Maine Property & Casualty Exam Overview
Key Takeaways
Maine has NO pre-licensing education requirement for P&C insurance - you can take the exam immediately
The combined P&C exam (12-ME-03) has 157 questions (140 scored + 17 pretest) with a 3.5-hour (210-minute) time limit and a scaled passing score of 70
Pearson VUE administers the exam at test centers; Maine has accepted no new online exam registrations since May 10, 2025
Maine has the highest auto insurance minimums in New England: 50/100/25 (higher than most states!)
Exam fee is $80 for the combined exam ($55 per single line), with a 24-hour mandatory wait between retake attempts
CE requirement is 24 hours every 2 years including 3 hours of ethics
Maine Property & Casualty Insurance Exam Overview
Welcome to OpenExamPrep's FREE Maine Property & Casualty Insurance exam prep guide. This comprehensive resource covers Maine-specific regulations, licensing requirements, and state insurance laws you need to know to pass your exam in 2026.
About the Maine P&C Exam
The Maine Property & Casualty insurance examination is administered by Pearson VUE on behalf of the Maine Bureau of Insurance. The exam tests your knowledge of:
- Maine insurance law and regulations (Title 24-A)
- Property insurance principles (homeowners, fire, commercial property)
- Casualty insurance principles (auto, liability, workers' compensation)
- Coastal property and winter weather risks
- Ethics and professional conduct
- Maine-specific consumer protections
Maine's Unique Advantages
Maine's path to a P&C license is short:
| Feature | Maine Advantage |
|---|---|
| Pre-Licensing | NONE required - study and test immediately |
| Entry Barrier | No course certificate needed to schedule the exam |
| Auto Minimums | 50/100/25 - higher coverage means higher commissions |
| Market Opportunity | Coastal properties, vacation homes, winter risks |
Exam Structure
| Exam Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Testing Provider | Pearson VUE |
| Regulatory Authority | Maine Bureau of Insurance |
| Passing Score | Scaled score of 70 (not a percentage) |
| Question Format | 157 multiple-choice questions (140 scored + 17 pretest) |
| Time Limit | 3.5 hours (210 minutes) |
| Test Delivery | In-person at testing centers ONLY |
| Remote Testing | NOT available (no new online registrations since May 10, 2025) |
| Results | Immediate |
| Registration | pearsonvue.com/me/insurance |
Important: Unlike many states, Maine does NOT offer remote/online proctored testing. You must take the exam at a Pearson VUE testing center. Plan your travel accordingly.
Exam Options
You can take the Maine P&C exam in different configurations:
| Exam Type | Questions | Time | What It Covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Property Only (12-ME-43) | Set by the outline | 2 hours ($55) | Homeowners, fire, commercial property |
| Casualty Only (12-ME-44) | Set by the outline | 2 hours ($55) | Auto, liability, workers' comp |
| Combined P&C (12-ME-03) | 157 (140 scored) | 210 minutes ($80) | Property general 50 + 5, Casualty general 50 + 5, Maine 40 + 7 |
Recommendation: Most candidates take the Combined P&C exam to obtain a full Property & Casualty license in one sitting.
No Pre-Licensing Education Required
Maine does NOT require pre-licensing education for Property & Casualty insurance (24-A M.R.S. §1410(4) was repealed in 2007).
What This Means for You
| State Type | Pre-License Requirement |
|---|---|
| Maine | 0 hours - No requirement |
Key Points About Maine's Policy
- You can schedule your exam immediately without taking any courses
- No education provider costs before testing
- Study at your own pace using free resources like this guide
- Must still demonstrate knowledge by reaching the scaled passing score of 70
- The exam itself is comprehensive and challenging
Exam Tip: While no education is required, the exam tests extensive knowledge. Use this FREE guide and take practice exams before scheduling your exam.
