How much does the DC insurance exam cost?

Pearson VUE's DC handbook (September 2022) lists $75 per exam. Combination exams are no longer offered, so each line is a separate exam.

Does DC require pre-licensing education?

The handbook is ambiguous: it says a mandatory 40-hour course is not mandated, but also that candidates must show proof of a pre-licensing course of study. Confirm with DISB at (202) 727-8000 before booking.

How long do I have to apply after passing?

One year. Every applicant must apply for the license within one year of taking and passing the exam.

How to Get Your District of Columbia Insurance License: Step-by-Step Guide

Q: Are fingerprints required in DC?

NIPR says applications requiring fingerprinting are deferred for state review, and a DISB licensing specialist sends instructions on scheduling a fingerprint appointment.

District of Columbia producers are licensed by the Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking (DISB). Exams are given by Pearson VUE, and you apply for the license through NIPR.

Quick answer: DC's Pearson VUE handbook lists a $75 exam fee, with each exam given individually (no combination exams) and a producer passing score of 70. You must apply within one year of passing. NIPR shows a $100 state fee per line grouping, and DISB sends fingerprint instructions after you apply.

Step 1: Confirm you're eligible

NIPR lists DC's minimum age at 18, and your residence or business address must be in the District (no P.O. box). Pearson's handbook is dated September 2022, so check DISB's site for current rules.

Step 2: Check the education question

DC's pre-licensing rules are the murkiest of any state we've covered. Pearson's handbook says a mandatory 40-hour pre-licensing course is not mandated by the Commissioner, yet it also says candidates have to show proof of a pre-licensing course of study before sitting for the exam. We can't resolve that from the handbook alone, so confirm with DISB (202-727-8000) before you book. Either way, a course built on the DC outline is the fastest way to cover the general and DC-law material. See the DC courses →

Step 3: Reserve and pass the exam

Reserve at least 24 hours ahead at Pearson VUE's DC page or by phone at (800) 274-0610. The handbook lists an exam fee of $75 per exam, and says all exams are now offered individually — so Property and Casualty are separate exams. The producer passing score is 70, and after a fail you wait 24 hours before rebooking. Bring two forms of signature identification, one with a photo.

Step 4: Apply for the license

Apply through NIPR within one year of passing. NIPR shows a $100 state fee for a Life grouping and for a Property & Casualty grouping (higher if you choose lines from different groupings). If your application requires fingerprinting, it's deferred for state review and a DISB licensing specialist sends instructions for scheduling a fingerprint appointment.

What it actually costs

Item	Cost
Pearson VUE exam (per exam)	$75
State license fee (per NIPR)	$100 per line grouping + NIPR transaction fee
Fingerprinting	see DISB's instructions
Pre-licensing course	confirm with DISB

Keeping your license

DC licenses expire on the last day of your birth month every two years. The handbook says renewal requires 24 credit hours of continuing education, with at least 6 hours related to each line of authority, taken from an approved provider in the two years before expiration. Confirm current CE rules with DISB.

Putting it together

Confirm the education question with DISB, study to the DC outline, pass the Pearson VUE exam, and apply through NIPR within a year.

Ready to start your District of Columbia license?

Start the District of Columbia Property & Casualty course → — built around the District of Columbia exam outline, with timed practice exams and a state-law section.

Start the District of Columbia Life Only course → — the same approach for the life exam.

Both are one flat price per license line: pay once, keep lifetime access, no subscription, and backed by our Pass Guarantee. Not sure which line to pick? Compare everything on the District of Columbia page, or book a 1-on-1 tutoring session and we'll help you choose and build a study plan.