Illinois insurance license: pre-licensing, two exams per line, and fees
An Illinois insurance license takes more exams than most states. The Illinois Department of Insurance requires 20 hours of pre-licensing education per line of authority, 7.5 of them in a classroom setting, and each line has two Pearson VUE exams, a General exam and an Illinois State exam, each needing a score of 70. After you pass, you wait five days, then apply through NIPR.
From the Illinois Department of Insurance’s resident producer page. Points from course sellers are labeled. Checked October 12, 2026. Confirm with the Department.
The path
Take 20 hours per line of authority, with 7.5 hours in a classroom setting. Motor vehicle is the exception: 12.5 hours, with 5 in class.
Bring proof of course completion to the test center; you won't be allowed to sit without it. Course sellers report the certificate is valid for one year, and that remote testing ended in January 2025, so plan to test in person.
Wait five days after passing, then apply online at NIPR. Illinois requires electronic applications.
The Illinois insurance exams
Illinois tests each line with two Pearson VUE exams: a General exam on insurance knowledge and a State exam on Illinois law and regulation. Approved schools citing the handbook say each needs a score of 70, that the exams are taken in person at a Pearson VUE center, and that you get a score report at the test center. They put the fee at about $92 per exam, sometimes less when the General and State exams are booked together.
| License | Pre-licensing | Exams | Exam fees (about) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life | 20 hours (7.5 live) | General + State | $184 |
| Accident and Health | 20 hours (7.5 live) | General + State | $184 |
| Life + Accident and Health | 40 hours | Four exams | $368 |
| Property + Casualty | 40 hours | Four exams | $368 |
Pre-licensing hours from the Illinois Department of Insurance; exam and license fees as reported by approved schools. Totals are our sums.
What an Illinois insurance license costs
Because each line needs a General and a State exam, Illinois exam fees add up faster than in most states. A Life and Health license means four exams at about $92 each, plus the $215 application fee, before the cost of your 40-hour course. Approved schools note the $215 fee includes a $50 Illinois administrative fee; older guides still quote $180 plus a $5 service charge.
Common questions
Do I need a course before the Illinois exam?
Yes. Illinois requires 20 hours per line of authority, including 7.5 hours in a classroom setting, before you can sit the exam.
Why can't I apply the day I pass?
Because the Department requires a five-day wait after you pass before the application system will accept you.
How much is the Illinois insurance exam?
About $92 for each Pearson VUE exam, as reported by approved schools. Each line has a General exam and a State exam.
What score do you need to pass?
A score of 70 on each exam, according to schools citing the Pearson VUE handbook.
How much is the Illinois license fee?
$215 per application through NIPR, as reported by approved schools.
See our Insurance Licensing guide, and compare with New York, California and Texas. We first checked these sources on October 12, 2026 and rechecked them on October 17, 2026. MockTestPrep is independent and is not affiliated with the Illinois Department of Insurance or Pearson VUE.