Maryland Life & Health Insurance License Exam Overview
The Maryland Life & Health Insurance License Exam is administered by Prometric on behalf of the Maryland Insurance Administration (MIA). Maryland offers a sophisticated insurance market with its own state-based health exchange (Maryland Health Connection), proximity to the DC federal workforce, and wealthy suburban markets.
Important October 2024 Update: Effective October 1, 2024, Maryland no longer requires pre-licensing education for producer licenses. Applicants can now proceed directly to the licensing examination without completing any prior coursework.
Exam Format at a Glance
Maryland licenses Life and Health as separate lines of authority, but most life-and-health candidates sit for the combined Life and Accident and Health or Sickness Producer (Combo, Series 20-30) exam to earn both lines in one sitting. You may instead take the single-line Life Producer (Series 20-27) and Accident and Health or Sickness Producer (Series 20-24) exams individually.
| Component | Combined Life & Health (Combo) | Single-line Life OR Health |
|---|---|---|
| Scored Questions | 130 | 80 |
| Unscored Pretest Questions | 10 | 10 |
| Total Questions | 140 | 90 |
| Time Limit | 150 minutes (2.5 hours) | 105 minutes (1 hr 45 min) |
| Passing Score | 70% | 70% |
| Question Format | 4-option multiple choice | 4-option multiple choice |
| Testing Vendor | Prometric | Prometric |
| Exam Fee | $62 | $62 |
| Retake Wait | 4 days after a failed attempt | 4 days after a failed attempt |
| Pre-licensing Education | NOT required (since Oct 1, 2024) | NOT required (since Oct 1, 2024) |
Why Get Licensed in Maryland?
- State-based exchange - Maryland Health Connection marketplace expertise
- DC proximity - Access to federal employee market
- Wealthy suburbs - High net worth clients in Montgomery and Howard counties
- Baltimore-DC corridor - Growing population and business hub
- No pre-licensing - Streamlined path to licensure
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Key Topics Covered on the Exam (Official Prometric Outlines)
Maryland's exams follow Prometric's published content outlines, and the weights below are the actual percentages, not estimates. On every Maryland exam, Insurance Regulation is the single largest section at 30% -- on the Combo exam that is 39 of the 130 scored items -- so Maryland law and producer regulation are heavily tested. Do not treat the state material as an afterthought.
Life Producer Exam Content Outline (80 scored items)
| Section | Weight | Scored Items |
|---|---|---|
| Insurance Regulation | 30% | 24 |
| General Insurance | 10% | 8 |
| Life Insurance Basics | 18% | 14 |
| Life Insurance Policies | 10% | 8 |
| Policy Provisions, Options & Riders | 14% | 11 |
| Annuities | 9% | 7 |
| Federal Tax Considerations | 8% | 6 |
| Qualified Plans | 3% | 2 |
Accident & Health Producer Exam Content Outline (80 scored items)
| Section | Weight | Scored Items |
|---|---|---|
| Insurance Regulation | 30% | 24 |
| General Insurance | 9% | 7 |
| Health Insurance Basics | 11% | 9 |
| Individual Health Policy Provisions | 8% | 6 |
| Disability Income & Related Insurance | 9% | 7 |
| Medical Plans | 14% | 11 |
| Group Health Insurance | 5% | 4 |
| Dental Insurance | 1% | 1 |
| Insurance for Seniors & Special Needs | 9% | 7 |
| Federal Tax Considerations for Health | 5% | 4 |
The Combo exam draws from both outlines, weighting Insurance Regulation at 30% (39 items) and blending the remaining life, health, annuity, and tax topics.
Maryland-Specific Life Provisions to Memorize
| Provision | Maryland Standard |
|---|---|
| Grace Period (ordinary life) | 31 days |
| Incontestability | 2 years |
| Suicide Exclusion | 2 years |
| Free Look (individual life) | 10 days |
| Misstatement of Age/Gender | Benefits adjusted to what premium would have bought |
Maryland Health Programs and the State Exchange
Major coverage types tested: major medical, disability income, long-term care, Medicare supplement, HMO/PPO/POS medical plans, and group health.
Maryland operates its own state-based ACA marketplace, Maryland Health Connection, rather than the federal Healthcare.gov platform. The state controls its own enrollment system, plan certification, and consumer assistance, and it runs a state reinsurance program that has helped stabilize individual-market premiums. Related public programs you should recognize are Maryland Medicaid and the Maryland Children's Health Program (MCHP). Expect questions distinguishing the SHOP (small employer) exchange from the individual exchange and identifying open-enrollment versus special-enrollment periods.
Annuities and the Best Interest Standard
Maryland producers must understand fixed, variable (requires a securities registration), and indexed annuities, the accumulation versus annuitization phases, surrender charges, and suitability. Since October 8, 2022, Maryland holds producers to a best interest standard when recommending an annuity. Producers must complete a one-time 4-hour Annuity Best Interest training course before selling, soliciting, or negotiating annuities; equivalent NAIC training completed in another state reciprocates.
