How to Get Your Illinois Insurance License in 2026
Illinois requires state-approved pre-licensing education before you can sit for the producer exam. Plan for a 5-8 week timeline.
Illinois insurance license — quick facts
| State regulator | Illinois Department of Insurance (IDOI) |
| Exam vendor | PSI |
| Pre-licensing education | Required — hours TBD |
| Exam fee (resident) | ~$41 per attempt |
| License application fee | ~$180 per producer, 2-year term |
| Fingerprinting | May be required |
| License term | 2 years |
| CE requirement | 24 hours / 2 years incl. 3 hours ethics |
The six steps
- 1
Complete pre-licensing education
Illinois mandates pre-licensing education before sitting for the producer exam. The IDOI Producer Examination Handbook states explicitly: 'Illinois will not issue a license until prelicensing education is complete and on file with the Department of Insurance.' The course must be filed and approved by IDOI. {/* TODO: verify current hours per line */}
- 2
Schedule your PSI exam
Illinois contracts with PSI for insurance license exams. Register at psiexams.com, pick a testing center, and pay the current exam fee (~$41 per attempt). {/* TODO: verify */}
- 3
Pass the exam
Illinois uses a 70% passing standard for resident producer exams. PSI sends your score directly to IDOI within 24 hours.
- 4
Submit your IDOI license application
Apply through NIPR or Sircon. Illinois license fees run roughly $180 per producer (2-year term). {/* TODO: verify */}
- 5
Background check
Illinois may require a fingerprint-based background check for new resident producers. {/* TODO: verify */}
- 6
Get appointed by a carrier
A producer license alone doesn't authorize you to sell — you need at least one carrier appointment.
What's on the Illinois P&C exam
Standard NAIC P&C framework plus Illinois Insurance Code (215 ILCS 5).
- Illinois insurance regulation — ~15-20%
- General insurance principles — ~10-15%
- Property — ~20-25%
- Casualty — ~25-30%
- Commercial Package, BOP, WC, Surety — ~15-20%
CE requirements after licensing
Illinois producer licenses renew every 2 years with 24 hours of IDOI-approved CE including 3 hours ethics.
Cost breakdown
- State-approved PLE: $200-$400
- PSI exam fee: ~$41 per attempt
- License application: ~$180
- Biennial CE: $30-$200
Illinois course — coming soon
Pre-licensing is required in Illinois — we're working with the IDOI to get our course approved as a PLE provider. Sign up below to be notified when our Illinois exam-prep + PLE bundle launches.
Notify me when Illinois launches →Frequently asked questions
Does Illinois require pre-licensing education?
Yes. The Illinois Department of Insurance Producer Examination Handbook explicitly mandates PLE completion before license issuance. The course must be IDOI-approved.
What's the passing score on the Illinois insurance exam?
70% — the same standard most states use. PSI administers and sends results to IDOI.
Is Elite Training Academy approved in Illinois?
Not yet. We're working to file our course with IDOI. Sign up to be notified when our Illinois course launches.
Related guides
- Texas insurance license cost — full breakdown
- How to get your Texas insurance license
- All exam-prep and CE pricing
Sources cited
- Illinois Department of Insurance
- PSI Exams — Illinois
- NIPR — National Insurance Producer Registry
- 215 ILCS 5/500 et seq. — Producer licensing
This guide is based on IDOI and PSI published procedures current as of 2026. Always verify current requirements at idoi.illinois.gov before relying on any specific number.