Pennsylvania insurance license background check
Last updated
Pennsylvania checks the background of every new resident producer, and the grounds for denial are on the exam. The Insurance Regulation section of the outline lists license denial, nonrenewal, suspension or revocation, citing 40 P.S. 310.11 and 310.91. [1] Here is how the background check works and what can stop a license.
The fingerprint check
The Insurance Department Act requires a license applicant to submit fingerprints so the Department can receive national criminal history records from the FBI's Criminal Justice Information Services Division. [2] The Department's page says fingerprinting is required for every new resident producer applicant and is done at an IdentoGO enrollment center. [3] For the step by step, including when to schedule, see our page on how long it takes to get licensed in Pennsylvania.
Who does not need fingerprints: nonresident producer and limited line applicants applying under the reciprocity provisions of Act 147 of 2002, and resident producers adding a line to an existing resident license. [3]
The 20 prohibited acts (Section 611-A)
Section 611-A lists what a licensee or applicant must not do. Among them: [4]
- give incorrect, misleading, incomplete or false information to the Department in a license application;
- obtain or try to obtain a license through misrepresentation or fraud;
- have an insurance producer or other financial services license denied, suspended or revoked by a government entity;
- cheat on a producer licensing exam;
- fail to comply with an order imposing a child support obligation, or fail to pay state income tax or comply with an order to pay it;
- commit a felony or its equivalent;
- commit a misdemeanor involving the misuse or theft of another person's money or property;
- commit fraud, forgery, dishonest acts or a breach of fiduciary duty;
- fail to notify the Department of a change of address, phone number and email address within 30 days; and
- show a lack of general fitness, competence or reliability to satisfy the Department that the person is worthy of a license.
The list also covers misappropriating money, misrepresenting policy terms, unfair practices, forgery on applications, accepting business from unlicensed persons, and moving coverage to a different insurer without the insured's consent. [4]
The optional eligibility review
The Department offers a preliminary review for people with criminal records who have not yet applied. [5]
- It is optional, and only for those who have not applied.
- The Department bases it only on what you send. It does not run its own background check for these requests, so include your full criminal history, with the grading, date and jurisdiction of each charge.
- The Department says applications can be denied for serious crimes or theft-related misdemeanors, that a criminal history does not always lead to denial, and that some convictions will always lead to denial.
- It does not skip any step. You still take the exam and submit fingerprints, and a favorable review does not promise a license.
On what to report in the application, the Department's page says to leave out minor traffic citations, certain misdemeanors like DUI or DWI, and juvenile offenses. [5]
Practice questions
1. Why does Pennsylvania take a new resident producer's fingerprints?
Answer: To receive national criminal history records from the FBI. (Section 605-A(a)(2); 40 P.S. 310.5) [2]
2. Which applicant does NOT need to be fingerprinted?
A. A new resident Life producer
B. A new resident A&H producer
C. A resident producer adding a line to an existing license
D. A new resident Life and A&H producer
Answer: C. [3]
3. An applicant leaves a past license revocation off the application. Which prohibited act is that?
Answer: Providing incorrect, misleading, incomplete or false information in a license application. (Section 611-A(1); 40 P.S. 310.11) [4]
4. Is any felony a listed ground under Section 611-A?
Answer: Yes. Committing a felony or its equivalent is listed. (Section 611-A(14)) [4]
5. Which misdemeanors are listed?
Answer: Those involving the misuse or theft of another person's money or property. (Section 611-A(15)) [4]
6. How long does a licensee have to report a new address, phone number and email?
Answer: 30 days. (Section 611-A(19)) [4]
Study tips
- Section 611-A applies to applicants as well as licensees.
- Know the money-related items: felonies, theft misdemeanors, child support, state income tax.
- Test yourself with the free Pennsylvania insurance law practice test.
Prep Retention is independent and is not affiliated with PSI or the state.
Sources
Laws and exam documents quoted as of October 2026.
- PSI, Pennsylvania Life outline, Series 16-01 (effective 3/1/2026): https://proctor2.psionline.com/media/programs/PAINS/16-01xx.pdf
- Insurance Department Act of 1921 (Act of May 17, 1921, P.L. 789, No. 285), Section 605-A: https://www.palegis.us/statutes/unconsolidated/law-information/view-statute?iFrame=true&txtType=HTM&SessYr=1921&SessInd=0&ActNum=0285
- Pennsylvania Insurance Department, Initial Insurance Producer Licensing Process: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/insurance/licensing/licensees/initial-insurance-producer-licensing-process
- Insurance Department Act of 1921 (Act of May 17, 1921, P.L. 789, No. 285), Section 611-A: https://www.palegis.us/statutes/unconsolidated/law-information/view-statute?iFrame=true&txtType=HTM&SessYr=1921&SessInd=0&ActNum=0285
- Pennsylvania Insurance Department, Request a Preliminary Review to Determine Your Eligibility: https://www.pa.gov/services/insurance/request-a-preliminary-review-to-determine-your-eligibility-to-obtain-a-pennsylvania-insurance-license