How to get an Insurance producer license in North Carolina
North Carolina licenses insurance agents statewide through the North Carolina Department of Insurance.1 For the Insurance producer license (resident) you need a passing score on the North Carolina insurance licensing examination for each line of authority (Life, Accident and Health or Sickness, Property, Casualty, Personal Lines, Medicare Supplement/Long-Term Care)2 and a criminal background check1. The board lists $50 for the initial license1, $44 for the application3 and $45 for the exam2, each a separate charge.
Who issues it
North Carolina Department of Insurance
Exam
North Carolina insurance licensing examination for each line of authority (Life, Accident and Health or Sickness, Property, Casualty, Personal Lines, Medicare Supplement/Long-Term Care)2
On this page
- North Carolina insurance agent licenses
- Applies to every license level
- Who needs an Insurance producer license
- Requirements for an Insurance producer license
- How much an Insurance producer license costs
- How to apply
- Renewal and continuing education
- Moving to North Carolina with a license from another state
- Insurance producer license
- Surplus lines licensee, individual
- Check a license or report a problem
- Laws and rules
- Common questions
- Insurance agent licenses in other states
North Carolina insurance agent licenses
North Carolina issues 3 insurance agent credentials. Each has its own section below; the table shows what each one covers and its headline requirements.
| License | What it covers | Exam | Application or license fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Insurance producer license (nonresident) | Same rights as a resident licensee for the lines held; lapses automatically 30 days after the home-state license stops being in good standing.1 | No1 | $501 |
| Insurance producer license (resident) | Sell, solicit or negotiate only the lines of authority licensed; placing business with an insurer requires a current appointment by that insurer.1 | Yes1 | $501 |
| Surplus lines licensee, individual | Places property/casualty business with eligible surplus lines (non-admitted) insurers; licensees automatically join the North Carolina Surplus Lines Association.2 | Yes2 | $501 |
Applies to every license level
These rules are the same for several of the North Carolina insurance agent licenses on this page, so they are shown once here, with the licenses they apply to. Each license's own section lists only what differs.
1. Every license level (all 3)
Fees
| Fee | Amount | Paid to | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application fee | $4436 | North Carolina Department of Insurance | Not refundable |
| Transaction fee | $5.6036 | National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR) | Not refundable |
Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.
How to apply
- Processing time
- Allow 60 days for submitted license applications.8
2. Every license level except Surplus lines licensee, individual
Fees
| Fee | Amount | Paid to | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Insurance producer appointment, individual | $111 | North Carolina Department of Insurance | Paid by the appointing insurer, per line of authority |
3. Every license level except Insurance producer license (nonresident)
Requirements
Fees
| Fee | Amount | Paid to | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exam fee | $452 | Pearson VUE | Not refundable |
4. Every license level except Insurance producer license (resident)
Renewal
Who needs an Insurance producer license
Sell, solicit or negotiate only the lines of authority licensed; placing business with an insurer requires a current appointment by that insurer.1
Work that does not need this license:
- No producer license is needed for agents of domestic farmers' mutual assessment fire insurers selling only the kinds specified in G.S. 58-7-75(5)d. (no exam, pre-licensing, CE or registration fee).1
Requirements for an Insurance producer license
More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2 and group 3 under Applies to every license level.
- Education or training
- Alternative: NC DOI still lists approved PLE providers for anyone who wants a course.9
- Exam
- North Carolina insurance licensing examination for each line of authority (Life, Accident and Health or Sickness, Property, Casualty, Personal Lines, Medicare Supplement/Long-Term Care)2
Given by: Pearson VUE (exam and NC Licensing Office of Pearson VUE)8
Passing score: 70%2
When you can take it: Apply on NIPR first; Pearson VUE then emails an authorization to schedule the exam (within 24-48 hours).4
Life, A&H, Property and Casualty: 1 hour 15 minutes each; Personal Lines: 1 hour 45 minutes; all two-part (general + state) scored together. Medicare Supplement/LTC: one-part, 1 hour 45 minutes.2
Retakes: Wait 24 hours before scheduling a retake; each attempt costs $45.2
Time limit: All requirements (including all exams) must be met within six months of the NIPR application date, or fees are forfeited and you must reapply.4
Exam waived: No exam for lines previously held in your home state if currently licensed there, or applying within 90 days of cancellation with a good-standing certification, or shown in good standing in the NAIC database; new residents apply within 90 days.1 - Background check
- Background check required1
Fingerprints required2
SBI state check and, if warranted, FBI national check; "yes" screening answers need supporting documents and may be referred to Agent Services Division for a licensing decision.1 - Residency or citizenship
- Resident license for NC residents; residents of a county in another state bordering NC may also qualify as residents for licensing.1
- Social Security number
- A valid SSN is needed to complete the NIPR application and be assigned a National Producer Number.2
- Also required
- A company appointment is required to use the license (appointment fee paid by the insurer).5
- Other requirements and options
- Lines of authority: accident and health or sickness; casualty; limited lines; life; Medicare supplement and long-term care (as a supplement to A&H); personal lines; property; variable life and variable annuity products.1
Variable life/variable annuity line: no state exam, but requires an active Life line and FINRA registration with the NC Secretary of State Securities Division.2
Medicare supplement/long-term care line requires the Accident and Health or Sickness line plus a separate state exam.2
How much an Insurance producer license costs
| Fee | Amount | Paid to | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial license fee | $501 | North Carolina Department of Insurance | Per line of authority (e.g. Life, A&H, Property, Casualty, Personal Lines, Variable, Medicare Supplement/LTC). Not refundable |
| Fingerprint and state background check | $384 | North Carolina Department of Insurance | Not refundable |
Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.
