California agents who plan to sell both life and health insurance products need both Life and Accident and Health or Sickness authority. California allows applicants to pursue both license types together and take the combined Life, Accident & Health or Sickness licensing exam.
This guide explains what California Life and Health licensing allows you to sell, how the combined exam works, the required 12-hour Ethics & California Insurance Code course, and how to prepare for the licensing exam.
For the complete licensing process, including the application, fingerprints, and other state requirements, review our California Insurance License Requirements page.
What Is a California Life and Health Insurance License?
California treats Life and Accident and Health or Sickness as separate license authorities. Applicants who want to sell products from both lines can obtain both authorities together.
Holding both Life and Accident and Health or Sickness authority allows an agent to work across a broad range of insurance products, including:
- Term and whole life insurance
- Universal life insurance
- Annuities
- Health insurance
- Disability income insurance
- Medicare supplement coverage
- Long-term care insurance
Some products require additional training or certification before they can be sold. For example, California requires additional training for agents who sell annuities or long-term care insurance.
Unlike the California Life Insurance License, which provides Life authority, or the California Health Insurance License, which provides Accident and Health or Sickness authority, obtaining both allows you to work across both lines.
California Life and Health Insurance Exam
Applicants pursuing both authorities can take the combined Life, Accident & Health or Sickness licensing examination rather than taking separate Life and Health exams.
The combined examination tests both general insurance concepts and California-specific insurance laws and regulations. A passing score of 60% is required on California producer licensing examinations.
California no longer requires product-specific pre-licensing education before taking the Life or Accident and Health or Sickness exam. Exam preparation is separate from the state’s required 12-hour course.
Required 12-Hour Ethics & California Insurance Code Course
California requires applicants for Life, Accident and Health or Sickness, or both authorities to complete a 12-hour Ethics & California Insurance Code course before the license can be issued.
The 12-hour course is a separate licensing requirement from insurance exam preparation. It includes California insurance law, ethics, and one hour of insurance fraud instruction.
Applicants pursuing both Life and Accident and Health or Sickness authority complete the 12-hour requirement only once. You do not need to complete a separate 12-hour course for each license type.
The course does not have to be completed before taking the licensing exam, but it must be completed before the California Department of Insurance can issue the licenses.
What California Life and Health Exam Prep Covers
California Life and Health exam preparation should focus on the topics contained in the California Department of Insurance examination objectives for both Life and Accident and Health or Sickness.
Topics include:
- Life insurance policies and concepts
- Policy provisions and riders
- Annuities
- Health insurance policies and concepts
- Disability income insurance
- California insurance laws and regulations
- Agent responsibilities and consumer protections
Our California Life and Health exam prep also includes exam-style practice questions and timed exams to reinforce the material and help you determine when you are ready to take the state licensing exam.
How Long Should You Prepare for the California Life and Health Exam?
Many applicants prepare for the California Life and Health insurance exam within two to four weeks when studying consistently.
Rather than scheduling the licensing exam based only on the number of days you have studied, use your understanding of the material and performance on comprehensive practice exams to determine when you are ready to test.
How to Get Licensed for Life and Health Insurance in California
The process includes:
- Prepare for the combined Life, Accident & Health or Sickness licensing exam
- Schedule and pass the California licensing exam
- Complete the required 12-hour Ethics & California Insurance Code course before license issuance
- Complete the California insurance license application and fingerprint requirements
- Receive approval from the California Department of Insurance
For detailed application, fingerprinting, fees, and licensing instructions, use the California License Requirements button at the top of this guide.
Choosing California Life and Health Exam Prep
California does not require applicants to complete product-specific pre-licensing education before taking the Life and Health licensing exam, so exam preparation should be chosen based on how effectively it prepares you for the actual examination.
Look for state-specific instruction, exam-style practice questions, timed practice exams, detailed answer reviews, and progress tracking that helps you evaluate your preparation over time.
National Online Insurance School’s California Life and Health exam prep includes the required 12-hour Ethics & California Insurance Code course within the same enrollment, allowing you to prepare for the licensing exam and complete the state education requirement together.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does California have a combined Life and Health insurance license?
California treats Life and Accident and Health or Sickness as separate license authorities. Applicants who want both can pursue the two authorities together and take the combined Life, Accident & Health or Sickness examination.
Is pre-licensing education required for a California Life and Health insurance license?
California no longer requires the former product-specific pre-licensing education before taking the Life or Accident and Health or Sickness licensing exam. Applicants must still complete the required 12-hour Ethics & California Insurance Code course before the licenses can be issued.
Do you have to complete two 12-hour Ethics courses for Life and Health?
No. Applicants seeking both Life and Accident and Health or Sickness authority complete the required 12-hour Ethics & California Insurance Code course once.
Do you have to complete the 12-hour course before taking the California insurance exam?
No. The required 12-hour Ethics & California Insurance Code course may be completed before or after the licensing exam, but it must be completed before the licenses can be issued.
Can you take one exam for both Life and Health in California?
Yes. California offers a combined Life, Accident & Health or Sickness licensing examination for applicants pursuing both authorities.
What can you sell with California Life and Health authority?
Holding both authorities allows you to sell Life and Accident and Health or Sickness insurance products, including life insurance, annuities, health insurance, disability income insurance, Medicare supplement coverage, and long-term care insurance. Additional product-specific training or certification may apply to certain products.
Next Steps
If you plan to sell both life and health insurance in California, the next step is preparing for the combined licensing exam and completing the required 12-hour Ethics & California Insurance Code course.
Review our California Life and Health Insurance Exam Prep to begin preparing for the state exam and complete the required 12-hour course.
