1.2 New Hampshire Producer Licensing Requirements

Pre-License Education and Eligibility

New Hampshire is one of a minority of states that imposes no mandatory pre-license education (PLE) for life and health lines. A candidate may register for the exam after self-study alone, with no classroom or online hour requirement.

Although PLE is optional, the exam blends national insurance theory with NH-specific statute, so most candidates who pass have used a structured course.

Exam Tip: "No pre-license education required" is the single most-tested NH licensing fact. If a question lists "20, 40, or 60 hours required," all are wrong for NH life and health.

Examination Provider and Format

As of July 1, 2025, PSI Services LLC administers New Hampshire insurance licensing exams, replacing Prometric. Schedule online at psiexams.com or by phone at (800) 733-9267.

Exam Specifications

Worked example: A candidate sits the combined exam (150 questions, 70% to pass). 70% of 150 = 105 correct. Missing 45 still passes; missing 46 fails. Because the score is scaled and some pretest items are unscored, always treat 70% as the bar against scored items, not raw count guarantees.

Exam Day Logistics

New Hampshire PSI in-person sites include Concord, Keene, Nashua, Newington, and Portsmouth; remote online proctoring is also available for candidates who meet PSI's system and environment requirements.

Bring on exam day:

• One valid, government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, or military ID); the name must match registration
• Arrive 30 minutes early for check-in

Testing rules:

• No cell phones, smartwatches, notes, or personal calculators; lockers/storage for belongings
• An on-screen calculator is provided for life math
• Results print/display immediately upon completion (pass/fail; diagnostic by topic if failed)

The exam has two content buckets you will see on the score report:

License Application Through NIPR

After passing, apply through the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR) — NH does not issue a paper license at the test center. The exam result feeds electronically to the application.

Application steps and fees

1. Apply via NIPR at nipr.com (resident individual application)
2. Pay the application fee: $210 plus the NIPR transaction fee
3. Await NHID review/approval; the license is issued electronically

To add a line of authority later (e.g., adding Health to an existing Life license), pass the appropriate exam, apply online selecting "Resident + line of authority," and pay the $50 amendment fee.

Exam Tip: Separate the two money facts: exam fee ($59 single line / $72 combined, paid to PSI) versus license fee ($210, paid through NIPR to NHID). Test items deliberately mix these.

License Types and Appointments

Appointments (RSA 402-J)

A license alone does not let you place business. You must be appointed by each insurer you represent:

• The insurer files the appointment with NHID (not the producer)
• You cannot transact business for a company until its appointment is filed
• Appointments must be maintained with every carrier you write for; a terminated appointment ends your authority for that insurer

Scenario: You hold a NH Life license and pass the Health exam. You add the Health LOA ($50), but you still cannot sell a specific carrier's disability policies until that carrier files your appointment. Licensing and appointment are two distinct gates.

Product-Specific Training Requirements

Certain products require extra training before solicitation:

The Annuity Best Interest requirement implements the NAIC Suitability in Annuity Transactions Model and applies to both resident and non-resident life producers who sell annuities in NH.

Exam Tip: Tie each training to its trigger product: 8/4 = LTC, 3 hours = flood (NFIP), Best Interest = annuities. The 8-hour figure is one-time and initial; the 4-hour figure recurs every renewal.