Understanding the Two Main License Tracks

Before you compare life accident health insurance license hours, decide what you want to sell first. Most new brokers considering individual health coverage, Medicare, and ancillary products will encounter two common license paths. The exact line names vary by Department of Insurance (DOI), but the practical choice is usually between a combined license and a health-focused license.

Life, Accident & Health (L/A&H) combined license

The Life, Accident & Health (L/A&H) combined license is the broader option. It lets an agent sell life insurance, health insurance, and many related ancillary products, subject to carrier appointments and state rules. It is often the right long-term fit for brokers who want to discuss final expense, term life, permanent life, disability, hospital indemnity, dental, vision, and health protection in one client conversation.

Because it combines more than one line of authority, the full license commonly has more required study time in states that mandate insurance pre-licensing education. For example, a state may require 20 hours for Life plus 20 hours for Accident & Health. That added scope is valuable, but it is not always the fastest path for a broker whose immediate business is health coverage.

Health (Accident & Health or Sickness) Only license

A Health Only license—also called Accident & Health or Sickness Only in some states—is a faster starting point for brokers focused on health insurance, Medicare, and ACA Marketplace coverage. This license line is designed around health-related products rather than life insurance. It can be an efficient way to meet the foundational licensing requirement for the health insurance sales work you plan to do first.

For many new ACA agents and Medicare brokers, Health Only is the practical first move. In states that require education, it generally means fewer hours, a narrower exam outline, and a quicker path to a resident license. You can add Life later when it matches your sales plan, your carrier mix, and your clients’ needs.

A practical broker decision

If your priority is ACA Marketplace enrollment, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement, Part D, or individual health plans, start with Health Only where your state offers it. Build confidence, learn the health products, and begin serving clients. Then stack the Life license in a future renewal cycle or when your book shows a clear need for life insurance conversations. This approach is not about limiting your career; it is about sequencing your insurance broker training requirements around revenue-producing work.

Insurance Pre-Licensing Requirements by State

The table below is a quick planning tool for prospective resident producers. “Not required” means the jurisdiction does not mandate a pre-licensing course for that line before the exam; it does not mean that preparation is unnecessary. Study the current exam content outline, confirm application steps with your DOI, and choose a course that matches your resident state and desired line of authority.

Last reviewed: August 2026. Requirements subject to change — verify with your state DOI.

Why Health-Only May Be Your Smartest First Move

For a health-focused broker, the shortest compliant route can be the best business decision. In most states that have hour requirements, Health Only is half the hours of the full L/A&H license. That is time you can redirect toward learning plan designs, practicing enrollment conversations, setting up carrier appointments, and preparing for your first Annual Enrollment Period or Marketplace enrollment season.

A Health Only license can allow brokers focused on ACA Marketplace coverage or Medicare Advantage to begin earning once they complete the other applicable licensing, appointment, certification, and carrier requirements. It also keeps your early education aligned with the products you will actually discuss. Licensing is foundational, but successful insurance agency growth also depends on product training, compliant marketing, client service, and a dependable contracting process.

The life license does not disappear as an option. You can add it later as a separate line and exam; depending on the state and provider, existing course work may help you avoid repeating shared content. Confirm the specific education rules before you enroll. This staged route gives you a clear answer to the question, “How do I get an insurance license?”: get the authority that matches your first business objective, then broaden it strategically.

• Florida: 40 hours for the 2-40 Health Only license versus 60 hours for the 2-15 combined license.
• California: approximately 32 hours for Health Only versus approximately 52 hours for the combined L/A&H path.
• Illinois: 20 hours for Health Only versus 40 hours for L/A&H.
• Ohio: 20 hours for Health Only versus 40 hours for L/A&H.
• New York: 20 hours for A&H only versus 40 hours for a combined license.

Don’t let the full license requirement slow you down—get Health-licensed, start selling, then add Life.

Save Up to 70% on Your Pre-Licensing Course With Xcel Testing Solutions

Affordable Care Agents has partnered with Xcel Testing Solutions, one of the nation’s leading insurance pre-licensing education providers. Xcel offers courses for all 50 states, with state-approved education for required hours. Before purchasing, choose your resident state and license line carefully, then confirm that the course listing meets the current DOI requirement for your application.

Use partner code FLATBUSH at xcelsolutions.com to get up to 70% off a Life, Accident & Health pre-licensing course. Courses include self-paced online learning, state-specific content, practice exams, and pass-guarantee options. That format works especially well for career changers and prospective brokers who need to study around a current job or family schedule.

Price matters. In states with 40-hour requirements, standard pre-licensing courses can cost $100–$300 or more, depending on the package and state. The FLATBUSH code can reduce that expense significantly, leaving more room in a new broker’s startup budget for fingerprinting, exam fees, application fees, E&O coverage where applicable, and carrier certification. If you’re getting licensed to join the Affordable Care Agents network, this is the fastest and most affordable path to start your insurance education.

How to Get Licensed in 5 Steps

1. Check your state’s requirements. Use the table above to estimate the life accident and health pre-licensing hours you may need, then verify the current rule and license line with your state DOI.
2. Complete your pre-licensing course if required. Choose the Health Only or L/A&H course that fits your plan. Use Xcel Testing Solutions and code FLATBUSH when eligible for the partner savings.
3. Pass the state licensing exam. States commonly use Pearson VUE or PSI, but confirm the current test vendor, exam content outline, identification rules, and scheduling process for your state.
4. Submit your license application and background check. Follow your state DOI’s application instructions, including fingerprints or background screening when required. Keep copies of confirmations, course certificates, and exam results.
5. Get contracted with carriers through an FMO such as Affordable Care Agents—and start selling. Your license opens the door; carrier appointments, certifications, compliance training, and product readiness are what prepare you to conduct business.

Build a simple personal timeline before you enroll: course completion date, exam target date, fingerprint appointment, license application, and contracting kickoff. A visible checklist reduces last-minute surprises and gives you a practical answer to “how many hours to get an insurance license by state” without confusing study time with the time needed for administrative processing.

Why Partner With Affordable Care Agents for Your Insurance Career?

Affordable Care Agents is a national FMO/IMO supporting broker contracting in all 50 states. New and experienced brokers can access more than 200 carrier contracts across ACA, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement, Part D, and ancillary product categories. That breadth lets you pursue a product mix that fits your licenses, market, and client needs rather than forcing every conversation into one carrier solution.

ACA also provides the back-office support that matters after the exam: compliance support, training, appointment tracking, and CRM access. You own your book of business—100% from day one—and can build residual and renewal income over time. There are no captive arrangements, exclusivity requirements, or production minimums. Terms, carrier availability, and compensation structures can vary, so speak with the ACA team about the support and contracting opportunities relevant to your state. Learn why independent brokers outperform call center models when they combine business ownership with the right FMO support.

We help new brokers get licensed, get contracted, and get to work. When you are ready to build a durable health insurance practice with support behind you, visit Affordable Care Agents or call our team to get started.

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