How to Get a Maryland Insurance License

Updated: June 30, 2022

A.D. Banker Provider #: 207864

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On this page, you'll find a comprehensive guide for getting your insurance license. We'll walk you through the process, and we'll be here to answer any questions you have along the way.

Maryland requires each person selling insurance in the state to hold an insurance license. You will choose which line of authority you want to be licensed in: health insurance, life insurance, property and casualty insurance, or any combination of those lines.

Once you know which license you need, you're ready to begin. In Maryland, there are 3 steps to getting your insurance license.

1. Complete a Prelicensing Course

The first step is to complete a prelicensing course. A.D. Banker offers prelicensing courses that will prepare you to successfully pass the state exam on your first attempt. We offer online courses that can be supplemented with web classes and learning tools like flashcards and study manuals.

Maryland requires potential agents to complete 20 hours of prelicensing education for each line of authority before attempting the state exam.

After completing your course content, you will need to pass a Certification Exam. This demonstrates completion of the prelicensing requirement. The Certification Exam is not monitored. After passing the Certification Exam with a 70% or greater, A.D. Banker will report your course completion to Prometric and provide you an eligibility ID that allows you to schedule your state exam within 1–2 business days of the reporting.

The Certificate of Completion is valid for 6 months. You will need to take and pass the state exam within this time period, or you will be required to retake the prelicensing course.

2. Pass a Licensing Exam

After you finish your prelicensing course, you are now ready to take the state licensing exam. You must score 70% or higher to pass your state licensing exam.

Where can I take the state exam?

Remote exams are available to ensure accessibility and safety. These exams require you to have a computer or laptop that is compatible with the ProProctor remote testing platform. If you do not have a compatible computer, you must schedule an in-person exam.

Exams may also be taken in-person at a Prometric testing site. Exams taken at a Prometric location may include an additional provider fee.

How do I schedule my state exam?

Every insurance licensing exam is accompanied by an exam fee that must be paid at the time of reservation by a credit or debit card, voucher, or electronic check. You can schedule your state exam through Prometric or by calling (800) 610-1174.

How should I prepare for my remote state exam?

Before scheduling your remote licensing exam, run the system check to test the compatibility of your computer, webcam, and microphone. Corded headphones and microphones are allowed, but bluetooth is not compatible.

Next, download ProProctor. Please note that the download can take up to 30 minutes, so we recommend you do this before the day of your test to prevent any last-minute technical problems.

Login to the testing platform 15 minutes before your exam reservation time. A state or government ID is required to be presented to verify your identity. The ID must contain both your photo and signature.

Your remote test requires you to be alone in a private room for the duration of the exam. You must use a desktop or laptop computer. No dual-monitor configurations are allowed. All doors, including a closet or bathroom door, must be shut. The surface you have your computer on must be clear of all objects. You cannot have a phone or a wristwatch on while you are taking the exam. Food and drink are also prohibited. For a more comprehensive list, check out ProProctor’s User Guide.

All exams are monitored by a third-party to ensure all testing requirements are followed. The monitors are able to answer questions that do not pertain to the content of the exam via live chat.

If you experience any technical issues while downloading ProProctor or during your exam, contact Prometric's Technical Support.

How should I prepare for my in-person state exam?

Report to the testing center 30 minutes before your exam time for the check-in process. You will be required to present a valid government ID that contains both your photo and signature. If you arrive late, you will not be admitted to the test center and will forfeit the exam fee.

No personal items are allowed to be taken into the testing center. All personal items, including bags and wallets, will have to remain in your vehicle or be checked into provided storage space. Cell phones, calculators, electronic devices, and wrist watches are not allowed into the testing center. Food and drink are also prohibited. You must stay in the testing center for the duration of the exam. No breaks are allowed.

If you have any questions about the exam process, testing locations, or security measures, please contact Prometric or Maryland Department of Insurance.

What is the format of the state exam?

All licensing exams are taken on a computer and are multiple choice. The exam will cover both a general section with basic insurance product knowledge and a state section with specific insurance laws, rules, regulations, and practices that are unique to Maryland.  A good prelicensing training course will feature practice exams that simulate the format of the state exams, so you should know exactly what to expect on the actual state licensing exam.

How long is the state exam?

Depending on which line of insurance you are testing on, the amount of time and number of questions on the exam vary. Exams will last 1.75–2.5 hours and can have 90–145 questions.

• Life Producer is 1 hour and 45 minutes with 90 questions
• Accident/Health or Sickness Producer is 1 hour and 45 minutes with 90 questions
• Life/Accident/Health or Sickness Producer Combo is 2 hours and 30 minutes with 145 questions
• Life/Accident/Health or Sickness Adviser is 1 hour and 45 minutes with 90 questions
• Property Producer is 1 hour and 45 minutes with 90 questions
• Casualty Producer is 1 hour and 45 minutes with 90 questions
• Property/Casualty Producer Combo is 2 hours and 30 minutes with 130 questions
• Personal Lines is 2 hours and 15 minutes with 110 questions

What score do I need to pass my state exam?

For all insurance exams, you need a score of 70% or higher to pass. Immediately after your exam, you will receive a pass or fail notification.

What happens if I fail my state exam?

You will receive a diagnostic report indicating your strengths and weaknesses on the exam. You can send up a copy of your score report to curriculum@adbanker.com for our team to review and respond with personalized feedback.

You are able to immediately reschedule a new exam without a waiting period. If you would like more detailed information, or if you have any questions about the exam process, please visit Prometric's website.

3. Apply for License

After passing the exam, you are ready to apply for your license through NIPR. The status of your submitted license can be checked at any time with the Maryland Department of Insurance. Once the application is approved, you will receive a link to print or download your license.

We're Here to Help

Our goal is to prepare you for your insurance licensing exam, and then guide you through your career as a licensed professional. Once you pass your exam and successfully apply for a license, your license will need to be renewed every 2 years. Learn more about how to renew a Maryland insurance license by visiting our Maryland CE requirements page.

Once you begin the process of becoming a licensed insurance professional, we're here to help you every step of the way. Get started today by reviewing our prelicensing course catalog.

A.D. Banker & Company provides licensing information as a courtesy to our students. While reasonable attempts have been made to ensure the accuracy of this information, licensees are ultimately responsible for ensuring that they are in compliance with the requirements set forth by their state licensing entity. A.D. Banker & Company offers no guarantee of the accuracy of this information and will not be held liable in case of noncompliance with the license requirements.