Oregon Life & Health Insurance Exam: Complete Breakdown

Walking into the Oregon Life and Health insurance exam without knowing exactly what to expect is one of the most common reasons candidates fail. The exam has predictable structure, known content areas, and a clear passing threshold. Understanding these details lets you study strategically rather than broadly.

Here's the complete breakdown of the Oregon Life and Health insurance exam.

Who Administers the Exam

Oregon insurance licensing exams are administered by PSI on behalf of the Oregon Division of Financial Regulation (DFR). You register and schedule through PSI's website (psiexams.com), and Oregon offers both physical test centers and online remote-proctored testing.

Where You'll Take the Exam

If you choose physical testing, PSI operates testing centers in:

Portland

Salem

Eugene

Bend

Medford

Other regional centers

Most candidates find appointments within 1-2 weeks of booking. You can also take the exam online from home with proper equipment and environment.

Oregon Exam Structure

The Oregon exams come in different formats based on the lines of authority:

The combined Life and Health Producer exam is most common for new agents pursuing life and health careers.

Passing score: 70% on every exam.

Choosing the Right Exam

If you're pursuing a combined Life and Health license, you have options:

Take exam 12-03 (Life and Health combined). Single exam covering both content areas. 150 questions, 2 hours 40 minutes. Most efficient path.

Take exams 12-01 and 12-02 separately. Two separate exams. Allows you to focus on one content area at a time but doubles exam fees and scheduling.

For most candidates, the combined exam is the practical choice.

Major Content Areas

The Oregon Life and Health exam covers several content domains:

General Insurance Concepts. Risk and insurance principles, insurable interest, contract law basics, agent authority, regulatory framework.

Life Insurance Basics. Types of life insurance (term, whole, universal, variable), how each works, cash value, dividends, and the purposes life insurance serves.

Life Insurance Policies, Provisions, and Riders. Grace periods, reinstatement, incontestability, beneficiaries, policy loans, settlement options, and common riders.

Annuities. Fixed, variable, immediate, deferred. Accumulation and payout phases. Tax treatment. Suitability.

Accident and Health Insurance Basics. HMOs, PPOs, POS, EPOs. Individual vs. group coverage. Plan funding structures.

Accident and Health Policies and Provisions. Deductibles, coinsurance, copayments, out-of-pocket maximums, coordination of benefits, pre-existing condition rules.

Medical Plans and Specialized Coverage. Medicare, Medicaid (Oregon Health Plan), long-term care insurance, disability income insurance.

Federal Regulation. HIPAA, ERISA, ACA provisions, and federal rules affecting Oregon agents.

Oregon Insurance Laws and Regulations. State-specific laws, DFR regulations, and Oregon-specific consumer protections.

Ethics. Fiduciary duty, fair dealing, confidentiality, agent conduct standards.

What's Weighted Heaviest

The most heavily weighted sections on the Oregon exam typically include:

Life insurance policies and provisions

Accident and Health policies and provisions

Oregon-specific laws

Annuities

Medicare and specialized coverage

Strong performance in these areas is often the difference between passing and failing.

What to Expect on Test Day at a Physical Center

Arrive at least 30 minutes early at your PSI testing center.

Bring two forms of valid ID, one government-issued with photo. Names must match your registration exactly.

Bring your Certificate of Completion from your Oregon-approved prelicense course.

No phones, notes, books, or study materials in the testing room.

Scratch paper and pencil are typically provided.

On-screen calculator is available for basic math.

Results appear immediately after you submit.

Failed candidates receive a printed score report showing performance by content area — use it for diagnostic purposes if you need to retake.

What to Expect with Online Remote Proctored Testing

Oregon's online testing option requires specific setup:

Pre-exam system check. Test your equipment well before exam day.

Quiet, private testing environment. No other people in your room. Clear desk surface.

Webcam required. PSI's proctor monitors you throughout the exam.

Reliable internet connection. Disconnections during the exam can cause issues.

Government-issued photo ID. Same requirement as physical centers.

Specific computer requirements. Windows or Mac computer with proper specs. Tablets and phones aren't typically supported.

Online testing offers convenience but requires more self-management. Physical centers may be easier if your home setup is challenging.

Taking the Exam: Navigation

PSI's testing interface allows you to:

Navigate forward and backward through questions

Flag questions to revisit later

Review flagged questions before submitting

See remaining time on screen

Time Management

For the combined Life and Health exam (150 questions, 2 hours 40 minutes), you have just over 1 minute per question on average. Most prepared candidates finish with time to spare.

Strategy:

Answer confidently known questions quickly

Flag uncertain questions and move on

Return to flagged questions after completing the rest

Review your answers if time permits

Never leave questions blank — guess rather than skip

After the Exam

If you pass: Your result reports electronically to the DFR. You can submit your license application through NIPR within 12 months of passing.

If you fail: You receive a score report showing weak content areas. Use this for diagnostic purposes. You can retake the exam — pay a new fee and schedule again.

5 Frequently Asked Questions

• How many questions are on the Oregon Life and Health combined exam? 150 questions. You have 2 hours 40 minutes to complete them.
• What's the passing score? 70%. You need to answer at least 70% of questions correctly to pass.
• Can I take the Oregon insurance exam online from home? Yes. Oregon offers online remote-proctored testing through PSI as an alternative to physical test centers.
• How long is my Oregon passing exam result valid? 12 months. You must submit your license application within 12 months of passing your prelicense exam, or you'll need to retake.
• Does Oregon use a separate Laws and Regulations exam? Some license paths involve a separate Laws and Regulations exam (12-00, 50 questions, 1 hour). For the combined Life and Health pathway (12-03), Oregon-specific laws are integrated within the main exam.

Walk Into the Oregon Exam Prepared

Knowing what to expect removes half the stress. At JustInsurance, our Oregon prelicense course is built around the Oregon exam content outline — so every hour you spend studying is aligned with what you'll actually see on test day.

Enroll today and prepare for the Oregon exam the right way.