How to Get Your North Carolina Life & Health Insurance License
To get your North Carolina life & health insurance license, you'll take the state exam administered by Pearson VUE and file your application through NIPR — application filed BEFORE exam. Fingerprints are required (Electronic Live Scan + law-enforcement-signed packet). Note: North Carolina is an "apply-first" state — your license application must be on file before you can schedule the exam.
Exam vendor
Pearson VUE
Application system
NIPR — application filed BEFORE exam
Fingerprints
Required — Electronic Live Scan + law-enforcement-signed packet
Fees
$50 application + $38 background + collection fee
Verified Jul 2026
In North Carolina, the license application comes FIRST — before the exam. Don't schedule the test until your application is on file.
Step-by-step
- ★Complete your prelicensing education or exam prep. LicenseIQ offers an online prelicensing course and exam prep you can start today.
- 1Apply via NIPR FIRST ($50 + line fees)
- 2Within 1 hour, Pearson VUE emails exam-scheduling instructions; NCDOI emails the fingerprint packet
- 3Complete fingerprints within 30 days of applying (packet signed by law enforcement)
- 4Pass the exam at Pearson VUE
- 5License issued after review (+4–6 wks if background flags)
Watch-outs
- North Carolina is application-first — candidates who take the exam route first get stuck. Prints due within 30 days of application.
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Official North Carolina links
- Schedule the North Carolina examPearson VUE
- Apply for your North Carolina licenseNIPR (apply first)
- Book North Carolina fingerprintsNCDOI fingerprint packet (Live Scan)
- North Carolina Department of InsuranceOfficial source
Frequently asked questions
- Who administers the North Carolina insurance exam?
- The North Carolina life & health insurance exam is administered by Pearson VUE.
- Do I need fingerprints for a North Carolina insurance license?
- Yes — fingerprints are required for North Carolina resident insurance producers (Electronic Live Scan + law-enforcement-signed packet). AFTER application, BEFORE exam.
- How do I apply for my North Carolina insurance license?
- Applications are filed through NIPR — application filed BEFORE exam. In North Carolina, the application must be filed BEFORE you sit the exam.
- What does a North Carolina insurance license cost?
- North Carolina fees: $50 application + $38 background + collection fee. Fees can change — always confirm with the state before paying.
- Do I take the exam or apply first in North Carolina?
- In North Carolina, you file the license application first — before scheduling the exam.