North Carolina Life & Accident Health Insurance Practice Exams
NC requires separate exams for Life and Accident & Health — each 55 scored questions in 1 hr 15 min. The passing score is set by NCDOI. Practice both below.
🌟 Life Insurance Exam
Covers types of life insurance, annuities, policy provisions, and North Carolina statutes pertinent to life — G.S. Chapter 58.
Accident & Health Exam
Covers accident and health policies, provisions, and North Carolina statutes pertinent to accident and health — G.S. Chapter 58.
About the North Carolina Life & Health Insurance Exam
North Carolina licenses the Life and Accident & Health lines through separate exams, the Life Agent exam and the Accident & Health or Sickness Agent exam. Pearson VUE administers them for the North Carolina Department of Insurance (NCDOI). Each exam has 55 scored four-option questions plus 5 unscored pretest questions and allows 1 hour 15 minutes. The exams are two-part, with both parts scored together. The candidate handbook says the passing score was set by NCDOI but does not publish it, and a numeric scaled score (0 to 100) is shown only to candidates who fail.
Applications submitted on or after October 1, 2025 do not require prelicensing education, because Session Law 2025-45 repealed the 20-hour requirement in G.S. 58-33-30(d). The exam fee is $45 per attempt, a license application is valid for 6 months, and you need a valid Social Security number (an ITIN is not accepted). Most agent licenses, including Life and Accident & Health, require Live Scan fingerprints. Exams are taken in person, and walk-in testing is not available.
North Carolina Life & Health Insurance Exam Topic Breakdown
| Section | Questions / Weight | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|
| Life: Types of Individual Life Insurance | 17 | Term (contract types, renewability, convertibility), whole life, endowment, premium patterns, combination and joint policies, universal and interest-sensitive life |
| Life: Annuities | 5 | Annuity principles, premium methods, fixed, variable and equity-indexed benefits, timing, number of lives, minimum guarantees |
| Life: Policy Provisions, Options, and Other Features | 11 | Grace, reinstatement, incontestability, assignment, free look, suicide, war, aviation, nonforfeiture, loans, dividends, settlement options, beneficiaries, riders |
| Life: Other Life Topics | 8 | Group contracts, qualified retirement plans, business uses, Social Security, federal tax treatment, legal concepts, cost comparison, contract formation, variable products |
| A&H: Accident & Health Insurance Policies | 22 | Disability income (7), basic medical expense (2), major medical (6), comprehensive (1), hospital indemnity (1), managed care (5) |
| A&H: Accident & Health Insurance Provisions | 11 | Mandatory and optional provisions, preexisting conditions, renewability, assignment, premium payment |
| A&H: Other Accident & Health Topics | 8 | Group coverage, Social Security disability, accidental death and dismemberment, business uses, taxation, misrepresentation, contract formation |
| NC — Life: Statutes and Regulations Pertinent to Life | 14 | Licensing, unfair trade practices, replacement, solicitation, privacy, continuing education, guaranty associations |
| NC — A&H: Statutes and Regulations Pertinent to Accident & Health | 14 | Licensing, unfair trade practices, replacement, solicitation, privacy, continuing education, guaranty associations, group continuation and conversion privileges |
Counts are from the North Carolina Insurance Content Outlines published by Pearson VUE (document 123415, effective March 2, 2026). The Life and Accident & Health outlines each carry 55 scored questions; each exam also includes 5 unscored pretest questions that are not identified. Subtopics are condensed.
What Makes the North Carolina Life & Health Exam Different
Life and Accident & Health are separate exams. NCDOI lists the Life Agent and Accident & Health or Sickness Agent exams separately, each 1 hour 15 minutes, so you need to pass the exam for each line you want to be licensed in.
Prelicensing was repealed for new applications. For applications submitted on or after October 1, 2025, North Carolina no longer requires the 20 hours of instruction per line, and the Commissioner may not require any specific amount of instruction (G.S. 58-33-30(d), S.L. 2025-45).
Weight of North Carolina law. Each exam includes 14 of 55 scored questions on North Carolina statutes and regulations, about a quarter of the exam, covering licensing, unfair trade practices, replacement, solicitation, privacy, continuing education and guaranty associations. The A&H outline adds group continuation and conversion privileges.
