Missouri Producer Licensing Requirements

Missouri has relatively accessible licensing requirements compared to many states, with no mandatory pre-license education for Property & Casualty producers.

Basic Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for a Missouri P&C producer license, applicants must:

Exam Tip: Missouri does NOT require mandatory pre-license education for P&C, making it accessible for entry into the insurance profession. However, thorough exam preparation is essential due to the dual-passing requirement (70% on both national AND state sections).

The Licensing Process

Step 1: Pass the Licensing Exam

• Exam: Property & Casualty (combined)
• Total Questions: 170 (120 national, 50 state)
• Scored Questions: 140 (100 national, 40 state)
• Time Limit: 3 hours (180 minutes)
• Passing Score: 70% on EACH section (not averaged)
• Cost: $35
• Testing Provider: Pearson VUE
• Testing Location: Physical testing centers only (online not available)
• Scheduling: www.pearsonvue.com/mo/insurance or call 1-800-274-3926

Critical Requirement: You must score 70% or higher on BOTH the national section (70 correct out of 100) AND the state section (28 correct out of 40). The two scores are NOT averaged.

What to Bring:

• Valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license or passport)
• Pearson VUE confirmation number
• Arrive 15-30 minutes early for check-in

Results: Provided immediately upon exam completion

Step 2: Submit License Application

Application Deadline: Within 12 months of passing the exam

Application Method: Through Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance

License Fee: $100 (biennial - 2-year term)

Required Information:

• Personal information (SSN, address, contact)
• Exam passing confirmation
• Background check/fingerprinting completion
• Employment history
• Criminal history disclosure (if applicable)
• Regulatory action disclosure (if applicable)

Processing Time: Typically 10-15 business days if all requirements are met

Exam Tip: The 12-month deadline to apply after passing the exam is strictly enforced. Miss this deadline and you must retake the exam. Plan to complete fingerprinting and submit your application promptly after passing.

Step 3: Complete Background Check

Background Check Requirements:

• Fingerprint-based FBI and Missouri criminal background check
• Completed as part of application process
• Cost: Approximately $50-60 (varies by vendor)
• Processing: Results sent directly to Missouri Department

Step 4: Receive License

License Issuance:

• Missouri Department reviews application and background check
• If approved, license issued
• License term: 2 years (biennial)
• Expiration: On producer's birth date

License Includes:

• Producer name and license number
• Lines of authority (Property, Casualty)
• Issue and expiration dates
• Resident or non-resident status

Step 5: Obtain Company Appointments

Before selling insurance, you must:

Get Appointed by Insurance Companies:

• Insurance company appoints you to represent them
• Company submits appointment through National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR)
• Multiple appointments allowed and common
• Must maintain at least one active appointment

Appointment Requirements:

• License must be active and in good standing
• Company conducts background screening
• Contractual agreement between producer and insurer
• Company responsible for producer's actions

Exam Tip: Having a producer license does NOT authorize you to sell insurance until you're appointed by an insurance company. License + appointment = legal authority to transact insurance business.

License Term and Expiration

Biennial License Cycle

Example: If your birthday is September 12th and your license was issued on March 1, 2024, your license expires September 12, 2026.

Exam Tip: Missouri licenses expire ON the producer's birth date, not at the end of the birth month. This differs from some states. A September 12th birthday means September 12th expiration.

Resident vs. Non-Resident Licensing

Resident Producer

Requirements:

• Missouri is your primary residence or principal place of business
• Complete full licensing process (exam, application, background check)
• Maintain Missouri as primary licensing state
• Pay resident license fee ($100 biennial)

Benefits:

• Can obtain non-resident licenses in other states through reciprocity
• Lower application fees in some reciprocal states
• Primary license state for NIPR purposes

Non-Resident Producer

Requirements:

• Hold active producer license in your home state
• Home state license must be in good standing
• Apply as non-resident applicant in Missouri
• May not need to take Missouri exam if home state has reciprocity

Missouri Reciprocity:

• Missouri has reciprocal agreements with most states
• If your home state doesn't require Missouri exam, Missouri may waive exam
• Must still complete background check if required
• Pay non-resident license fee ($100)

Exam Tip: Reciprocity means if State A waives State B's exam, State B waives State A's exam. Non-residents with active licenses in reciprocal states may skip the Missouri exam but must meet all other requirements.

Lines of Authority

Missouri P&C licenses are issued with specific lines of authority:

Property & Casualty Lines

Property Line:

• Homeowners insurance
• Dwelling policies
• Commercial property insurance
• Inland marine coverage
• Personal property insurance

Casualty Line:

• Auto insurance
• General liability
• Professional liability
• Workers' compensation
• Commercial liability

Combined P&C Authority:

• Most producers obtain combined Property AND Casualty authority
• Allows selling full range of P&C products
• Single exam covers both lines
• Flexibility for producer career

Exam Tip: The P&C exam qualifies producers for both Property AND Casualty lines of authority. You don't need separate exams for each line.

Temporary Licensing

Missouri allows temporary licenses in limited circumstances:

Temporary License Provisions

When Issued:

• Death of a producer (surviving spouse or designee)
• Disability of a producer
• Active military duty of producer

Duration:

• Up to 180 days
• May be extended for good cause
• Allows time to hire replacement or obtain permanent license

Limitations:

• Must meet eligibility requirements
• Cannot be used to avoid exam or licensing requirements
• Supervised by licensed producer or insurer

Purpose: Protects business continuity while permanent replacement is secured