Pennsylvania offers separate insurance lines of authority depending on whether you plan to sell Life products, Accident & Health products, or both. Choosing the correct authority determines the types of insurance products you are authorized to sell.
This guide compares Pennsylvania Life, Health, and combined Life and Health insurance license 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, application, fingerprints, and other requirements, review our Pennsylvania Insurance License Requirements page.
Pennsylvania Life and Health Insurance License Options
Pennsylvania recognizes Life & Fixed Annuity and Accident & Health as separate lines of authority. Applicants who plan to sell products from both lines can obtain both authorities and take the combined Life, Accident and Health licensing examination. Pennsylvania currently offers separate Life and Accident & Health exams as well as the combined examination.
With both lines of authority, agents may sell products including:
- Term and whole life insurance
- Fixed annuities
- Health insurance
- Disability income insurance
- Medicare supplement coverage
- Long-term care insurance
Review our Pennsylvania Life and Health Insurance License Guide for more information about obtaining both lines.
Pennsylvania Life Insurance License
Pennsylvania identifies the Life line of authority as Life & Fixed Annuity. It provides authority for Life insurance and fixed annuity products but does not provide Accident & Health authority.
Life authority includes products such as:
- Term life insurance
- Whole life insurance
- Universal life insurance
- Fixed annuities
Review our Pennsylvania Life Insurance License Guide for more information about the Life license.
Pennsylvania Health Insurance License
Pennsylvania identifies the Health line of authority as Accident & Health. This authority covers health-related insurance products but does not provide Life & Fixed Annuity authority.
Accident & Health authority includes products such as:
- Health insurance
- Disability income insurance
- Medicare supplement coverage
- Long-term care insurance
Review our Pennsylvania Health Insurance License Guide for more information about the Health license.
Which Pennsylvania Insurance License Should You Get?
The right Pennsylvania insurance license depends on the products you plan to sell.
- Life and Health: For agents who want both Life & Fixed Annuity and Accident & Health authority.
- Life: For agents focused on Life insurance and fixed annuity products.
- Health: For agents focused on Accident & Health products.
If you plan to work with both life and health insurance products, obtaining both lines provides the broadest authority across these markets.
Pennsylvania Insurance Exam Requirements by License Type
Pennsylvania no longer requires pre-licensing education for first-time insurance producer applicants. Act 142 of 2024 removed the state’s pre-licensing education requirement, allowing applicants to prepare for and take the applicable licensing examination without first completing required course hours.
Pennsylvania offers examinations for:
- Life and Health: Life, Accident and Health
- Life: Life
- Health: Accident and Health
Applicants must pass the examination required for the line or lines of authority they plan to obtain.
Although exam preparation is not a state education requirement, preparing with state-specific course material and exam-style practice questions can help you understand the topics tested on the Pennsylvania licensing exam.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main Pennsylvania Life and Health insurance license options?
Pennsylvania applicants may obtain Life & Fixed Annuity authority, Accident & Health authority, or both. Applicants seeking both lines can take the combined Life, Accident and Health licensing examination.
Is pre-licensing education required in Pennsylvania?
No. Pennsylvania removed its pre-licensing education requirement for first-time insurance producer applicants under Act 142 of 2024. Applicants must still pass the applicable insurance licensing examination.
Do you need separate Life and Health authority in Pennsylvania?
Life & Fixed Annuity and Accident & Health are separate lines of authority. Applicants who plan to sell products from both lines can obtain both authorities and take the combined Life, Accident and Health examination.
Can you sell health insurance with a Pennsylvania Life license?
No. Life & Fixed Annuity authority does not include Accident & Health products. You must also obtain Accident & Health authority to sell health insurance products.
Can you sell life insurance with a Pennsylvania Health license?
No. Accident & Health authority does not include Life & Fixed Annuity products. You must also obtain Life authority to sell Life insurance products.
Which Pennsylvania insurance license provides the broadest Life and Health authority?
Obtaining both Life & Fixed Annuity and Accident & Health authority allows an agent to sell products across both lines and provides broader authority than holding either line alone.
Next Steps
Once you know which Pennsylvania insurance license fits your goals, the next step is preparing for the applicable state licensing exam.
Review our Pennsylvania Insurance Exam Prep Courses to select the appropriate Life, Health, or combined Life and Health exam preparation and begin preparing for the licensing exam.
