Mississippi Life & Health Insurance License Exam Overview
The Mississippi Life & Health Insurance License Exam is administered by Pearson VUE on behalf of the Mississippi Insurance Department (MID). Mississippi has unique pre-licensing requirements that changed significantly in 2024 - the Life line of authority is now exempt from pre-licensing education, while Health still requires 20 hours.
Mississippi offers growing opportunities for insurance professionals, with affordable living costs, underserved rural markets, and regional access to Gulf Coast populations. The state uses the federal Healthcare.gov marketplace and has not expanded Medicaid, creating a particular need for agents who understand private insurance options for residents in the coverage gap.
Exam Format at a Glance
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Life Only Exam | 60 questions, 120 minutes |
| Accident & Health Only Exam | 60 questions, 120 minutes |
| Combined Life & A&H Exam | 115 questions, 150 minutes |
| Passing Score | 65% (Life), 70% (Health and Combined) |
| Testing Vendor | Pearson VUE |
| Exam Fee | $52 |
| Pre-licensing Education | 20 hours (Health only); Life EXEMPTED as of July 2024 |
Important 2024 Change: Effective July 1, 2024, House Bill 819 exempted Life insurance applicants from the 20-hour pre-licensing education requirement. Health insurance still requires 20 hours of pre-licensing education.
Why Get Licensed in Mississippi?
- Growing market - Healthcare expansion and aging population create demand
- Low competition - Many underserved rural areas need insurance professionals
- Affordable living - Lower cost of living compared to neighboring states
- Regional access - Gulf Coast opportunities and proximity to major markets
- Simplified Life licensing - No pre-licensing required for Life as of 2024
- Coverage gap market - Approximately 71,000 adults need private coverage options
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Pre-Licensing Education Requirements
As of July 1, 2024 (House Bill 819):
| Line of Authority | Pre-Licensing Required | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Life Insurance | NO (Exempted) | 0 hours |
| Accident & Health Insurance | YES | 20 hours |
| Combined Life & A&H | Partial | 20 hours (for Health portion only) |
For Health Insurance Pre-Licensing:
- Must complete 20 hours of approved coursework
- Must pass certification exam with 70% or higher
- Certificate of Completion valid for 2 years
- Required to present certificate on exam day
Important: Even though Life is exempted from pre-licensing, completing a study course is strongly recommended to improve your chances of passing the exam.
Key Topics Covered on the Exam
1. Life Insurance Fundamentals (30-35%)
Types of Life Insurance:
- Term Life Insurance (level, decreasing, renewable, convertible)
- Whole Life Insurance (traditional, limited pay, single premium)
- Universal Life Insurance (fixed, indexed, variable)
- Variable Life Insurance (securities-based)
- Group Life Insurance
Mississippi Life Insurance Policy Provisions:
| Provision | Mississippi Standard |
|---|---|
| Grace Period | 31 days |
| Incontestability Period | 2 years |
| Suicide Clause | 2 years |
| Free Look Period | 10 days |
| Misstatement of Age | Adjusted benefits |
| Reinstatement Period | 3 years |
2. Health Insurance Fundamentals (30-35%)
Individual and Group Health Coverage:
- Major medical insurance
- Hospital indemnity policies
- Disability income insurance (short-term and long-term)
- Long-term care insurance
- Medicare supplement plans (Medigap)
- Short-term health insurance plans
Network Types:
- HMO (Health Maintenance Organization)
- PPO (Preferred Provider Organization)
- EPO (Exclusive Provider Organization)
- POS (Point of Service)
3. Mississippi Health Programs (10-15%)
Healthcare.gov (Federal Marketplace): Mississippi uses the federal exchange Healthcare.gov for ACA marketplace coverage. Key points:
- Open Enrollment 2026: November 1, 2025 through January 15, 2026
- 2026 Insurers: Five carriers including Oscar Health (new for 2026)
- Primewell Health Services exiting the market for 2026
- Special enrollment available for qualifying life events
- Tax credits available based on income
Mississippi Medicaid:
- Mississippi has NOT expanded Medicaid under the ACA
- Coverage for children, pregnant women, elderly, and disabled
- Adults without children generally do not qualify regardless of income
- Approximately 71,000 adults fall into the "coverage gap"
CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Program):
- Covers uninsured children up to age 19
- Family income cannot exceed 209% of Federal Poverty Level (FPL)
- Income thresholds vary by age:
- Infants (birth to 1): 194%-209% FPL
- Children 1-6: 143%-209% FPL
- Children 6-19: 133%-209% FPL
- Apply through HealthCare.gov or Mississippi Medicaid
Free Practice Questions Available
Test your knowledge with hundreds of free practice questions designed specifically for the Mississippi Life & Health exam.
