Insurance Agent in Washington

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

Median annual salary

$58,660

trending_down -2.8% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Washington.

engineering

10,430

Jobs (WA)

monitoring Stable

+3.7%

10-yr job growth

payments

$90

Licensing fees

schedule

2-4 weeks

Time to complete

route How to become an insurance agent in Washington

To become a licensed Insurance Agent in Washington, individuals must be at least 18 years old and pass the Washington Insurance Producer Licensing Exam. While pre-licensing education is no longer required, it is highly recommended for exam preparation. After passing the exam, applicants must submit an online application to the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner, undergo a fingerprint-based background check, and pay the associated fees. Washington offers reciprocity with most states for non-resident licenses.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $39,360

25th percentile $47,270

50th (median) $58,660

75th percentile $80,280

90th (experienced) $130,020

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

checklist Washington requirements

Licensing body	Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner
State license	Required
Education	Washington state eliminated the pre-licensing education requirement in July 2023. While not mandatory, exam preparation is strongly recommended.
Exam	Washington Insurance Producer Licensing Exam ($35)
Application fee	$55
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	24.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Minimum age is 18. Requires fingerprinting and background check. CE requirements include 3 hours of ethics. Non-residents are exempt from Washington's CE requirements, except for specific training related to long-term care, flood insurance, and annuity suitability. Resident applicants must submit fingerprints after applying for the license. The fingerprinting process costs $49.

Source: Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner

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

psychology

Wondering if an insurance agent career is the right fit?

See what the day actually looks like, who the role suits, and who should skip it — grounded in real practitioner sources.

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Frequently asked questions

What's required to work as an insurance agent in Washington? expand_more

The path to insurance agent licensure in Washington: complete the required education (Washington state eliminated the pre-licensing education requirement in July 2023. While not mandatory, exam preparation is strongly recommended.), pass the Washington Insurance Producer Licensing Exam, and submit your application ($55 fee).

Is an insurance agent license required in Washington? expand_more

Yes, Washington requires a state license to practice as an insurance agent. The licensing body is Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner. You must pass the Washington Insurance Producer Licensing Exam.

How much do insurance agents make in Washington? expand_more

Washington insurance agents bring home a median salary of $58,660. This is close to the national median of $60,370. New insurance agents start around $39,360; seasoned professionals can reach $130,020.

How expensive is insurance agent licensing in Washington? expand_more

Costs include exam fee ($35) and application fee ($55). The estimated total investment is varies, including education and training.

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

Most candidates in Washington complete the process in 2-4 weeks, from enrollment in a training program through licensure.

Does Washington require continuing education for insurance agents? expand_more

License renewal in Washington requires completing 24.0 hours of continuing education on a 2.0-year cycle.

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