What This License Is
A Massachusetts Property & Casualty license lets you sell coverage that protects against property loss and legal liability — homeowners, auto, commercial property, and liability lines — in Massachusetts. It is issued by the Massachusetts Division of Insurance.
The path is one of the simpler ones in the country: no pre-licensing course, no fingerprints — register with Pearson VUE, pass the exam(s) for your line(s), and apply through NIPR.
Eligibility Requirements
You must be at least 18 and of good character; Massachusetts reviews your background through the application's written disclosure questions rather than fingerprints. A criminal history involving fraud, dishonesty, or breach of trust can lead to denial — answer every disclosure completely, because misrepresentation is itself grounds for denial.
Exam Options & Format
Pearson VUE administers Massachusetts producer exams as of July 22, 2026 — in person at Pearson test centers (online proctoring was discontinued with the transition). Each exam is $37 per attempt.
For both Property and Casualty lines you take two exams: Property Producer (Series 16-53) and Casualty Producer (Series 16-54), each 90 questions with a 50-question general and 30-question Massachusetts section. Producers who only need personal risks can instead take the separate Personal Lines license (Series 16-61) — see that guide.
What It Costs
Massachusetts keeps upfront costs low — no pre-licensing course, no fingerprint fee. Budget the per-exam fees plus the license fee at application:
Passing Score
You need a scaled score of 70 to pass, with results reported at the test center. Aim for a consistent 80% on practice exams before you schedule — that buffer is the best predictor of a first-attempt pass.
If You Pass — and If You Don't
If you pass: wait about 48–72 hours for your score to transmit, then apply online through NIPR (nipr.com). Your passing score is valid for 12 months — apply within that window or you retake the exam. There is no fingerprinting in Massachusetts; the background review runs off the application's disclosure questions, so answer them completely and honestly.
If you don't pass: there is no waiting period and no attempt limit — re-register with Pearson VUE and pay the $37 fee again.
Keeping Your License Active
Important CE details: 45 CE credits each 3-year cycle (60 in the FIRST cycle after original licensure), including 3 hours of Massachusetts Approved Ethics (MAE). Renewal is birthday-based, every 3 years. P&C and Personal Lines producers selling NFIP flood insurance need a one-time 3-hour flood course.
Massachusetts runs on a 3-year, birthday-based license cycle. Each cycle requires 45 CE credits — except your first cycle after original licensure, which requires 60 credits. Every cycle must include 3 hours of Massachusetts Approved Ethics (MAE) coursework.
CE administration moved to Pearson VUE alongside the exam transition, so course lookups and credit banking now run through Pearson/SBS rather than Prometric.
Quick Reference
Official Links
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