
The life insurance policy exam process can be a bit daunting, but understanding what to expect can make it less intimidating. You'll typically be required to take a licensing exam to become a licensed insurance agent or broker.
The exam is usually administered by the state's insurance department and covers a range of topics, including life insurance policies, annuities, and other related products. A passing score will typically require a minimum of 70% correct answers.
Your exam will likely be a multiple-choice test, with questions that test your knowledge of life insurance policies and laws. Be sure to review the exam format and content before the test to feel more prepared.
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What Happens During the Exam
The life insurance policy exam is a relatively quick and painless process. It usually takes 15 to 45 minutes, depending on what's required.
The exam typically consists of two parts: a questionnaire and a basic physical exam. You'll be asked a series of questions about your health, lifestyle, and social habits, including questions about current prescriptions.
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The physical exam is a brief and straightforward process. The examiner will measure your height and weight, check your blood pressure, and collect blood and urine samples.
If you're an older adult or applying for a multi-million-dollar life insurance policy, you may also undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG). This is a simple test that measures your heart's electrical activity.
Here's a breakdown of what you can expect during the exam:
- A verbal questionnaire: You'll answer questions about your health, lifestyle, and social habits.
- A physical exam: The examiner will measure your height and weight, check your blood pressure, and collect blood and urine samples.
- Additional tests: You may be required to undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG) if you're an older adult or applying for a high-value policy.
Preparing for the Exam
You'll want to eat healthier in the week leading up to the exam, avoiding alcohol, increasing water intake, and limiting salt, sugar, fat, and high cholesterol foods. This will help you feel your best and ensure accurate test results.
To prepare for the physical exam, it's a good idea to get a good night's rest, as this will help you feel more alert and focused. Avoid caffeine and alcohol in the days leading up to the exam, as these can affect your blood pressure and heart rate.
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Fasting is often required for the exam, so be sure to follow any instructions provided by the examiner. Staying hydrated is also essential, so drink plenty of water in the days leading up to the exam.
Here are some additional tips to keep in mind:
- Be upfront and honest about any medical conditions you have.
- Avoid strenuous exercise for a full day before the exam.
- Don't take certain medications, such as over-the-counter cold remedies and allergy medication, as they can trigger false positives.
- Quit smoking well in advance of the exam date, as signs of smoking stay in your blood for up to a week.
- Gather important information, such as your recent doctors' names and phone numbers, and your family's medical history.
How to Prepare
To prepare for the life insurance medical exam, it's essential to follow any fasting or preparation instructions provided by the examiner. This will help ensure that you get accurate test results and a fair assessment of your health.
You should get a good night's rest before the exam, as this will help you feel more relaxed and alert. Avoid caffeine and alcohol in the days leading up to the exam, as they can affect your blood pressure and heart rate.
Fasting is often required for the exam, so be sure to follow any instructions provided by the examiner. Staying hydrated is also crucial, so drink plenty of water in the days leading up to the exam.
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Gathering and reviewing your medical records beforehand can also be helpful. This will allow you to be up-front and honest about any conditions you have when applying for life insurance.
Here are some tips to consider:
- Get a good night's rest
- Avoid caffeine and alcohol
- Fast if instructed
- Stay hydrated
- Gather and review your medical records
- Be up-front and honest
Wearing a lightweight outfit to the exam is also a good idea, as this will make it easier to get an accurate weight reading.
Part 1: The Questionnaire
You'll be asked to complete a questionnaire before the exam, which will help the insurance company assess your risk. This is a crucial step in the process.
The questionnaire will cover your medical and lifestyle information, so it's essential to be honest and thorough in your responses. You'll need to provide accurate information about your family medical history, which can impact your insurance coverage.
The questionnaire will also ask about your prescriptions, so make sure you have a list of all the medications you're currently taking. This includes any over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements.
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You'll need to provide contact information for your current and previous doctors, as well as details about any current diagnoses. This will help the underwriters understand your medical history and make an informed decision.
