Insurance agents are a part of the financial security of local communities, providing individuals and businesses with the means to protect their assets and manage risk. For those interested in this career path in Kansas, the state has established a regulated series of steps to ensure all agents are knowledgeable and trustworthy. This guide provides a roadmap for prospective agents to follow on their journey to becoming licensed.
Choose Your Insurance Line of Authority
The initial step in your journey is deciding which type of insurance you want to sell, known as a “line of authority.” This choice dictates your area of specialization and the specific pre-licensing education and exam you will need to complete. Kansas offers several primary lines, each catering to different client needs. The main lines include:
- Life insurance involves policies that provide a financial payout to beneficiaries upon the insured person’s death.
- Accident and Health insurance covers medical expenses and loss of income due to illness or injury.
- Property insurance protects against loss or damage to physical assets, such as homes and buildings.
- Casualty insurance covers liability for harm to others.
- Personal Lines is a combined authority that focuses on non-commercial policies for individuals, such as home and auto insurance.
Complete Kansas Pre-Licensing Education
While Kansas does not mandate pre-licensing education, it is highly recommended due to the complexity of the state licensing exams. Reputable education providers design their courses to align directly with the content of the Kansas licensing exams, significantly increasing your chances of passing. These courses provide the knowledge needed to understand insurance principles, laws, and regulations.
Prospective agents should enroll in a study course tailored to their chosen line of authority. Study methods vary, with options ranging from self-paced online courses and textbooks to in-person classroom sessions. This flexibility allows you to choose a format that best fits your learning style and schedule.
Pass the State Licensing Exam
After completing your preparatory studies, you must pass the official Kansas insurance licensing exam for your chosen line of authority. The exam is administered by Pearson VUE, and you must schedule your test in advance through their platform. Passing this exam is a firm requirement to demonstrate you have the necessary knowledge.
The exam format consists of timed, multiple-choice questions, and a score of 70% or higher is required to pass. The questions are based on the material covered in the recommended pre-licensing courses. Exam fees must be paid at the time of scheduling, and if you do not pass, you will need to pay the fee again to retake it.
Get Fingerprinted for a Background Check
Kansas requires all new resident producer applicants to undergo a criminal history background check. This process involves submitting your fingerprints to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and the FBI to ensure applicants meet the state’s ethical standards.
You can get fingerprinted at designated locations, including the Kansas Insurance Department’s office in Topeka or various Department of Children and Families (DCF) offices across the state. You will need to bring a completed waiver form, which can be downloaded from the Kansas Insurance Department’s website.
The fingerprinting process carries a fee of $60, which is collected when you submit your online license application. The fingerprint cards will not be processed until your formal license application has been submitted through the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR).
Apply for the Kansas Insurance License
Once you have passed your exam and arranged for your background check, you are ready to formally apply for your license. All applications for an Individual Insurance Producer License must be submitted electronically through the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR).
When completing the online application, you will need to provide your personal information and disclose your employment history for the past five years. You will also need to attach a Certificate of Tax Clearance from the Kansas Department of Revenue. The application fee is $15, which is paid at the time of submission along with the background check fee.
After you submit your application, the Kansas Insurance Department will review it, along with the results of your background check and exam scores. You can monitor the status of your application through the NIPR portal.
Maintain Your License with Continuing Education
Obtaining your Kansas insurance license is the start of your career, not the end of your education. To maintain your license, you must meet the state’s continuing education (CE) requirements. These mandates ensure that you stay current on industry practices, new laws, and ethical standards.
In Kansas, licensed agents are required to complete 18 hours of CE every two years to be eligible for license renewal. This coursework must include at least three hours dedicated to ethics. There may be additional requirements for selling specific products like annuities or long-term care insurance.
The license renewal process is tied to the completion of your CE. If you fail to meet the requirements within the two-year period, your license may be suspended. Reinstating an expired license involves additional fees and requirements.
What to Do After Getting Licensed
After your license is approved, you can begin your career as an insurance agent. There are two primary paths: becoming a “captive” agent or an “independent” agent. Captive agents work for a single insurance company, like State Farm or Allstate, and sell only their products, often with company-provided training and support.
Alternatively, you can operate as an “independent” agent. Independent agents work with multiple insurance carriers, allowing them to offer clients a wider range of products and price points. This path provides more flexibility but also requires you to handle your own marketing and administrative tasks.