New Hampshire Life & Health Insurance License Exam Overview
The New Hampshire Life & Health Insurance License Exam is your gateway to selling life insurance, health insurance, annuities, and related products in the Granite State. Administered by PSI Services LLC on behalf of the New Hampshire Insurance Department (NHID), this exam ensures you have the knowledge to serve New Hampshire consumers ethically and competently.
New Hampshire offers unique advantages for insurance professionals: no state income tax, a wealthy population with significant insurance needs, proximity to the Boston market, and one of the nation's most affordable health insurance marketplaces. The state's growing population from Massachusetts migration creates excellent opportunities.
Exam Format at a Glance
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Questions | 150 multiple-choice |
| Time Limit | 2 hours 30 minutes |
| Passing Score | 70% (105 correct answers) |
| Testing Vendor | PSI Services |
| Exam Fee | $72 (combined); $59 (single line) |
| Pre-licensing Education | Not required (recommended) |
| Exam Provider Change | PSI replaced Prometric as of July 1, 2025 |
Individual Line Exams:
- Life Insurance: 100 questions, 2 hours, $59
- Accident & Health Insurance: 100 questions, 2 hours, $59
Why Get Licensed in New Hampshire?
- No state income tax - One of nine states with no income tax, maximizing earning potential
- Wealthy population - High net worth clients seeking comprehensive coverage
- Boston proximity - Access to regional New England market
- Affordable marketplace - Nation's lowest average benchmark premium ($401/month)
- Growing population - Migration from Massachusetts brings new clients
- No pre-licensing required - Faster path to licensure
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Key Topics Covered on the Exam
1. Life Insurance Fundamentals (30-35%)
Types of Life Insurance:
- Term Life (level, decreasing, renewable, convertible)
- Whole Life (ordinary, limited pay, single premium)
- Universal Life (flexible premiums, adjustable death benefit)
- Variable Life (securities-based, requires additional licensing)
New Hampshire Life Insurance Policy Provisions:
| Provision | NH Requirement |
|---|---|
| Grace Period | 30 days |
| Incontestability Period | 2 years from policy issue |
| Suicide Clause | 2 years |
| Free Look Period | 10 days (21 days for seniors) |
| Reinstatement | 3 years |
| Misstatement of Age | Adjusted benefits, not voided |
Key Life Insurance Concepts:
- Beneficiary designations (primary, contingent, irrevocable)
- Settlement options (lump sum, interest only, fixed period, life income)
- Policy loans and cash value
- Nonforfeiture options (cash surrender, reduced paid-up, extended term)
- Dividend options for participating policies
2. Health Insurance Fundamentals (30-35%)
New Hampshire Health Insurance Landscape:
New Hampshire uses the federally-facilitated marketplace (HealthCare.gov) for individual health insurance under the Affordable Care Act. The state has one of the nation's most competitive and affordable markets with five participating insurers for 2026:
- Anthem Health Plans of New Hampshire
- Matthew Thornton Health Plan
- Ambetter from NH Healthy Families
- Harvard Pilgrim Health Care
- WellSense Health Plan
Key Health Insurance Topics:
- Open Enrollment Period - November 1 through January 15 annually
- Metal Tiers - Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum plans
- Premium Tax Credits - Based on income and family size
- Special Enrollment Periods - Qualifying life events
NH Healthy Families (Medicaid):
- Covers low-income residents including women, children, and people with disabilities
- Administered by NH Healthy Families, Amerihealth Caritas NH, and WellSense Health Plan
- Adults under 65 with household income up to 138% of poverty
Granite Advantage Health Care Program:
- New Hampshire's Medicaid expansion program
- New premium requirements starting July 1, 2026 for some enrollees
Children's Health Insurance (CHIP):
- Called "Expanded Children's Medicaid" in NH
- No premiums or cost sharing
- New premium requirements starting January 1, 2026 for some families
Major Medical Coverage Topics:
- Deductibles, copays, and coinsurance
- Out-of-pocket maximums
- Network types (HMO, PPO, EPO, POS)
- Essential health benefits under ACA
- Pre-existing condition protections
Supplemental Health Products:
- Disability income insurance (short-term and long-term)
- Long-term care insurance
- Medicare supplements (Medigap)
- Dental and vision coverage
3. Annuities (15-20%)
- Fixed vs. variable annuities
- Immediate vs. deferred annuities
- Accumulation and annuitization phases
- Surrender charges and free withdrawal provisions
- Death benefit provisions
- 1035 exchanges
New Hampshire Annuity Requirements:
- One-time 4-hour annuity training course required before selling annuity products
- Suitability requirements strictly enforced
- Free look period applies to annuity contracts
4. New Hampshire Insurance Code and Regulations (15-20%)
Key New Hampshire Laws (NH RSA Title 37):
- NH RSA 402 (General Provisions)
- NH RSA 408 (Life Insurance)
- NH RSA 415 (Accident and Health Insurance)
- Unfair trade practices and claims settlement
- Replacement regulations
- Advertising guidelines
Licensing Requirements:
- Pre-licensing education: Not required (but recommended)
- Pass state licensing exam through PSI
- Apply through NIPR
- Background check may be required
- License renewal every 2 years (on birth month)
Producer Responsibilities:
- Fiduciary duty to clients
- Needs analysis and suitability
- Disclosure requirements
- Premium handling requirements
- Reporting misconduct
5. Ethics and Market Conduct (10-15%)
- Fiduciary responsibilities
- Misrepresentation and fraud
- Rebating and inducements (prohibited)
- Twisting and churning
- Unfair discrimination
- Privacy and confidentiality
Free Practice Questions Available
Test your knowledge with hundreds of free practice questions designed specifically for the New Hampshire Life & Health exam.
