How Many Questions Are on the Life and Health Insurance Exam?
How many questions are on the life and health insurance exam? State examples, time limits, passing scores, unscored items and combined vs. separate exams.
By PSI Exams Prep Editorial Team 6 min read
How many questions are on the life and health insurance exam? It depends on your state and on whether you take life and health as one combined exam or as two separate tests. As a rule of thumb, a single-line exam (life or health) is usually around 75 to 100 questions, and a combined life and health exam is around 150 questions or more. Below are verified examples, what “unscored” questions mean for you, and how to find the exact format for your state.
How many questions are on the life and health insurance exam?
Every state writes its own licensing exam and contracts a testing company to deliver it. PSI, Pearson VUE and Prometric are the most common. That’s why the answer varies. What stays consistent is the structure: multiple-choice questions drawn from a published content outline, usually with a general-knowledge section (insurance principles, policy types, provisions) and a state-specific section (your state’s laws and regulations).
How many questions are on the insurance exam in different states?
Here are examples taken from official state and testing-vendor sources, current as of October 2026:
| State (vendor) | Exam | Questions | Time | Passing score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California (PSI) | Life | 75 | 1.5 hours | 60% |
| California (PSI) | Accident & Health or Sickness | 75 | 1.5 hours | 60% |
| California (PSI) | Life, Accident & Health or Sickness | 150 | 3 hours | 60% |
| Pennsylvania (PSI) | Life (16-01), Accident & Health (16-02), or combined (16-03) | Per content outline, plus 5–10 unscored | Per content outline | 70% |
| Florida (Pearson VUE) | 2-15 Life incl. variable annuities & health | 165 reported (150 scored + 15 pretest) | 2 hr 45 min reported | 70% reported |
Sources: the California Department of Insurance exam table and PSI’s Pennsylvania insurance candidate booklet (effective January 2026). Florida figures are widely reported by pre-licensing providers but weren’t confirmed against Pearson VUE’s current Florida handbook, so check it before you test.
Combined vs. separate life and health exams: which is better?
Many states let you take life and health as separate single-line exams or as one combined exam. California, for example, offers a 75-question Life exam, a 75-question Accident & Health exam, and a 150-question exam covering both.
| Combined exam | Separate exams | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | About twice as long in one sitting | Shorter sittings |
| Cost and scheduling | Often one fee and one test day | Two fees and two appointments |
| Focus | Must be ready on both lines at once | Master one product line at a time |
| Best for | Candidates who'll sell both from day one | Candidates who want to start with one line |
In Pennsylvania, PSI’s booklet notes that the combined exam covers the content of both single-line exams and that you must pass the overall exam to be licensed in either line. That’s a good reason to make sure you’re solid on both before booking a combined test.
Do all questions on the insurance exam count?
Not always. Testing companies try out new questions by mixing a few unscored pretest (or “experimental”) items into live exams. Pennsylvania’s PSI booklet says a small number, 5 to 10, may be included, with extra time allowed for them. Florida’s exam is reported to include 15. You can’t tell which questions are unscored, so give every question your best answer. And don’t panic if one looks unfamiliar: it may not count.
General knowledge and state law
How much time do you get per question?
Divide the time limit by the number of questions to get your pace:
- California Life: 90 minutes ÷ 75 questions ≈ 72 seconds per question.
- California combined: 180 minutes ÷ 150 questions ≈ 72 seconds per question.
- Florida 2-15 (reported): 165 minutes ÷ 165 questions ≈ 60 seconds per question.
That’s comfortable for a well-prepared candidate, but long scenario questions eat time. Check the clock at the quarter, halfway and three-quarter marks, flag anything that takes more than two minutes, and come back to it.
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How do you find the exact format of your exam?
- Go to your state department of insurance’s producer licensing page and find the exam vendor (PSI, Pearson VUE or Prometric).
- Download the current candidate handbook or bulletin from the vendor’s site for your state.
- Find your line of authority (life, accident & health, or combined) and note the question count, time limit and passing score.
- Use the content outline’s topic weights to plan your study time.
Wondering how tough those questions will feel? Read how hard the life insurance exam is, then use our three-week plan to pass the insurance exam. If you’re testing with PSI, our PSI exam day guide covers check-in and scoring.
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Start practicing freeFrequently asked questions
How many questions are on the life insurance exam?
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What is the passing score for the life and health insurance exam?
Are some questions on the insurance exam not scored?
Should I take the life and health exams separately or combined?
PSI Exams Prep is an independent study tool and is not affiliated with or endorsed by PSI Services LLC. Exam details change and vary by state. Always confirm requirements in the official Candidate Information Bulletin for your exam.
