Maryland Insurance Exam Guides
Pick the license you're studying for. Each guide covers Maryland-specific requirements, fees, and official links — plus a free practice exam. Then scroll down to explore the Maryland exam's state-law material, mapped.
Free study resource
What's actually tested on the Maryland exam — the state regulations, mapped
Every Maryland insurance exam reserves a block of questions for Maryland-specific law — the fees, deadlines, limits, and rules that generic national study guides gloss over. This is that material: 104 facts from the TESTivity Maryland regulations curriculum, organized the way we teach them. Open a branch, explore, and let the structure do some of the remembering for you.
Every fact below carries its source citation and the date we last verified it (most recently July 2026) — and is re-checked on a schedule. Facts marked tested are ones you should expect to see on the exam.
Life 14 facts
The life insurance rules that differ by state — free look, grace, reinstatement.
- Incontestability period tested2 years from the date of issue, during the insured's lifetime
- Grace period for individual life testedA grace period of not less than 30 days (one month)
- Window to reinstate a lapsed policy testedWithin 3 years of premium default (2 years for industrial life), on evidence of insurability and payment of arrears
- Max interest chargeable on reinstatement, if capped testedOverdue premiums bear interest not exceeding 6% per year, compounded annually
- Suicide exclusion period tested2 years from the date of issue — Maryland fixes a statutory 2-year suicide-exclusion period by statute
- Free look for individual life tested10 days after delivery for individual life
- Free look for annuities tested10 days after delivery (the same right applies to annuities)
- Free look when a policy is being replaced tested30 days for a replacement policy — an unconditional full refund
- Free look for long-term care tested30 days for long-term care
- Required nonforfeiture options testedCash surrender value, reduced paid-up insurance, extended term insurance
- Registrations required to sell variable products testedThe Variable Life and Annuity line requires the underlying Life license, a FINRA Series 6, 7, or 63 plus the SIE, and active FINRA registration
- Does the state regulate viatical/life settlements? testedYes — viatical and life settlements are regulated (Md. Code, Ins. Title 8, Subtitle 6; COMAR 31.09.11)
- Viator's rescission window testedAt least 15 calendar days after receipt of the settlement proceeds
- Has the state adopted the NAIC best interest standard? testedYES — Maryland adopted the NAIC best interest standard, with best-interest obligations effective October 8, 2022 (COMAR 31.09.12). A producer recommending an annuity must act in the consumer's best interest.
Health 15 facts
Health coverage rules — continuation, prompt pay, mandates, public programs.
- Has the state expanded Medicaid under the ACA? testedYES — Maryland expanded Medicaid under the ACA to adults up to 138% of the federal poverty level
- Effective date of expansion, if expanded testedJanuary 1, 2014
- Agency administering Medicaid testedThe Maryland Department of Health, through the Maryland Medical Assistance Program
- Federal marketplace or state-based exchange testedA STATE-BASED exchange — Maryland Health Connection, run by the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange (not HealthCare.gov)
- Name of the state CHIP program testedThe Maryland Children's Health Program (MCHP)
- Clean-claim payment deadline, electronic tested30 days after receipt of a clean claim (Maryland applies the same 30-day standard to electronic and paper)
- Clean-claim payment deadline, paper tested30 days — the same clean-claim deadline applies to paper and electronic claims
- Does the state distinguish electronic vs paper claims? testedNo split — a single 30-day clean-claim deadline for both paper and electronic claims
- Interest / penalty on late claim payment testedTiered interest on a late clean claim: 1.5% per month (days 31-60), 2% per month (days 61-120), 2.5% per month (after 120 days), plus a fine up to $500 per arbitrary violation
- Is the IRO's external review decision binding on the plan? testedYES — the Insurance Commissioner issues a final decision on external review that binds the carrier; the carrier's only recourse is judicial review
- Employer size at which federal COBRA applies testedFederal COBRA applies at 20+ employees; Maryland's continuation covers situations where federal COBRA does not apply
- Employer size range covered by state continuation testedMaryland continuation is not tied to a specific employer-size threshold; it functions as a gap-filler where federal COBRA does not apply
- Duration of state continuation coverage testedUp to 18 months
- Election period for state continuation testedAt least 45 days from the qualifying change in status
- Max premium as % of group rate testedThe employer plus employee contribution (about 100% of the group rate), plus a reasonable administrative fee — Maryland does not fix a COBRA-style 102% cap
Auto 10 facts
Auto insurance — minimum limits, fault system, required coverages.
