Pennsylvania Life, Accident and Health exam (Series 16-03)
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Pennsylvania lets you test for Life and Accident and Health separately (Series 16-01 and 16-02) or together on one combined exam, Series 16-03. [1] [2] This page covers the combined exam: its size, time, cost, sections and the scoring rule that matters most.
The basics
| Series 16-03 | |
|---|---|
| Name | Pennsylvania Producer's Examination for Life, Accident and Health Insurance [2] |
| Length | "150 Items - 170 Minutes" [2] |
| Fee | $55.00 [1] |
| Passing score | a minimum score of 70% [1] |
| Delivery | test center or online proctored [1] [3] |
| Languages | English, Spanish and Chinese versions are listed [3] |
PSI may also add a small number (5 to 10) of experimental questions that are not scored, and time for them is included in the exam time. [1]
One exam, one result
The bulletin's rule for the combined exam: "You must pass the overall examination to obtain a license in either line." [1] Passing the life questions does not earn a Life license on its own if the overall exam is failed. If you are much stronger in one line, compare this with taking 16-01 and 16-02 separately.
Combined or separate?
Method: add the two single-line fees and times from PSI and compare with 16-03. [1] [2] [4] [5]
| 16-01 and 16-02 separately | 16-03 combined | |
|---|---|---|
| Fees | $45 + $45 = $90 | $55 |
| Scored items | 100 + 100 = 200 | 150 |
| Exam time | 120 + 120 = 240 minutes | 170 minutes |
| Licensing result | each exam stands alone | must pass the overall exam for either line |
The combined exam costs less and is shorter. The trade-off is the single pass or fail result.
The 13 sections
PSI publishes a percentage for each section, not a number of questions. The question counts below are our estimate: PSI's percentage times 150, rounded half to even (so 31.5 becomes 32 and 10.5 becomes 10). They add up to 150. [2]
| Section | PSI weight | Our estimate (questions) |
|---|---|---|
| 1.0 Insurance Regulation | 21% | 32 |
| 2.0 General Insurance Concepts | 7% | 10 |
| 3.0 Life, Accident, and Health Insurance Basics | 14% | 21 |
| 4.0 Types of Life Insurance Policies | 8% | 12 |
| 5.0 Life Insurance Policy Provisions, Options, and Riders | 13% | 20 |
| 6.0 Annuities | 9% | 14 |
| 7.0 Individual Accident and Health Insurance Policy Provisions | 7% | 10 |
| 8.0 Disability Income and Related Insurance | 4% | 6 |
| 9.0 Medical Plans | 4% | 6 |
| 10.0 Group Health Insurance | 3% | 4 |
| 11.0 Dental Insurance | 1% | 2 |
| 12.0 Health Insurance for Senior Citizens and Special Needs Individuals | 7% | 10 |
| 13.0 Federal Tax Considerations for Life and Health Insurance | 2% | 3 |
Insurance Regulation is the largest section at 21%. Pennsylvania law is tested inside the sections. There is no separate state portion. [2]
The 16-03 outline draws its topic lines from the Life and the Accident and Health outlines. A few lines appear in 16-03 but in neither single-line outline, including license denial, nonrenewal, suspension or revocation (40 P.S. 310.91, 310.11, 310.6(a)) and unfair insurance practices (40 P.S. 1171.1 to 1171.5). [2]
Scores and retakes
- Your score is reported at the end of the exam. A failing score report includes a diagnostic report of your strengths and weaknesses. [1]
- "There is no limit to the number of times you may take an examination if you fail." [1]
- You cannot book a new appointment on the same day you tested, because of score processing. [1]
- Exam fees are not refundable or transferable. [1]
Before and after the exam
- Education: see our page on whether Pennsylvania still requires pre-licensing education.
- Tutorial time: the bulletin says "The time you spend on this tutorial, up to 15 minutes, DOES NOT count as part of your examination time." [1]
- After you pass: apply for the license, then get fingerprinted at an IdentoGO center. The bulletin says to register for fingerprints only after passing and applying. [1]
How to study for 16-03
- Weight your time by PSI's percentages. Regulation, basics and life policy provisions make up nearly half of the exam (21% + 14% + 13% = 48%). [2]
- Do not skip the small A&H sections. Together, sections 7.0 to 12.0 are 26% of the exam. [2]
- Practice both lines. Start with the free Pennsylvania life insurance practice test and the free Pennsylvania accident and health 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 Insurance Department candidate information bulletin (effective 1/22/2026): https://test-takers.psiexams.com/api/content/bulletin/7282
- PSI, Pennsylvania Life, Accident and Health outline, Series 16-03 (effective 3/1/2026): https://proctor2.psionline.com/media/programs/PAINS/16-03xx.pdf
- PSI, Pennsylvania insurance test list: https://test-takers.psiexams.com/pain/test
- PSI, Pennsylvania Life outline, Series 16-01 (effective 3/1/2026): https://proctor2.psionline.com/media/programs/PAINS/16-01xx.pdf
- PSI, Pennsylvania Accident and Health outline, Series 16-02 (effective 3/1/2026): https://proctor2.psionline.com/media/programs/PAINS/16-02xx.pdf