Insurance Agents

Education & Training

Preparation

To work as an insurance agent, you must:

• have a high school diploma or GED;
• complete a bachelor's degree;
• complete on-the-job training;
• get a state license to sell insurance products; and
• pass a background check.

Education after high school

Most insurance agents have a bachelor's degree. Business and economics are common majors, but other areas of study are acceptable. Many colleges offer courses in insurance and a few offer bachelor's degrees in that program. Regardless of your major, you should take courses in finance, math, and accounting. Business and business law courses also provide a good background for this occupation. Courses in psychology, sociology, and public speaking can help you with the sales side of the job.

It is possible to become an insurance agent without a bachelor's degree. However, you must have a proven ability in sales. In addition, many employers require that you complete relevant college course work or have a two-year degree.

Work experience

Many agents transfer from other jobs to insurance sales. Work experience dealing with people and in sales is good preparation for this occupation.

On-the-job training

Insurance agents often begin by completing self-study courses with an insurance agency. In these courses you study the company's products and services. You also study insurance law and licensing regulations. You become qualified as an agent by completing a series of tests. The tests establish your competency and qualify you for a license to sell insurance in your state. Each type of insurance, life, health, and property and casualty, requires a separate license.

Agents must update their skills and knowledge by taking retraining courses each year. Most states require retraining in insurance law and consumer protection.

Related Programs (Current training programs available)

• Insurance
• Insurance And Risk Management

Fields of Study (What to study to prepare for this career)

Click on any of the Fields of Study listed below to find out more about preparing for this career.

• Business Economics
• Business Management and Administration
• Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations
• Insurance

Level of Education

The table below lists the level of education attained by a subset of workers in this occupation. The workers surveyed were between age 25 and 44.

* National data

Helpful High School Courses

In high school, take classes that prepare you for college. A college preparatory curriculum may be different from your state's graduation requirements.

You should also consider taking some advanced courses in high school. This includes Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses if they are available in your school. If you do well in these courses, you may receive college credit for them. Advanced courses can also strengthen your college application.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this occupation include:

• Computer Applications
• Consumer Law
• Personal Finance
• Principles of Sales
• Psychology

Many insurance agents are self-employed. If you want to run your own business some day, you should consider taking these courses as well:

• Accounting
• Entrepreneurship
• Introduction to Business

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career.