1.2 North Dakota Producer Licensing Requirements

Pre-License Education: NOT Required

North Dakota is a no pre-license-education state. There is no mandatory classroom-hour requirement before you sit for the exam. You must be at least 18 years old and may schedule the exam directly with PSI.

Exam Tip: "No pre-license education" does NOT mean "easy exam." The combined Life & Health exam blends a large national portion with this North Dakota state portion. Treat the absence of mandated hours as freedom to study efficiently, not as permission to skip preparation.

Resident vs. Nonresident Licensing

The path above is for resident applicants who live or work principally in North Dakota. If you already hold a license in your home state, North Dakota issues a nonresident license by reciprocity under the NAIC Producer Licensing Model Act - you do not retake the North Dakota exam or re-fingerprint. Your home-state license must be in good standing, and nonresident status follows your home-state status: if your home-state license lapses, your North Dakota nonresident license is jeopardized.

Examination Logistics (PSI Services LLC)

All North Dakota insurance licensing exams are delivered by PSI Services LLC, either at a PSI test center or by remote online proctoring.

Score and Scheduling Facts You Must Know

Common Trap: Watch the passing score. Some states use 60% or 75%; North Dakota is 70% on every line. If a question offers 70% as one of four choices, it is the correct North Dakota answer.

Exam Day and Fingerprinting

What To Bring

• Valid government photo ID (driver's license, passport, or military ID); the name must match the registration
• Arrive early to complete check-in and biometric verification

Fingerprinting / Criminal Background Check

North Dakota requires fingerprinting and a criminal background check for first-time resident producer applicants. Prints are submitted to the state Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) and the FBI.

Who Is Exempt From Re-Fingerprinting

Fingerprinting is NOT required for:

• Producers renewing an active license
• Applicants applying within 12 months after a license cancellation/expiration (unless it was suspended or revoked)
• Resident producers adding a line of authority to an existing license

Note: Fingerprinting can be completed at PSI test centers or other approved livescan locations.

License Application Through NIPR

After passing the exam, apply electronically:

1. Complete fingerprinting (first-time residents only)
2. Apply through NIPR (the National Insurance Producer Registry)
3. Pay the $100 state application fee plus a small transaction charge
4. Await Department review and approval

Lines of Authority

Appointments

A license alone does not let you do business for an insurer. You must be appointed by each company you represent.

• The insurer files the appointment with the Department
• You cannot transact business for that insurer until the appointment is on file
• Maintain an active appointment with every company you write

Exam Tip: Distinguish the license (your authority to sell, granted by the state) from the appointment (an insurer's authorization for you to represent it). Both are required before you write business for a carrier.

Retaking a Failed Exam

A failing score is 70 or below out of 100. If you fail, you may schedule a retake, but you must pay the $64 fee again for each attempt. PSI provides a diagnostic score report by content area so you can target weak topics. Remember the score validity rule cuts both ways: a passing score is only good for 1 year, so if you pass but delay your NIPR application past 12 months, the exam expires and you must retest.