Here are the types of information you can expect to be asked about in the questionnaire:
- Family medical history
- Your prescriptions
- Current and previous doctors’ contact information
- Details of current diagnoses
- Recent doctor visits
Remember, providing accurate information is essential for the underwriting process. Take the time to carefully complete the questionnaire and make sure you have all the necessary information.
Do Companies Check Records?
Life insurers will review your medical records if you're applying for a medically underwritten policy, but only with your consent. This consent agreement will specify the number of years of medical records that will be examined.
You'll need to sign a HIPAA life insurance waiver to allow life insurers to access your complete medical history. This is a requirement for getting life insurance coverage.
Once you've signed the waiver, life insurers can ask your providers for various information, including health and medical history, financial background, driving records, and criminal records.
Here's a breakdown of what life insurers can access with your consent:
- Health and medical history
- Financial background
- Driving records
- Criminal records
The Exam Process

The exam process for a life insurance policy is a crucial step in getting approved for coverage. It's usually conducted by the insurance company to assess the applicant's risk profile.
Most life insurance exams are multiple-choice and can be completed online or in-person. The exam typically takes around 30-60 minutes to finish.
Applicants are usually asked about their medical history, lifestyle, and other factors that may affect their risk of dying prematurely. This information is used to determine the premium rate for the policy.
A life insurance exam typically includes questions about your health, habits, and financial situation. This can include questions about your smoking habits, weight, and family medical history.
Insurance companies use the exam results to determine the applicant's insurability and premium rate. This is why it's essential to be honest and accurate when answering the exam questions.
The exam results are usually reviewed by the insurance company's underwriting team to determine the policy's terms and conditions. This team assesses the applicant's risk profile and decides whether to approve or decline the application.
Applicants can prepare for the exam by reviewing their medical history and being honest about their lifestyle and habits. This can help them answer the exam questions accurately and confidently.
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What is Tested
To get through a life insurance policy exam, it's essential to know what's being tested. Life insurance medical exams assess your health, confirm the info on your application, and screen for illegal drug use.
To prepare for the exam, get a good night's sleep the day before and drink a glass of water about an hour before your appointment. Make sure you bring a photo ID, as it's required for the exam. Be prepared to discuss any health issues at the exam.
Here are some things that life insurance companies screen for during a medical exam:
- Drug use, including amphetamines/methamphetamines, cocaine, opiates, phencyclidine (PCP), barbiturates, benzodiazepines, methadone, and marijuana
- Nicotine and cotinine, which can stay in the body for several days
- Diuretics, which may be a sign of blood pressure medication
What Is Tested
A life insurance medical exam is a thorough assessment of your health, and it's essential to know what to expect. They'll confirm the information on your application.
To prepare for the exam, get a good night's sleep the day before. This will help you feel more alert and focused during the exam. Drinking a glass of water about an hour before your appointment is also a good idea.
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You'll need to bring a photo ID to the exam, so make sure to have it with you. Be prepared to discuss any health issues at the exam, as this is a crucial part of the process.
Here are some key things that are tested for in a life insurance medical exam:
- Assessment of your health
- Screening for illegal drug use
What is Tested
Life insurance medical exams assess your health, confirm the info on your application, and screen for illegal drug use. It's essential to prepare for the exam by getting a good night's sleep the day before, drinking a glass of water about an hour before your appointment, and bringing a photo ID.
You'll likely be asked to discuss any health issues at the exam, so be honest and prepared to share your medical history. This is your chance to provide accurate information and avoid any potential issues down the road.
Blood tests and urine tests are used to assess various medical conditions, including elevated cholesterol, high blood pressure, HIV/AIDS and hepatitis, hyperglycemia or elevated glucose, organ issues, and prostate cancer. These tests can reveal underlying health issues that may affect your insurance coverage.

The life insurance company may also note on your Medical Information Bureau (MIB) report if you're found to be dishonest about your health information. This can impact your ability to get coverage from other insurance companies in the future.
Here's a breakdown of what's tested in a life insurance medical exam:
- Blood tests: Elevated cholesterol, high blood pressure, HIV/AIDS and hepatitis, hyperglycemia or elevated glucose, and organ issues
- Urine tests: Drug use, nicotine, and diuretics
- Physical exam: Weight, lifestyle, and overall health
It's crucial to be honest about your health information to avoid any potential issues with your insurance coverage. If you have any health concerns or questions, be sure to discuss them with your doctor or insurance representative.
