Pennsylvania has strict requirements about selling insurance. Before you can do so, you must adhere to specific education, examination and licensing requirements as mandated by state law. The state requires you to complete 24 hours of approved pre-licensing education, as well as submit to and pass a state examination.

If you pass the examination, you may apply for your license at your examination testing center. Be prepared to pay fingerprinting and application fees, as well as licensing fees can range from as little as $55 to as much as $200 depending on the type of license you apply for and whether you are a resident or non-resident.

Pennsylvania makes an exception to insurance agents who are already licensed in another state. Those individuals do not have to take an exam, and may instead apply for a Pennsylvania insurance agent license online through the Pennsylvania Insurance Department.

If you are approved for a license, you will be able to print it immediately from your computer. Depending on the type of license you have, you will need to renew it once every one to two years. The Pennsylvania Insurance Department will remind you of upcoming renewals with a 45-day notice of expiration.

Before you can renew, you must make sure you have completed at least 24 hours of continuing education in the previous two year period. Failure to do so will result in denial of your Pennsylvania insurance license renewal. You may renew your license online up to your expiration date, after which time you must renew by mail.