Best insurance pre-licensing courses in 2026: Kaplan, ExamFX and Pearson practice
Last checked October 18, 2026 · Sources: Kaplan’s state insurance package pages (e.g. Colorado Life & Health); ExamFX’s insurance packages and course pages; Pearson VUE practice tests. Prices vary by state and line. Not hands-on tested.
The best insurance pre-licensing course depends on your state’s rules and how you study. Kaplan sells clear state packages, $139 (Basic) to $349 (Career Launcher) for Life & Health in Colorado, for example, with a money-back guarantee. ExamFX covers all 50 states in Self-Study, Video Study and Live Online packages and refunds you if you score 80% on its Readiness Exam and then fail. Pearson VUE sells official-style practice tests for $19.95.
Basic to Career Launcher; 60-day online access; Kaplan Commitment refund.
Buy now on KaplanSelf-Study, Video Study or Live Online; 60-day access; Readiness Exam guarantee.
See prices on ExamFXLife, health, property and casualty practice tests in Pearson states.
Buy on Pearson VUEFree content outline in your state's candidate handbook.
→Insurance pre-licensing courses compared
| Kaplan | ExamFX | Pearson VUE practice | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $139 to $349 (Colorado L&H) | Varies by state; see checkout | $19.95 per test |
| Packages | Basic, Essential, EssentialPlus, Career Launcher, Premium in some states | Self-Study, Video Study, Live Online | Practice test only |
| Online access | 60 days | 60 days | Per test |
| Guarantee | Kaplan Commitment refund if you meet its criteria | Refund if you score 80% on the Readiness Exam and fail within 3 days | None |
| States | State-specific packages | All 50 states | States where Pearson VUE delivers the exam |
From each provider’s own pages, checked October 18, 2026. Prices vary by state and line of authority; Kaplan’s figures are its Colorado Life & Health prices.
1. Kaplan: clearest packages
Kaplan sells state-specific packages for each line: in Colorado, Life & Health runs from $139 for Basic to $349, and Premium Instruction adds live or live online classes where offered. Online access lasts 60 days, and the Kaplan Commitment refunds your package price if you meet its criteria and don’t pass. Best for people who want a clear choice of tiers. See our Kaplan review.
2. ExamFX: best guarantee terms
ExamFX offers courses in all 50 states, built from each state’s exam outline, in Self-Study, Video Study and Live Online packages with 60 days of access. If you score 80% or higher on its Readiness Exam and don’t pass the state exam within three days, ExamFX refunds the course. In California it sells bundles that include the required 12-hour Code and Ethics course. ExamFX says actual prices vary by state and package. Best for people who want a guarantee tied to a readiness test. See our ExamFX review.
3. Pearson VUE practice tests: cheapest add-on
In states where Pearson VUE delivers the exam, such as Texas, Florida and Illinois, it sells official-style practice tests for $19.95 each, by line of authority. They’re a good check before test day, not a course.
How to choose
- Check your state’s pre-licensing requirement first; the course must meet its hours, from none in Texas to 200 for Florida’s 2-20.
- Pick the right line: Life, Health, Life & Health, or Property & Casualty.
- Self-study is the cheapest tier (Kaplan Basic $139 in Colorado); live online costs more but gives you a teacher.
- Watch the 60-day access window on both Kaplan and ExamFX courses.
- Use the free content outline in your candidate handbook alongside any course.
How we ranked the best insurance pre-licensing courses
We compared what each provider publishes on its own pages (price by state, package options, access period, guarantees and state coverage), put your state’s free candidate handbook alongside any paid option, and rated each course out of 5 with the same rubric we use across the site: question bank 25%, practice exams 20%, lectures 15%, platform 15%, support 10% and value 15%. Ratings are our editorial assessment from published details, not hands-on tests. We don’t accept payment for placement and don’t currently earn commissions. Where a provider shows prices only at checkout, as ExamFX does, our button says “See prices” rather than quoting a number. See how we rank for the full method.
| Provider | Rating | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Kaplan | 3.9 / 5 | Clear package tiers, up to live online classes |
| ExamFX | 3.8 / 5 | A readiness-test guarantee in all 50 states |
Our editorial ratings, October 2026. Each review shows the category breakdown.
Common questions about insurance pre-licensing courses
Are these paid placements?
No. We currently earn no commission from any insurance pre-licensing provider, and no one paid for a placement.
How long do I get to finish an insurance course?
60 days of online access for both Kaplan’s and ExamFX’s insurance courses, according to their pages.
How much does an insurance pre-licensing course cost?
It varies by state. Kaplan’s Colorado Life & Health packages run $139 to $349; ExamFX shows prices at checkout.
Which course has a pass guarantee?
Both have one: Kaplan’s Commitment refunds your package if you meet its criteria, and ExamFX refunds you if you score 80% on its Readiness Exam and fail within three days.
See also our life and health and property and casualty license guides. We first checked these prices on October 12, 2026 and rechecked them on October 18, 2026. MockTestPrep is independent and is not affiliated with Kaplan, ExamFX or Pearson VUE.