Montana Health Insurance License – Requirements & Exam Guide
If you want to sell health insurance in Montana, you need an Accident and Disability Insurance producer license. Montana doesn't call it a "health insurance license" on the paperwork, but this is the credential that authorizes you to sell individual and group health plans, supplemental coverage, disability income policies, and more. Here's everything you need to know to get licensed, from eligibility rules to exam breakdown to the statutes you'll be tested on.
Why Montana Calls It "Accident and Disability"
Montana's insurance code uses the term "disability insurance" where many other states say "health insurance." The practical effect is the same: this license line covers medical expense policies, hospital indemnity, disability income, long-term care, Medicare supplements, and related products. If you plan to sell health maintenance organization (HMO) plans, you'll still need this license — Montana law requires that anyone acting as an insurance producer for an HMO must be licensed as a disability insurance producer by the commissioner (Mont. Code Ann. §33-31-311). There is no separate HMO-only license.
Eligibility Requirements
Montana's producer licensing statute lays out the baseline qualifications. Under Mont. Code Ann. §33-17-211, an applicant must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have a clean regulatory history — no acts that would be grounds for refusal, suspension, or revocation under §33-17-1001
- Pay the required license fees as stated in Mont. Code Ann. §33-2-708
- Pass the state licensing exam for the Accident and Disability line within 12 months before applying
- Be a resident of Montana or a resident of a state that grants reciprocal privileges to Montana residents
These are non-negotiable. The commissioner verifies each item before approving your application (Mont. Code Ann. §33-17-211). If you've had a felony conviction, a license revocation in another state, or certain financial issues like unpaid child support, expect additional scrutiny or outright denial.
Pre-Licensing Education
Montana requires completion of a state-approved pre-licensing course before you sit for the exam. The course covers the same content domains tested on the exam and ensures you have a foundation in both general health insurance concepts and Montana-specific statutes. Check the Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance website for a current list of approved education providers.
The Licensing Exam: What to Expect
The Montana Accident and Disability Insurance exam is administered by Pearson VUE. Here are the key numbers:
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Scored questions | 92 |
| Time limit | 135 minutes |
| Exam fee | $65 |
| Passing score | 70% |
That gives you roughly 1 minute and 28 seconds per question — enough time if you've studied, but tight if you're second-guessing yourself on every item.
Content Breakdown
The exam is divided into seven sections, and the weight of each section tells you exactly where to focus your study time:
- Montana Statutes and Rules Common to All Lines — ~25 questions. This is the single largest section. It covers producer licensing law, unfair trade practices, the commissioner's authority, and general regulatory requirements.
- Montana Statutes and Rules Pertinent to Disability Insurance Only — ~17 questions. Expect questions on policy form requirements, mandated benefits, continuation and conversion rights, and Montana-specific consumer protections.
- Types of Health Policies — ~16 questions. Individual and group medical expense, disability income, long-term care, Medicare supplement, and other policy types.
- Health Policy Provisions, Clauses, and Riders — ~15 questions. Mandatory and optional provisions, renewability clauses, pre-existing condition language, and common riders.
- Field Underwriting Procedures — ~8 questions. The producer's role in risk selection, completing applications, and the duty to report material information accurately.
- Social Insurance — ~6 questions. Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security disability, and how government programs interact with private coverage.
- Other Health Insurance Concepts — ~5 questions. Tax treatment of health insurance, managed care concepts, and miscellaneous topics.
Notice that 42 of the 92 questions — nearly half — are Montana-specific. Generic health insurance knowledge alone won't get you to 70%. You need to know the state code.