Massachusetts insurance exam passing score
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To pass a Massachusetts producer exam you need a scaled score of 70. The candidate handbook says, "On this converted scale, a passing score of 70 was set by the Massachusetts DOI (in conjunction with Pearson)." [1] This page explains what that number means, what your score report shows, and how retakes work. Everything here comes from Pearson VUE's Massachusetts handbook and content outlines and from Massachusetts law.
How many questions count
Both the Life Producer exam and the Accident, Health, or Sickness Producer exam have two parts. [2]
| Exam part | Scored questions | Pretest questions |
|---|---|---|
| General knowledge | 50 | 5 |
| Massachusetts specific | 30 | 5 |
| Total | 80 | 10 |
The pretest questions are in the exam but do not count toward your score. [2] That means 80 questions decide whether you reach 70.
Why 70 is a scaled score, not a percentage
Pearson gives several versions, or forms, of each exam. The handbook explains that although all forms are built from the same content outline, their difficulty "may vary slightly." To make scores fair across forms, a statistical procedure called equating is used, and scores are reported on a scale common to all forms. [1] So 70 is a point on that converted scale. The handbook adds that the scaled score reported to candidates is neither the number of questions answered correctly nor a percentage of questions. [1]
Your score report
- You get a score report marked "pass" or "fail" before you leave the test center. [1]
- If you pass, the report explains how to complete the licensing process. [1]
- If you fail, the report includes a numeric score and diagnostic information for the exam, plus information about reexamination. [1]
- To avoid misuse of score information, numeric scores are reported only to candidates who failed. [1]
- You can log in to your Pearson account for a duplicate score report. [1]
If you need to retake
The handbook says that if you fail and want to retake, "you must reapply" through Pearson's Massachusetts insurance page "and pay another exam fee." Reexamination fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. [1] Massachusetts law says the same: an individual who fails to appear or fails to pass "shall reapply for an examination and remit all required fees and forms before being rescheduled for another examination." [3]
Two special cases from the handbook:
- If your exam was revoked because of a technical issue, you may be allowed to retake without a new fee, but you must contact Pearson and request an override. [1]
- No retakes are permitted if an exam was revoked because of candidate misconduct. [1]
How to aim above 70
Because 70 is a scaled score, plan to be strong in both parts:
- The general part is 50 of the 80 scored questions, so product knowledge carries the most weight. [2]
- The Massachusetts part is 30 scored questions on state law, so learn the Massachusetts numbers too. See our Massachusetts life exam study guide.
- Use the diagnostic information on a failing report to choose what to restudy before you reapply. [1]
FAQ
Is the passing score the same for Life and for Accident and Health?
The handbook states one passing score of 70 on the converted scale, set by the Massachusetts DOI with Pearson. [1]
Will I see my score if I pass?
Numeric scores are reported only to candidates who failed. A passing candidate gets a report marked pass with licensing information. [1]
Do pretest questions count?
No. Each part has 5 pretest questions that are not scored. [2]
Practice first with the free Massachusetts life practice test or the Massachusetts accident and health practice test.
Prep Retention is independent and is not affiliated with Pearson VUE or the state.
Sources
Laws and exam documents quoted as of October 2026.
- Pearson VUE, Massachusetts Division of Insurance candidate handbook 122300: https://www.pearsonvue.com/content/dam/VUE/vue/en/documents/publications/122300.pdf
- Pearson VUE, Massachusetts content outlines 122301 (effective July 22, 2026): https://www.pearsonvue.com/content/dam/VUE/vue/en/documents/publications/122301.pdf
- M.G.L. c. 175, s. 162K: https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXXII/Chapter175/Section162K