Last updated: February 19, 2026. Based on California Department of Insurance (CDI) and PSI bulletin references.
California Life and Health License: Fast Answer
For 2026, the process is:
- Meet CDI eligibility and residency requirements.
- Pass the Life and Accident & Health exam through PSI.
- Complete the required 12-hour California code and ethics course (includes 1 hour of insurance fraud) before license issuance.
- Complete fingerprint/background requirements.
- File your license application and fees with CDI.
What Changed in 2026 (AB 943)
CDI confirms that beginning January 1, 2026, prior producer prelicensing hour requirements for life-only and accident & health are removed, while the 12-hour code-and-ethics requirement remains mandatory before a license can be issued.
Practical impact:
- You can sit for the exam without finishing old prelicensing hour blocks.
- You still cannot receive the license until the 12-hour ethics/code requirement is completed.
Eligibility and Application Track
Core eligibility
- At least 18 years old
- Meet California producer licensing requirements
- Complete background/fingerprint process
Resident application flow
- Prepare for exam and schedule PSI appointment.
- Pass exam.
- Complete required 12-hour code/ethics training.
- Submit fingerprints if not already on file.
- Submit resident producer application and required fees.
Exam Structure (Life and Accident & Health)
| Item | California LAH Exam |
|---|---|
| Total questions | 150 |
| Time limit | 170 minutes |
| Passing score | 60% |
| Delivery | PSI test center or approved remote options |
Fees to Plan For (2026)
| Fee Item | Amount (CDI) |
|---|---|
| Life + Accident & Health exam fee | $55 |
| Resident insurance producer filing fee | $188 |
| Fingerprint fee | Vendor/rolling-fee dependent |
Always confirm current fee tables at CDI before payment.
Fingerprint and Background Check
CDI candidate guidance requires fingerprinting/background processing for first-time applicants. If your fingerprints are rejected, CDI can require resubmission before issuance.
Retake Policy You Should Know
CDI/PSI bulletin language sets a strict limit:
- Up to 10 exam attempts for a line of authority.
- After the 10th failed attempt, you must wait 12 months before retesting for that line.
Timeline Expectations
| Stage | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Exam preparation | 2-6 weeks |
| Scheduling + exam window | 1-3 weeks |
| Fingerprint/background + application processing | 1-6 weeks |
| End-to-end path | ~4-12 weeks |
Renewal and Continuing Education
California producer licenses renew every two years. CDI producer licensing FAQ states the common baseline for most lines is:
- 24 CE hours each two-year cycle
- including 3 hours of ethics
Specialized lines can carry additional training requirements.
Common Mistakes That Delay Licensing
- Assuming AB 943 removed all education requirements (it did not).
- Forgetting that ethics/code training is still required before issuance.
- Waiting too long after exam pass (exam validity windows matter).
- Not resolving fingerprint issues quickly.
- Underestimating retake-attempt limits.