Iowa Life & Health Insurance Exam 2026

Welcome to your FREE Iowa Life & Health Insurance exam preparation guide. This comprehensive study resource covers Iowa-specific insurance laws, regulations, and requirements you need to pass your state licensing exam.

Note: This guide covers Iowa state-specific content. You should also study national Life & Health insurance concepts, as each exam tests both general knowledge and state law.

Why Get Licensed in Iowa?

Iowa offers unique advantages for insurance professionals:

• No Pre-License Education: One of the easiest states to enter the insurance profession
• Low Exam Fees: $49 per exam - among the lowest in the nation
• Triennial Renewal: License renews every 3 years (longer than most states' 2-year cycles)
• Agricultural Economy: Strong demand for farm family insurance products
• Growing Population: Increasing demand for insurance professionals statewide
• Major Insurance Hub: Principal Financial Group and other major insurers headquartered in Des Moines
• Accessible Market: Rural and urban areas both offer opportunities

What This Guide Covers

This FREE study guide includes:

• Iowa Insurance Law & Regulations - Iowa Insurance Division, Iowa Code Chapters 505-507B, producer licensing
• Life Insurance - Iowa-specific provisions, policy requirements, beneficiary rules
• Health Insurance - State mandates, consumer protections, Medicare supplements
• Licensing Requirements - Application process, exam structure, CE requirements
• Practice Questions - Quiz questions with detailed explanations in each chapter

Exam Format & Requirements

Pre-License Education

Iowa has NO mandatory pre-license education requirement for Life & Health insurance - a significant advantage compared to states requiring 20-40 hours of coursework. However, most successful candidates spend 40-60 hours studying exam content and taking practice tests.

Exam Tip: While Iowa doesn't require pre-license courses, the exam is comprehensive and challenging. Plan to study both national L&H concepts AND Iowa-specific laws thoroughly. The 70% passing score is required on BOTH sections - they are not averaged together.

New Requirement: Fingerprinting (Effective June 2, 2025)

Beginning June 2, 2025, Iowa requires resident insurance applicants to provide state and federal criminal history checks and fingerprints in order to obtain a license. This is done through Fieldprint locations across Iowa.

• Fee: $34.35
• Processing Time: Allow 3-5 business days
• Required For: All new resident producer licenses
• Not Required For: Non-resident licensees from states with reciprocal agreements

Exam Structure

Important: Two-Section Format

Each Iowa insurance exam consists of two parts:

1. National Insurance Section - General insurance knowledge
2. State Rules Section - Iowa-specific laws and regulations

You must score 70% on EACH section separately - the two scores are NOT averaged together.

Exam Costs (2026)

• Life Insurance Exam Fee: $49
• Health Insurance Exam Fee: $49
• Combined Life & Health Exam: Available
• Fingerprinting/Background Check: $34.35 (required as of June 2, 2025)
• License Application Fee: $50
• Transaction Fee: $5.60
• Total Initial Cost: Approximately $139-$189

Application Process

Steps to Get Licensed

1. Study and Prepare: Complete recommended exam prep course (not required but recommended)
2. Schedule Exam: Book with Pearson VUE online or by phone
3. Pass Exam: Score 70% or higher on BOTH national and state sections
4. Complete Fingerprinting: At a Fieldprint location ($34.35)
5. Submit Application: Apply through NIPR within 90 days of passing exam
6. Pay Fees: $50 application fee + $5.60 transaction fee
7. Receive License: Iowa Insurance Division issues license within 5-7 business days

Application Timeline

Your exam results are valid for 90 days, and you must apply for licensure within this timeframe.

Exam Content Areas

National Content (Life Insurance)

1. General Insurance Concepts (15-20%)

   • Risk and insurance fundamentals
   • Policy structure and provisions
   • Insurable interest and indemnity
   • Insurance company operations

2. Life Insurance Products (30-35%)

   • Term life insurance types
   • Whole life and permanent insurance
   • Universal and variable life
   • Annuities and retirement products

3. Life Insurance Policy Provisions (25-30%)

   • Standard policy provisions
   • Optional provisions and riders
   • Beneficiary designations
   • Settlement options

4. Life Insurance Underwriting & Taxation (15-20%)

   • Underwriting basics
   • Tax treatment of life insurance
   • Business uses of life insurance
   • Estate planning concepts

National Content (Accident & Health)

1. General Insurance Concepts (15-20%)

   • Risk and insurance fundamentals
   • Policy structure and provisions
   • Insurable interest principles

2. Health Insurance Products (30-35%)

   • Medical expense insurance
   • Disability income insurance
   • Long-term care insurance
   • Medicare and Medicaid

3. Health Insurance Policy Provisions (25-30%)

   • Mandatory and optional provisions
   • Policy riders and endorsements
   • Renewal provisions
   • Claims procedures

