Alaska P&C Producer Licensing Requirements

Pre-License Education

Unlike most states, Alaska does NOT require pre-licensing education hours for Property & Casualty insurance:

What This Means

Advantages:

• Lower entry cost (save $200-400)
• Faster path to licensure
• Self-paced study flexibility
• No course approval needed

Challenges:

• Requires self-discipline
• No structured curriculum
• Must identify study resources
• Easy to underestimate exam difficulty

Success Tip: Even though Alaska doesn't require courses, successful candidates invest 40-60 hours in structured self-study using comprehensive materials like this guide, practice exams, and national P&C textbooks.

Examination Requirements

Exam Structure - Property AND Casualty

Alaska requires passing BOTH the Property exam and the Casualty exam:

Efficient Option: Take both exams in a single session for one $89 fee:

• Complete Property exam first (2 hours 15 minutes)
• Optional short break
• Complete Casualty exam (2 hours 15 minutes)
• Total time: ~4.5 hours maximum
• Receive immediate results for both

Content Breakdown

Property Exam Topics (~90 questions):

• Types of Property Policies (30-35%)
  • Homeowners policies (HO-3, HO-4, HO-6)
  • Dwelling policies (DP-1, DP-2, DP-3)
  • Commercial property
  • Inland marine coverage
• Property Insurance Terms & Concepts (25-30%)
• Policy Provisions & Contract Law (20-25%)
• Alaska State Law (15-20%)

Casualty Exam Topics (~90 questions):

• Types of Casualty Policies (35-40%)
  • Personal auto insurance
  • Commercial auto
  • General liability
  • Workers' compensation
  • Umbrella/excess liability
• Casualty Insurance Terms & Concepts (25-30%)
• Policy Provisions & Contract Law (20-25%)
• Alaska State Law (15-20%)

Exam Tip: Alaska state law appears on BOTH exams. Focus on Alaska's 50/100/25 auto minimums, UM/UIM requirements, and state-specific regulations.

Application Process

Step 1: Prepare for Examination

Recommended Study Plan:

1. Study national P&C concepts (30-40 hours)
2. Review Alaska-specific regulations (10-15 hours)
3. Complete practice exams (5-10 hours)
4. Target consistent 80%+ practice scores

Study Resources:

• This FREE OpenExamPrep guide
• National P&C textbooks (Kaplan, ExamFX, etc.)
• Alaska Statutes Title 21
• Practice question banks (700+ questions)

Step 2: Apply for License

Application Method: Through NIPR (National Insurance Producer Registry)

• Website: nipr.com
• Create account or log in
• Select Alaska as licensing state
• Choose Property & Casualty lines of authority
• Complete application form
• Pay fees

Application Requirements:

• Personal information (SSN, address, employment history)
• Background questions (criminal history, previous licenses)
• Declaration of accuracy under penalty of perjury
• Authorization for background check

Step 3: Background Check

Fingerprint-Based Background Check (required):

Process:

1. Schedule appointment at IdentoGO location
2. Bring government-issued photo ID
3. Fingerprints captured digitally
4. Results sent to Alaska Division of Insurance
5. Processing time: 5-10 business days

IdentoGO Locations in Alaska:

• Anchorage
• Fairbanks
• Juneau
• Limited locations in rural areas (may need to travel)

Step 4: Receive Authorization to Test

Once your application and background check are complete:

• Receive Authorization to Test (ATT) via email
• ATT valid for 12 months from issuance
• Must pass exam within this window
• Can schedule with Pearson VUE

Step 5: Schedule Exam with Pearson VUE

Scheduling Options:

1. Online: pearsonvue.com/ak/insurance
2. Phone: (888) 204-6239
3. In-Person: At testing center

Choose Testing Format:

• Testing Center: Anchorage, Fairbanks locations
• Online Proctored: From home with webcam monitoring

Exam Fee: $89 for both Property AND Casualty exams in one session

Scheduling Tip: Book 2-3 weeks in advance for preferred date/time. Testing centers can fill up during peak periods (summer months).

Step 6: Take the Examination

What to Bring (Required):

• Two forms of identification:
  • Primary: Government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport)
  • Secondary: Credit card, ID with name matching application
• Authorization to Test confirmation (email or printed)

What is Provided:

• Scratch paper and pencil (or erasable board)
• Calculator (basic, built into test system)
• Testing computer and headphones (optional)

What is Prohibited:

• Personal belongings (stored in locker)
• Cell phones, smart watches, electronic devices
• Notes, study materials, books
• Food, drinks (except medical necessity)

Testing Process:

1. Arrive 30 minutes early
2. Check-in and identity verification
3. Review testing rules and non-disclosure agreement
4. Enter testing room (biometric scan, photo)
5. Tutorial (5 minutes, not timed)
6. Property exam (2 hours 15 minutes)
7. Optional break (not timed)
8. Casualty exam (2 hours 15 minutes)
9. Survey (not timed)
10. Receive results immediately

Results:

• Pass/fail displayed on screen
• Score report printed
• Results sent to Alaska Division of Insurance electronically

Test-Taking Tip: If you pass Property but fail Casualty (or vice versa), you only need to retake the failed exam. Your passing score is valid for 12 months.