Maine's Higher Auto Insurance Minimums
Maine requires some of the highest auto insurance minimum limits in the country:
Maine Auto Minimum Requirements: 50/100/25
| Coverage | Maine Minimum | What It Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Bodily Injury (per person) | $50,000 | Injury to one person |
| Bodily Injury (per accident) | $100,000 | Total injury per accident |
| Property Damage | $25,000 | Damage to others' property |
How Maine Compares
| State | Minimums | Comparison |
|---|---|---|
| Maine | 50/100/25 | Highest bodily-injury minimums in New England |
| Massachusetts | 25/50/30 (since July 1, 2025) | Lower bodily-injury limits than Maine |
| New Hampshire | 25/50/25 | 50% lower BI limits |
| Vermont | 25/50/10 | 50% lower BI limits |
| National Average | 25/50/25 | Half of Maine's BI coverage |
Why This Matters: Higher minimums mean clients need more coverage, which typically results in higher premiums and higher commissions for producers.
Additional Maine Auto Requirements
| Coverage | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Medical Payments (Med Pay) | $2,000 minimum REQUIRED |
| Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) | $50,000/$100,000 minimum REQUIRED |
| No-Fault PIP | NOT required (Maine is a tort state) |
Exam and Licensing Costs
Cost Breakdown
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Pre-License Education | $0 (not required) |
| Combined P&C Exam Fee | $80 (Pearson VUE, 12-ME-03) |
| Single-Line Exam Fee | $55 per exam (Property 12-ME-43 or Casualty 12-ME-44) |
| Fingerprinting | Not required for Maine producers |
| Resident Producer Fee | $25 ($15 application + $10 license) |
Maine Advantage: With no pre-licensing education requirement, the required costs are the exam fee and the $25 license fee.
Maine Insurance Market Context
Why Maine Is Unique
Maine has one of the most distinctive insurance markets in the Northeast:
-
Coastal Exposure
- 3,478 miles of coastline (longest on the East Coast)
- Hurricane and nor'easter exposure
- Coastal flooding and storm surge risks
- High-value waterfront and vacation properties
-
Winter Weather Risks
- Heavy snow accumulation (roof collapse)
- Ice dam damage
- Frozen pipe bursts
- Extreme cold temperatures
- Nor'easter storms
-
Vacation Home Market
- Acadia National Park region
- Coastal vacation properties
- Mountain ski area homes
- Seasonal occupancy considerations
-
Regulatory Approach
- Bureau of Insurance under Department of Professional and Financial Regulation
- File-and-use rate system
- Strong consumer protection laws
- Superintendent appointed by Governor
License Application Process
Step-by-Step Process
-
Study and Prepare (Recommended first)
- Complete this FREE study guide
- Review national P&C concepts
- Take practice quizzes
- No pre-licensing course required!
-
Schedule and Pass the Exam
- Register with Pearson VUE at pearsonvue.com/me/insurance
- Pay $80 exam fee (combined P&C)
- Choose a testing center (no remote option)
- Reach a scaled score of 70
-
Apply for License
- Submit the application through NIPR or on the NAIC paper application (by e-mail, fax or mail to the Bureau)
- Answer the background questions; Maine has no fingerprinting requirement for producers
- Pay the $25 resident producer fee ($15 application + $10 license)
- Provide all required documentation
- 2-year license term
-
Receive License
- Bureau of Insurance reviews application
- License issued upon approval
- Valid for 2 years
- Begin selling P&C insurance in Maine
Exam Retake Policy
| Situation | Policy |
|---|---|
| Failed Exam | Must wait 24 hours before retaking |
| Waiting Period | 24-hour mandatory wait between attempts |
| Retake Fee | Full $80 exam fee for each attempt |
| Attempt Limit | No limit on retake attempts |
Important: Unlike some states with no wait period, Maine requires a 24-hour wait between exam attempts. Use this time to review areas where you struggled.