4. Group Health Insurance (15-20%)

   • Group plan characteristics
   • COBRA and continuation rights
   • ERISA requirements
   • ACA compliance

Iowa State Content

The Iowa-specific portion covers:

1. Iowa Insurance Division & Regulation

   • Iowa Insurance Division authority and structure
   • Commissioner appointment and powers
   • Iowa Code Chapters 505 (Insurance Division), 506 (Domestic Companies), 507 (Examinations)
   • Producer licensing requirements and processes
   • Continuing education (36 CE hours every 3 years, including 3 ethics)

2. Iowa Insurance Trade Practices (Chapter 507B)

   • Unfair trade practices
   • Prohibited practices and penalties
   • Rebating and inducement rules
   • Misrepresentation prohibitions

3. Iowa Life Insurance Laws

   • Policy delivery requirements
   • Free look period requirements
   • Beneficiary designation rules
   • Policy replacement regulations
   • Credit life insurance rules

4. Iowa Health Insurance Laws

   • State health insurance mandates
   • Continuation rights
   • Preexisting condition rules
   • Medicare supplement regulations

License Maintenance & Continuing Education

CE Requirements

• Total Hours: 36 hours every 3 years (triennial)
• Ethics Requirement: 3 hours of ethics CE required
• Deadline: Must complete CE before submitting renewal

Special Product Training Requirements

Long-Term Care (LTC):

• Initial Training: 8-hour approved LTC course before selling LTC products
• Ongoing Training: 4-hour LTC refresher course every renewal period

Annuity Products:

• One-time 4-hour Annuity Suitability and Best Interest Standards course before selling annuities

Indexed Products:

• One-time 4-hour training before selling indexed life products

License Renewal

• Renewal Period: Every 3 years (triennial)
• Renewal Fee: Check Iowa Insurance Division website for current fees
• Late Renewal: Additional fees may apply

CE Exemptions

• Licensed attorneys who submit proof of continuing legal education
• Non-resident producers who live in a state where CE is required

Study Strategy

Recommended Study Plan

Week 1-2: National L&H Fundamentals

• Insurance principles and terminology
• Life insurance products and policies
• Health insurance coverages
• Policy provisions and contract law

Week 3: Iowa-Specific Content

• Iowa Insurance Division structure
• Iowa Code Chapter 507B prohibited practices
• State licensing requirements
• Consumer protection laws

Week 4: Practice & Review

• Take practice exams
• Review missed questions
• Focus on weak areas
• Memorize key numbers and dates

Key Numbers to Memorize

Exam Requirements

• Passing Score: 70% (on each section separately)
• Life Exam: 92 questions (77 scored) in 2 hours
• Health Exam: 95 questions (80 scored) in 2 hours
• Exam Fee: $49 (one of the lowest in the nation)
• Results Valid: 90 days

Licensing Requirements

• Pre-License Education: NOT required
• Application Fee: $50 + $5.60 transaction fee
• Fingerprinting: $34.35 (required as of June 2, 2025)

Continuing Education

• CE Hours: 36 hours every 3 years
• Ethics Hours: 3 hours required
• LTC Initial: 8 hours
• LTC Renewal: 4 hours

Iowa Insurance Resources

Official Resources

• Iowa Insurance Division: iid.iowa.gov
• Iowa Code Chapter 507B: legis.iowa.gov
• Pearson VUE Exam Information: pearsonvue.com
• NIPR Licensing Portal: nipr.com

Important Contacts

Iowa Insurance Division

• Address: 1963 Bell Avenue, Suite 100, Des Moines, IA 50315
• Phone: (515) 725-0690
• Email: producerlicensing@iid.iowa.gov
• Website: iid.iowa.gov
• Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Central Time

Pearson VUE Testing

• Website: pearsonvue.com
• Phone: (800) 274-2912

Getting Started

This study guide is organized into chapters covering Iowa-specific requirements:

Chapter 1: Iowa L&H Regulation & Licensing

• Iowa Insurance Division structure
• Producer licensing requirements
• Continuing education requirements
• Application process

Chapter 2: Iowa Life Insurance

• State policy requirements
• Free look and replacement rules
• Beneficiary provisions
• Group life insurance

Chapter 3: Iowa Health Insurance

• State health mandates
• Continuation rights
• Medicare supplement regulations
• Long-term care requirements

Chapter 4: Iowa Ethics & Professional Conduct

• Iowa Code Chapter 507B
• Unfair trade practices
• Producer duties
• Record keeping requirements

Ready to start? Begin with Chapter 1 to learn about Iowa's regulatory structure and licensing requirements.

Disclaimer

This study guide is for educational purposes only and reflects Iowa insurance laws and regulations as of January 2026. Insurance laws change frequently. Always verify current requirements with the Iowa Insurance Division before relying on any information for licensing or business decisions.

Good luck on your Iowa Life & Health insurance exam!