How to Get a North Carolina Insurance License

  1. Take a state-approved pre-licensing course. While not required, completing a 20-hour course for the relevant license type will help you pass the required exam.

    We designed our Life and Health Insurance courses to make the complex material easy to understand by describing licensing laws and state regulations in everyday language. That way, you can spend less time deciphering government materials and more time focusing on truly understanding the material.

    Enroll today to learn more about what to expect on test day and prepare for success.

  2. Submit an electronic application to the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR). Licensing exams cannot be scheduled until you submit your application online and receive an email from the provider, Pearson VUE.

    NIPR needs your Social Security number, date of birth and a valid payment method (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or an electronic check). If you answer “Yes” to any of the background screening questions, you will need to upload supporting documents.

    After your application is accepted, NIPR will reserve a National Producer Number (NPN) for you. Then, Pearson VUE will send you an authorization email with scheduling instructions.

  3. Register for the state licensing exam. Once approved, you will need to make a reservation to take the state examination within six months.

    To do so, visit the Pearson VUE website, create an account and select the appropriate exam. There are dozens of test centers located throughout the state, each with a rotating list of appointment dates. Use the Find a test center button to start your search.

  4. Take and pass the state examination. Once registered, arrive at your selected test center at least 30 minutes early and bring two forms of acceptable identification (for example, a driver's license, passport, or debit/credit card).

    After finishing, you will get a score report marked as “pass” or “fail.” If you fail, you must wait 24 hours before scheduling another attempt.

  5. Complete the process. Once you pass the state examination, your test center sends your results to NIPR. Then, NIPR forwards the entire completed application to the North Carolina Licensing Office of Pearson VUE.

    Many license types, including Health and Life, require a thorough background check that includes electronic live scan fingerprints. If you need to complete this step, NIPR will send a fingerprint submission packet with detailed instructions.

    You will get an email that explains how to print your license once your application is approved. Please wait 48 - 72 hours for access.