How to Get Your Minnesota Insurance License: The Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Getting a Minnesota insurance license follows a defined five-step process governed by the Minnesota Department of Commerce under Minn. Stat. §60K.36. The steps are sequential — you cannot sit for the state exam without completing prelicensing education first, and your exam results do not count if you took the exam before satisfying the prelicensing requirement. This guide walks through every step in the order you complete them, with the specific hours, fees, timelines, and requirements you need to know before you begin.

Step 1: Choose Your Line of Authority

Before you enroll in any prelicensing course, you need to decide which line or lines of authority you want to hold. Your line of authority determines which prelicensing course you take, which state exam you sit for, and which types of insurance products you can sell once licensed. Minnesota issues producer licenses for the following major lines:

Property: Covers dwelling, homeowners, commercial property, and related coverages protecting against physical loss to structures and personal property.

Casualty: Covers liability — commercial general liability, auto liability, workers' compensation, and related coverages protecting against legal responsibility for injury or damage to others.

Personal Lines: A combined Property and Casualty line limited to personal, family, and household risks rather than commercial risks. Producers who want to sell personal auto and homeowners but not commercial lines often start here.

Life: Covers life insurance products — term, whole life, universal life, and related products providing death benefits and living benefits.

Accident and Health (A&H): Covers health insurance, disability income, long-term care, Medicare supplement, and related products providing coverage for illness, injury, and medical expenses.

Variable Life and Variable Annuities: Covers variable products — investment-linked life insurance and annuities. Requires a separate line of authority in addition to Life or A&H. Note: a FINRA Series 6 or Series 7 registration is also required to sell variable products.

Farm Property and Farm Liability: A specialized line for agricultural property and liability risks. Prelicensing education is not required for this limited line.

Other limited lines: Credit, travel, bail bonds, and title insurance are available as limited lines and have different or no prelicensing requirements.

The most common combinations: Most producers entering the property and casualty market obtain both Property and Casualty lines — sometimes called a P&C license — which requires completing the 20-hour prelicensing course for each line (40 hours total) and passing one combined P&C exam. Most producers entering the life and health market obtain both Life and A&H — sometimes called a Life and Health license — which requires completing 40 hours of prelicensing (20 per line) and passing the combined Life, Accident and Health exam.

Choosing the right combination at the outset matters because each additional line requires its own prelicensing hours and exam. Producers who want to sell both P&C and Life products need all four major lines, which means 80 hours of prelicensing and two state exams.

Step 2: Complete Prelicensing Education

The requirement: Minnesota requires 20 hours of prelicensing education per line of authority before you may sit for the state licensing exam, under Minn. Stat. §60K.36 Subd. 4. The course must be approved by the Minnesota Department of Commerce. Course providers are listed on Sircon.

What the course covers: Each prelicensing course covers the general principles of insurance for that line. Property courses cover dwelling policies, homeowners policies, commercial lines, inland marine, and the National Flood Insurance Program. Casualty courses cover commercial general liability, auto insurance, workers' compensation, professional liability, and umbrella coverage. Life courses cover term and permanent life products, policy provisions, and life insurance taxation. A&H courses cover health insurance policy types, disability income, long-term care, and government programs.

Format: Minnesota-approved prelicensing courses are available online (self-paced) and in live classroom formats. Online courses allow you to study on your own schedule — most self-paced students finish the required hours in 5–10 days when studying consistently. JustInsurance offers fully online, self-paced prelicensing courses approved by the Minnesota Department of Commerce.

The internal certification exam: At the end of your prelicensing course, you must pass a certification exam with a score of 70% or higher. This exam must be proctored by a disinterested third party — defined by the Minnesota Department of Commerce as someone with no conflict of interest who verifies your identity and completes a signed affidavit that you received no outside assistance. The proctor cannot be a family member or anyone with a financial interest in your success. Co-worker proctors cannot be in your direct supervisory chain.

Certificate of completion: After passing the certification exam and satisfying the 20-hour time requirement, your course provider issues a Certificate of Completion. You are required to present this certificate at the state exam. The certificate of completion never expires — you can take the state exam weeks or months after completing the course without the certificate becoming invalid.

