Welcome to Life & Health Insurance
Key Takeaways
The guide covers nationwide general knowledge for Life and Health licensing.
State-specific laws are not included and must be studied separately.
Life insurance topics include policy types, riders, underwriting, and taxation.
Health insurance topics include medical plans, disability, LTC, and government programs.
Exam length and passing score vary by state: California's combined exam has 150 questions and a 60% pass mark; Illinois requires a scaled score of 70.
Welcome to Life & Health Insurance Exam Prep
Quick Answer: The Life & Health Insurance exam is a state licensing exam, and its length and passing standard vary by state: California's combined Life, Accident and Health exam has 150 multiple-choice questions and a 60% pass mark, while Illinois gives a General and a State exam for each line and requires a scaled score of 70. It covers life insurance (term, whole, universal, variable, annuities) and health insurance (medical, disability, LTC, Medicare/Medicaid). Each state administers its own exam with state-specific content. Many states require pre-licensing education before testing; Pennsylvania has required none since April 29, 2025.
This comprehensive study guide covers the nationwide general knowledge required for Life & Health Insurance licensing exams across the United States.
Important Disclaimer
State-Specific Content Not Included: This study guide focuses on general insurance principles, product knowledge, and federal regulations that apply nationwide. Each state has its own insurance department with unique laws, regulations, and requirements. You must supplement this material with your state's specific content before taking your licensing exam.
What This Exam Covers
The Life & Health Insurance exam tests your knowledge across two major areas:
Life Insurance
- Types of life insurance policies (term, whole, universal, variable)
- Annuities and retirement products
- Policy provisions, options, and riders
- Underwriting and policy delivery
- Group life insurance
- Taxation of life insurance and annuities
Health Insurance
- Medical expense and managed care plans
- Disability income insurance
- Long-term care insurance
- Medicare, Medicaid, and government programs
- The Affordable Care Act (ACA)
- Group health insurance and COBRA
Exam Format
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Questions | Varies by state (California: 75 per single-line exam, 150 combined; Illinois Life: 50 general + 31 state scored questions) |
| Duration | Varies by state (California combined exam: 195 minutes in the PSI bulletin; Illinois Life: 75 + 50 minutes) |
| Passing Score | Varies by state (California 60%; Illinois scaled score of 70) |
| Format | Multiple choice |
Study Tips
- Master the fundamentals first - Understand basic insurance concepts before diving into specific products
- Know the differences - Be able to compare similar products (term vs. whole life, HMO vs. PPO)
- Focus on policy provisions - These are heavily tested
- Understand taxation - Know which benefits are taxable and which are tax-free
- Learn the regulations - Unfair trade practices and ethics are always on the exam
How This Guide Is Organized
| Part | Chapters | Topics |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1-3 | Insurance Fundamentals |
| 2 | 4-13 | Life Insurance |
| 3 | 14-16 | Annuities |
| 4 | 17-19 | Life Insurance & Annuity Taxation |
| 5 | 20-23 | Health Insurance Basics |
| 6 | 24-26 | Specialized Health Products |
| 7 | 27-29 | Government Health Programs |
| 8 | 30 | The Affordable Care Act |
| 9 | 31 | Health Insurance Taxation |
| 10 | 32-35 | Insurance Regulations & Ethics |
Let's begin your journey to becoming a licensed Life & Health Insurance professional!
Sections you finish are checked off in the contents.