Application deadline. The handbook says a license application is valid for 6 months and candidates must pass their exam before the end date of their application with NIPR.
Fingerprints through Live Scan only. Fingerprint cards are not accepted. Applicants bring photo ID to a Live Scan appointment, and the completed SBI release form must be uploaded to the NIPR Attachment Warehouse, since the license cannot be issued without it. NCDOI's chart says to submit it within 30 days of the application.
Continuing education. Resident producers complete 24 credit hours every two years, including 3 hours of ethics, due by the last day of the birth month in an odd or even year depending on the licensee's birth year. Extra hours carry forward to the next period.
Sample North Carolina Life & Health Insurance Exam Questions
1. A person submits a North Carolina producer application for a Life license on December 1, 2025. What does G.S. 58-33-30(d), as amended by S.L. 2025-45, say about prelicensing instruction?
2. A candidate fails the North Carolina Life Agent exam. Under the Pearson VUE candidate handbook, when may the candidate schedule a retake?
3. How many hours of continuing education must a North Carolina resident producer complete in each two-year compliance period, according to the Prometric NC Agent Handbook?
Study Tips for the North Carolina Life & Health Exam
Put your time where the points are: Types of Individual Life Insurance (17) and Policy Provisions (11) on Life, and Accident & Health Insurance Policies (22) on A&H, with disability income and major medical the largest subtopics.
Do not skip North Carolina law. Each exam has 14 questions on North Carolina statutes and regulations, and they are among the easiest points to earn if you learn licensing, unfair trade practices and replacement rules.
The passing score is not published and you see a numeric score only if you fail, so aim for mastery across all sections. The exam is timed at 1 hour 15 minutes for about 60 questions, so practice pacing.
Also licensing in property or casualty? See our North Carolina Property & Casualty practice exams. National content is in our life and health practice exam, and our insurance license exam study guide covers exam strategy.
How to Get Your North Carolina Life & Health Insurance License
There are four steps to get your North Carolina insurance producer license for Life and Accident & Health.
Steps to Get Your North Carolina Life & Health Insurance License
| Step | What to Do |
|---|---|
| 1. Prepare for the Exam | North Carolina no longer requires prelicensing education for applications submitted on or after October 1, 2025 (S.L. 2025-45). Approved prelicensing courses are still published if you want one, and the Pearson VUE content outline for the Life and Accident & Health exams is the study blueprint. |
| 2. Apply and Register | File your producer application (it is valid for 6 months and you must pass before its end date), then reserve your exam with Pearson VUE using your legal name. You need a valid Social Security number, and the exam fee is $45 per attempt. NCDOI's chart lists a $38 electronic application fee for most licenses. |
| 3. Pass the Exam | Bring two forms of current signature ID, one of them government-issued with a photo. Each exam allows 1 hour 15 minutes. Failing candidates see a numeric score and may reschedule after 24 hours. |
| 4. Fingerprint and Maintain | Submit Live Scan fingerprints (cards are not accepted) with the SBI release form, within 30 days of the application. Once licensed, complete 24 hours of continuing education every two years, including 3 hours of ethics. |
North Carolina Life & Health Insurance License Requirements at a Glance
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Exams | Life Agent and Accident & Health or Sickness Agent (separate exams) |
| Questions | 55 scored plus 5 unscored per exam; four-option multiple choice |
| Time limit | 1 hour 15 minutes per exam |
| Passing score | Set by NCDOI and not published; scaled 0 to 100, numeric score shown only to failing candidates |
| Pre-license education | Not required for applications submitted on or after October 1, 2025 (S.L. 2025-45) |
| Exam provider | Pearson VUE (in-person; walk-ins not available) |
| Exam fee | $45 per attempt (candidate handbook, October 2025) |
| License application | Valid for 6 months; NCDOI chart lists $38 for most electronic applications |
| Fingerprints | Live Scan required for most agent licenses; SBI release form uploaded to NIPR |
| Retakes | Wait 24 hours; no attempt limit stated |
| Continuing education | 24 hours every two years, including 3 hours of ethics |
| Identification | Two forms of current signature ID, one government-issued with photo |
| Licensing authority | North Carolina Department of Insurance |
Verified against the NCDOI and Pearson VUE candidate handbook (October 2025), Pearson VUE content outlines (March 2026), NCDOI notices, Session Law 2025-45 and North Carolina General Statutes. Fees and times change; confirm current figures with NCDOI and Pearson VUE before you apply.
