How to Get Your Arkansas Insurance License in 2026
Arkansas requires 20 hours of pre-licensing per line (40 for P&C). Complete an AID-approved course, submit your NIPR application and background check, receive your PSI Authorization to Test, and pass. Compare AID-approved schools below.
Course Cost
$139 – $299
Time to License
2 – 6 weeks
Avg AR Salary
$54,000/yr
Required Hours
20 hrs/line
Top 3 Arkansas Insurance Pre-Licensing Schools
1. ExamFXBest Value
AID-approved (#12795). 94–99% pass rate claim. Three tiers: Self-Study ($169.95), Video ($219.95), Live Online ($299.95). Pass guarantee on readiness exam.
From $169.95
L&H Self-Study
2. A.D. BankerPass Guarantee
AID-approved pre-licensing. Silver $169.95 / Gold $196.90 / Platinum $296.85. Pass Guarantee on every tier. 6-month access.
From $169.95
Silver Package
3. Kaplan Financial EducationMost Comprehensive
AID-approved. 4 tiers from $139 (Basic) to $349 (Career Launcher with Insurance Accelerator). Live & OnDemand classes on upper tiers.
From $139
Basic Self-Study
Best Arkansas Insurance Pre-Licensing Schools
All 5 schools are Arkansas AID-approved. Price: Low to High.
Quick Price Comparison (Course Only)
WebCE
Starting at
$109.95
- Exam Prep Only — does not satisfy AR pre-licensing requirement
- 94% pass rate — industry-leading results
- Exam Tutor unlimited practice tests + Flash Tutor flashcards
- AR Life & Health exam prep available
Available Packages (2)
Online Complete Package (40hr L&H)
- AR Life & Health exam prep (40 hrs)
- Exam Tutor unlimited practice tests
- Flash Tutor flashcards
- Exam Prep Only — does not satisfy AR pre-licensing requirement
Kaplan Financial Education
Most ComprehensiveStarting at
$139
- Most comprehensive AR insurance pre-licensing library
- Career Launcher includes Insurance Accelerator career course (12-mo access)
- Live & OnDemand review class on EssentialPlus and Career Launcher tiers
- AR L&H, P&C, and Personal Lines — 4 tiers from $139 to $349
Available Packages (8)
Life & Health — Basic ($139)
- AR L&H pre-licensing course (AID-approved)
- QBank practice questions
- Mastery exam simulation
- 60-day access
ExamFX
Starting at
$169.95
- AID-approved pre-licensing provider (#12795) — reports completions to regulator
- 94% L&H / 99% P&C pass rate claim
- Pass guarantee: score 80%+ on readiness exam or get a refund
- Self-Study, Video Study, and Live Online tiers
Available Packages (7)
Life & Health — Self-Study (40 hrs)
- AR Life & Health pre-licensing course (40 hrs, AID-approved)
- Online self-study portal (60 days)
- Practice exams and readiness exam
- Instructor support included
A.D. Banker
Starting at
$169.95
- State-approved pre-licensing provider — reports completions to regulator
- Pass Guarantee on every tier
- Silver $169.95 / Gold $196.90 / Platinum $296.85
- AR Life & Health, P&C, and Personal Lines tracks available
Available Packages (3)
Silver (L&H or P&C)
- AR pre-licensing course (AID-approved)
- Online self-paced format
- 6-month access
- Pass Guarantee included
Xcel Solutions
Starting at
$199
- Two clear tiers: Standard $199 / Premier $299
- AR L&H and P&C tracks available (AID-approved pre-licensing)
- Premier includes Prepared to Pass Promise (full refund guarantee)
- Proven 3-Part System: Course + Prep Review + Exam Simulator
Available Packages (4)
Life & Health — Standard
- AR L&H pre-licensing course (AID-approved)
- Prep Review + Exam Simulator (30-day access)
- Standard online self-study format
- State-required content coverage
Prices verified March 2026. Prices may change. Always confirm current pricing on the school's website before enrolling.
How Much Do Arkansas Insurance Agents Earn?