License Issuance

Upon Passing Exam

• License issued within 5-10 business days
• Available in NIPR system and Alaska's Producer Database
• Initial term: 1 year from issue date
• Renewal: Biennially (every 2 years) thereafter

License Number

Format: AKP-###### or AKC-######

• Unique identifier
• Used for all transactions
• Must appear on business cards and correspondence

Lines of Authority

Your license will show:

• Property - If passed Property exam
• Casualty - If passed Casualty exam
• Can add additional lines later (Life & Health requires separate exam)

Resident vs. Non-Resident Licenses

Resident License:

• Primary residence in Alaska
• Must maintain Alaska resident license
• Can apply for non-resident licenses in other states

Non-Resident License:

• Primary residence in another state
• Home state license required first
• Reciprocity - Alaska honors home state requirements
• Same application process but no additional exam

Continuing Education (CE) Requirements

Alaska requires ongoing education to maintain your license:

CE Requirements

CE Compliance Period

• First renewal: Due 2 years after initial 1-year license expires
• Example: Licensed April 1, 2026 → First renewal April 1, 2027 (no CE required) → Second renewal April 1, 2029 (24 CE hours required)

Approved CE Courses

Topics That Count:

• Insurance products and coverages
• Alaska insurance law and regulations
• Ethics and professional conduct
• Sales practices and suitability
• Claims handling
• Risk management

Topics That DON'T Count:

• Marketing and business development
• Office management
• Technology training (unless insurance-specific)
• General business courses

Approved Providers:

• Kaplan Financial Education
• WebCE
• ExamFX
• America's Professor
• Insurance providers (company-sponsored training)

CE Tip: Complete your 3 ethics hours first, then spread remaining 21 hours throughout the 2-year period. Don't wait until the last minute!

CE Reporting

Self-Reporting Required:

• Producers must report CE completion to NIPR
• Upload certificates or provider reports electronically
• Alaska Division of Insurance audits compliance
• Keep certificates for 4 years in case of audit

License Renewal

Renewal Process

When: Every 2 years on license anniversary date

How:

1. Complete 24 CE hours including 3 ethics hours
2. Log in to NIPR account 60 days before expiration
3. Update personal information if changed
4. Attest to CE completion
5. Pay renewal fee
6. Submit renewal application

Renewal Fee: Check current fee at nipr.com (typically $75)

Late Renewal

• Grace period: 30 days after expiration
• Late fee: $25 additional
• Cannot sell insurance during lapsed period
• Commissions: May be forfeited if unlicensed

Failure to Renew

If license lapses beyond grace period:

• License terminated
• Must reapply as new applicant
• May not need to retake exam if within 12 months
• Must complete current CE requirements

Appointment with Insurance Companies

What is an Appointment?

An appointment is authorization from an insurance company to represent them:

• Producer is "appointed" by each insurer they represent
• Allows producer to bind coverage and collect premiums
• Company responsible for producer's actions on their behalf

Appointment Process

1. Obtain license from Alaska Division of Insurance
2. Contract with insurer - Sign producer agreement
3. Company files appointment with Division
4. Company pays appointment fee (not producer)
5. Appointment appears on producer record in NIPR

Appointment Requirements

• Must hold valid Alaska P&C license
• Complete company-specific product training
• Pass company underwriting and background review
• Maintain errors & omissions (E&O) insurance (company may provide)

Career Tip: Most new producers start with 2-4 company appointments to offer competitive options. Build relationships with independent agencies or captive insurers.

License Maintenance Best Practices

Record Keeping

Producers Must Maintain:

• License certificates and renewals (4 years)
• CE completion certificates (4 years)
• Company appointments and terminations (4 years)
• Client files and applications (5 years per Alaska law)
• Premium records (5 years)
• Claims files (5 years)

Address Changes

Report Within 30 Days:

• Change of home address
• Change of business address
• Change of email
• Change of phone number

How to Report: Update NIPR profile and notify Alaska Division of Insurance

Legal Name Changes

• Update within 30 days
• Provide legal documentation (marriage certificate, court order)
• License reissued with new name

Criminal Convictions

Must Report Within 30 Days:

• Any criminal conviction (misdemeanor or felony)
• Plea of guilty or no contest
• Even if adjudication withheld

Failure to Report: License revocation for non-disclosure

Critical: Alaska requires reporting ANY criminal conviction, not just insurance-related or fraud convictions. Failure to report is grounds for immediate license revocation.