- Fault-based (tort) or no-fault testedFAULT-BASED (tort) — Maryland is an at-fault state, not a no-fault state. It requires PIP be OFFERED, but PIP is waivable.
- Minimum bodily injury liability per person tested$30,000
- Minimum bodily injury liability per occurrence tested$60,000
- Minimum property damage liability tested$15,000
- The memorizable shorthand (e.g. 30/60/25) tested30/60/15
- Uninsured motorist: mandatory / must be offered & rejectable / not required testedMANDATORY — uninsured motorist coverage must be included at limits equal to the liability limits, unless the insured affirmatively waives down (never below the 30/60/15 minimum)
- Underinsured motorist status testedMandatory — underinsured coverage is included within the UM requirement; a higher 'Enhanced Underinsured Motorist' (EUIM) option must also be offered (since July 1, 2018)
- Personal injury protection status testedMust be OFFERED — minimum $2,500 personal injury protection — but the first named insured may WAIVE it in writing (waived for that insured, the insured's family, and certain others)
- Contributory / pure comparative / modified comparative negligence testedCONTRIBUTORY NEGLIGENCE — a claimant whose own negligence contributed to the injury, even slightly, recovers NOTHING. Maryland is one of the few jurisdictions retaining this rule.
- Assigned risk / residual market plan for auto testedThe Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund (Maryland Auto / MAIF), the insurer of last resort, an independent state agency
CE & Renewal 9 facts
Continuing education and renewal rules — the numbers the exam loves.
- How long a license lasts before renewal testedTwo years (biennial), expiring the last day of the producer's birth month
- What the renewal date keys off (flat term / birthday / birth year) testedBiennial, expiring on the last day of the producer's BIRTH MONTH (business-entity licenses expire two years from issuance)
- CE hours per renewal period, standard case tested24 hours of MIA-approved CE every two years (including 3 hours of ethics)
- CE hours if holding multiple license types (if different) tested24 total — holding multiple major lines does not multiply the requirement
- Ethics hours required per period tested3 hours of ethics, within the 24
- Limits on who may provide CE credits testedCourses must be approved by the Commissioner (CE is tracked through Sircon)
- What happens if CE is not completed (fine / expiry / cancellation) testedThe license expires if CE is not completed (CE must be finished no later than 15 days before expiration); the producer must cease acting
- Late renewal / reinstatement tiers testedFor up to one year after expiration, reinstate with the application, the $54 renewal fee, the $15 fraud-prevention fee, proof of CE, and a $100 reinstatement fee. After one year, re-apply as a new applicant.
- Any CE exemption (e.g. long-service agents) testedProducers age 70 or older as of April 30, 2013 are CE-exempt (Bulletin 13-07); producers who as of October 1, 2008 had held licenses 25+ consecutive years complete only 8 hours per period (Bulletin 13-10). No new qualifiers for these waivers.
Property 7 facts
Property insurance — rate regulation, residual markets, catastrophe exposure.
- Rate regulation system (file-and-use / prior approval / use-and-file) testedPRIOR APPROVAL (modified 'deemer') — a filed rate may not be used until 30 working days after filing (extendable another 30), and is deemed approved unless the Commissioner disapproves it. Rates must not be excessive, inadequate, or unfairly discriminatory.
- Is insurance credit scoring permitted in personal lines? testedPROHIBITED in homeowners — an insurer may not underwrite, cancel, nonrenew, rate, or set a payment plan for homeowners insurance based in whole or part on credit history. For AUTO, credit may be used only to RATE a NEW policy (with a 5-year limit and a ±40% cap), never to deny, cancel, or nonrenew.