4. Mississippi Insurance Code and Regulations (15-20%)
Mississippi Code Title 83 - Insurance:
The Mississippi Insurance Code is found in Title 83 of the Mississippi Code. Key areas tested include:
- Chapter 17 - Insurance Agents, Solicitors, or Adjusters
- Article 2 - Licensing of Insurance Producers
- Section 83-17-51 to 83-17-89 - Producer licensing requirements
- Section 83-17-63 - License renewal and CE requirements
- Section 83-17-79 - Reciprocity provisions
- Section 83-17-251 - CE exemptions (amended 2023)
Mississippi Insurance Department (MID):
- Email: licensing@mid.ms.gov
- Phone: (601) 359-3582
- Website: www.mid.ms.gov
- Applications through Sircon or NIPR
5. Annuities (10%)
- Fixed annuities vs. variable annuities
- Indexed annuities
- Immediate vs. deferred annuities
- Accumulation and annuitization phases
- Mississippi suitability requirements
- Required: 4-hour Annuity Best Interest course before selling annuities
- Free look period: 10 days
6. Ethics and Producer Responsibilities (10%)
- Fiduciary duty to clients
- Needs-based selling and suitability analysis
- Disclosure requirements
- Premium handling and trust accounts
- Reporting misconduct
- Unfair trade practices
- Unfair claims settlement practices
Study Timeline for Success
| Week | Focus Area | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Pre-licensing course (if required for Health) | 20 |
| Week 2 | Life insurance products and provisions | 10-12 |
| Week 3 | Health insurance and Mississippi programs | 10-12 |
| Week 4 | Medicaid, CHIP, and state regulations | 8-10 |
| Week 5 | Annuities, ethics, and practice exams | 10-15 |
Total recommended study time: 40-50 hours (plus 20 hours pre-licensing if pursuing Health)
Mississippi-Specific Exam Tips
1. Know the Coverage Gap
Mississippi has not expanded Medicaid, creating a coverage gap:
- Approximately 71,000 adults cannot qualify for Medicaid or marketplace subsidies
- Adults under 65 without children or disabilities typically don't qualify for Medicaid
- Understanding private insurance options is crucial for serving this population
2. Master These Mississippi Numbers
| Topic | Mississippi Requirement |
|---|---|
| Pre-licensing (Life) | NOT required (exempted July 2024) |
| Pre-licensing (Health) | 20 hours |
| Grace period (life) | 31 days |
| Free look period | 10 days |
| Passing score (Life) | 65% |
| Passing score (Health/Combined) | 70% |
| CE requirement | 24 hours/2 years (3 hours ethics) |
| Annuity training | 4 hours (required before selling) |
3. Understand the Testing Process
- Exams administered by Pearson VUE
- Schedule at www.pearsonvue.com or call (888) 293-4222
- Bring two valid government-issued IDs with photo and signature
- Bring Certificate of Completion (if Health pre-licensing required)
- Arrive 30 minutes early for check-in
- Results available immediately after exam
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Assuming no pre-licensing for Health - Only Life is exempted; Health still requires 20 hours
- Confusing passing scores - Life requires 65%, while Health and Combined require 70%
- Skipping annuity training - 4-hour course required before selling annuities
- Underestimating CHIP/Medicaid content - Know eligibility requirements
- Not understanding coverage gap - Critical for serving Mississippi clients
- Ignoring time limits - 120 minutes for single exams, 150 for combined
After Passing Your Exam
- Submit license application through Sircon or NIPR
- Pay license fee - Varies by line of authority
- Complete background check if required
- Receive license - Processing typically within 1-2 weeks
- Complete annuity training (4 hours) before selling annuities
- Complete flood insurance training (3 hours, one-time) if selling flood policies
- Affiliate with company and begin selling
Continuing Education Requirements
To maintain your Mississippi insurance license:
- 24 hours of CE every 2-year license term (ends on last day of birth month)
- 3 hours must be in ethics
- For licenses 13-18 months old: 12 hours required
- For licenses 19-24 months old: 24 hours required (including 3 ethics)
- No carryover credits allowed
- Cannot repeat same course in one license term
CE Exemptions:
- Inactive producers
- Limited lines license holders
- Nonresident producers (home state CE applies)
- Producers 65+ with 25+ continuous years of licensure (House Bill 1084, 2023)
Proctor Requirements for CE: Mississippi CE final exams must be monitored by a disinterested third-party proctor who:
- Is over 18 years of age
- Has no family or financial relationship to the student
- Is not a friend or relative
- May be a co-worker only if not in the licensee's line of supervision
2026 Mississippi Updates
For 2026, be aware of:
- Oscar Health entering Mississippi marketplace for 2026
- Primewell Health Services exiting the market
- Five total insurers offering exchange plans for 2026
- Life insurance pre-licensing exemption continues (HB 819)
- CE exemption for agents 65+ with 25 years experience (HB 1084)
- CHIP funded through September 30, 2027
Start Your Mississippi Insurance Career Today
Mississippi offers growing opportunities for insurance professionals, especially with the simplified licensing process for Life insurance. Pass your exam on the first try with our free prep materials.
Our free study materials include:
- Complete topic coverage for all exam sections
- Practice questions with detailed explanations
- Mississippi Code Title 83 summaries
- Medicaid and CHIP eligibility guides
- AI-powered study assistance
Everything you need to pass is 100% FREE.