Health and Wellness
A life insurance policy exam is a thorough process that assesses your health risks and determines your eligibility for coverage. You'll likely be asked to fill out a questionnaire about your health history, which will cover your family medical history, prescriptions, current and previous doctors' contact information, details of current diagnoses, and recent doctor visits.
Your physical exam will also involve some basic tests, such as having your blood pressure taken, blood drawn to check for cholesterol levels and infectious diseases like HIV, and providing a urine sample to look for kidney issues and recreational drug use.
Here are some of the specific tests you can expect during a life insurance physical exam:
- Blood pressure test
- Blood draw to check for cholesterol levels and infectious diseases like HIV
- Urine sample to look for kidney issues and recreational drug use
Part 2: Physical

During a life insurance physical, you'll likely have your vital signs recorded, including your pulse and blood pressure. Your weight, height, and body mass index (BMI) will also be measured. This information helps the insurance company assess your current health status.
You may also be asked to provide a urine sample to check for kidney issues and other health problems. Blood will be drawn to test for things like cholesterol levels and infectious diseases like HIV. This is a normal part of the physical exam process.
Here are some common tests you can expect during a life insurance physical:
- Recording your weight, height, body mass index (BMI), and vitals – including your pulse and blood pressure
- Blood tests to check for cholesterol levels and infectious diseases like HIV
- Urine tests to check for kidney issues and other health problems
It's a good idea to ask your insurance company what specific tests you'll need to undergo before the exam. This way, you'll know what to expect and can prepare accordingly.
Confirmation of Drug and Tobacco Use Application Responses
Your application responses will be verified through blood and urine tests for tobacco, nicotine, and prescription and recreational drugs. This is to ensure that your test results match your application answers.

You may also be asked about your lifestyle and weighed to confirm your responses. This is a standard practice to prevent any discrepancies.
The company will check your responses against data from the Medical Information Bureau, prescription database, and DMV records. This is to verify the accuracy of your application.
It's essential to answer all questions honestly, even if they make you uncomfortable. This is because dishonesty can lead to your application being denied.
Insurance companies typically have two years from the time you buy coverage to find false or misleading information. If they do, they can cancel your policy.
Consequences and Next Steps
If you test positive for drugs on your medical exam, the life insurance company will ask follow-up questions to confirm the findings, which can delay the application process. This can be a frustrating experience, but it's all part of the underwriting process.
If you're found to be smoking or using tobacco products, you may have to pay two to three times higher premiums than a non-smoker. If you lied about smoking on your application, the insurer will consider that fraud, and they could decline your application, cancel an existing policy, or refuse to pay the death benefit to your loved ones after you die.
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After the medical exam, the insurer will review your results and make a formal offer of coverage. If you accept, you'll sign the paperwork, pay your first premium, and your coverage will begin. This usually happens within four to six weeks.
If the insurer sees abnormal results that don’t match your application, they might request a follow-up appointment or ask clarifying questions about your health history.
Here are some possible outcomes of a positive drug test:
- If you test positive for hard drugs or painkillers that haven’t been prescribed to you by a doctor, you’ll be ineligible for coverage.
- If you use marijuana, you can still get coverage, but your premiums may be higher or your coverage may be declined.
What Happens After
After you've completed the medical exam, the medical technician will submit your information to the insurance company to start the underwriting process.
You can expect to hear back from the insurer with your final rate within four to six weeks. The insurer will then make you a formal offer of coverage.
If you accept the offer, you'll sign the paperwork, pay your first premium, and your coverage will begin.
Abnormal results from the medical exam might lead to a follow-up appointment or clarifying questions about your health history.
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Can I Retake a Test?

Retaking a test can be a possibility, but it's not a guarantee. Sometimes insurance companies will let you retake your medical exam if you've made significant changes in your life.
You might be able to save money on your coverage if you've dropped excess weight or quit smoking or drinking. Major changes like those can produce better results.
