Insurance Producers sell, solicit, or negotiate insurance products such as life, health, property, casualty, and personal lines insurance.
- This page, Individual Insurance Producer, is offered by
- Division of Insurance
Individual Insurance Producer
How to Get Licensed
- Schedule and pass the required examination through Pearson Professional Assessments.
- Apply for an insurance license through NIPR.
- Track your application status through SBS.
Important Note:
If your application requires supporting documentation, such as a DD-214 for the military veteran fee waiver, proof of U.S. citizenship, or documents related to "Yes" responses to background questions (including a signed explanation and any final court or administrative records), please upload the required documents to the NIPR Attachment Warehouse when you apply. If you have already applied without uploading them, please upload the documents as soon as possible and email producerupdate.mailbox@mass.gov after uploading, as the Division is not automatically notified when documents are added to the NIPR Attachment Warehouse.
Add a Line of Authority
A line of authority authorizes you to sell a specific type of insurance. If you already hold a Massachusetts producer license, you can apply through NIPR to add one or more lines of authority.
Please note that Massachusetts issues one producer license. You may add lines of authority, such as Life, Accident and Health or Sickness, Property, or Casualty, to your existing license.
*Important Note:
The Property and Casualty Producer lines of authority require two separate exams: the Property Producer exam and the Casualty Producer exam. Do not register for the single Property & Casualty Adviser exam, as it does not satisfy the examination requirement for a Producer license.
| Line of Authority | What You Can Sell | Resident Applicant |
|---|---|---|
| Life | Life insurance and annuity products | Exam required |
| Accident and Health | Health, disability, and related insurance products | Exam required |
| Property* | Insurance covering homes, buildings, and other property | Exam required |
| Casualty* | Liability and casualty insurance products | Exam required |
| Personal Lines | Personal auto, homeowners, renters, and similar personal insurance products | Exam required unless you already hold Property & Casualty lines on your license. |
| Limited Credit | Credit insurance products | Exam required |
| Travel | Travel insurance products | No exam required |
| Variable Life and Variable Annuity | Variable life insurance and annuity products | Must hold an active Life line of authority and provide a valid FINRA/CRD number |
Continuing Education
Massachusetts resident producers must complete continuing education (CE) to maintain an active license. Find Approved Courses
General CE requirements include:
- First renewal: 60 CE credits, including 3 credits in Ethics
- Each subsequent three-year renewal: 45 CE credits, including 3 credits in Ethics
Penalty Fee Information
Failure to complete the required continuing education (CE) before your license renewal may result in the non-renewal of your license and may also subject you to monetary penalties beyond the late renewal fee, for noncompliance with the Commonwealth's continuing education requirements. Completing your CE requirements on time helps avoid delays, penalties, and interruptions to your license.
Additional Requirements
Property, Casualty, and Personal Lines
A $75 Lead Paint Surcharge applies when applying for or renewing these lines of authority. The surcharge is waived for Massachusetts residents who are veterans or legally blind.
Flood Insurance
Producers who sell flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) must complete 3 hours of approved flood insurance continuing education.
Long Term Care Products
Producer’s holding the Accident & Health or Sickness line of authority who intend to sell Long Term Care products must meet the training requirements set forth in M.G.L c. 176U § 6, including an initial one-time training course not less than eight hours and ongoing training not less than four hours every 24 months. The training requirements apply to all producers who plan on selling LTC products, even if exempt from CE requirements.
Annuity Suitability
Any producer who plans on selling annuity products must also meet the Annuity Suitability training (CE) requirements contained in 211 CMR 96.00 including completion of an approved one-time program of instruction or seminar equivalent to at least four classroom hours of instruction.
Ready to add a line of authority? Apply through NIPR.
Appointments
Insurance companies must submit appointments through the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR).
Appointment Renewals:
All appointments expire annually on June 30 and must be renewed by the appointing insurance company. Renewal Invoices are issued through NIPR.
1033 Consent Applications
Federal law limits some people with certain felony convictions from working in the business of insurance unless they receive written consent from the Commissioner of Insurance.
This process applies to Massachusetts residents who are applying for, renewing, or working under a Massachusetts insurance license. Non-residents should contact their home state insurance department and provide the Division with a copy of that state’s decision.
Resources
- Procedure for Receiving Written Consent to Engage in the Business of Insurance under 18 U.S.C §§1033
- 18 U.S.C. §§1033 Consent Application Form
- Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI)
- 1033 Bulletin
Clearance Letters
If you are moving to another state, first check with the insurance department in your new state to determine whether a Letter of Clearance is required when applying for a new resident license. Many states no longer require Clearance Letters as part of the licensing process.
If your new state requires a Letter of Clearance, you may request one from the Massachusetts Division of Insurance.
To request a Clearance Letter, send:
- A $20 non-refundable fee payable to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
- A letter with your name, NPN, valid email address, and the state you are moving to
Mail your request to:
Producer Licensing
Massachusetts Division of Insurance
One Federal Street, Suite 700
Boston, MA 02110
Changing your Resident State to Massachusetts
Your current resident license should be placed in a canceled status as part of the resident license conversion process. Your former resident license must be verifiable through the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR) Producer Database (PDB). This means you cannot convert your current resident license to a non-resident before obtaining your new Massachusetts resident license. Your new Massachusetts resident application should also include your current residential address.
After your Massachusetts resident license is issued, you will be required to complete 57 general credits and 3 ethics credits (60 total) before your initial renewal, regardless of the length of the license term. You can view your current license status, expiration date, and other licensing information through State Based Systems (SBS) License Manager.
Need Help? Contact the Producer Licensing Department at: producerupdate.mailbox@mass.gov