California insurance CSR license requirements
California lets salaried clerical staff help, but draws a firm line at soliciting, negotiating or effecting insurance.
A CSR at a California P&C agency who solicits, negotiates or effects insurance needs a license, usually Property and Casualty Broker-Agent or Personal Lines Broker-Agent. Insurance Code § 1635 exempts regularly salaried administrative and clerical employees of a licensee who don't solicit, negotiate or effect insurance and earn no commission. Since January 1, 2026, the 20-hour pre-licensing course is no longer required, but the 12-hour ethics and Insurance Code course still is.
California licenses at a glance
| License | Covers | Fits |
|---|---|---|
| Property Broker-Agent and Casualty Broker-Agent | Personal and commercial P&C | CSRs and account managers on any P&C account |
| Personal Lines Broker-Agent | Auto and residential property, plus related lines such as earthquake, flood, watercraft and umbrella over those | Personal lines CSRs |
A California license on its own isn't enough to transact. The licensee also needs an insurer appointment, broker authority, or a solicitor arrangement.
What unlicensed staff can do in California
Insurance Code § 1631 requires a license to solicit, negotiate or effect insurance. Section 1635 lists exemptions, including:
- A regularly salaried administrative or clerical employee of a licensed P&C broker-agent who doesn't solicit, negotiate or effect insurance with the public.
- Clerical changes to existing policies.
- Work only indirectly related to solicitation, with no direct sales or service contact with consumers.
No commission can be paid, directly or indirectly, to an unlicensed person.
In practice: an unlicensed California CSR can do clerical work and simple administrative changes. Explaining coverage, recommending options or quoting needs a licensed person.
Getting licensed in California
| Step | Detail |
|---|---|
| Pre-licensing course | 20-hour course repealed from January 1, 2026; 12-hour Ethics and California Insurance Code course still required before the license is issued |
| Exam | PSI Services, $55 |
| Fingerprints | Required for resident applicants |
| Continuing education | 24 hours per 2-year term, including 3 ethics hours (1 on fraud) |
Remote and out-of-state staff
Nonresidents get the same lines as their home-state license. The exam is waived when the home state reciprocates, and nonresidents who meet their home state's CE are generally exempt from California CE.
Check a California license
Use the CDI's license status search by name or license number, or check the person's NPN in NIPR.
Where Humai fits
Humai matches U.S.-licensed agents who hold California licenses, checked in NIPR, to work in your AMS under your agency's name, so licensed work is done by licensed people and your salaried staff stay on clerical tasks.
Questions agency owners ask
Does California have a CSR insurance license?
No separate CSR license. Agency staff who need a license typically hold Property and Casualty Broker-Agent, or Personal Lines Broker-Agent for auto and residential property work.
What can unlicensed staff do at a California agency?
Under Insurance Code § 1635, a regularly salaried administrative or clerical employee of a licensee can work without a license if they don't solicit, negotiate or effect insurance with the public and receive no commission. The section also covers clerical changes to existing policies and work only indirectly related to solicitation.
Is the California pre-licensing course still required in 2026?
The 20-hour pre-licensing course requirement was repealed effective January 1, 2026. The 12-hour Ethics and California Insurance Code course is still required before the license is issued.
Who runs the California insurance exam?
PSI Services. The California Department of Insurance lists the exam fee as $55.
How many CE hours do California agents need?
24 hours per two-year license term, including 3 hours of ethics, one of which covers fraud.
Does a license alone let someone sell in California?
No. The licensee also needs an appointment from an insurer, broker authority with a bond, or a solicitor arrangement, depending on how they'll transact.
Sources
- California Insurance Code § 1635 (exemptions)
- CDI: Personal lines license requirements
- CDI: 12 hours of ethics and California Insurance Code FAQ
- CDI: Producer online services and exams
- CDI: Check license status
- CDI: Nonresident licensing questions
Licensing rules differ by state. This article is general information, not legal advice. Check with your state's department of insurance.