1.2 Iowa Producer Licensing Requirements
Key Takeaways
- Iowa requires NO pre-license education, but you must still pass the state licensing exam administered by Pearson VUE.
- The Iowa Life exam has 77 scored plus 10 pretest questions (87 delivered), while Accident & Health has 80 scored plus 10 pretest (90 delivered); each allows 2 hours.
- IID sets the pass/fail standard; the current Pearson VUE handbook publishes no fixed percentage or separate cutoff for the general and Iowa sections.
- The Pearson VUE exam fee is $44 per attempt; passing results are valid for 90 days, within which you must apply through NIPR.
- Effective 2025, resident applicants must complete state and federal fingerprint background checks through Fieldprint (about $34.35 at an Iowa site).
No Prelicensing Education — But Still an Exam
Iowa does not require prelicensing education (PLE) for insurance producers. There is no mandatory course-hour count to complete before testing, but a resident applicant must pass the appropriate exam for the line of authority sought.
Each exam includes a general-knowledge section and an Iowa-specific section. Pearson VUE mixes unscored pretest questions into both sections and does not identify them.
The Examinations
Iowa uses separate Life and Accident & Health exams; they are not one combined test.
Iowa Life Insurance Exam (12-IA-01)
| Detail | Requirement |
|---|---|
| General section | 50 scored + 5 pretest |
| Iowa section | 27 scored + 5 pretest |
| Total | 77 scored / 87 delivered |
| Time limit | 2 hours |
| Passing standard | Set by IID; no fixed percentage or per-section cutoff published |
| Exam fee | $44 per attempt |
| Provider | Pearson VUE |
Iowa Accident & Health Insurance Exam (12-IA-02)
| Detail | Requirement |
|---|---|
| General section | 50 scored + 5 pretest |
| Iowa section | 30 scored + 5 pretest |
| Total | 80 scored / 90 delivered |
| Time limit | 2 hours |
| Passing standard | Set by IID; no fixed percentage or per-section cutoff published |
| Exam fee | $44 per attempt |
| Provider | Pearson VUE |
Passing Standard
The Iowa Insurance Division determines the passing score. The current Pearson VUE candidate handbook does not publish a numeric passing percentage, does not state that the two section scores are averaged, and does not publish an independent cutoff for each section. Treat claims such as a fixed 70% or a 70%-per-section rule as unsupported unless IID or Pearson VUE publishes a new standard.
A score report tells the candidate whether the required exam line was passed. Candidates seeking both Life and A&H authority must pass both separate exam lines.
Scheduling and Exam Day
Candidates must be at least 18 years old before sitting for an Iowa producer exam and must have a valid Social Security number.
- Schedule with Pearson VUE at pearsonvue.com or (877) 540-5825.
- Choose an in-person Pearson VUE test center or an OnVUE remote online proctored session.
- For a test center, bring two current forms of identification whose names exactly match the registration; the primary ID must be government-issued, photo-bearing, and signed.
- Follow the rules for the selected delivery method. OnVUE online exams do not allow unscheduled breaks.
- Obtain the official score report at the test center or through the Pearson VUE account after an online exam.
A new attempt requires a new reservation and exam fee. Check Pearson VUE for current appointment availability and policies.
Fingerprint Background Check
Iowa requires an initial resident producer applicant to complete state and federal criminal-history checks with fingerprints. The requirement also applies to an initial nonresident applicant, or a nonresident adding a line, when the applicant's resident state has not already completed the required state and national check.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Vendor | Fieldprint |
| Trigger | Submit the NIPR application first; its confirmation provides the IID Fieldprint code and NPN |
| Cost | $34.35 at an Iowa Fieldprint site; $36.35 outside Iowa |
| Reuse | Fingerprints taken for another purpose cannot be reused |
From Passing the Exam to Holding a License
- Pass the appropriate exam line.
- Allow the result to transfer electronically to NIPR.
- Complete the NIPR application within 90 days of passing and pay the $50 resident producer license fee plus the current NIPR transaction fee.
- If required, use the NIPR confirmation information to schedule and complete Fieldprint fingerprinting.
- Monitor the application while IID reviews it.
License Types and Authority
| License Line | What You May Sell |
|---|---|
| Life | Life insurance and annuities; variable products also require the appropriate securities qualification |
| Accident & Health | Health, disability income, and long-term care coverage |
| Life and Accident & Health | Both lines after satisfying the requirements for each |
Resident vs. Nonresident Licensing
A resident applicant must pass the appropriate Iowa producer exam for each line sought. Nonresident applicants apply through NIPR and follow the Iowa requirements applicable to their existing home-state qualifications and background-check status.
What does the current Pearson VUE Iowa candidate handbook publish about the passing score?
How long are passing Iowa insurance exam results valid for the purpose of applying for a license?
Which statement about the 2025 Iowa fingerprint requirement is correct?