Pre-Licensing Education (Optional but Recommended)
New Hampshire does not require pre-licensing education to sit for the insurance exam. However, due to the difficulty of the exam, completing a prep course is highly recommended:
| Consideration | Details |
|---|---|
| Required by State | No |
| Recommended | Yes - significantly improves pass rates |
| Self-Study | Permitted with proper materials |
| Course Options | Online or classroom available |
Benefits of Taking a Prep Course:
- Structured learning path
- Practice exams simulating real test conditions
- Expert explanations of complex topics
- Higher first-time pass rates
Continuing Education Requirements
After licensure, maintain your New Hampshire insurance license with:
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| CE Hours | 24 hours every 2-year license term |
| Ethics | 3-10 hours required (varies by license type) |
| Deadline | 60 days before license expiration |
| Renewal | Last day of birth month, biennially |
Special Training Requirements:
- Flood Insurance (NFIP): 3-hour certification course within first year of licensure
- Annuity Products: One-time 4-hour training course before selling annuities
First Renewal Exemption: All resident licensees who passed the NH exam are exempt from CE for their first license renewal.
Non-Resident Producers: No CE required if in good standing in home state.
Study Timeline for Success
| Week | Focus Area | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1-2 | Life insurance products and provisions | 15-20 |
| Week 2-3 | Health insurance and ACA marketplace | 15-20 |
| Week 3-4 | Annuities and retirement products | 10-12 |
| Week 4-5 | NH regulations and ethics | 10-12 |
| Week 5-6 | Practice exams and review | 15-20 |
Total recommended study time: 65-85 hours
New Hampshire-Specific Exam Tips
1. Know Your NH Laws
The exam tests New Hampshire-specific regulations:
- NH RSA Title 37 - New Hampshire insurance code
- Grace periods - 30 days for life insurance
- Federal marketplace - HealthCare.gov rules
- NHID authority - Regulatory powers and enforcement
2. Master the Numbers
| Topic | Number to Remember |
|---|---|
| Grace period | 30 days |
| Free look period | 10 days (21 for seniors) |
| Incontestability | 2 years |
| Pre-licensing education | Not required |
| CE requirement | 24 hours/2 years |
| Passing score | 70% |
| Exam time | 2.5 hours |
3. Understand the Federal Marketplace
New Hampshire uses HealthCare.gov for individual health insurance:
- Open Enrollment: November 1 - January 15
- Special Enrollment Periods for qualifying life events
- Five participating insurers for 2026
- Nation's lowest benchmark premium ($401/month)
- Premium tax credits based on income
Exam Day Checklist
Before the Exam:
- Schedule at psiexams.com or call (800) 733-9267
- Pay $72 exam fee (combined L&H) or $59 (single line)
- Complete recommended prep course (optional but advised)
Day of Exam:
- Bring valid government-issued photo ID
- Arrive 30 minutes early for check-in
- Report to testing center or complete online proctored exam
Testing Options:
- In-Person: Concord, Keene, Nashua, Newington, Portsmouth
- Online: Remote proctored exam available from home
Important: Make changes at least 24 hours before your appointment to avoid forfeiting your fee.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Skipping preparation - No pre-licensing doesn't mean no studying needed
- Underestimating NH regulations - State-specific content is heavily tested
- Ignoring health insurance - Equal weight to life insurance on the exam
- Not practicing with timed exams - 2.5 hours requires good time management
- Cramming - Spread study over 4-6 weeks for better retention
After Passing Your Exam
- Apply for license through NIPR
- Pay license fee to NHID
- Complete any required training (annuity, flood if applicable)
- Affiliate with insurance company or agency
- Begin selling - Your license is valid for 2 years
New Hampshire Insurance Department Contact:
- Address: 21 South Fruit Street, Suite 14, Concord, NH 03301
- Phone: (603) 271-0203
- Email: producerquestions@ins.nh.gov
- Website: insurance.nh.gov
2026 New Hampshire Updates
Key Changes for 2026:
- New Exam Vendor: PSI Services replaced Prometric as of July 1, 2025
- Medicaid Premium Requirements: New premiums starting July 1, 2026 for Granite Advantage enrollees ($60-$100/month based on income)
- CHIP Premiums: New premiums starting January 1, 2026 for some families ($190-$270/month based on income)
- Affordable Market: NH maintains nation's lowest average benchmark premium
Start Your New Hampshire Insurance Career Today
The New Hampshire Life & Health license opens doors to one of New England's most attractive insurance markets. With no state income tax, no pre-licensing requirements, and a wealthy population, New Hampshire offers excellent earning potential for insurance professionals.
Our free study materials include:
- Complete topic coverage aligned to exam content
- Practice questions with detailed explanations
- New Hampshire-specific regulations and requirements
- Study guides and summaries
- AI-powered study assistance
Don't pay for expensive prep courses when everything you need is available FREE.