Free Life & Health Insurance Exam Flashcards

The national first-time pass rate for Life and Health Insurance exams averages 58-68%, varying significantly by state. Colorado has one of the highest pass rates at 78% for life and 74% for health insurance. Arkansas reports 69% for life insurance. Connecticut shows a wider spread: 61% for health insurance but only 43% for life insurance alone. Combined Life & Health exams typically have pass rates around 50-60%. These statistics come from state insurance department data compiled by the NAIC.

The number of questions varies by state, ranging from 50 to 165 questions. States offering separate exams have 50-110 questions per section with 1-3 hours each. Combined exams typically have 85-170 questions with about 2-2.5 hours to complete. For example, Florida's 2-15 exam has 165 questions (150 scored, 15 unscored pretest) requiring 105 correct to pass. California splits its exams: Life Insurance has 75 questions, Health Insurance has 100 questions. Check your specific state's Exam Content Outline for exact numbers.

Plan to study 35-40 hours for the combined Life & Health exam, or 20 hours for each individual exam. ExamFX and Kaplan both recommend a minimum of 40 hours of preparation. The most effective approach is to study over 2-4 weeks rather than cramming. Start no more than 3-4 weeks before your exam date so the information stays fresh. If possible, dedicate 7-8 hours per day in the final week, or 3-4 hours daily over 2 weeks. Pre-licensing education (typically 20-40 hours) counts toward this study time in most states.

Retake policies vary by state. Most states allow immediate rescheduling with only a 24-48 hour waiting period after failing. Pennsylvania requires 24 hours between attempts. Indiana requires 48 hours. However, some states impose longer waits after multiple failures: Alabama requires a 90-day wait after two failures, and a 180-day wait after four failures. Virginia requires a 30-day wait after three consecutive failures. Each retake requires paying the full exam fee again ($40-92 depending on state). There's typically no limit on total attempts.

It depends on your state. Most states require 20-40 hours of pre-licensing education before you can sit for the exam. However, several states have no formal pre-licensing requirement, including Texas, Arizona, and Pennsylvania (as of April 2025). Even in states without requirements, pre-licensing courses are highly recommended since they're designed to prepare you for the specific exam content. Waivers are available in many states if you hold professional designations like CLU, ChFC, FLMI, or LUTCF, or have a bachelor's degree in insurance.

The most heavily tested topics include: policy provisions and the Consideration clause, policy conversions between term and whole life, types of annuities (Straight Life, Installment Refund, Cash Refund, Joint Life), disability income calculations including elimination periods, HMO structures and health insurance tax issues, group insurance provisions, and federal regulations (HIPAA, COBRA). State-specific content covers insurance commissioner duties, licensing requirements, unfair trade practices, and disciplinary actions—making up 20-30% of most state exams.