Massachusetts insurance exam guide (2026)
Last updated
Everything about the Massachusetts Life and Accident, Health or Sickness producer exams, taken from Pearson VUE's candidate handbook and content outlines. Pearson VUE has given these exams since July 22, 2026.
The exam at a glance
| Life Producer | Accident, Health or Sickness Producer | |
|---|---|---|
| General knowledge questions | 50 scored + 5 pretest | 50 scored + 5 pretest |
| Massachusetts law questions | 30 scored + 5 pretest | 30 scored + 5 pretest |
| Total on the exam | 90 (80 scored) | 90 (80 scored) |
| Passing score | 70 (scaled) | 70 (scaled) |
| Exam fee | $37 | $37 |
Pretest questions are not scored. The question counts come from the content outlines. The passing score and fee come from the candidate handbook, which says "a passing score of 70 was set by the Massachusetts DOI (in conjunction with Pearson)." Fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.
Life and Accident, Health or Sickness are two separate exams. The candidate handbook's exam fee table lists them separately, and there is no combined Life and Health exam on it. Massachusetts issues one producer license and you add lines of authority, such as Life and Accident and Health or Sickness.
How long is the exam?
The handbook says the time limit "can be found in the exam's content outline," but the current outline does not state one. Check the time shown when you schedule with Pearson VUE.
What is on the Life exam
| Section | Scored questions |
|---|---|
| I. Types of Policies | 15 |
| II. Policy Riders, Provisions, Options, and Exclusions | 15 |
| III. Completing the Application, Underwriting, and Delivering the Policy | 12 |
| IV. Retirement and Other Insurance Concepts | 8 |
| Massachusetts Laws and Rules Pertinent to All Lines of Insurance | 15 |
| Massachusetts Laws and Regulations Pertinent to Life Insurance | 15 |
What is on the Accident, Health or Sickness exam
| Section | Scored questions |
|---|---|
| I. Types of Policies | 16 |
| II. Policy Provisions, Clauses, and Riders | 15 |
| III. Social Insurance | 6 |
| IV. Other Insurance Concepts | 5 |
| V. Field Underwriting Procedures | 8 |
| Massachusetts Laws and Rules Pertinent to All Lines of Insurance | 15 |
| Massachusetts Laws and Regulations Pertinent to Accident, Health or Sickness Insurance Only | 15 |
Massachusetts law is 30 of the 80 scored questions on each exam (37.5%). Practice it: free Massachusetts insurance law questions.
Scheduling and test day
- Where: in person only. Pearson says "Remote testing will no longer be offered" and lists 29 test centers in Massachusetts.
- How to book: online on Pearson VUE's Massachusetts page or by phone at (888) 674-1558. The handbook says to book at least 48 hours ahead and that walk-ins are not available. Pearson's web page says appointments may be made up to one calendar day before, subject to availability.
- ID: government-issued, with a photo and a signature, in English, and exactly matching the name you registered with.
- Arrive: at least 30 minutes early. No personal items are allowed in the testing room, including phones, watches and wallets.
- Language: the handbook says select producer exams are also available in Spanish.
Results and retakes
You get a score report marked pass or fail before you leave the test center. A failing report includes a numeric score and diagnostic information. To retake, you register again and pay another exam fee. NIPR says Massachusetts exam scores are valid for 12 months for applying for the license.
How hard is the Massachusetts insurance exam?
Pearson VUE and the Massachusetts Division of Insurance do not publish pass rates for the new exam. Under the old Prometric exam, Achievable reported first-time pass rates of 45% for Life and 60% for Accident and Health, from NAIC data (the year is not stated). Those numbers are for the old exam format.
The safest way to judge your readiness is to take full practice exams built to the current outline. Start with the free Life or Accident & Health practice test.
Sources
- Pearson VUE Massachusetts content outlines (effective July 22, 2026)
- Pearson VUE Massachusetts candidate handbook (June 2026)
- Pearson VUE Massachusetts insurance page
- mass.gov insurance examinations and continuing education
- mass.gov individual insurance producer
- NIPR Massachusetts state information
- Achievable, pass rates compiled from NAIC data