How many questions are on the Pennsylvania Life & Health exam?

The combined Pennsylvania Life & Health exam features a total of 150 multiple-choice questions.

What is the passing score for the PA-LH test?

The passing score is 70%. The passing score is set by the Pennsylvania Insurance Department at 70% and is the same for every candidate taking this specific state examination.

How much time do I have to complete the exam?

Candidates are allotted a total of 170 minutes to complete the PA-LH exam.

What is the most heavily weighted section of the exam?

General Insurance Regulation is the largest single portion of the exam, representing approximately 25% of the total questions. This domain covers both overarching federal laws and Pennsylvania-specific mandates.

Where can I take the Pennsylvania insurance license exam?

The exam is administered by PSI. You can choose to take it in-person at a certified PSI testing center or via their online proctored environment.

How long should I spend preparing for this test?

Most candidates require between 40 and 50 hours of dedicated study time to confidently grasp both the National NAIC uniform model materials and the Pennsylvania state-specific laws.

← Insurance Licensing

PA-LH · Syllabus & Exam Outline 2026

Pennsylvania Life & Health Insurance License Exam

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

Start studying free see the outline ↓

Questions: 150
Time limit: 170 minutes
Passing score: 70%
Cost: $50 - $55 exam fee (plus $55 license application fee)
Format: Multiple-choice
Delivery: In-person at a PSI testing center or online proctored
Prep time: ~48 hours

Exam overview

The Pennsylvania Life & Health Insurance License Exam assesses a candidate's readiness to sell and service life insurance, health insurance, and annuity products within the state. To earn this dual-line license, you must prove your understanding of both nationally uniform insurance principles and Pennsylvania-specific insurance regulations. The exam ensures that aspiring producers can accurately explain policies to consumers, appropriately underwrite applications, and strictly adhere to state and federal compliance laws. Because the test covers a massive amount of material—ranging from whole life policy mechanics to intricate Medicare regulations—a structured approach is highly recommended. Only Ever simplifies this rigorous syllabus by breaking every domain into easily digestible 15-minute study topics. This allows candidates to confidently master both the broad concepts and the state-specific intricacies required to pass on their first attempt.

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 clearly distinguishing between traditional permanent life policies, interest-sensitive options, and pure term protection. Take time to understand the differences between the accumulation and payout phases of annuities, and when combination plans are best utilized.

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 operational difference between a universal life policy and a traditional whole life policy?
Do I understand the distinction between the accumulation period and the annuity period?

Policy Riders, Provisions, Options, and Exclusions

Review

Am I able to identify the events that trigger an accelerated death benefit?
Can I name standard dividend options available to a participating policyowner?

Completing the Application, Underwriting, and Delivering the Policy

Review

Do I know the difference between warranties and representations on an insurance application?
Can I explain the legal components required for a valid insurance contract?

Retirement and Other Insurance Concepts

Review

Do I understand how key person insurance works and who owns the policy?
Can I explain the fundamental tax advantages of individual life insurance death benefits?

Types of Accident & Health Policies

Review

Can I distinguish between a basic medical expense policy and a major medical plan?
Am I familiar with the tax rules and operational guidelines of a Health Savings Account (HSA) paired with an HDHP?

Health Policy Provisions, Clauses, and Riders

Review

Can I list the mandatory provisions under the Uniform Individual Accident and Sickness Policy Provisions Law?
Do I know what conditionally renewable means in the context of health insurance?

Social Insurance

Review

Can I differentiate what Medicare Part A covers versus Medicare Part B?
Am I aware of the main eligibility differences between Medicaid and Medicare?

Other Health Insurance Concepts

Review

Can I define the differences between residual, total, and partial disability?
Do I understand how the coordination of benefits provision determines primary versus secondary coverage?

Field Underwriting Procedures

Review

Can I recall the producer's responsibilities when replacing an existing health policy?

General Insurance Regulation

Review

Can I clearly define illegal sales practices such as twisting, churning, and rebating according to Pennsylvania law?
Do I know the continuing education and license renewal requirements for Pennsylvania producers?
Am I familiar with the coverage limits and purpose of the Pennsylvania Life & Health Insurance Guaranty Association?

Quick reference

Important Acronyms to Know

The PA Life & Health exam tests your knowledge of major federal regulations, industry organizations, and specific health plan acronyms.

NAIC: National Association of Insurance CommissionersCreates the uniform model laws that many states adopt.
HIPAA: Health Insurance Portability and Accountability ActRegulates privacy of patient medical information and sets limits on pre-existing condition exclusions.
GLBA: Gramm-Leach-Bliley ActFederal act mandating that financial institutions, including insurers, explain their information-sharing practices to consumers.
FCRA: Fair Credit Reporting ActProtects consumers' right to privacy regarding credit and financial background reports used in underwriting.
HMO: Health Maintenance OrganizationA managed care network that emphasizes preventive care.
PPO: Preferred Provider OrganizationA health plan that contracts with a network of preferred providers from which members can choose.
HDHP: High Deductible Health PlanA policy featuring higher deductibles and lower premiums, typically paired with an HSA.
HSA: Health Savings AccountA tax-advantaged savings account available to individuals enrolled in an HDHP.
ERISA: Employee Retirement Income Security ActFederal law establishing minimum standards for pension plans and self-insured employer health plans.
COBRA: Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation ActMandates an extension of employer group health insurance under specific circumstances.

Frequently asked questions

Good to know

The examination mixes nationally uniform knowledge (NAIC model guidelines) with state-specific insurance laws and regulations layered specifically for Pennsylvania.
Be prepared to review point-of-sale disclosures such as USA PATRIOT Act/anti-money laundering rules, HIV consent, and the federal DO-NOT-CALL registry.
This is the build-only core content. The actual exam consists strictly of multiple-choice formats without constructed-response questions.

Reading isn’t remembering.

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

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

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