Insurance Agent in Arkansas

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for AR. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.

Median annual salary

$51,280

trending_down -15.1% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Arkansas.

engineering

3,890

Jobs (AR)

monitoring Stable

+3.7%

10-yr job growth

payments

$65

Licensing fees

schedule

Varies (pre-licensing course completion required before exam, background check, and application submission)

Time to complete

route How to become an insurance agent in Arkansas

To become a licensed Insurance Agent in Arkansas, you must meet the basic requirements of being at least 18 years old and a resident of the state. You need to complete a 20-hour pre-licensing course per line of authority, with 40 hours for combined lines like Life, Health, and Accident or Property and Casualty. After completing the pre-licensing education and a criminal background check, you must pass the Arkansas Insurance Producer Licensing Exam, administered by PSI. Arkansas offers reciprocity with all other states for substantially similar licenses, meaning non-residents with a license in good standing in their home state may not need to complete the pre-licensing education or exam.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $29,950

25th percentile $38,340

50th (median) $51,280

75th percentile $76,870

90th (experienced) $128,780

Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Arkansas. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.

checklist Arkansas requirements

Licensing body	Arkansas Insurance Department
State license	Required
Education	20-hour pre-licensing course per line of authority, with time tracking required for online courses. For Life, Health, and Accident or Property and Casualty, 40 hours are required. Surplus Lines does not require a pre-license course but requires 3 years of P&C license experience.
Exam	Arkansas Insurance Producer Licensing Exam (administered by PSI) ($50)
Application fee	$15
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	24.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Minimum age 18. Requires a background check and fingerprinting. CE requirements include 3 hours of ethics. Newly licensed individuals are exempt from CE for the initial license period.

Source: Arkansas Insurance Department

work_outline Job outlook

10-year growth

+3.7%

Average

Annual openings

47,000

Nationwide per year

Total employment

568,800

Nationwide

neurology

AI & tech impact

error High exposure 1.34/1.00

Many tasks in this career are susceptible to AI automation. Long-term career planning should account for potential disruption.

hub

balance Is it worth it?

check_circleArkansas license required — clearer credential signal to employers
warningElevated AI disruption risk

psychology

Wondering if an insurance agent career is the right fit?

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Frequently asked questions

How do you get certified as an insurance agent in Arkansas? expand_more

In Arkansas, becoming an insurance agent requires you to complete the required education (20-hour pre-licensing course per line of authority, with time tracking required for online courses. For Life, Health, and Accident or Property and Casualty, 40 hours are required. Surplus Lines does not require a pre-license course but requires 3 years of P&C license experience.), pass the Arkansas Insurance Producer Licensing Exam (administered by PSI), and submit your application ($15 fee).

Do I need a license to work as an insurance agent in Arkansas? expand_more

A state license is required in Arkansas. Arkansas Insurance Department handles insurance agent licensing — the Arkansas Insurance Producer Licensing Exam (administered by PSI) is part of the process.

How much do insurance agents make in Arkansas? expand_more

insurance agents in Arkansas earn a median of $51,280 annually. — 15% under the $60,370 national average. The range spans from $29,950 at the entry level to $128,780 for top earners.

How expensive is insurance agent licensing in Arkansas? expand_more

Plan on spending varies total — that covers exam fee ($50) and application fee ($15) plus your education and training.

How many months or years does insurance agent certification take in Arkansas? expand_more

The typical timeline in Arkansas is Varies (pre-licensing course completion required before exam, background check, and application submission). This includes completing education, gaining any required experience, and passing the licensing exam.

How many CE hours do insurance agents need in Arkansas? expand_more

Arkansas requires 24.0 hours of continuing education every 2.0 years to maintain your insurance agent license.