- Does the state have a FAIR Plan? testedYES — the Maryland Property Insurance Availability Act provides essential property insurance through the Joint Insurance Association (JIA)
- Name of the FAIR Plan, if any testedThe Maryland Joint Insurance Association (JIA) — Maryland's FAIR Plan
- Dominant catastrophe perils in the state testedCoastal and Chesapeake Bay flooding and storm surge, hurricanes and tropical storms (wind and surge along the Atlantic and the Bay), winter storms, and severe thunderstorm wind
- What license you must already hold to write surplus lines testedPlacement must go through a licensed surplus lines broker (in addition to holding property and casualty authority)
- Is a diligent-effort search of the admitted market required first? testedYes — a diligent effort to place the risk with authorized insurers first; the requirement is deemed met with declinations from THREE authorized insurers, documented in the § 3-307 affidavit
Guaranty 10 facts
The safety nets when an insurer fails — and their limits.
- Name of the life & health guaranty association testedMaryland Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Corporation
- Life death benefit limit tested$300,000
- Life cash surrender / withdrawal value limit tested$100,000 net cash surrender value
- Annuity benefit limit tested$250,000 present value of annuity benefits
- Health benefit limit tested$500,000 for health benefit plans (major medical); $300,000 for disability and for long-term care; $100,000 for other health coverages
- Aggregate per-individual cap, if any tested$300,000 aggregate per individual for all benefits combined, except $500,000 for health benefit plans
- Does the state follow the standard NAIC model limits? testedYes — standard NAIC model limits, with tiered health
- Name of the P&C guaranty association testedProperty and Casualty Insurance Guaranty Corporation
- Per-claim cap testedLess than $300,000 per covered claim (above a $100 deductible); workers' compensation claims are paid in FULL
- Is using the guaranty association as a sales inducement prohibited? testedYes — using the existence of the guaranty corporation to sell, solicit, or induce the purchase of insurance is prohibited
Workers Comp 6 facts
Who must carry workers' compensation and what it pays.
- Is workers' compensation mandatory for private employers? testedYes — each employer must secure compensation for all covered employees
- Employee count at which coverage is required testedCoverage attaches with the first covered employee — Maryland sets no numeric employee minimum in § 9-402
- Agency administering workers' compensation testedThe Maryland Workers' Compensation Commission
- Temporary total disability wage replacement rate testedTwo-thirds (66⅔%) of the average weekly wage, capped at the State Average Weekly Wage (with a $50 floor)
- Deadline to file a claim testedGive the employer notice within 10 days of the injury (30 days for a death), and file a claim within 60 days of the accidental injury — absolutely barred after 2 years
- Ways an employer may comply (insure / self-insure / group) testedBuy a policy from an authorized carrier (including Chesapeake Employers' Insurance), qualify as an individual self-insurer, or join an approved self-insurance group
Regulator 5 facts
Who regulates insurance here and what powers the office holds.
- Name of the state insurance regulator testedThe Maryland Insurance Administration (MIA)
- Title of the person who heads it testedInsurance Commissioner
- How the commissioner is chosen: elected / appointed by governor / appointed by other body testedAPPOINTED by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate, to a four-year term — not elected
- Where the state's insurance law is codified testedThe Insurance Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland (the Insurance Code), with regulations in Title 31 of the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR)
- Does the regulator sit somewhere unusual (e.g. inside a constitutional commission)? testedNo — a conventional insurance regulator, but an INDEPENDENT state agency whose Commissioner is appointed by and reports directly to the Governor (not a division of a larger department)
Cancellation 8 facts
When and how policies can be canceled or nonrenewed — heavily tested.
