2. Licensing & Certifications

You cannot legally sell or get paid without a license. This page is where to get it and what else a carrier will require before it releases commissions.

The resident life license

1. Take the pre-licensing course. A state-approved life (or life & health) pre-licensing course. Most agents do this online in a few days.
2. Schedule the state exam. Register through the state’s testing vendor (in Texas this is Pearson VUE). Bring two forms of ID.
3. Pass the exam. It covers life insurance basics, policy types, and state law. The pre-licensing course prepares you for it directly.
4. Get fingerprinted and submit the license application. Complete fingerprinting through the state vendor, then apply for the license through NIPR. Approval is usually a few business days.
5. Record your license number and expiration. You’ll need the number for contracting and every application. Note the renewal date so it never lapses.

Carrier-required training

A license lets you sell. These let a specific carrier pay you. Do them before you submit business to that carrier:

• AML (Anti-Money-Laundering) training — required annually by most life carriers. Free, takes about an hour, renews every year.
• Product-specific certification — some carriers require a short course before you can sell a particular product (for example, a specific IUL or final-expense product). Complete it for the plans you’ll actually focus on.
• Annuity / suitability training — only if you’ll sell annuities. Skip if you won’t.

Keep it current

Item	Renewal
Resident life license	Every 2 years (varies by state) + continuing education hours
AML training	Annually
E&O coverage	Annually

Note

Focus your product certifications on the plans AGM actually writes. Don’t burn a week certifying on products you’ll never sell. Ask your partner which carriers and products to prioritize.

Next step

With your license and trainings done, move to Sales Training.