AR Average
$54,000/yr
Source: ZipRecruiter / Salary.com (2026)
Top Producers
$80,000–$150,000+
Independent agents in NW Arkansas corridor
P&C Commissions
8–15% new business / 5–10% renewals. AR average homeowners premium ~$1,800/yr. Write 5 home + 8 auto/month → $50,000–$70,000 by year 3 with renewals.
Life Insurance
50–100% first-year premium on whole life. Arkansas Farm Bureau and Shelter Insurance agents build strong rural and agricultural life books.
Medicare / Health
$601/yr per Medicare Advantage enrollee (2025 CMS). AR's growing 65+ population and rural communities underserved by employer plans create strong demand.
Top Arkansas Insurance Markets
How to Get Your Arkansas Insurance License
Choose Your License Type and Complete Pre-Licensing
Select your lines of authority: Life (20 hrs) or Accident & Health (20 hrs) for life/health/Medicare; P&C combined (40 hrs = 20 Property + 20 Casualty) for auto, home, and commercial; or Personal Lines (20 hrs) for personal auto and homeowners only. Enroll in an AID-approved course (ExamFX, A.D. Banker, Kaplan, Xcel, or WebCE). Pass the course certification exam with 70%+ and save your Certificate of Completion — valid for 2 years.
Apply via NIPR and Complete Background Check
File your resident license application through nipr.com. Fee: $15 state + $5.60 NIPR = $20.60 total. Immediately after filing, complete the Arkansas State Police criminal background check at ark.org/background-check ($24). Allow 2–5 business days for AID to clear your application and background check.
Receive Your PSI Authorization to Test
After your application and background check clear, PSI Services will email your Authorization to Test. This must arrive before you can schedule your exam. If you haven't received it within 5 business days, contact PSI at (855) 518-7458 or email the AID Licensing Division at insurance.license@arkansas.gov.
Schedule and Pass the PSI Exam
Schedule at candidate.psiexams.com or call (855) 518-7458. Exam fee: $50 per attempt. Testing available in Little Rock, Fayetteville, and Fort Smith — or via online proctoring. Bring two government-issued IDs. Score 70% or higher to pass. Results are displayed immediately.
Receive Your License and Get Appointed
Arkansas issues your license electronically within 1–3 business days of passing. View and print at sbs.naic.org. Then get appointed by a carrier or agency — appointments must be filed with AID within 15 days of contract execution.
Arkansas Insurance License Requirements
Pre-Licensing Education
- Life: 20 hours (AID-approved course)
- Accident & Health: 20 hours
- P&C combined: 40 hours (20 Property + 20 Casualty)
- Certificate valid 2 years — must pass exam in this window
PSI State Exam
- $50 per attempt via PSI
- 70% passing score required
- Two valid government IDs required at test center
- Online proctored testing available
Application & Background Check
- Apply via NIPR: $15 + $5.60 = $20.60
- AR State Police background check: $24 via ark.org
- Both required before PSI authorization
- Allow 2–5 business days for clearance
Continuing Education
- 24 CE hours per 2-year renewal
- 3 ethics hours required
- Renewal fee: $70 per license class
- License expires on birthday biennially
Arkansas Insurance License Cost Breakdown
| Item | Low | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-Licensing Course (Life or Health, 20 hrs) | $139 | $299 | AID-approved course required; Kaplan Basic at $139 |
| Pre-Licensing Course (P&C combined, 40 hrs) | $139 | $299 | 20 hrs Property + 20 hrs Casualty |
| PSI State Exam | $50 | $50 | Per attempt; cancel 48 hrs in advance to avoid forfeit |
| License Application (NIPR) | $21 | $21 | $15 state fee + $5.60 NIPR transaction fee |
| Background Check (AR State Police) | $24 | $24 | Online via ark.org; required before exam authorization |
| Total Estimated Cost | $234 | $394 | Life or Health license (20 hrs) |
Arkansas Insurance License FAQ
How much pre-licensing education is required for an Arkansas insurance license?
Arkansas requires 20 hours of AID-approved pre-licensing education per line of authority. Life: 20 hours. Accident & Health: 20 hours. Personal Lines: 20 hours. Property: 20 hours. Casualty: 20 hours. The combined Property & Casualty license requires 40 hours total (20 hours per line). Your Certificate of Completion is valid for 2 years — you must pass the PSI state exam within this window.