Maryland Insurance Regulation and Ethics
This 30% block is where many candidates lose points. Drill the Maryland Insurance Article and COMAR rules on producer licensing and appointments, unfair trade practices (misrepresentation, twisting, rebating, defamation, coercion), unfair claims settlement practices, the powers of the Maryland Insurance Administration, replacement and advertising rules, fiduciary handling of client funds, and the Maryland Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Corporation.
How to Register and Schedule
Prometric administers Maryland's insurance exams (it replaced the former vendor PSI). Register and schedule online at www.prometric.com/maryland/insurance. Key points:
- Create a Prometric account, then schedule a physical test center or a remote ProProctor session
- Provide your accurate legal name, date of birth, and SSN -- they must match your ID and your NIPR license application
- You receive your pass/fail result immediately at the end of the exam
- Passing results remain valid for six months; you must file your NIPR license application within that window
- Reschedule or cancel at least 24 hours before your appointment to avoid forfeiting the fee
Study Timeline for Success
| Week | Focus Area | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1-2 | Life insurance products | 12-15 |
| Week 2-3 | Health insurance coverage | 12-15 |
| Week 3-4 | Annuities and suitability | 10-12 |
| Week 4-5 | Maryland statutes and regulations | 10-12 |
| Week 5-6 | Practice exams and review | 12-15 |
Total recommended study time: 55-70 hours
Since Maryland eliminated pre-licensing requirements, self-study with quality materials is essential.
Free Practice Questions Available
Practice with hundreds of free questions designed for the Maryland Life & Health exam.
Maryland-Specific Exam Tips
1. Master Maryland Insurance Article
Know these key provisions:
- Producer licensing requirements
- Policy provisions and forms
- Unfair claims practices
- Replacement regulations
- Maryland Health Connection rules
2. Know These Maryland Numbers
| Topic | Maryland Requirement |
|---|---|
| Free look period (individual life) | 10 days |
| Grace period (ordinary life) | 31 days |
| Incontestability | 2 years |
| Pre-licensing | NOT required |
| CE requirement | 24 hours / 2 years (incl. 3 ethics) |
| Exam fee | $62 |
| Combo exam time / questions | 150 min / 130 scored |
| Single-line exam time / questions | 105 min / 80 scored |
| License application fee (NIPR) | $54 |
| Passing score | 70% |
3. Understand Maryland Health Connection
Maryland has its own state exchange. Know:
- How it differs from Healthcare.gov states
- Open enrollment periods
- Special enrollment qualifying events
- Maryland Premium Assistance program
- Medicaid and MCHP eligibility
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Skipping study because pre-license is not required - The exam is challenging
- Ignoring Maryland-specific statutes - About 20% of your exam
- Confusing Maryland Health Connection with Healthcare.gov - Maryland is different
- Underestimating annuity questions - Suitability requirements are heavily tested
- Poor time management - the Combo gives 150 minutes for 130 scored questions (plus 10 unscored), so keep a steady pace
Continuing Education Requirements
After obtaining your Maryland license, you must complete continuing education:
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Hours | 24 hours every 2-year term |
| Ethics | 3 of the 24 hours must be ethics |
| Multi-line (L/H and P/C) | 6 hours in each line of authority |
| 25+ Year Producers | Only 8 hours required (incl. 3 ethics) |
| Carryover | No carryover allowed |
| Term | License term ends every 2 years on the last day of your birth month |
Special Training Requirements:
- Long-Term Care (Initial): 8-hour course required
- Long-Term Care (Ongoing): 4-hour course each renewal period
- Annuity Suitability: 4-hour Best Interest course required
- Flood Insurance: 2-hour course for P/C producers
After Passing Your Exam
- Verify exam results - results are valid for 6 months
- Apply through NIPR (National Insurance Producer Registry) and pay the $54 state license fee
- Complete fingerprinting/background check as required by Maryland
- MIA reviews your application - typically 3 to 5 business days
- Receive your license and report any address/name changes within 30 days
- Complete carrier appointments before soliciting business for an insurer
2026 Maryland Updates
For 2026, be aware of:
- Pre-licensing education requirement eliminated effective October 1, 2024 -- you can schedule the exam directly
- Prometric is the testing vendor (it replaced PSI); register at www.prometric.com/maryland/insurance
- Exam fee is $62 per license type; the state license application fee through NIPR is $54
- The one-time 4-hour Annuity Best Interest training is required before recommending annuities
- Maryland Health Connection (the state ACA exchange) continues its state reinsurance program to stabilize premiums
- Confirm current fees and rules on the MIA producer pages before you apply, since federal ACA subsidy levels can change year to year
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Maryland's sophisticated market with its state exchange and proximity to DC creates excellent opportunities. Pass your exam on the first try with our free prep.
