Get Your Illinois Insurance License Online

Getting your Illinois insurance license involves four steps. First, complete a state-approved prelicensing course (40 hours for the combined Life & Health line). Second, pass the Illinois state licensing exam administered by Pearson VUE — you need a score of at least 70% to pass. Third, complete a background check. Fourth, Submit your application through the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR) and pay the Illinois Department of Insurance application fee of $215. Most candidates complete the entire process in 2-4 weeks. JustInsurance offers fully online, self-paced prelicensing courses approved for Illinois that get you to exam day confident and prepared.

The total cost to get your Illinois insurance license typically runs $350-500 estimated total cost. Here is how it breaks down: the Pearson VUE exam fee is $92, the Illinois Department of Insurance application fee is $215. If you need a prelicensing course, JustInsurance's Illinois combined Life & Health package is $199 — that's $199 less than purchasing Life and Health courses separately. Everything you need to get licensed, with no hidden fees.

Most focused candidates complete the Illinois insurance licensing process in 2-4 weeks. That timeframe covers finishing your prelicensing course (you get 30 days of access; most students finish in 5–10 days), scheduling and passing the Pearson VUE state exam, clearing your background check, and waiting for the Illinois Department of Insurance to process your application. The Pearson VUE exam delivers results quickly — most candidates receive their score before leaving the testing center. JustInsurance's self-paced format lets you move as fast or as steady as your schedule allows.

JustInsurance students nationwide pass insurance licensing exams at a rate of approximately 93% on their first attempt — measured among students who complete the full course, finish the recommended study hours, and score 80%+ three times in a row on the practice exam before testing. The Illinois exam is administered by Pearson VUE and requires a minimum score of 70% to pass. If you do not pass on your first attempt, you can retake it after a 24-hour waiting period. There is no limit on the number of times you can retake the exam. You must pass both the General and State portions of a major line exam within 90 days of each other. See our full pass rate methodology at /pass-rates.

Insurance agents in Illinois earn an average of $96,810 per year according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. New agents starting out typically earn around $38,190 in their first year while building a client base, and top producers in Illinois can earn $158,980 or more annually. Demand for new insurance producers remains steady in Illinois. Income is heavily influenced by the lines of authority you hold and whether you work as a captive or independent agent — the combined Life & Health license unlocks the broadest product range and highest earning potential.

Illinois requires 20 hours of approved prelicensing education for each line of authority — Life or Accident & Health. You must complete the course from a state-approved provider like JustInsurance before sitting for the Pearson VUE exam. The prelicensing certificate is valid for 12 months from the completion date, so you should schedule your exam promptly after finishing your course.