The state licensing examination administered on behalf of the California Department of Insurance (CDI) for individuals seeking a Property and Casualty insurance producer license. Passing qualifies a candidate to sell, solicit, and negotiate property and casualty insurance products in California.
Who it's for
Aspiring insurance agents and brokers who want to sell homeowners, auto, commercial property, general liability, and related property and casualty insurance products in California. Most candidates complete a state-approved pre-licensing education course before sitting for the exam, as required by California law.
What's covered
- Property Insurance Fundamentals — indemnity, insurable interest, named-peril vs. open-peril policies, homeowners coverage parts, and endorsements
- Casualty & Liability Fundamentals — auto coverage types, negligence and comparative fault, umbrella policies, subrogation, and workers' compensation basics
- California Insurance Law & Regulations — CDI licensing requirements, prohibited practices (twisting, rebating), unfair claims settlement rules, and the California FAIR Plan
What to expect
The exam is multiple-choice and computer-based, typically administered at an approved testing center, and covers both general property and casualty insurance principles and California-specific law and regulations. A pre-licensing education requirement (hours vary by license type) must generally be completed before candidates are eligible to sit for the exam.
How to prepare
Because the exam blends general insurance concepts (many of which are consistent across states) with California-specific statutes and regulations, it helps to study these separately: build solid general coverage and policy knowledge first, then layer in California-specific rules like producer licensing requirements, prohibited practices, and state consumer protection regulations. The law and regulations section is often where out-of-state study materials fall short, since it's specific to California statute rather than general insurance theory.
Certification details
- Administering body: California Department of Insurance (CDI), with the exam typically delivered through an approved third-party testing vendor.
- Eligibility: Minimum age 18; completion of state-required pre-licensing education hours for the property and casualty line.
- Exam format: Multiple-choice, computer-based licensing exam covering general P&C principles and California insurance law.
- License maintenance: Ongoing continuing education is generally required to renew an active producer license.