If you’ve ever asked yourself, “How can I be an insurance agent?” you’re in the right place. Becoming an insurance professional is not about luck or guesswork. It is about meeting the requirements, getting licensed, and building a career where you control your growth. This guide gives you a direct path on how to become an insurance agent, covering the requirements, licensing process, and career options so you can take the next step in your career.
Take Your First Step Today
Start your journey as a licensed insurance agent by choosing the right training programs and resources to build your own independent agency.
Why Choose a Career as an Insurance Agent?
Insurance agents play a vital role in helping individuals and businesses protect what matters most. Whether you decide to become an independent insurance agent representing multiple carriers or work with a single company, the career offers:
- Flexibility in setting your schedule and goals
- Financial rewards through commissions, bonuses, and renewals
- Professional growth with ongoing training and certifications
- Meaningful work—supporting clients during life’s biggest transitions
Understanding the Different Types of Insurance Agents
Before jumping into the process of becoming a licensed insurance agent, it’s important to know your options:
- Independent Insurance Agents: Represent multiple insurance companies, offering clients a wider range of policy choices.
- Captive Agents: Work exclusively with one insurance company, gaining brand support and structured insurance agent training programs.
| Insurance Agent Type | What It Means | Pros | Cons |
| Independent Insurance Agent | You represent multiple insurance companies and offer clients a wide range of policies. | Maximum earning potential, freedom to choose clients and carriers, ability to build your own brand and long-term business. | Requires self-motivation, higher startup effort, and more responsibility. |
| Captive Agent | You work exclusively for one insurance company and sell only their products. | Structured training programs, strong brand recognition, and marketing support. | Limited product options, lower flexibility, and income capped by one carrier. |
You’ll also decide which insurance lines to focus on:
- Life Insurance – providing financial security to beneficiaries.
- Health Insurance – helping clients navigate healthcare plans.
- Property & Casualty Insurance – covering homes, cars, and businesses.
- Specialty Lines – disability, long-term care, or niche policies.
Step-by-Step: How to Become an Insurance Agent
Step 1: Learn the Requirements for Insurance Agents
Each state sets its own rules for becoming a licensed professional, but generally, you must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Complete pre-licensing courses (varies by state and insurance line)
- Pass a background check (may include fingerprinting)
In Arizona, for example, you must complete a 40-hour pre-licensing course for life insurance, submit fingerprints for a background check, and pass the licensing exam. Fees vary by state, and in Arizona, the application fee for life insurance is approximately $120. Check Arizona’s full licensing requirements for up-to-date details.
Step 2: Complete Pre-Licensing Education
Pre-licensing courses are not optional. States mandate a specific number of hours that cover insurance fundamentals, regulations, and ethical practices. The exact hours vary by line of insurance, but this is where you build your foundation. Many candidates choose online training because it gives flexibility, but the key is not just finishing the hours. Focus on absorbing the material because it directly prepares you for the licensing exam.
Step 3: Pass Your State Licensing Exam
The exam is designed to prove you understand policies, regulations, and compliance. Walk in unprepared, and you will fail. Most candidates invest in exam prep packages and practice tests because the questions are scenario-based, not simple memorization. Pass the exam, and you prove you can handle the responsibility of selling insurance legally and ethically.
Step 4: Apply for Your License
Passing the exam is only part of the process. You need to submit your application through your state’s Department of Insurance and clear any background checks tied to your record. Once approved, you are officially a licensed insurance agent. This is the moment your effort turns into a real opportunity.
Step 5: Choose Your Career Path
Now you decide what insurance job you want to pursue. You can choose to work as a captive insurance agent with the stability of one company, or go independent and unlock more freedom, earning potential, and control.
Step 6: Continue Your Education
Getting licensed is not the finish line. Most states require continuing education to renew your license, and skipping it means losing your ability to sell. Beyond compliance, ongoing training keeps you sharp in a competitive market. The best agents are the ones who treat education as a weapon, staying ahead of industry shifts and always adding new skills to their arsenal.
Career Outlook for Insurance Agents
The demand for insurance professionals remains strong. According to industry data, insurance sales agents in the U.S. earn an average salary of around $72,458 per year, with top performers earning significantly more. With commissions, renewals, and cross-selling opportunities, income potential grows as you build long-term client relationships.
Why Choose to Be an Independent Agent with Darkhorse?
If you’re planning to become an insurance agent, you might be wondering how to stand out and succeed. Becoming an independent agent offers you the freedom to represent multiple insurance carriers, tailor solutions to clients, and have control over your career.
Darkhorse Insurance Brokers helps you get there faster by providing independent agents with the tools and technology needed to build a successful brokerage. With our support, you’ll have access to our one-of-a-kind hybrid platform and resources that help you grow your business more effectively.
Own Your Path as a Licensed Insurance Agent
Becoming an insurance agent is not guesswork. It is a structured process that pays off if you put in the work. From meeting the requirements and completing pre-licensing education to passing the exam and choosing your career path, every step pushes you closer to a profession that delivers stability and growth. Commit to continuous learning, and you will not just hold a license. You will stand out as the trusted advisor people turn to when protecting what matters most.