What is the passing score for the Illinois Life & Health Insurance License Exam?

The passing score is 70%. The passing score is set by the Illinois Department of Insurance and is the same for every candidate taking this exam.

How much does the IL-LH exam cost?

The exam fee is $92 per exam, though a discount may apply if the General and State sections are booked on the same order through Pearson VUE.

Where do I take the Illinois insurance licensing exam?

The exam is delivered in-person at a Pearson VUE testing center.

How many hours should I study for the IL-LH exam?

Most candidates spend between 50 and 70 hours preparing. We recommend around 60 hours, allocating extra time to the heavily weighted General Insurance Regulation section.

What topics are covered on the Illinois Life & Health test?

The exam covers national core concepts like policy types, riders, underwriting, and retirement concepts, plus a substantial state-specific section on Illinois insurance regulations and statutes.

Do I need a calculator for the exam?

While the exact calculator policy can vary, basic on-screen calculators are typically provided by Pearson VUE if mathematical computations (like basic tax or premium calculations) are required.

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IL-LH · Syllabus & Exam Outline 2026

Illinois Life & Health Insurance License Exam

Exam-aligned study paths covering the national Life & Health insurance core plus Illinois insurance law - Illinois Department of Insurance rules, licensing, and state-specific requirements - in retention-first 15-minute topics.

Start studying free see the outline ↓

Passing score: 70%
Cost: $92 per exam (discount applies if the General and State sections are booked on the same order)
Delivery: In-person at a Pearson VUE testing center
Prep time: ~60 hours

Exam overview

The Illinois Life & Health Insurance License Exam (IL-LH) is a crucial step for aspiring insurance producers in the state. Administered through Pearson VUE for the Illinois Department of Insurance (IDOI), this comprehensive assessment validates a candidate's readiness to sell, solicit, or negotiate life and health insurance products. It covers both national core concepts and state-specific regulations. Success on the exam requires a deep understanding of policy types, riders, underwriting procedures, and intricate state laws. Our syllabus breakdown translates the official exam blueprint into a clear, structured roadmap. Whether you are reviewing life insurance tax treatments or mastering the Illinois Insurance Code, this guide provides exactly what you need to focus your preparation. To make your preparation as efficient as possible, Only Ever maps every domain to 15-minute study topics. This micro-learning approach ensures you can steadily progress through the extensive curriculum, from general insurance regulation to complex social insurance programs, without feeling overwhelmed.

Exam domains & weighting

Each domain's share of the exam — study deepest where the weight is highest. Open one for how to study it and its objectives.

How to study this domain

Focus on distinguishing between permanent and term policies. Create comparison charts for universal, variable, and whole life features.

Key objectives

Traditional Whole Life Products
Interest, Market-Sensitive, and Adjustable Life
Term Life Insurance
Annuities
Combination Plans and Variations

Study this domain

Readiness self-check

Tick off everything you can confidently explain. Anything left unchecked is your study list — tap “Review” to jump straight into that domain.

Readiness

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Types of Policies

Review

Can I explain the difference between variable and indexed universal life?
What are the payout options for an annuity?
How does a return of premium term policy function?

Policy Riders, Provisions, Options, and Exclusions

Review

What is the purpose of the incontestability clause?
Can I list three common nonforfeiture options?
How does the misstatement of age provision adjust a life policy?

Completing the Application, Underwriting, and Delivering the Policy

Review

What is the difference between a warranty and a representation?
When is insurable interest required to exist in life insurance?
What constitutes a legal offer and acceptance in insurance contracts?

Retirement and Other Insurance Concepts

Review

How are death benefits typically taxed for the beneficiary?
What is a key person life insurance policy?
What happens during the conversion of a group life policy?

Types of Accident & Health Policies

Review

How do HSAs work in conjunction with High Deductible Health Plans?
What does a basic hospital expense policy cover compared to major medical?
Who is eligible for a group health insurance plan?

Health Policy Provisions, Clauses, and Riders

Review

What is the mandatory grace period for a weekly premium health policy?
How does an impairment rider affect health coverage?
What are the different classifications of renewability?

Social Insurance

Review

Which part of Medicare covers prescription drugs?
How does a person qualify for Social Security Disability Income?
What is the primary funding difference between Medicare and Medicaid?

Other Health Insurance Concepts

Review

What defines a residual disability?
How does the coordination of benefits provision prevent overinsurance?
Are premiums for individual disability income insurance tax-deductible?

Field Underwriting Procedures

Review

What happens if an application is submitted with missing information?
How should a producer handle the collection of an initial premium?
What are the privacy requirements under HIPAA during underwriting?

General Insurance Regulation

Review

What actions constitute twisting or churning under Illinois law?
What is the maximum coverage limit provided by the Illinois Life and Health Guaranty Association?
What are the continuing education requirements for maintaining an Illinois producer license?

Quick reference

Important Federal Laws and Acronyms

Essential acronyms and federal acts relevant to health insurance regulations.

HIPAA: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
HMO: Health Maintenance Organization
PPO: Preferred Provider Organization
HDHP: High Deductible Health Plan
HSA: Health Savings Account
HRA: Health Reimbursement Account
COBRA: Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act
ERISA: Employee Retirement Income Security Act
FCRA: Fair Credit Reporting Act
GLBA: Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act
NAIC: National Association of Insurance Commissioners

Key Legal and Trade Practice Terms

Important definitions related to insurance contracts and marketing practices.

Twisting

Replacing insurance to the detriment of the insured through misrepresentation.

Considered an unfair trade practice.

Churning

Replacing policies within the same company often to generate additional commissions.

Considered an unfair trade practice.

Subrogation

The right of an insurer to pursue a third party that caused an insurance loss to the insured.

Aleatory Contract

A contract where the values exchanged may not be equal but depend on an uncertain event.

Adhesion Contract

A contract drafted by one party and offered on a take-it-or-leave-it basis.

Frequently asked questions

Good to know

The Illinois Life & Health Insurance exam consists of a nationally uniform General Knowledge portion and a state-specific Insurance Laws and Regulations portion.
State-specific laws are layered as deltas on top of the national core knowledge.
The General Knowledge portion is based on the NAIC model and is nationally uniform across U.S. states.
Administered as a computer-based test at Pearson VUE facilities.

Reading isn’t remembering.

Illinois Life & Health prep blends nationally-uniform insurance concepts with Illinois-specific law, and most materials muddle the two.

Only Ever teaches the shared national Life & Health core once, then layers Illinois insurance law - regulation, licensing, unfair practices, guaranty protection, and state-specific rules - as focused 15-minute topics.

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