Insurance companies aren't obligated to allow re-takes, so it's always a good idea to ask.
Consequences of Failing a Test
Failing a life insurance test can have serious consequences. If you test positive for drugs, the application process will be delayed while the insurer asks follow-up questions to confirm the findings.
You may have to pay higher premiums if you use tobacco. In fact, you could pay two to three times more than a non-smoker.
Using hard drugs or painkillers not prescribed by a doctor will make you ineligible for coverage. This means you won't be able to get a life insurance policy.
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Marijuana users may still be eligible for coverage, but the insurer will decide your premiums and coverage based on how often you use cannabis. Some insurers may classify you as a smoker and charge you accordingly.
Here's a summary of the consequences of failing a life insurance test:
What to Do If Coverage Is Denied
If you're denied life insurance based on your medical exam, don't worry, it's not the end of the road. First, figure out the reason for the denial and request a copy of your test results from the exam company and your insurance company.
You might be surprised to find that the results were just a one-time fluke, like high blood pressure that's well within normal range at your annual physicals. If the exam results are accurate, your next steps depend on the medical issue.
There are three primary paths to getting coverage through a different company: If your measurements were slightly outside the company's accepted range or showed you're at risk for an illness, consider switching to term coverage. Then, ask an independent agent for quotes from companies that accept your health measurements.
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If the results showed you have a medical condition like prediabetes that has a moderate impact on life activities, ask an independent agent if any companies offer term life insurance for people with your exam results. If not, you can apply for simplified issue life insurance, which doesn't require a medical exam.
If your exam results showed you have a serious illness or condition like kidney disease, you may be limited to guaranteed acceptance life insurance. These policies offer whole life insurance, but typically with less than $50,000 for the death benefit.
Here's a summary of your options:
What to Do If You Don't Get the Results You Want?
If your medical exam results cause the insurer to raise your premiums, you have options to consider. You can purchase the policy they offer you so you have some coverage in place.
If you're unhappy with the rate change, you can change your health or lifestyle and ask for reconsideration in a year or two. For example, if nicotine was detected in your urine, you can typically apply for non-smoker rates a year later, provided you stop using nicotine products.
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You can also shop around for other life insurance companies that might give you better rates for your individual health history and medical exam results. The average cost of life insurance increases by 4.5% to 9% each year that you age, so getting some coverage in place as soon as you can will help you save money in the long run.
Here are your options in a nutshell:
- Purchase the policy and ask for reconsideration later
- Shop around for better rates
No-Exam Policy
No-medical-exam life insurance policies may be a good option for those who want life insurance but don't want the hassle of getting a medical exam. These policies appeal to people who know they're not in the best possible health, but still want to help protect their families.
You'll typically need to answer some health questions in your application, but the decision to cover you will be made without an actual exam or blood draw. In some cases, you'll know if you're covered in minutes.

Some no-medical-exam policies use previous medical records in lieu of the medical exam. You'll complete a health interview online or over the phone, and the insurance company will verify the information against your medical records and the MIB.
Instant decision life insurance policies from Brighthouse Financial and Legal & General America may be an option if you have few health conditions and risk factors. Working with a Policygenius expert can help you determine if you qualify for any no-exam life insurance options.
No-medical-exam policies will likely cost more than standard medically underwritten policies, since the insurer knows less about you. However, if you have significant health issues, no-exam policies can be a good option.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How hard is it to pass a life insurance exam?
Passing a life insurance exam requires thorough preparation due to its challenging nature and unfamiliar concepts. To succeed, it's essential to be well-prepared and review tried-and-tested study tips.
How many people fail life insurance exam?
Approximately 37.1% of test-takers fail the life insurance exam, based on a pass rate of 62.9%. Understanding the exam format and preparation strategies can significantly improve your chances of passing.
Sources
- https://www.guardianlife.com/life-insurance/exam
- https://www.newyorklife.com/articles/life-insurance-medical-exam
- https://www.trustage.com/learn/life-insurance/about-life-insurance-physical-examinations
- https://www.valuepenguin.com/life-insurance/blood-test-medical-exam
- https://www.policygenius.com/life-insurance/life-insurance-medical-exam/
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