Delaware Insurance License Requirements and Renewal Guide
Official compliance standards, testing protocols, continuing education rules, and agency entity requirements across the First State.
Insurance activities in the state are regulated by the Delaware Department of Insurance (DOI). State licensing examinations are administered through Pearson VUE, background fingerprinting runs through the Delaware State Police and IdentoGO, and applications are processed through NIPR. Unlike states that tie renewal deadlines to agent birth dates, Delaware licenses expire on a single statewide date: February 28 of even-numbered years.
Delaware Insurance Lines of Authority
The Delaware Department of Insurance grants producer credentials by distinct lines of authority. Independent professionals and agency principals commonly qualify under one or more standard product lines:
| Line of Authority | Statutory Scope of Coverage | Examination Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Property | Commercial property, business owner policies, homeowners, inland marine, and physical asset protection. | Required (Pearson VUE) |
| Casualty | Commercial general liability, workers compensation, business auto, and liability coverage lines. | Required (Pearson VUE) |
| Life | Term life, whole life, universal policies, endowments, and fixed annuity products. | Required (Pearson VUE) |
| Accident and Health | Individual and group healthcare coverage, disability income policies, and Medicare supplements. | Required (Pearson VUE) |
| Personal Lines | Non-commercial property and casualty products, including private passenger auto and personal homeowners. | Required (Pearson VUE) |
| Surplus Lines Broker | Specialized or hard-to-place risks negotiated through unauthorized, eligible non-admitted carriers. | Prior P&C Authority Required |
How to Get an Insurance License in Delaware
Resident candidates must complete state examination requirements, background verification, and formal electronic application filing through national regulatory gateways:
Step 1: Exam Preparation and Pre-Licensing
Delaware insurance statutes do not mandate classroom pre-licensing education hours. Candidates are legally permitted to schedule examinations directly without submitting course completion certificates. However, thorough self-paced or structured study through professional education providers is strongly advised to master Delaware insurance statutes and national contract provisions.
Step 2: Pass the Pearson VUE State Examination
Delaware licensing exams are administered by Pearson VUE. Exams can be taken in person at authorized testing centers or online through OnVUE remote proctoring.
- Examination Fee: The examination fee is $90 per session. Candidates scheduling two major line examinations on the same testing day pay a single $90 fee.
- Passing Score: Candidates must score at least 70 percent on both the general insurance section and the Delaware state-specific law section.
- Score Validity: Examination test scores remain valid for twelve months from the pass date for application submission.
Step 3: Complete State and Federal Fingerprinting
Resident applicants must clear a criminal history review through the Delaware State Police and the FBI. Fingerprinting services are handled digitally through IdentoGO.
- Service Code: Register via IdentoGO using Delaware DOI service code 27S46Z.
- Fee: The background check and digital fingerprint processing fee is $85.
- Processing: Results transmit electronically to the Department of Insurance within 72 hours of fingerprint capture.
Step 4: Submit Online Application Through NIPR
Following examination and fingerprint clearance, submit your formal license request through the NIPR Resident Licensing Portal.
- Initial License Fee: $75 statutory state fee.
- Review Window: Delaware DOI processes electronic applications with clean background filings within 24 to 48 business hours.
Delaware License Renewal and Continuing Education Rules
Unlike jurisdictions that schedule renewals around birth dates, Delaware operates on a universal biennial cycle. Every resident producer and business entity license expires on February 28 of even-numbered years (February 29 in leap years).
The Delaware renewal window opens on December 1 of odd-numbered years. Continuing education credits must be fully recorded by course providers before submitting the online renewal. Failing to finish CE by February 28 triggers a mandatory $200 state CE penalty.
Continuing Education Requirements (DE Regulation 504)
Resident producers holding major lines of authority must complete twenty-four hours of approved continuing education every two-year cycle:
- Ethics Requirement: At least 3 of the 24 hours must be in approved insurance ethics coursework.
- Carryover Allowance: Up to 5 excess general CE credit hours can carry over into the immediate next two-year reporting period. Ethics credits cannot carry over to satisfy future ethics requirements.
- Course Repetition: Licensees cannot receive credit for taking the identical course more than once within the same biennial period.
- Veteran Producer and Designation Credits: Licensees holding an active license continuously for 25 years or more, or holding recognized professional designations such as CPCU, CLU, or CIC, qualify for specialized credit allowances under Regulation 504.
- Product Specific Training: Producers soliciting annuities, long term care policies, or flood coverage must complete designated initial training modules prior to writing contracts.
Renewal and Delinquency Fee Schedule
| Filing Window | Statutory State Fee | Conditions and Additional Assessments |
|---|---|---|
| Timely Renewal (Dec 1 odd year to Feb 28 even year) | $125 | Requires 24 completed CE hours posted prior to renewal submission. |
| Late Renewal Period (March 1 to August 31 even year) | $225 | Includes $100 late penalty. Plus $200 CE late fee if credits were completed after Feb 28. |
| Extended Late Renewal (Sept 1 even year to Feb 28 odd year) | $425 | Includes base renewal, late fee, and $200 administrative penalty (plus CE late fees if applicable). |
| Re-examination Cutoff (Beyond 12 months delinquent) | New Application Fees | Full license cancellation. The candidate must retake Pearson VUE examinations and reapply. |
Verify Current Delaware CE Requirements
Non-Resident Delaware Licensing
Producers based outside Delaware can secure non-resident authority through national reciprocity standards without taking an examination, provided their home state license remains in good standing:
- Application Fee: $75 statutory state fee via NIPR.
- Continuing Education Exemption: Non-resident producers are exempt from Delaware continuing education rules under Regulation 504, provided they maintain home state compliance.
- Appointments: In Delaware, company appointments are permanent once submitted through NIPR and do not require annual renewal unless explicitly terminated by the carrier.
Delaware Insurance Agency Entity Licensing
Corporations, limited liability companies, and partnerships operating as insurance agencies must hold a Delaware Business Entity license:
- Designated Responsible Producer (DRLP): The entity must designate at least one active individual producer licensed in Delaware for the appropriate lines of authority.
- Entity Renewal Cycle: Business entity licenses renew biennially on the exact same schedule as individuals, expiring on February 28 of even-numbered years for a $125 fee.
- Corporate Reporting Obligations: Address updates, officer modifications, and DRLP substitutions must be reported within 30 days using Delaware Form 2C.
Holding a valid Delaware insurance agency credential does not relieve your firm of state corporate filings. Both domestic and foreign entities registered with the Delaware Division of Corporations must submit mandatory annual franchise taxes and corporate reports to maintain active legal standing.