Important: If you sit for the state licensing exam before completing all prelicensing education requirements, your exam results are void — even if you passed. You will forfeit your exam fee and must retake the exam after completing prelicensing.

Exemptions from prelicensing: Certain professional designations exempt holders from the prelicensing education requirement. Life line applicants with CEBS, ChFC, CIC, CLU, FLMI, or LUTCF designations are exempt. A&H applicants with CEBS, HIA, REBC, or RHU are exempt. Property, Casualty, or Personal Lines applicants with AAI, ARM, CIC, or CPCU are exempt. Applicants with a four-year college degree with an insurance emphasis may also qualify for exemption. Applicants claiming an exemption must present documentation at the exam center.

Step 3: Pass the Minnesota State Licensing Exam

The exam administrator: Minnesota uses PSI Services LLC for all insurance licensing exams. You schedule your exam at the PSI website (test-takers.psiexams.com/mnins) or by calling PSI at (866) 395-1006.

Exam format: Exams are multiple-choice and cover two sections: a general section testing basic insurance knowledge applicable nationally, and a state-specific section testing Minnesota insurance laws, rules, and regulations. You must pass with a minimum score of 70%.

Exam details by line:

Exam fee: $45 for major lines exams. Some limited lines exams are $25. The fee must be paid at the time of reservation by credit card, debit card, or voucher. Fees are non-refundable if you fail to appear; you may cancel or reschedule up to 48 hours before your reservation.

Testing locations: In-person PSI test centers are located in Rochester, St. Paul, Willmar, Woodbury, and Brainerd, among other locations. Remote testing via PSI Bridge is available for candidates with a compatible computer, webcam, and Google Chrome browser. Check compatibility at syscheck.bridge.psiexams.com before scheduling remote.

What to bring: A valid government-issued photo ID and your Certificate of Completion. Personal items — bags, wallets, cell phones, calculators, electronic devices, wrist watches — are not allowed in the testing area.

Results: Score reports are issued immediately after exam completion. You will receive a pass or fail result. If you fail, your score report includes a numerical score and diagnostic information by topic area to guide your retake preparation.

Retakes: There is no limit on the number of retakes. You must wait 24 hours between attempts. Exam results remain valid for three years from the date of the exam — you have three years to complete the remaining steps and submit a license application.

Spanish exams: Spanish-language exams are available for Minnesota insurance licensing.

Step 4: Complete Your Background Check (Fingerprinting)

Minnesota requires all resident producer license applicants to submit fingerprints for a criminal history background check. The prints are forwarded electronically to both the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (state level) and the FBI (federal level). This is a two-agency background check.

Recommended approach: Get fingerprinted electronically at a PSI test center on the day of your exam. The fee is $65. You must bring a signed Background Check Consent Form. Your fingerprint images are transmitted electronically — no mailing required.

Alternative approach: Have fingerprints taken at a local police station or similar facility. You pay that facility's fee, receive a fingerprint card, and mail it along with the Background Check Consent Form and a check for $33.25 to: Minnesota Department of Commerce, Attn: Licensing, 85 7th Place East, Suite 280, St. Paul, MN 55101. This approach takes significantly longer to process.

Timing: It is strongly recommended to complete fingerprinting on the day of the exam. Failure to get fingerprinted promptly delays license processing. The Background Check Authorization form remains valid for one year from the date signed.

Criminal history: Having a prior conviction does not automatically disqualify an applicant. The Minnesota Department of Commerce evaluates each case individually. If you have concerns about how your criminal history may affect your application, contact the Department at (651) 539-1599 before beginning the process.

Step 5: Submit Your License Application

Where to apply: Applications are submitted online through NIPR (nipr.com) or Sircon. Paper applications are not accepted.

Application fee:

Processing time: Most applications submitted online are processed within 10 business days. The Department processes applications in the order received. Once approved, your license is accessible through the Minnesota Department of Commerce licensing portal.

Temporary license: A 180-day temporary producer license is available while your application is being processed, provided you are sponsored by an appointing insurer. Apply for the temporary license through Sircon simultaneously with or after your regular application. Contact your sponsoring company before applying.