- Initial window during which an insurer may cancel more freely tested45 days — the statutory cancellation restrictions do not apply during the first 45 days a new policy is in effect
- Notice days to cancel a homeowners policy inside the initial window testedAt least 45 days' notice to cancel a homeowners policy for an allowed cause (10 days for nonpayment of premium)
- Notice days to cancel a personal auto policy inside the initial window testedAt least 45 days' notice to cancel a personal auto policy for an allowed cause (by certificate of mailing)
- Notice days for cancellation for nonpayment testedAt least 10 days' notice for cancellation for nonpayment of premium (auto and homeowners)
- Notice days for cancellation for other permitted causes testedAt least 45 days for cancellation for other permitted causes (auto and homeowners)
- Notice days required for nonrenewal testedAt least 45 days' notice before nonrenewal (auto and homeowners)
- Must the reason be stated proactively, on request, or not at all? testedYes — the insurer must state the ACTUAL reason, clearly and specifically; generalized terms are insufficient
- Restrictions on nonrenewing because of claims (e.g. weather claims excluded) testedHomeowners: an insurer may not cancel or nonrenew for weather-related claims unless there were 3 or more weather claims in the preceding 3 years. Auto: may not cancel or nonrenew based on 2 or fewer not-at-fault claims in 3 years. A 3-year lookback applies to both.
Licensing 20 facts
How you get and keep the license — exams, fees, applications, background checks.
- Is there a standalone life license/exam? testedYes — a Life line, taken as an individual exam or in the combined Life/Accident & Health exam
- Is there a standalone health license/exam? testedYes — a Health (Accident & Health or Sickness) line, taken as an individual exam or in the combined Life/Accident & Health exam
- Is there a combined life+health license/exam? testedYes — Maryland offers a combined Life and Accident & Health exam (as well as individual Life and Health exams)
- Is there a personal lines license/exam? testedYes — a Personal Lines line for those who do not want a full Property & Casualty authority
- Is P&C one combined license, or split into Property and Casualty? testedBoth — Maryland licenses Property and Casualty as SEPARATE lines of authority, each with its own exam, AND offers a COMBINED Property/Casualty exam, plus a narrower Personal Lines line.
- Does the life license cover annuities? testedYes — annuities are sold under the Life line. Variable Life and Annuity is a separate line requiring the Life license plus FINRA registration.
- Does the P&C license already include personal lines authority? testedYes — a full Property & Casualty authority covers personal-lines risks; the Personal Lines line is a narrower subset
- Full list of exam-based agent license types testedOne Maryland producer license listing any of six major lines of authority: Life · Health · Property · Casualty · Personal Lines · Variable Life and Annuity Products
- Exam administrator (Prometric / PSI / Pearson VUE) testedPrometric — at a physical test center
- Exam fee tested$62 per exam (see the current Prometric Maryland schedule)
- License application fee tested$54 for the resident producer license (Insurance Article § 2-112). Renewal is $69 ($54 renewal + $15 fraud-prevention fee).
- Passing score tested70%
- Minimum age to be licensed tested18
- Is pre-licensing education required? testedNO — Maryland REPEALED its pre-licensing education requirement effective October 1, 2024 (HB 265 / SB 336; MIA Bulletin 24-19). Only the Prometric exam is required.
- Pre-licensing hours and any exceptions (e.g. Title, adjusters) testedNone — no pre-licensing course is required (repealed effective October 1, 2024; formerly 20 classroom hours per line). Candidates study the Prometric content outlines and sit the exam directly.
- Fingerprints, state police report, or none testedBackground review through the NAIC Uniform Application (disclosure questions). Maryland does NOT require fingerprinting for a resident producer license.
- Waiting period before retaking a failed exam testedAt least 4 days before retaking the same exam
- Where you apply (Sircon / NIPR / state portal) testedNIPR (nipr.com); a paper NAIC Uniform Application may also be mailed to the MIA
- Are temporary licenses available? testedYes — a temporary producer license is available in limited circumstances (death or disability of a licensed producer), for Maryland residents
- Temporary license duration and training requirement testedIssued to allow the business of a producer to continue on that producer's death or disability; Maryland residents only