Washington Property & Casualty Insurance License Exam Overview
The Washington Property & Casualty 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's tech industry and diverse geography creating varied insurance needs.
Passing this exam qualifies you to sell property insurance, auto insurance, liability coverage, and related products throughout Washington—a state with nearly 8 million residents, a booming tech economy, and unique state-run workers' compensation system.
Exam Format at a Glance
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Questions | 140 multiple-choice |
| Scored Questions | 140 |
| Time Limit | 2 hours |
| Passing Score | 70% (98 correct answers) |
| Testing Vendor | Prometric |
| Exam Fee | $91 |
| Pre-licensing Education | 40 hours required |
Why Get P&C Licensed in Washington?
- Tech economy hub — Seattle area with high-income professionals
- Growing population — Nearly 8 million and expanding
- Diverse geography — Coastal, mountain, and urban needs
- State-run workers' comp — L&I expertise is valuable
- High compensation — Average P&C agent salary over $68,000
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Key Topics Covered on the Exam
1. Property Insurance (30%)
Homeowners Insurance:
- HO-2, HO-3, HO-4, HO-5, HO-6, HO-8 policy forms
- Coverage A (Dwelling), B (Other Structures), C (Personal Property)
- Coverage D (Loss of Use), E (Personal Liability)
- Dwelling fire policies
Washington-Specific Property Topics:
- Washington FAIR Plan (residual market)
- Earthquake coverage (critical in WA)
- Volcanic eruption coverage (Mt. Rainier)
- Flood insurance (Puget Sound area)
- Wildfire coverage (eastern WA)
Commercial Property:
- Building and personal property coverage forms
- Business income coverage
- Equipment breakdown
- Inland marine coverage
2. Liability Insurance (30%)
Personal Liability:
- Homeowners liability (Coverage E)
- Personal umbrella policies
- Medical payments coverage
Commercial Liability:
- Commercial General Liability (CGL)
- Products and completed operations
- Professional liability (E&O)
- Workers' compensation (state fund)
Washington Workers' Compensation (L&I):
- State-run monopolistic fund
- Department of Labor & Industries (L&I)
- Required for all employers
- Self-insurance for qualifying large employers
3. Auto Insurance (25%)
Washington Auto Insurance Requirements:
| Coverage | Minimum Limit |
|---|---|
| Bodily Injury (per person) | $25,000 |
| Bodily Injury (per accident) | $50,000 |
| Property Damage | $10,000 |
Additional Auto Topics:
- Personal Auto Policy (PAP) coverage parts
- Washington financial responsibility law
- PIP coverage (optional in WA)
- Uninsured motorist coverage (optional)
- Underinsured motorist coverage
- Commercial auto insurance
4. Washington Insurance Code and Regulations (10%)
RCW Title 48 Key Provisions:
- Producer licensing requirements
- Unfair trade practices
- Unfair claims settlement practices
- Policy cancellation and nonrenewal rules
- Advertising guidelines
Licensing Requirements:
- Pre-licensing education: 40 hours
- Continuing education: 24 hours every 2 years
- Ethics requirement: 3 hours included in CE
- Background check required
5. Ethics and Professional Conduct (5%)
- Fiduciary duties to insureds
- Premium handling requirements
- Claims reporting obligations
- Privacy and confidentiality
Study Timeline for Success
| Week | Focus Area | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1-2 | Property insurance fundamentals | 10-12 |
| Week 2-3 | Liability insurance and L&I | 10-12 |
| Week 3-4 | Auto insurance and WA requirements | 10-12 |
| Week 4-5 | Washington regulations (RCW Title 48) | 6-8 |
| Week 5 | Practice exams and review | 10-12 |
Total recommended study time: 50-60 hours
🎯 Free Practice Questions Available
Test your knowledge with hundreds of free practice questions designed specifically for the Washington P&C exam.
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Washington-Specific Exam Tips
1. Know Washington Auto Minimums
Washington requires 25/50/10 liability coverage:
- $25,000 per person bodily injury
- $50,000 per accident bodily injury
- $10,000 property damage
2. Master L&I Workers' Compensation
Washington's unique state-run system:
- Monopolistic state fund — Most employers must use L&I
- Self-insurance — Available for qualifying large employers
- Premium rates — Set by L&I based on classification
- Claims process — Administered by L&I
3. Understand Earthquake Coverage
Washington's seismic risk is significant:
- Standard homeowners excludes earthquakes
- Separate earthquake policy required
- Higher deductibles common (10-15% of coverage)
- Critical topic for WA agents
4. Key Numbers to Remember
| Topic | Washington Requirement |
|---|---|
| Auto minimums | 25/50/10 |
| WC requirement | L&I (monopolistic) |
| Pre-licensing | 40 hours |
| CE requirement | 24 hours/2 years |
| Passing score | 70% |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Confusing L&I system — Washington is monopolistic state-fund
- Not knowing auto minimums — Washington is 25/50/10
- Skipping earthquake coverage — Critical WA topic
- Ignoring wildfire — Growing concern in eastern WA
- Not practicing timed exams — 2 hours for 140 questions
- Cramming last minute — Spread study over 5-6 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 2-year resident license
- 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:
- L&I rate changes
- Earthquake coverage updates
- Wildfire coverage developments
- Enhanced consumer protection regulations
Start Your Washington P&C Insurance Career Today
The Washington P&C 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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