How to apply
- Apply online at NIPR, paying the $50 per-line fee, the $44 processing fee, the NIPR transaction fee and (if required) the $38 background check fee.4 nipr.com7
- Wait for the Pearson VUE authorization email (24-48 hours), then schedule and pay for each exam ($45 per attempt).4 pearsonvue.com8
- If fingerprints are required, print the packet from the NIPR email, get Live Scan prints at a local law-enforcement agency, and upload the packet to NIPR Additional Licensing Documents.4
- Pass all exams; Pearson VUE posts results to the pending application within 48-72 hours.4
- After approval, print your license through SBS Connect; get appointed by an insurer before selling.4
- Temporary or provisional license
- Temporary producer license up to 180 days (longer for good cause) without exam, only in listed cases (death/disability of a producer, designee of a producer entering active military service, public interest).1
Renewal and continuing education
- When it expires
- No renewal; instead 24 CE hours are due every two years by the last day of your birth month, in even years if born in an even year and odd years if born in an odd year.10
- Continuing education
- 24 hours each renewal period10
- Required topics
- 3 hours of ethics every compliance period.10
Property, personal lines (and adjuster) licensees: 3 hours of flood insurance/NFIP every other compliance period.10
Unlimited carry-over of whole credits; courses taken before a new license is issued do not count.10 - Approved courses
- Prometric is the CE administrator (provider/course approval, rosters, compliance); only Commissioner-approved courses count.11
- Exemptions
- Exemptions only for medical reasons or active military service (up to one year); nonresidents meeting home-state CE are deemed compliant; pre-October 2010 age-65/25-year exemptions continue.12
- Late renewal
- Reinstatement fee: $7511 (cE completed within 4 months after the CE compliance date)
30-day CE extension fee: $7512 (extension requested in the last 30 days of the compliance period)
Reinstatement fee: $343 (license reinstatement application within one year of lapse; plus $50 registration fee per line) - Renew online
- sircon.com7
Renewal planner
Enter the expiration date printed on your North Carolina Insurance producer license (resident). The count is worked out on your device from today's date; nothing is sent anywhere.
Moving to North Carolina with a license from another state
These are the routes the North Carolina Department of Insurance publishes for the Insurance producer license. The other insurance agent licenses have their own routes in their sections below.
- Route
- Exam waiver
- What the board says
- Producers moving to NC apply for a resident license within 90 days of establishing residence; no exam for lines held in the home state if licensed and in good standing (or within 90 days of cancellation). Fingerprints are required for a nonresident applying for a resident license.5
- Conditions
- If no electronic record is available, obtain a letter of clearance from the former state (valid 90 days).10
- Fee
- $501
Military service members, veterans and spouses: CE waiver for active military service (deployment orders); temporary license for the designee of a producer entering active service.1
Insurance producer license
Same rights as a resident licensee for the lines held; lapses automatically 30 days after the home-state license stops being in good standing.1
Requirements
- Exam
- Not required1
Exam waived: Home-state license current, or application within 90 days of cancellation with good-standing certification, or NAIC database shows good standing.1 - Residency or citizenship
- Must hold a resident license in good standing in the home state, and the home state must license NC residents reciprocally.1
- Other requirements and options
- Variable life/annuity line available to nonresidents who hold it in their resident state.13
Fees
| Fee | Amount | Paid to | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial license fee | $501 | North Carolina Department of Insurance | Per line of authority. Not refundable |
How to apply
- Apply through NIPR and pay the NC fees ($50 per line + $44 processing) plus the $5.60 NIPR transaction fee.6 nipr.com7
- NC verifies home-state status through the NAIC producer database; keep your home-state license active.1
Renewal
- When it expires
- License is extended as long as the home-state license is in good standing.14
- Exemptions
- Exempt from NC CE.11
- If it expires
- Lapses 30 days after the home-state license is lost; can be reinstated within 30 days on proof of reinstatement, or after relocating with a new home-state license and address change within 60 days.1
From another state
- Route
- Reciprocity agreements
- What the board says
- Nonresident producer license for persons licensed and in good standing in their home state, if that state licenses NC residents reciprocally; no NC exam or CE.1
- States on North Carolina's list
- The pages cited here give no list of partner states for this route; the board's words above say who qualifies. Ask the board which states it has agreements with.
