Washington Life & Health Insurance License Exam Overview
The Washington Life & Health Insurance License Exam is administered by Prometric on behalf of the Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC). Washington is the thirteenth-largest state by population, with Seattle serving as a major tech and business hub in the Pacific Northwest.
Passing this exam qualifies you to sell life insurance, health insurance, annuities, and related products throughout Washington—a state with nearly 8 million residents, a booming tech economy, and unique long-term care program (WA Cares).
Exam Format at a Glance
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Questions | 150 multiple-choice |
| Scored Questions | 150 |
| Time Limit | 2 hours |
| Passing Score | 70% (105 correct answers) |
| Testing Vendor | Prometric |
| Exam Fee | $60 |
| Pre-licensing Education | 20 hours required |
Why Get Licensed in Washington?
- Tech economy hub — Seattle area with high-income professionals
- Growing population — Nearly 8 million and expanding
- Unique WA Cares — State long-term care program creates opportunities
- Low pre-licensing — Only 20 hours required
- High compensation — Average agent salary over $72,000
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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, separate account)
Policy Provisions Under Washington Law:
| Provision | Washington Requirement |
|---|---|
| Grace Period | 30 days minimum |
| Incontestability | 2 years |
| Suicide Clause | 2 years |
| Free Look Period | 10 days (30 days for seniors) |
| Reinstatement | 3 years |
| Misstatement of Age | Adjustment of benefits |
Beneficiary Designations:
- Primary and contingent beneficiaries
- Revocable vs. irrevocable designations
- Per stirpes vs. per capita distribution
- Washington community property considerations
2. Health Insurance Fundamentals (30-35%)
Major Medical Coverage:
- Deductibles, copays, coinsurance
- Out-of-pocket maximums
- Network types (HMO, PPO, EPO, POS)
- Essential health benefits under ACA
Washington-Specific Health Topics:
- Washington Healthplanfinder (state-based exchange)
- Apple Health (Washington Medicaid)
- WA Cares Fund (state long-term care program)
- Mental health parity requirements
Disability Income Insurance:
- Short-term vs. long-term disability
- Own occupation vs. any occupation definitions
- Elimination periods and benefit periods
- Social Security and state disability integration
Long-Term Care Insurance:
- Benefit triggers (ADLs, cognitive impairment)
- Washington Long-Term Care Partnership
- WA Cares Fund opt-out considerations
- Tax-qualified policies
3. Annuities (15-20%)
- Fixed vs. variable annuities
- Immediate vs. deferred annuities
- Accumulation and annuitization phases
- Washington annuity suitability requirements
- Surrender charges and free withdrawal provisions
- 1035 exchanges and tax implications
4. Washington Insurance Code and Regulations (15-20%)
RCW Title 48 Key Provisions:
- Producer licensing requirements
- Unfair trade practices
- Unfair claims settlement practices
- Replacement regulations
- Advertising guidelines
Licensing Requirements:
- Pre-licensing education: 20 hours
- Continuing education: 24 hours every 2 years
- Ethics requirement: 3 hours included in CE
- Background check required
Producer Responsibilities:
- Fiduciary duties to clients
- Premium handling requirements
- Record retention (5 years)
- Reporting changes within 30 days
5. Ethics and Professional Conduct (10-15%)
- Suitability and needs analysis
- Disclosure requirements
- Privacy and confidentiality (HIPAA compliance)
- Anti-rebating and anti-twisting rules
- Handling complaints and grievances
Study Timeline for Success
| Week | Focus Area | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1-2 | Life insurance products and provisions | 10-12 |
| Week 2-3 | Health insurance and ACA | 10-12 |
| Week 3-4 | Annuities and specialty products | 6-8 |
| Week 4-5 | Washington regulations (RCW Title 48) | 6-8 |
| Week 5 | Practice exams and review | 10-12 |
Total recommended study time: 45-55 hours
🎯 Free Practice Questions Available
Test your knowledge with hundreds of free practice questions designed specifically for the Washington Life & Health exam.
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Washington-Specific Exam Tips
1. Know Your Washington Laws
The exam tests Washington-specific regulations:
- RCW Title 48 — Washington Insurance Code
- OIC — Office of the Insurance Commissioner
- Washington Healthplanfinder — State health marketplace
- WA Cares Fund — State long-term care program
2. Master the Numbers
| Topic | Washington Requirement |
|---|---|
| Grace period | 30 days |
| Free look period | 10 days (30 for seniors) |
| Incontestability | 2 years |
| CE requirement | 24 hours/2 years |
| Pre-licensing | 20 hours |
| Passing score | 70% |
| Record retention | 5 years |
3. Understand Washington Healthplanfinder
Washington's state-based health insurance marketplace:
- Open enrollment periods (November-January)
- Special enrollment qualifications
- Subsidy and tax credit eligibility
- Plan tier options (Bronze through Platinum)
4. Know WA Cares Fund
Washington's unique state long-term care program:
- Mandatory payroll tax funding
- Opt-out provisions for private LTC
- Benefit structure and limitations
- Impact on private LTC sales
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Underestimating with low pre-licensing — 20 hours isn't enough alone
- Ignoring WA Cares — Unique Washington program affects LTC market
- Skipping health insurance — It's equal weight to life insurance
- Forgetting state exchange — Washington has its own marketplace
- Not practicing timed exams — 2 hours for 150 questions is tight
- Cramming last minute — Spread study over 4-5 weeks
After Passing Your Exam
- Apply for license through Washington OIC online portal
- Complete background check — Required for all applicants
- Pay license fee — $55 for resident license (2-year term)
- Affiliate with insurer — Get appointed by carrier
- Maintain CE compliance — 24 hours every 2 years
- Begin selling — Your license is valid for 2 years
2026 Washington Updates
For 2026, be aware of:
- Washington Healthplanfinder updates
- WA Cares Fund implementation changes
- Enhanced telehealth coverage requirements
- Updated producer appointment rules
Start Your Washington Insurance Career Today
The Washington Life & Health license opens doors to one of the nation's highest-income insurance markets. With proper preparation, you can pass the exam on your first attempt.
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Our free study materials include:
- ✅ Complete topic coverage
- ✅ Practice questions with explanations
- ✅ Washington-specific regulations (RCW Title 48)
- ✅ Study guides and summaries
- ✅ AI-powered study assistance
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