Can You Get an Insurance License in Arizona With a Criminal Record?

Arizona law requires every person named on an insurance license to have good character and reputation, and a felony (or a misdemeanor connected to that character standard) is grounds the Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions (DIFI) can use to deny a license. That's a real standard, but it isn't the same as an automatic ban. See our general explainer on the federal law for how 18 U.S.C. §1033 applies on top of Arizona's own review. This is general information, not legal advice about your specific record.

The "good character and reputation" standard

Arizona's licensing statute frames this broadly — good character and reputation — rather than listing a specific set of disqualifying offenses. That gives DIFI real discretion, which cuts both ways: it means a record doesn't automatically end your application, but it also means the outcome depends on the specific facts DIFI is presented with, not a fixed checklist. A felony conviction, or a misdemeanor connected to the kind of conduct the character standard is concerned with, is grounds for delay or denial — full, honest disclosure of the details is what gives DIFI the information it needs to evaluate it fairly.

If your felony involved dishonesty or breach of trust: Form L-192

Arizona has its own short-form application for federal 18 U.S.C. §1033 consent — Form L-192, "Short Form Application for Written Consent to Engage in the Business of Insurance." If you've been convicted of a qualifying felony (dishonesty, breach of trust, or a violation of the Act itself), this form is how you request the Insurance Director's written consent required before you can work in the business of insurance in Arizona. This is separate from, and in addition to, DIFI's own review of your license application under the good character standard.

What this means practically

Because Arizona's standard is framed in general terms rather than a specific list, the details you provide matter more than in a state with a narrower, more mechanical rule. A thorough, honest account of what happened, when, and what's changed since is the information DIFI actually needs to make a character determination — leaving out details or hoping something won't come up tends to backfire, since DIFI runs its own background check regardless of what you disclose.

Bottom line for Arizona applicants

Don't assume a felony or relevant misdemeanor automatically ends your chances in Arizona — the good character standard gives DIFI room to consider the full picture. If your conviction involved dishonesty or breach of trust, plan on filing Form L-192 for 18 U.S.C. §1033 consent as part of the process, and lead with full disclosure rather than hoping DIFI's own background check won't turn up what you left out.