Colorado Surplus Lines
Colorado Surplus Lines Producer License Examination
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ExploreAbout this exam
The Colorado Surplus Lines Producer license is a Colorado Division of Insurance (DOI) credential that authorizes a licensed property and casualty producer to place coverage with eligible non-admitted insurers when the admitted market cannot or will not write the risk. It is intended for experienced commercial lines producers, agencies and brokers who regularly handle hard-to-place exposures - coastal or wildfire-prone property, specialty liability, unusual classes of business - and who need the ability to access the surplus lines market on a client's behalf. Colorado's DOI regulates the insurance industry in the state and licenses the agents who sell there, while examination scheduling for Colorado insurance licenses is handled through Pearson VUE. The exam is delivered in a multiple-choice format and is organized around four equally weighted content areas: Colorado insurance statutes, rules and regulations; general insurance principles and concepts; surplus lines placement and diligent search requirements; and surplus lines insurers, premium tax and recordkeeping. Because surplus lines work combines regulatory compliance with practical placement judgment, preparation should pair a careful reading of the current Colorado statutes and DOI regulations and bulletins with steady practice on diligent-search documentation, eligibility of non-admitted insurers, and premium tax and record retention rules. Download the Candidate Handbook and Content Outlines before you begin, and confirm all licensing details with the Division of Insurance and Pearson VUE, since this page is independent study material and is not affiliated with either.
What you'll study
About Colorado Surplus Lines preparation
How do I schedule the Colorado surplus lines exam?
Colorado insurance licensure exams are scheduled through Pearson VUE. Create an account using your legal name exactly as it appears on your government-issued ID, then book a seat. Appointments may be made up to one calendar day prior to the day you wish to test, subject to availability. Correct any name or personal information errors with customer service before test day.
What exactly does the exam cover?
The content outline is split into four equally weighted areas: Colorado insurance statutes, rules and regulations; general insurance principles and concepts; surplus lines placement and diligent search requirements; and surplus lines insurers, premium tax and recordkeeping. Download the official Content Outlines document from the Pearson VUE resources section so you study the tested objectives rather than guesswork.
How many questions are on the exam, and how long is it?
Those details are set by the exam administrator and are published in the Candidate Handbook and Content Outlines, not on this page. Rather than rely on secondhand figures, open the current Candidate Handbook for the authoritative question count, time limit and passing standard before you build a study schedule.
What is the hardest part of the surplus lines exam?
Most candidates lose points on the diligent search and documentation requirements and on premium tax and recordkeeping, because those are procedural and Colorado-specific rather than general insurance theory. Memorizing definitions is not enough - you need to know what must be documented, when, and for how long records must be kept.
What score do I need to pass, and can I retake it?
Passing scores and retake rules are set by the exam administrator and appear in the Candidate Handbook; confirm the current standard there rather than assuming a number. If you do not pass, review your score report by content area, then reschedule through Pearson VUE once you have addressed the weakest domain.
In what order should I study the four domains?
Start with general insurance principles if you are new to property and casualty, since everything else builds on that vocabulary. Then move to Colorado statutes, rules and regulations, followed by placement and diligent search, and finish with insurers, premium tax and recordkeeping. Close with mixed practice so you can shift between topics under time pressure.
How do I apply for the license once I pass?
The Colorado Division of Insurance uses an all-electronic process for new license, renewal and continuation applications, agency registrations and address changes. Apply online at sircon.com or nipr.com. Most applications are processed in under five business days, though applications needing more review take longer, and paper applications for these transactions are returned unprocessed.
Who do I contact with licensing or continuing education questions?
For licensing questions, call 1-800-275-8247. For continuing education questions, call 1-888-252-8556. The Colorado Division of Insurance is at 1560 Broadway, Suite 1300, Denver, CO 80202, phone 303-894-7499, toll free outside the Denver metro area 800-930-3745, or [email protected]. The Pearson VUE Colorado regional office is 800-275-8247 or [email protected].
Do I need to already hold a producer license?
Surplus lines authority in Colorado is built on top of an existing producer license, so plan to hold the underlying property and casualty authority first. Confirm the current prerequisite and eligibility requirements directly with the Division of Insurance before you register for the surplus lines exam.