California offers separate insurance license authorities depending on whether you plan to sell Life products, Accident & Health or Sickness products, or both. Choosing the correct authority determines the types of insurance products you are authorized to sell.
This guide compares California Life, Accident & Health or Sickness, and combined Life and Health licensing options so you can determine which fits the type of insurance business you plan to pursue.
For the complete licensing process, including the state exam, required 12-hour Ethics & California Insurance Code course, fingerprints, and application requirements, review our California Insurance License Requirements page.
California Life and Health Insurance License Options
California treats Life and Accident & Health or Sickness as separate license authorities. Applicants who plan to sell products from both lines can apply for both authorities.
Obtaining both authorities allows an agent to sell both life and health insurance products, including:
- Term and whole life insurance
- Fixed annuities
- Major medical coverage
- Disability income insurance
- Medicare supplement coverage
- Long-term care insurance
Review our California Life and Health Insurance License Guide for more information about obtaining both authorities.
California Life Insurance License
The California Life license provides authority to sell Life insurance products but does not authorize the sale of Accident & Health or Sickness products.
Life authority includes products such as:
- Term life insurance
- Whole life insurance
- Universal life insurance
- Fixed annuities
Review our California Life Insurance License Guide for more information about the Life license.
California Health Insurance License
The California Accident & Health or Sickness license provides authority for health-related insurance products but does not authorize the sale of Life insurance.
Accident & Health or Sickness authority includes products such as:
- Health insurance
- Disability income insurance
- Medicare supplement coverage
- Long-term care insurance
Review our California Health Insurance License Guide for more information about the Health license.
Which California Insurance License Should You Get?
The right license depends on the products you plan to sell.
- Life and Health: For agents who want both Life and Accident & Health or Sickness authority.
- Life: For agents focused on Life insurance products and annuities.
- Health: For agents focused on Accident & Health or Sickness products.
If you plan to work with both life and health insurance products, obtaining both authorities gives you the broadest ability to serve clients across these lines.
California Education Requirements by License Type
Effective January 1, 2026, California no longer requires the former product-specific pre-licensing education for Life or Accident & Health or Sickness applicants. Applicants must still complete the required 12-hour Ethics & California Insurance Code course before the license can be issued.
The 12-hour requirement applies to applicants seeking:
- Life
- Accident & Health or Sickness
- Both Life and Accident & Health or Sickness
The 12-hour Ethics & California Insurance Code course only needs to be completed once when applying for more than one applicable license type.
Insurance exam preparation is separate from the required 12-hour course. California encourages applicants to study the examination objectives for the license exam they plan to take, and applicants may use an exam preparation course to prepare for the PSI licensing exam.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main California Life and Health insurance license options?
California applicants may obtain Life authority, Accident & Health or Sickness authority, or both. The appropriate option depends on the types of insurance products you plan to sell.
Do you need separate Life and Health licenses in California?
Yes. California treats Life and Accident & Health or Sickness as separate license authorities. Applicants who plan to sell products from both lines can apply for both authorities.
Is pre-licensing education required in California?
California no longer requires the former product-specific pre-licensing education for Life or Accident & Health or Sickness applicants. The required 12-hour Ethics & California Insurance Code course must still be completed before the license can be issued.
Do you have to complete the 12-hour Ethics course twice if applying for Life and Health?
No. The 12-hour Ethics & California Insurance Code course only needs to be completed once when applying for more than one applicable license type.
Can you sell health insurance with a California Life license?
No. Life authority does not include Accident & Health or Sickness products. You must also obtain Accident & Health or Sickness authority to sell those products.
Can you sell life insurance with a California Health license?
No. Accident & Health or Sickness authority does not include Life insurance products. You must also obtain Life authority to sell Life insurance products.
Next Steps
Once you know which California insurance authority fits your goals, the next step is preparing for the applicable licensing exam and completing the required 12-hour Ethics & California Insurance Code course.
Review our California Insurance Exam Prep Courses to select the appropriate Life, Health, or combined exam preparation and complete the required 12-hour course.
