How is this different from the Property and Casualty exam?

It is a narrower license with a shorter exam: 90 questions in two hours, against 150 questions in three hours for Property and Casualty Broker-Agent.

Do I need a prelicensing course?

You need the one-time 12-hour course on ethics and the California Insurance Code, completed before the license is issued. The 20-hour personal lines course was repealed from January 1, 2026. Confirm the timing with CDI.

What score do I need?

60 percent. California law is spread through the exam rather than scored as a separate section.

California Insurance Personal Lines Practice Exam

Personal Lines Broker-Agent

Personal Lines Broker-Agent is the narrower California property and casualty license, covering auto, residential property and related personal coverage. Its exam is shorter than the Property and Casualty exam but tests the same California auto and residential property rules.

Questions: 90
Scored: 90
Time: 120 min
To pass: 60 percent

What exam day looks like

The exam is 90 questions in 120 minutes, given by PSI at a test center, at the CDI examination site in Los Angeles, or online with remote proctoring. The passing score is 60 percent.

Detail	Personal Lines
Questions	90
Time	120 minutes
Passing score	60 percent

What the license covers

The personal lines license covers auto, residential property insurance including earthquake and flood, personal inland marine, and umbrella coverage written over auto or home policies. Commercial lines and workers' compensation need the Property and Casualty licenses.

What the California material covers

Expect Proposition 103 and the Good Driver Discount, the limits on canceling and nonrenewing auto and residential property policies and the notice required, the duty to offer earthquake coverage, the California Earthquake Authority and the California FAIR Plan, alongside licensing law and unfair practices.

Common questions

How is this different from the Property and Casualty exam?: It is a narrower license with a shorter exam: 90 questions in two hours, against 150 questions in three hours for Property and Casualty Broker-Agent.
Do I need a prelicensing course?: You need the one-time 12-hour course on ethics and the California Insurance Code, completed before the license is issued. The 20-hour personal lines course was repealed from January 1, 2026. Confirm the timing with CDI.
What score do I need?: 60 percent. California law is spread through the exam rather than scored as a separate section.

Related practice tests

All California insurance practice tests

Guides

California Insurance License in 2026: The New 12-Hour Rule Explained

Exam structure and requirements change. Confirm current figures with the state authority and the exam vendor before relying on anything here.