California Insurance License
Licensing requirements for California insurance professionals and companies.
This page provides an overview of insurance licensing in California for individuals and companies. You will find state requirements, application fees, filing instructions, and more. For assistance with licensing, please contact us to learn about our software and managed license services.
Companies that provide insurance producer services in California must apply for a license prior to doing business. Depending on the lines of authority offered by the entity and the types of services offered, multiple firm licenses may be required.
Before applying, firms should ensure that the licensed individual to be appointed agent in charge has the necessary licenses. Firms should also gather proof of incorporation, or foreign qualification for out-of-state firms, in anticipation of application requirements.
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- California Financial Services Company Licenses
- California Individual Financial Services Licenses
Company Licenses
California Financial Services Company Licenses
California Business Entity Application for Administrator’s Certificate
Initial Registration
| Notes: | Qualified Party Requirements:
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California Collection Agency License
Not required
Debt Collection Agency licensure is not required on the State level in California.
California does not currently issue licenses for collection agencies.
California Insurance Adjuster License
| Agency: | California Department of Insurance |
| Bond Requirements: | $2000 |
Initial Registration
| Form: | |
| Agency Fee: | $311 per qualified manager plus $52 for each branch office registration. |
| Bond Amount: | $2000-$5000 |
Registration Renewal
| Filing Method: | File online through Sircon. |
| Agency Fee: | $97 |
| Due: | Bienially |
California Insurance Producer License
| Agency: | California Department of Insurance |
Initial Registration
This section applies to insurance firms that are applying for a license in California for the first time.
| Agency: | California Department of Insurance |
| Form: | http://www.insurance.ca.gov/0200-industry/0020-apply-license/0300-business-license/index.cfm |
| Agency Fee: | Varies by insurance type. Baseline of $85 |
Registration Renewal
This section applies to insurance firms that are already licensed in California and need to renew their license.
| Agency: | California Department of Insurance |
| Form: | http://www.insurance.ca.gov/0200-industry/0020-apply-license/0300-business-license/index.cfm |
| Agency Fee: | Varies by insurance type. Baseline of $85 |
| Notes: | A license is eligible for renewal for up to one year after the expiration date of the license. After one year, a new application will have to be filed. |
California Non-Resident Credit Ins Agent License
| Agency: | California Department of Insurance |
Initial Registration
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | $449 |
Registration Renewal
| Filing Method: | |
| Agency Fee: | $410 renewal fee + $8 for each endorsee that is listed on the application. |
| Due: | Biennially by the end of the registration anniversary month. |
California Utilization Review License
Not required
Utilization Review licensure is not required on the State level in California.
There is no license for utilization review in California, however, employers are generally required to submit a utilization review program to the Division of Workers' Compensation.
More information: California Department of Industrial Relations - Division of Workers' CompensationIndividual Licenses
California Individual Financial Services Licenses
California Insurance Agent License
| Agency: | California Department of Insurance |
Initial Registration
This section applies to insurance agents that are applying for a license in California for the first time.
| Agency Fee: | From $85 to $1,178 depending on license type. |
Registration Renewal
| Filing Method: | Renew online via Sircon. |
| Agency Fee: | $188 for Property & Casualty Fees vary based on lines of authority. |
| Due: | Biennially |
Learn about insurance licensing in other states:
Adjuster - A person or firm that is paid to adjust, investigate, and negotiate claim settlements. There are 3 categories of adjusters: company, independent, and public. Company adjusters work for insurance companies and investigate claims on behalf of the company. Independent adjusters investigate claims on a contractual basis for insurance companies. Public adjusters investigate claims on behalf of claimants, usually to determine the amount of money that can be claimed.
Agent in Charge - A licensed individual responsible for the supervision of all individuals within an insurance agency. The agent in charge must be licensed in the same lines as the agency.
Insurance Agent - Insurance agents act as intermediaries between the insurance company and policyholders. Agents can be either captive or independent. Captive agents represent a single insurance company, while independent agents represent multiple insurers.
Insurance Broker - Individuals who sell insurance policies while representing the interests of the buyer. Brokers are typically independent intermediaries without an insurance company affiliation.
Insurance Producer - May be used to refer to either individual insurance agents and brokers or insurance agencies and brokerages.
Managing General Agent - An agent or broker that is involved in underwriting and has other areas of authority normally handled by insurers. MGAs are typically involved in unusual lines of coverage or in geographically prohibitive areas.
Surplus Lines Insurer - An insurance carrier that takes on risks that a licensed carrier is unwilling to insure. Surplus lines insurers do not have access to state guaranty funds and are less tightly regulated by state governing bodies.
Third Party Administrator - An organization that manages group insurance policies and works with the employer and insurance carrier to process claims, handle loss control, and provide risk management and consulting services.
Title Agent - Title agents sell insurance that protects real estate owners against loss of ownership of a property due to a legal claim.
Viatical Settlement Provider - A company that purchases life insurance policies at a discount from individuals seeking immediately available funds.
Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America (Big “I”)
Advocacy group of independent insurance brokers and agents.
National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA)
Professional association that advocates for favorable regulatory conditions for insurance agents and financial advisors.
National Association of Insurance Companies (NAIC)
A standard setting and regulatory support organization that is governed by state insurance regulators.
National Association of Professional Insurance Agents (PIA)
Professional association that provides education and advocacy for insurance agents throughout the United States.
National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR)
An affiliate of the NAIC that provides streamlined and uniform producer licensing processes.