- Conditions
- Moving to NC: apply for a resident license within 90 days.1
- Fee
- $501
More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2 and group 4 under Applies to every license level.
Surplus lines licensee, individual
Places property/casualty business with eligible surplus lines (non-admitted) insurers; licensees automatically join the North Carolina Surplus Lines Association.2
Requirements
- Experience
- Must already hold the Property and Casualty lines.2
- Exam
- Surplus Lines Agent examination (exam code 60)2
Given by: Pearson VUE4
Passing score: 70%2
When you can take it: Apply on NIPR first; Pearson VUE emails exam authorization.4
One-part exam, 1 hour.2
Retakes: Wait 24 hours before scheduling a retake.2
Time limit: Requirements must be completed within six months of the application date.4
Exam waived: Nonresidents licensed as surplus lines producers in their home state get a nonresident surplus lines license.1
Fees
| Fee | Amount | Paid to | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial license fee | $501 | North Carolina Department of Insurance | Not refundable |
| Renewal processing fee | $3415 | North Carolina Department of Insurance | Every annual renewal, added to the $50 license renewal fee (total $84). Not refundable |
Some lines are combined figures, or parts of one; do not add the lines up.
How to apply
- Hold Property and Casualty lines, apply through NIPR, then pass the Surplus Lines exam with Pearson VUE.2 nipr.com7
Renewal
- How often
- Every year14
- When it expires
- Expires August 31 each year; renew through NIPR between July 2 and October 30.14
- Renewal fee
- $5015
- If it expires
- Surplus lines reinstatement applications are accepted within two years of lapse; later, initial fees apply.3
From another state
- Route
- Reciprocity agreements
- What the board says
- Home-state surplus lines producers receive a nonresident NC surplus lines license.1
- States on North Carolina's list
- The pages cited here give no list of partner states for this route; the board's words above say who qualifies. Ask the board which states it has agreements with.
- Fee
- $506
More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 3 and group 4 under Applies to every license level.
Check a license or report a problem
Before you hire an insurance agent in North Carolina, you can confirm the license is current on the board's own search. Every board we cover in North Carolina is on the North Carolina license lookup page.
- Look up a license
- external-lookup-web.prod.naic.org7
Laws and rules
The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.
- N.C. Gen. Stat. Chapter 58, Article 33 (Licensing of Insurance Producers, Limited Representatives, and Adjusters)
- N.C. Gen. Stat. 58-33-125
- S.L. 2025-45 (H.B. 737): repeal of G.S. 58-33-30(d)(2),(3) pre-licensing education, effective October 1, 2025
- 11 NCAC 06A (Agent Services Division), incl. .0418 fingerprints and .0802 CE licensee requirements
Common questions
Can I transfer my insurance agent license to North Carolina?
The North Carolina Department of Insurance publishes this route for the Insurance producer license: exam waiver5. Conditions and forms.
Insurance agent licenses in other states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New York
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Sources
Every number and rule above links to one of these official pages. Select a footnote number to read the board's own words.
- N.C. Gen. Stat. Chapter 58 Article 33 (Licensing of Insurance Producers, Limited Representatives, and…North Carolina General AssemblyDated June 11, 2026Checked November 8, 2026
- North Carolina Insurance Licensing Candidate Handbook (October 2025)NC Department of InsuranceDated October 2025Checked November 7, 2026
- North Carolina Resident Fees - Initial & Reinstatement License ApplicationsNC Department of InsuranceDated May 6, 2024Checked November 7, 2026
- Checklist for Obtaining a License in North CarolinaNC Department of InsuranceDated October 31, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
- North Carolina Residents License Requirements chartNC Department of InsuranceDated December 2, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
- North Carolina Non-Resident Fees - Initial & Reinstatement License ApplicationsNC Department of InsuranceDated May 6, 2024Checked November 7, 2026
- Agent and Adjuster LicensingNC Department of InsuranceChecked November 7, 2026
- Become an Insurance Producer or AdjusterNC Department of InsuranceChecked November 7, 2026
- Repeal of N.C. General Statutes 58-33-30(d)(2)(3) (PLE repeal memo)NC Department of InsuranceDated October 9, 2025Checked November 7, 2026
- 11 NCAC 06A (Agent Services Division rules), full subchapterNC Office of Administrative HearingsChecked November 8, 2026
- Continuing Education for Insurance Producers and AdjustersNC Department of InsuranceChecked November 7, 2026
- Continuing Education Extension and Exemption FAQsNC Department of InsuranceChecked November 7, 2026
- Variable Life and Variable Annuity Products Line of Authority FAQsNC Department of InsuranceDated August 15, 2022Checked November 7, 2026
- Renew Your Insurance Producer or Adjuster LicenseNC Department of InsuranceChecked November 8, 2026
- North Carolina Resident Renewal Application FeesNC Department of InsuranceDated May 6, 2024Checked November 8, 2026