Who administers the Arkansas insurance licensing exam?
PSI Services LLC administers all Arkansas insurance producer licensing exams. Schedule online at candidate.psiexams.com or by calling (855) 518-7458. In-person testing is available at PSI test centers in Little Rock, Fayetteville, and Fort Smith. Online proctored testing is also available. The exam fee is $50 per attempt and a score of 70% is required to pass. If you don't pass, results expire after 2 years from course completion.
How much does it cost to get an Arkansas insurance license?
For a Life or Health license (20 hours): pre-licensing course ($139–$299) + PSI exam fee ($50) + NIPR application fee ($20.60) + Arkansas State Police background check ($24) = approximately $233–$393 total. For the P&C license (40 hours): course ($139–$299) + exam ($50) + application ($20.60) + background check ($24) = approximately $233–$393. Kaplan's Basic tier at $139 is the lowest-cost AID-approved option.
How do I complete the Arkansas State Police background check?
The Arkansas State Police criminal background check is completed online at ark.org/background-check for $24. Submit the background check immediately after filing your NIPR license application — both must be submitted before you can take the PSI state exam. Allow 2–5 business days for AID to review your application and background check results before PSI sends your Authorization to Test.
How long does it take to get an Arkansas insurance license?
For a Life or Health license (20 hours): most candidates complete the process in 2–4 weeks — approximately 1–2 weeks for the pre-licensing course, 2–5 business days for application and background check clearance, and a few days to schedule and pass the PSI exam. For the P&C license (40 hours): expect 3–6 weeks. Fast-track candidates studying full-time can complete a Life or Health license in as little as 10–14 days.
What is the difference between the P&C and Personal Lines license in Arkansas?
The full Property & Casualty (P&C) license requires 40 hours of pre-licensing education (20 hrs Property + 20 hrs Casualty) and allows agents to sell both personal AND commercial policies — auto, home, renters, commercial property, general liability, and workers' compensation. The Personal Lines license requires only 20 hours and restricts agents to personal (non-commercial) lines — personal auto, homeowners, and renters insurance only. Most agencies and carriers require the full P&C license.
How much do insurance agents earn in Arkansas?
Arkansas insurance agents typically earn $44,000–$76,000 per year. Entry-level captive agents often start at $35,000–$50,000. Experienced independent agents with established P&C or L&H books — especially in the rapidly growing Northwest Arkansas corridor (Fayetteville/Bentonville/Rogers) — regularly earn $75,000–$150,000+. The Walmart supplier ecosystem and fast-growing NW Arkansas economy create strong commercial insurance demand.
Does Arkansas offer insurance license reciprocity for out-of-state agents?
Yes. Arkansas participates in the NAIC Producer Licensing Model Act (PLMA) reciprocity framework. Non-resident producers holding an active license in good standing in their home state can apply for an Arkansas non-resident license through NIPR without taking the Arkansas state exam. The application fee is $15 + NIPR transaction fee. Contact the AID Licensing Division at insurance.license@arkansas.gov for state-specific questions.
What are the continuing education requirements for Arkansas insurance license renewal?
Arkansas insurance producers must complete 24 CE hours every 2-year renewal period, including at least 3 ethics hours. Licenses expire on your birthday biennially. The renewal fee is $70 per license class plus a $20 CE filing fee via NIPR. CE courses may not be repeated for credit within the same 2-year period. The renewal period begins 50 days prior to your license expiration date.
Can I fail the Arkansas insurance exam and retake it?
Yes. If you fail the PSI exam, you can reschedule and retake it by paying the $50 exam fee again. There is no waiting period for initial retakes. However, your Certificate of Completion from your pre-licensing course is valid for 2 years — you must pass the state exam within this window or your certificate expires. A diagnostic report is emailed after a failed attempt to help guide further study.
Income Disclaimer: Salary figures are estimates based on publicly available data and vary significantly by state, market, experience level, employer type, and individual effort. Past or average earnings are not a guarantee of future results. CertLaunch makes no income guarantees of any kind.
Sources:
Licensing requirements, exam fees, and course availability change frequently. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing board before enrolling or submitting any application. Learn how we source our data.