Our free study materials include:
- Complete topic coverage for Maryland Life & Health exam
- Practice questions with detailed explanations
- Maryland statute summaries
- Maryland Health Connection coverage details
- AI-powered study assistance
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Contact Information
Maryland Insurance Administration 200 St. Paul Place, Suite 2700 Baltimore, MD 21202 Phone: 410-468-2411 / 1-800-492-6116 (toll free) Email: producerlicensing.mia@maryland.gov Website: Maryland Insurance Administration - Producer Licensing
Prometric Phone: (800) 610-1174 Website: prometric.com
Continuing Education Sircon: (800) 324-4592 Website: sircon.com
How to Use This Guide Without Missing State-Specific Details
Treat this article as your working roadmap, then verify the administrative details against official sources before you schedule. Insurance licensing changes are usually small, but small changes matter on exam day: a vendor switch, new fingerprinting workflow, revised candidate handbook, or updated application checklist can delay a license even when you know the content. Start with your state insurance department, then confirm the testing vendor account, then check the National Insurance Producer Registry licensing flow if your state uses it. The NAIC state insurance department directory is a practical starting point when you need the current regulator website, and NIPR state requirements can help you verify application steps after the exam.
For the content itself, separate national insurance knowledge from Maryland-specific law. National life and health questions test concepts that transfer across states: contract parties, insurable interest, beneficiary designations, policy riders, annuity phases, health policy renewability, disability income definitions, Medicare supplement basics, group health coordination, and unfair trade practices. The state section asks how those ideas are administered in Maryland. When a question includes a number, deadline, appointment step, replacement notice, continuing education rule, or regulator power, slow down and decide whether it is a national default or a Maryland rule.
A Practical Study Workflow for the Final Two Weeks
Use the last two weeks to convert recognition into decision speed. On day one, take a mixed diagnostic in /study-guides/md-life-health and tag every missed question by reason: did you miss a definition, confuse two similar products, overlook a state rule, or run out of time? Definitions need flashcards. Similar products need comparison tables. State rules need a short checklist. Timing mistakes need practice blocks with a visible clock.
During the first week, work in focused sets. Do life insurance one day, health insurance the next, annuities after that, and Maryland law at least every other session. Do not wait until the end to study regulations. Many candidates know term versus whole life but lose points on replacement, advertising, producer authority, unfair claims practices, or what must happen before a license is issued. After each set, rewrite the explanation in your own words. If you cannot explain why the wrong answer is wrong, you have not finished the question.
During the second week, switch to exam simulation. Use full mixed quizzes, then spend more time reviewing than answering. For life insurance, drill policy provisions, riders, beneficiary changes, settlement options, nonforfeiture options, and taxation at a high level. For health insurance, drill renewability, exclusions, disability definitions, long-term care, Medicare supplement rules, group versus individual contracts, and coordination of benefits. For annuities, make sure you can distinguish accumulation from annuitization, fixed from variable, immediate from deferred, and suitability from general sales preference.
Common Life and Health Traps
A common trap is answering from everyday sales language instead of policy language. "Cash value," "premium," "benefit," "owner," "insured," and "beneficiary" have precise exam meanings. Another trap is treating Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement, and Medicaid as interchangeable. They are different programs or products, and exam questions often reward the candidate who notices which one is actually named.
Replacement questions deserve special attention. The exam may ask what must be disclosed, when notices are required, how existing coverage should be treated, or why twisting is prohibited. Do not memorize replacement as simply "bad." Replacement can be legitimate, but it becomes a compliance issue when comparison, disclosure, or suitability duties are ignored.
Health questions also use similar-sounding renewability terms. Noncancelable, guaranteed renewable, conditionally renewable, optionally renewable, and cancelable policies allocate power differently between insurer and insured. Build a one-page table and practice from both directions: given the term, state the rule; given the rule, name the term.
Exam-Day Checklist
Before test day, confirm your appointment time, approved identification, remote-proctoring rules if applicable, calculator policy, and reschedule deadline from the testing vendor. Use the exact legal name from your licensing and exam records. If your ID and registration do not match, content knowledge will not help at check-in.
On the exam, answer the direct question first before reading extra meaning into the facts. Insurance exams often include plausible distractors that are true statements but do not answer the question asked. Mark long calculation or scenario questions and come back after securing the easier definition and rule points. If you are stuck between two options, identify which answer is broader, which is more specific, and whether the question asks for an exception. Exceptions are where many state-law points hide.
If You Do Not Pass on the First Attempt
A failed attempt is useful data if you treat the score report correctly. Do not simply reread the same chapter. Sort weak areas into national product knowledge, Maryland law, and test-taking process. For product knowledge, rebuild comparison charts. For state law, verify the current rule from official regulator materials and then practice short recall prompts. For process issues, take timed sets and force yourself to explain why each wrong answer was attractive.
Schedule the next attempt only after your weakest two categories have improved in practice. A good target is not just a passing average; it is consistency. When you can pass several mixed sets in a row without relying on memorized question wording, you are closer to exam readiness.
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