You passed your exam — congratulations. Now what? The gap between "licensed" and "writing business" trips up a lot of new agents. Here's the whole checklist, in order, so nothing stalls your start.
1. Finalize your license and NPN
- Confirm your resident license is active with your state department of insurance.
- Locate your National Producer Number (NPN) — you'll need it for every contract and certification. Look it up on the NIPR/NPN registry.
2. Get E&O coverage
Carriers won't appoint you without Errors & Omissions insurance. Get a policy in place early — it's inexpensive and required. (See E&O and NPN for new agents.)
3. Choose an upline (FMO/IMO) or agency
You contract with carriers *through* an upline. This choice shapes your comp, leads, training, and support, so choose deliberately — full street-level commission, real training, and a lead program are the marks of a good one. (See what is an FMO/IMO and how to choose.)
4. Contract with carriers
Submit carrier contracts through your upline. Each takes 1–3 weeks. Contract with a few carriers per product so you can match clients to the best fit. (See how to get contracted.)
5. Complete product certifications
- Medicare: AHIP + each carrier's certification before you can sell their plans.
- Other products: some carriers require short product-specific trainings.
6. Set up your tools
- A CRM to run your book (not a spreadsheet).
- A dialer if you're selling by phone.
- E-application and e-signature access from your carriers.
- A quiet workspace and a good headset.
7. Line up leads
Decide how you'll get in front of prospects — buying leads, referrals, or an agency lead program. Have your first batch ready *before* you're fully contracted so you can start immediately. (See best insurance leads for agents.)
8. Learn your pitch
Get a guided script for your product and role-play it until it's natural. Know the top 5 objections and your response to each.
9. Write your first policy
Make the calls. Work fresh leads fast. Disposition everything. Your first sale is mostly about activity — talk to enough qualified people and the sales come.
The takeaway
License → NPN → E&O → upline → contracting → certifications → tools → leads → pitch → first sale. Work the list in order and you'll go from licensed to producing in weeks, not months.
Want an upline that walks you through every step of this list? Apply to Bridgepoint.