Appointment requirement: You can obtain a producer license before being appointed by an insurer (Minn. Stat. §60K.49), but an appointment is required before you can legally transact insurance business in Minnesota. Appointments are submitted electronically by the insurer — you cannot self-appoint. Once appointed, you can transact business in the lines for which both you and the insurer are licensed.

The Total Cost of Getting Your Minnesota Insurance License

Here is a realistic total cost summary for the most common licensing paths:

Most candidates who study consistently complete the entire process — prelicensing through license approval — in two to four weeks.

After You're Licensed: What Comes Next

Receiving your Minnesota producer license is the beginning, not the end, of your licensing obligations.

CE requirement: You must complete 24 hours of continuing education every two years, including 3 hours of ethics. At least 12 of those 24 hours must be classroom or classroom-equivalent format. At least 12 hours must not be sponsored by or affiliated with any insurance company. JustInsurance reports CE completions to the Minnesota Department of Commerce the same day you finish — no paperwork required.

Renewal deadline: Your license renews on the last day of your birth month, biennially. You may renew up to 90 days before the expiration date. Renewal is submitted electronically through NIPR with a $50 renewal fee plus a $30 technology surcharge.

Lapsed license: If you miss your renewal deadline, you have 12 months to reinstate the license by paying double the unpaid renewal fee. After 12 months, you must reapply as a new producer and restart the full licensing process.

Appointment maintenance: Each carrier appointment must be maintained or terminated electronically by the insurer. If you switch agencies or carriers, ensure that your new carrier files the appointment before you begin transacting business for them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to complete prelicensing before I schedule my PSI exam?

Yes, without exception. Minnesota's prelicensing education requirement must be fully satisfied — including passing the course's internal certification exam with at least 70% — before your state exam results are valid. If you sit for the PSI exam first, your results are void even if you passed, and you forfeit the exam fee. The Department enforces this sequence strictly. Your course provider submits electronic certification of your completion to the Department, and PSI verifies completion before releasing your results. Schedule your PSI exam only after you have your Certificate of Completion in hand.

Can I get licensed in Minnesota if I recently moved from another state?

Yes, with a significant shortcut available. If you hold an active resident license in another state that has a reciprocity agreement with Minnesota, you may be able to obtain a Minnesota non-resident license without completing Minnesota prelicensing or passing the Minnesota exam. If you are establishing Minnesota as your new resident state, you are exempt from Minnesota prelicensing and exam requirements if you apply for a Minnesota resident license within 90 days of your prior resident license going inactive — and you must still complete fingerprinting and pay the application fee. If you wait more than 90 days after your prior license lapses, you must complete the full Minnesota process including prelicensing and exam.

What happens if I fail the PSI exam?

You can retake the exam after a 24-hour waiting period. There is no limit on the number of attempts. Your exam fee must be paid again for each attempt. If you fail, your score report will include diagnostic information organized by topic area — use this to identify which sections of the exam need more study before your next attempt. Your Certificate of Completion remains valid regardless of how many times you attempt the exam. Your exam results, once you pass, are valid for three years from the date of passing — giving you ample time to complete fingerprinting and submit your application.

I have a CPCU designation. Do I still need to take the prelicensing course?

No. Holders of the CPCU designation are exempt from Minnesota's prelicensing education requirement for Property and Casualty lines. You must present documentation of the designation at the PSI test center before you sit for the state exam. The exemption applies only to prelicensing education — you still must pass the state exam, complete fingerprinting, and submit the license application. Other qualifying designations for P&C prelicensing exemptions include AAI, ARM, and CIC. Exemptions for Life and A&H lines require different designations as specified by the Department.

Getting your Minnesota insurance license is a straightforward process when you follow the steps in the correct sequence: complete your 20 hours of prelicensing per line, pass the internal certification exam with a proctor, schedule and pass your PSI state exam, get fingerprinted, and submit your application through NIPR or Sircon. Most candidates finish in two to four weeks.

Visit JustInsurance to enroll today and complete your Minnesota prelicensing with a state-approved course that prepares you to pass the PSI exam and begin your insurance career.