Does Massachusetts require insurance pre-licensing education?
Last updated
If you want a Massachusetts Life or Accident and Health producer license, the step the Division of Insurance lists is the exam. Here is what the law, the Division and Pearson VUE say about pre-licensing education, and what you do need to do.
What the Division lists
The Division of Insurance page for individual producers lists the lines of authority with what each needs. For Life it says "Exam required," and for Accident and Health it says "Exam required." [1] The steps it gives are to schedule and pass the required exam through Pearson, then apply through NIPR. [1] The page lists no pre-licensing education step for these lines. [1]
What the law says
Massachusetts General Laws chapter 175, section 162L, sets the findings the commissioner must make before approving a resident producer license. The applicant: [2]
- is at least 18 years of age;
- has not committed an act that is grounds for denial, suspension or revocation under section 162R;
- has completed prelicensing education for the lines applied for, when required by the commissioner;
- has paid the fees in section 14; and
- has passed the examinations for the lines applied for.
So the law lets the commissioner require pre-licensing education. It does not require it on its own. The Division's current page for Life and Accident and Health lists only the exam. [1] [2]
What Pearson VUE says
The Massachusetts candidate handbook says certain license types may require pre-licensing education, experience or other eligibility steps before you can schedule an exam or apply, that requirements vary by license type and may change over time, and that the Division's website has the current rules. [3] Check the Division's page before you book, in case anything has changed.
Already licensed in another state?
Section 162O covers two cases. [4]
- Licensed elsewhere for the same lines: no prelicensing education or exam is required, if you are currently licensed in that state or apply within 90 days of the prior license's cancellation, and your good standing can be shown.
- Moving to Massachusetts: apply within 90 days of establishing legal residence to become a resident licensee. No prelicensing education or exam is required for lines you held in your prior state, unless the commissioner provides otherwise by regulation.
What you do need: the exam
Each exam has a general knowledge part and a Massachusetts part. [5]
| Exam | General knowledge | Massachusetts part | Scored total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life Producer | 50 scored plus 5 pretest | 30 scored plus 5 pretest | 80 |
| Accident, Health, or Sickness Producer | 50 scored plus 5 pretest | 30 scored plus 5 pretest | 80 |
The scored totals are the sum of the two printed counts. Each exam costs $37. [3] The passing score is a scaled 70, set by the Division with Pearson. [3]
Education after you are licensed
Continuing education does apply. The Division's page lists 60 credits, including 3 in ethics, for the first renewal, then 45 credits, including 3 in ethics, for each later three-year renewal. [1] Our Massachusetts continuing education page covers the rules.
How to prepare without required education
With no required pre-licensing step, your preparation is up to you. The outline is the best guide: it lists every topic and how many questions each section carries. [5] Free practice can show you where you stand:
FAQ
Is pre-licensing education required for a Massachusetts life insurance license?
The Division's page lists "Exam required" for Life and lists no pre-licensing education. The law allows the commissioner to require it. [1] [2]
What about an accident and health license?
The same. The Division lists "Exam required" for Accident and Health. [1]
I hold a license in another state. Do I have to take the exam?
Not for the same lines, if you meet the section 162O conditions. [4]
Is there education after I get licensed?
Yes. 60 credits, including 3 in ethics, before the first renewal. [1]
Prep Retention is independent and is not affiliated with Pearson VUE or the state.
Sources
Laws and exam documents quoted as of October 2026.
- Massachusetts Division of Insurance, Individual insurance producer: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/individual-insurance-producer
- M.G.L. c. 175, s. 162L: https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXXII/Chapter175/Section162L
- Pearson VUE, Massachusetts candidate handbook 122300 (June 2026): https://www.pearsonvue.com/content/dam/VUE/vue/en/documents/publications/122300.pdf
- M.G.L. c. 175, s. 162O: https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXXII/Chapter175/Section162O
- Pearson VUE, Massachusetts content outlines 122301 (effective July 22, 2026): https://www.pearsonvue.com/content/dam/VUE/vue/en/documents/publications/122301.pdf