Our free North Carolina Life & Health practice exams cover general and North Carolina content for both exams. You can also try the national life and health practice exam or the insurance license exam study guide.
Interested in where this license leads? See our guide to insurance careers — including salary ranges, how to break in, and what the career looks like day to day.
Frequently Asked Questions — North Carolina Life & Health Insurance Exam
How many questions are on the North Carolina Life and Accident & Health exams?
Each exam has 55 scored four-option questions plus up to 5 unscored pretest questions, and each allows 1 hour 15 minutes. The exams are two-part, and the parts are scored together.
Do I take one exam or separate exams for Life and Accident & Health in North Carolina?
Separate exams. NCDOI and Pearson VUE list the Life Agent exam and the Accident & Health or Sickness Agent exam separately, so you take and pass the exam for each line you want.
Does North Carolina require pre-licensing education?
No, for applications submitted on or after October 1, 2025. Session Law 2025-45 repealed the 20-hour requirement in G.S. 58-33-30(d), and the Commissioner may not require any specific amount of instruction. NCDOI says approved providers will still be published for applicants who want a course.
What is the passing score?
The Pearson VUE candidate handbook says the passing score was set by the North Carolina Department of Insurance but does not publish the number. Scaled scores range from 0 to 100, and a numeric score is shown only to candidates who fail.
How much does the North Carolina insurance exam cost?
The candidate handbook (October 2025) lists a fee of $45 for each examination attempt, paid when you reserve and non-refundable except under the change and cancel policy. NCDOI's resident licensing chart lists $38 for most electronically submitted license applications.
Does North Carolina require fingerprints?
Yes for most agent licenses, including Life, Accident & Health, Property, Casualty and Personal Lines. Fingerprints must be taken by Live Scan at an authorized law enforcement agency, fingerprint cards are not accepted, and the completed SBI release form must be uploaded to the NIPR Attachment Warehouse. NCDOI's chart says to submit it within 30 days of the application.
How long do I wait to retake the exam?
Candidates must wait 24 hours before scheduling a retake, and each attempt carries its own fee. The handbook sets no maximum number of attempts.
What are the continuing education requirements?
Resident producers complete 24 credit hours every two years, including 3 hours of ethics. Property and personal lines licensees also complete 3 hours of flood in their first period and every other period after. Extra hours carry forward, and missing the deadline expires the license, with 120 days to make up the hours and a $75 reinstatement fee.
NC Life — Practice by Topic
Drill individual domains or take the full 55-question Life exam.
Life Insurance Types
Term, whole life, universal life, variable life, endowments, business uses of life insurance.
Annuities
Fixed, variable, indexed annuities; immediate vs. deferred; qualified retirement plans; Social Security.
Policy Provisions
Beneficiaries, nonforfeiture options, settlement options, dividends, grace period, incontestability, reinstatement.
NC State Law
G.S. Chapter 58: Commissioner authority, producer licensing, unfair practices, replacement, guaranty association.
🌟
Full Life Exam
55-question exam matching the real Pearson VUE NC Life exam format.
NC Accident & Health — Practice by Topic
Drill individual domains or take the full 55-question A&H exam.
Health Policy Types
Individual and group health, HMO, PPO, disability income, LTC, Medicare supplement, COBRA.
A&H Provisions
Grace period, reinstatement, proof of loss, claim forms, conversion rights, pre-existing conditions.
Federal Health Topics
Medicare Parts A–D, Medicaid, ACA provisions, HIPAA, ERISA, COBRA continuation rights.
NC State Law
G.S. Chapter 58: Commissioner authority, HMO Act, NC continuation rights, LTC requirements, unfair practices.
🌟
Full A&H Exam
55-question exam matching the real Pearson VUE NC A&H exam format.