Arizona Surplus Lines exam-day guide
Arizona Surplus Lines · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the exact unexpired ID your exam provider requires. Most testing centers accept a driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID, but the accepted list is set by the provider and the Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions (DIFI). Confirm the accepted forms and name-match rule with the provider before test day.
Exam confirmation and appointment details
Have your appointment confirmation number, test date/time, and testing-center address or remote-proctoring link saved offline (screenshot or printout). Confirm whether the provider requires you to arrive early for check-in.
Prelicensing course completion certificate
Arizona generally requires completion of an approved prelicensing course before sitting for the surplus lines exam. Bring or be ready to show proof of completion if the provider instructs you to. Confirm the exact prelicensing hour requirement and proof format with the provider or DIFI.
Exam registration and eligibility confirmation
Verify that your application, fees, and eligibility are on file and that your authorization to test is active. Confirm with the provider whether you register through the testing vendor or through DIFI/NIPR.
Knowledge of permitted reference materials
Most licensing exams do not allow notes, textbooks, or calculators, and some provide an on-screen basic calculator or scratch paper. Confirm the allowed-items list and whether any reference sheet is provided with the provider.
Scratch paper and pencil policy
Many centers supply scratch materials and prohibit bringing your own. Confirm whether you may bring a pencil or must use center-supplied materials, and whether scratch paper must be turned in.
Personal items plan
Plan to leave phones, smartwatches, bags, and study notes in a locker or at home. Confirm the center's storage policy and whether a phone must be powered off and stored.
Rest, hydration, and medication plan
Get normal sleep, eat a normal meal, and bring any necessary medication in compliance with provider rules. Confirm whether medication or medical devices require advance accommodation approval.
Remote-proctoring setup (if applicable)
If testing online, confirm the platform, system requirements, camera/microphone check, room-scan procedure, and prohibited-items rules. Run the system test at least a day ahead. Confirm all technical requirements with the provider.
Score-report and next-step plan
Know how and when results are delivered and what happens after a pass, such as applying for the license and any fingerprint or background-check steps. Confirm the post-exam licensing steps and fees with DIFI or the provider.
Retake policy awareness
Know the waiting period and fee for retaking the exam if you do not pass. Confirm the current retake rules with the provider, as they can change.
Content outline review
Review the official exam content outline one last time so you know the domains and approximate weighting. Obtain the current outline from the provider or DIFI; do not rely on memory or third-party summaries.
Plan the day
Confirm appointment logistics: exact address or remote link, arrival time, ID requirements, and allowed items with the provider. Resolve any open eligibility or authorization-to-test question now, not on exam morning.
Do a final content pass using the official outline. Focus on surplus lines fundamentals: eligibility and diligent-search/declination requirements, export lists, nonadmitted insurer eligibility, premium tax and stamping-fee handling, and producer licensing and conduct duties. Verify Arizona-specific rules against DIFI guidance rather than memory.
Take one or two timed practice sets under exam-like conditions, then review every missed question for the underlying rule, not just the answer.
Stop heavy new study. Do a light review of your own summary sheet, formulas, and commonly confused terms. Pack your ID and confirmation, charge devices, and confirm the start time in your own time zone.
Protect sleep. Avoid cramming late, avoid alcohol, and set two alarms. If testing remotely, clear your desk and test your camera, microphone, and connection.
Eat a normal meal, arrive or log in early per provider instructions, and leave prohibited items behind or stored. Bring only the ID and items the provider permits.
Read each question fully, watch for qualifiers such as 'EXCEPT' and 'best,' and answer easy items first if the platform allows flagging and review. Budget time so you can revisit flagged questions before the clock ends.
Use scratch paper for multi-step premium tax or commission calculations, and double-check units and rounding. If a question seems ambiguous, choose the answer that best reflects the rule as written and move on.
Follow the provider's score-report process, then complete the licensing application and any fingerprint or background steps. Confirm deadlines and fees with DIFI.
Rules to check
Bring only the identification and materials the provider permits; phones, smartwatches, notes, and bags are generally prohibited in the testing room and must be stored as directed.
Your name on the registration must match your photo ID. Report any name discrepancy to the provider before test day, since mismatches can bar entry.
Follow all proctor instructions, including room scans, sign-in, and silence rules. Talking, leaving the room, or accessing unauthorized materials can void your exam.
Breaks are typically limited and may not stop the exam clock; confirm the provider's break policy in advance and plan hydration and restroom use accordingly.
Scoring is generally based on a scaled or criterion-referenced result rather than a simple raw percentage. Confirm the current passing standard and score-report format with the provider.
If you test remotely, keep your workspace clear, stay in camera view, and avoid reading aloud or looking away repeatedly, which proctors may flag.
Do not attempt to record, photograph, or share exam content. Exam materials are confidential, and misconduct can lead to score cancellation and licensing consequences.
If a technical problem or emergency occurs, stop and notify the proctor immediately and follow their documented procedure. Confirm the incident-reporting process with the provider.