License Maintenance
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| License Term | 2 years |
| CE Hours | 24 hours every 2 years |
| Ethics Hours | 3 hours (included in 24) |
| Renewal Fee | Set by the Bureau's fee schedule |
| Late Renewal | Additional penalty fees apply |
Maine Bureau of Insurance Contact
| Resource | Details |
|---|---|
| Agency | Bureau of Insurance, Dept. of Professional and Financial Regulation |
| Website | maine.gov/pfr/insurance |
| Consumer Hotline | 1-800-300-5000 (in Maine) |
| Main Phone | (207) 624-8475 |
| insurance.pfr@maine.gov | |
| Address | 34 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333 |
| Pearson VUE Registration | pearsonvue.com/me/insurance |
What This Guide Covers
This FREE study guide focuses on Maine state-specific content for the P&C exam:
Chapter 1: Maine Insurance Regulation & Licensing
- Maine Bureau of Insurance structure
- Superintendent powers and appointment
- Producer licensing requirements and CE
- Maine Revised Statutes Title 24-A
Chapter 2: Maine Property Insurance Laws
- Homeowners insurance requirements
- Coastal property considerations
- Maine Property Insurance Plan (FAIR Plan)
- Winter weather perils and coverage
Chapter 3: Maine Casualty Insurance Laws
- Auto insurance minimums (50/100/25)
- Medical payments coverage requirements
- UM/UIM coverage rules
- Workers' compensation requirements
Chapter 4: Ethics & Consumer Protection
- Unfair trade practices
- Claims handling requirements
- Maine Insurance Guaranty Association (MEIGA)
- Producer conduct standards
Note: This guide covers ONLY Maine state law. Complete the national Property & Casualty exam prep first for foundational insurance knowledge.
Study Tips for Success
Key Numbers to Memorize
| Topic | Number |
|---|---|
| Pre-license hours | 0 hours (none required) |
| Exam questions (combined) | 157 (140 scored) |
| Exam time limit | 3.5 hours (210 minutes) |
| Passing score | Scaled 70 |
| Exam fee (combined) | $80 |
| Retake wait time | 24 hours |
| Resident producer fee | $25 |
| License term | 2 years |
| CE hours per renewal | 24 |
| Ethics CE required | 3 hours |
| Auto minimum liability | 50/100/25 |
| Med Pay minimum | $2,000 |
Maine-Specific Topics to Master
- 50/100/25 Auto Minimums - Higher than most states
- No Pre-License Requirement - 24-A M.R.S. §1410(4) was repealed in 2007
- Coastal Property Risks - Hurricane, flooding, storm surge
- Winter Perils - Ice dams, frozen pipes, snow load
- Bureau of Insurance - Under Dept. of Professional and Financial Regulation
- Title 24-A - Maine's insurance code
Next Steps
Ready to begin? Here's your action plan:
- Complete this FREE study guide - Read all 4 chapters
- Study national P&C concepts - See our Property & Casualty exam prep
- Take chapter quizzes - Test your knowledge
- Schedule with Pearson VUE - Must be in-person (no remote)
- Pass exam - With a scaled score of 70
- Wait 24 hours if needed - For any retakes
- Apply for license - Pay the $25 resident producer fee through NIPR (or a paper application)
Remember: Maine has no pre-license education requirement for P&C licensing. This guide focuses on Maine-specific content - supplement with national P&C study materials for comprehensive preparation.
Let's get started with Chapter 1: Maine Insurance Regulation & Licensing!
How many hours of pre-licensing education does Maine require for a Property & Casualty insurance license?
0 hours - no pre-licensing required
12 hours
40 hours
52 hours
What is the passing score required for the Maine Property & Casualty insurance exam?
60%
A scaled score of 70
75%
80%
What are Maine's minimum auto liability insurance requirements?
15/30/5
25/50/25
50/100/25
100/300/50
Which testing provider administers the Maine P&C insurance exam?
PSI Services LLC
Pearson VUE
Prometric
Maine Department of Insurance
How long must you wait between exam retakes if you fail the Maine P&C exam?
No waiting period
24 hours
48 hours
7 days
What is the exam fee for the combined Property & Casualty exam in Maine?
$44
$55
$80
$131
Sections you finish are checked off in the contents.