Key Takeaways
- Illinois requires 20 hours of pre-licensing education with 7.5 hours in a classroom setting
- Illinois requires FOUR separate exams: Property General, Property State, Casualty General, Casualty State
- Each exam requires 70% to pass; Pearson VUE offers "back-to-back" discount ($92 for both parts)
- Must wait 5 days after passing exam before applying for license
- Illinois uses Pearson VUE for exam administration
Illinois Property & Casualty Exam Overview
Welcome to OpenExamPrep's FREE Illinois Property & Casualty Insurance exam prep guide. This comprehensive resource covers Illinois-specific regulations, licensing requirements, and state insurance laws you need to know to pass your exam in 2026.
About the Illinois P&C Exams
The Illinois Property & Casualty insurance examinations are administered by Pearson VUE on behalf of the Illinois Department of Insurance (IDOI). Illinois is the sixth-largest state and has unique exam requirements.
Unique Requirement: Four Separate Exams
Illinois separates Property and Casualty into distinct lines, each requiring two exams:
| Exam | Questions | Time | Passing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Property General | ~40 | Part of 135 min | 70% |
| Property State | ~40 | Part of 135 min | 70% |
| Casualty General | ~43 | Part of 135 min | 70% |
| Casualty State | ~44 | Part of 135 min | 70% |
Back-to-Back Discount
Pearson VUE offers a back-to-back discount:
- Schedule General and State exams together
- Pay $92 instead of $184 (50% savings)
- Take both on the same day
Exam Structure
| Exam Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Testing Provider | Pearson VUE |
| Regulatory Authority | Illinois Department of Insurance (IDOI) |
| Property Exam | 80 scored questions |
| Casualty Exam | 87 scored questions |
| Time Limit | 135 minutes per exam |
| Passing Score | 70% |
| Test Delivery | In-person or remote |
Pre-Licensing Education Requirements
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Hours | 20 hours |
| Classroom Hours | 7.5 hours minimum |
| Online Hours | Remaining hours |
| Provider | IDOI-approved |
Step-by-Step Licensing Process
Step 1: Complete Pre-Licensing Education
Complete 20 hours of IDOI-approved education:
- 7.5 hours must be classroom instruction
- Remaining hours can be online
- Obtain certificate of completion
Step 2: Register for Exams
Register with Pearson VUE for all four exams:
- Property General
- Property State
- Casualty General
- Casualty State
Tip: Use back-to-back scheduling to save 50% on fees!
Step 3: Pass All Four Exams
- 70% required on each exam
- Can retake failed exams
- All four must be passed for full P&C license
Step 4: Wait 5 Days
After passing all exams:
- Must wait 5 business days
- Required processing period
- Then eligible to apply
Step 5: Apply for License
Apply through NIPR:
- Application fee: $215 + $5.60 transaction fee
- Submit within 1 year of passing
- Provide all required documentation
Step 6: Complete Fingerprinting
- Required for all applicants
- Background check processed
- Submit fingerprints during application
Total Costs Summary
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Pre-License Education (20 hrs) | $100-250 |
| Property Exams (back-to-back) | $92 |
| Casualty Exams (back-to-back) | $92 |
| License Application | $215 + $5.60 |
| Fingerprinting | ~$50 |
| TOTAL | ~$555-705 |
Illinois Auto Insurance
Illinois requires the following minimums:
| Coverage | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Bodily Injury (per person) | $25,000 |
| Bodily Injury (per accident) | $50,000 |
| Property Damage | $20,000 |
| Uninsured Motorist | 25/50 |
| Formula | 25/50/20 |
Note: Illinois is a fault-based state, not No-Fault.
Exam Content (Effective January 2026)
Property Insurance Topics
- Dwelling policies (DP-1, DP-2, DP-3)
- Homeowners forms (HO-2 through HO-8)
- Commercial property
- Inland marine
- Illinois property regulations
Casualty Insurance Topics
- Auto insurance and liability
- Commercial general liability
- Workers' compensation
- Umbrella and excess liability
- Illinois casualty regulations
Continuing Education
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Hours | 24 hours every 2 years |
| Ethics | 3 hours (included) |
| Provider | IDOI-approved |
Contact Information
| Resource | Details |
|---|---|
| IDOI Website | insurance.illinois.gov |
| IDOI Phone | (217) 782-6366 |
| Address | 320 W. Washington St, Springfield, IL 62767 |
| Pearson VUE | (800) 274-0402 |
What This Guide Covers
Chapter 1: Illinois Insurance Regulation
- IDOI structure and authority
- Illinois Insurance Code
- Licensing requirements
- Producer responsibilities
Chapter 2: Illinois Property Insurance
- Homeowners requirements
- Illinois FAIR Plan
- Commercial property
- State-specific provisions
Chapter 3: Illinois Casualty Insurance
- Auto minimums (25/50/20)
- Workers' compensation
- Liability insurance
- Commercial lines
Chapter 4: Ethics & Consumer Protection
- Unfair trade practices
- Claims handling
- Illinois Insurance Guaranty Fund
- Producer conduct
Key Numbers to Memorize
| Topic | Number |
|---|---|
| Pre-license hours | 20 hours |
| Classroom hours | 7.5 hours |
| Number of exams | 4 |
| Passing score | 70% |
| Back-to-back discount | $92 per pair |
| Wait period | 5 days |
| Application fee | $215 + $5.60 |
| BI liability | 25/50 |
| PD liability | $20,000 |
| UM coverage | 25/50 |
| CE hours | 24 every 2 years |
Next Steps
- Enroll in 20-hour course - With 7.5 classroom hours
- Complete this FREE study guide - IL-specific content
- Study national P&C concepts - See our Property & Casualty exam prep
- Schedule all 4 exams - Use back-to-back discount
- Pass all exams - 70%+ on each
- Wait 5 days - Required processing
- Apply for license - NIPR
Let's get started with Chapter 1: Illinois Insurance Regulation!
How many separate exams must you pass to get an Illinois P&C license?
How many hours of classroom instruction are required in Illinois pre-licensing?
How long must you wait after passing the Illinois exam before applying for your license?
What is the minimum property damage liability coverage required in Illinois?
What discount does Pearson VUE offer for scheduling Illinois exams back-to-back?