Wisconsin Life & Health Insurance License Exam Overview
The Wisconsin Life & Health Insurance License Exam is administered by PSI on behalf of the Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI). Wisconsin is a stable insurance market with major companies like Northwestern Mutual headquartered in Milwaukee, making it an attractive state for insurance professionals.
Passing this exam qualifies you to sell life insurance, health insurance, annuities, and related products throughout Wisconsin—a state with nearly 6 million residents, a strong manufacturing and agricultural economy, and major metropolitan markets in Milwaukee and Madison.
Exam Format at a Glance
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Questions | 100 multiple-choice per exam |
| Time Limit | 2 hours per exam |
| Passing Score | 70% (70 correct answers) |
| Testing Vendor | PSI |
| Exam Fee | $75 per exam |
| Pre-licensing Education | 20 hours required (8 general + 12 line-specific) |
Why Get Licensed in Wisconsin?
- Insurance hub — Northwestern Mutual and other major insurers headquartered in Milwaukee
- Strong economy — Manufacturing, agriculture, and healthcare sectors
- Two major metros — Milwaukee and Madison provide substantial markets
- Structured pre-licensing — 20 hours required with clear curriculum breakdown
- No coverage gap — Only non-expansion state without Medicaid coverage gap
- Fingerprint-based background check — Ensures professional standards
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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 Wisconsin Law:
| Provision | WI Requirement |
|---|---|
| Grace Period | 31 days minimum |
| Incontestability | 2 years |
| Suicide Clause | 2 years |
| Free Look Period | 10-30 days (20 days for replacements) |
| 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
- Wisconsin survivorship and estate 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
Wisconsin-Specific Health Topics:
- Healthcare.gov marketplace (Wisconsin uses federal exchange)
- BadgerCare Plus (Medicaid and CHIP combination program)
- No coverage gap despite no Medicaid expansion
- Mental health parity requirements
- 12 insurers offering Marketplace plans in 2026
Disability Income Insurance:
- Short-term vs. long-term disability
- Own occupation vs. any occupation definitions
- Elimination periods and benefit periods
- Social Security integration
Long-Term Care Insurance:
- Benefit triggers (ADLs, cognitive impairment)
- Wisconsin Long-Term Care Partnership
- Tax-qualified policies
- Inflation protection options
- Initial 8-hour LTC training (2 hours WI-specific Medicaid info)
- Ongoing 4-hour LTC training every renewal period
3. Annuities (15-20%)
- Fixed vs. variable annuities
- Immediate vs. deferred annuities
- Accumulation and annuitization phases
- Wisconsin annuity best interest suitability requirements
- 4-hour annuity best interest training for new licensees
- Insurer-specific product training required
- Surrender charges and free withdrawal provisions
- 1035 exchanges and tax implications
4. Wisconsin Insurance Code and Regulations (15-20%)
Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 628 Key Provisions:
- Producer licensing requirements
- Unfair and deceptive practices
- Unfair claims settlement practices
- Replacement regulations
- Advertising guidelines
Licensing Requirements:
- Pre-licensing education: 20 hours (8 general + 12 line-specific)
- Certificate of completion valid for 1 year
- Must bring certificate to exam (paper or electronic)
- Continuing education: 24 hours every 2 years
- Ethics requirement: 3 hours included in CE
- Fingerprint-based background check via Fieldprint Wisconsin
- Fieldprint code: FPWIOCIInsurance
Producer Responsibilities:
- Fiduciary duties to clients
- Premium handling requirements
- Record retention requirements
- Reporting changes to OCI
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 | WI regulations (Chapter 628) | 6-8 |
| Week 5-6 | Practice exams and review | 12-15 |
Total recommended study time: 50-60 hours
Free Practice Questions Available
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Wisconsin-Specific Exam Tips
1. Know Your Wisconsin Laws
The exam tests Wisconsin-specific regulations:
- Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 628 — Insurance intermediary licensing
- OCI authority — Office of the Commissioner of Insurance powers
- Healthcare.gov — Federal marketplace for Wisconsin
- BadgerCare Plus — Combined Medicaid and CHIP program
2. Master the Numbers
| Topic | WI Requirement |
|---|---|
| Grace period | 31 days |
| Free look period | 10-30 days (20 for replacements) |
| Incontestability | 2 years |
| CE requirement | 24 hours/2 years |
| Ethics CE | 3 hours required |
| Pre-licensing | 20 hours (8 general + 12 line) |
| Passing score | 70% |
| Exam fee | $75 per exam |
| Application fee | $90 + $5.60 transaction fee |
| Fingerprint fee | $36 via Fieldprint |
| Certificate validity | 1 year |
3. Understand BadgerCare Plus
Wisconsin's unique Medicaid/CHIP program:
- Covers low-income children, pregnant women, and adults under 65
- CHIP covers children with incomes up to 306% FPL
- Pregnant women eligible up to 300% FPL
- No coverage gap despite no Medicaid expansion
- Adults under poverty level eligible for Medicaid
- Marketplace subsidies start at poverty level
4. Focus on Special Training Requirements
Wisconsin has special requirements for:
- Long-Term Care: 8-hour initial training (2 hours WI-specific Medicaid), then 4 hours ongoing per renewal
- Annuity Products: 4-hour best interest training before selling, plus insurer-specific product training
Pre-Licensing Education Details
The 20-hour requirement breaks down as:
- 8 hours general: Principles of insurance, general Wisconsin laws, ethics
- 12 hours line-specific: Policies, terms, concepts, line-specific law
Important notes:
- 8-hour general portion does not need to be repeated for additional lines within 12 months
- Courses can be synchronous (real time) or asynchronous (self-paced)
- Pass certification exam with 70% or greater to receive Certificate of Completion
- Certificate must be presented at exam (paper or electronic)
Exemptions available for:
- Two-year Wisconsin technical college degree in insurance
- Four-year college degree in business with insurance emphasis
- Veterans with military insurance training (documentation required)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Forgetting certificate at exam — You cannot test without Certificate of Completion
- Not completing fingerprinting — Required for all unlicensed applicants
- Underestimating BadgerCare Plus — Important state-specific health topic
- Ignoring special training — LTC and annuity training required before selling
- Not practicing timed exams — 2 hours for 100 questions requires good pacing
- Skipping ethics CE — 3 hours of 24 must be ethics
After Passing Your Exam
- Wait 48-72 hours after passing before submitting application
- Apply online through NIPR for Wisconsin resident applicants
- Pay application fee — $90 + $5.60 transaction fee
- Complete fingerprinting — Via Fieldprint Wisconsin (code: FPWIOCIInsurance)
- Pay fingerprint fee — $36
- Get appointed — Affiliate with insurance carrier
- Complete specialty training — Before selling LTC or annuity products
2026 Wisconsin Updates
For 2026, be aware of:
- CE fee increase — OCI increasing CE submission fee from $1.00 to $1.50 per credit starting February 1, 2026
- Healthcare.gov marketplace updates
- Open enrollment for 2026: November 1, 2025 through January 15, 2026
- 12 insurers offering Marketplace plans in 2026 (Molina and Chorus exiting)
- Shorter open enrollment starting fall 2026 (ends December 15)
- Enhanced annuity best interest standards
Start Your Wisconsin Insurance Career Today
The Wisconsin Life & Health license opens doors to one of the Midwest's most stable insurance markets, anchored by major carriers headquartered in the state. 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
- Wisconsin-specific regulations (Chapter 628)
- Study guides and summaries
- AI-powered study assistance
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