDOI Licensing Division at (502) 564-6004 to discuss your situation before applying.
• How long is my Kentucky PLE certificate valid? Your Certificate of Completion is valid for one year from the date of course completion. You must pass the KDOI licensing exam within that one-year period. If the certificate expires before you test, you will need to complete a new 20-hour course.
• What specialty training is required to sell annuities in Kentucky? You must complete the 4-hour Annuity Best Interest training course as a one-time requirement under 806 KAR 12:120, effective January 1, 2022. The 4-hour credit counts toward your regular 24-hour CE requirement. JustInsurance offers this training at justinsuranceco.com. JustInsurance offers KDOI-approved Kentucky prelicensing courses covering all major lines of authority and specialty training requirements including Annuity Best Interest and LTC. Start at justinsuranceco.com today.