Standard: Current 2026 Testing Standards
Study topics and practice questions aligned to the official CaliforniaCerts exams.
Popular searches: california exam practice.
Browse all CaliforniaCerts certification exams · Study guides and code resources
The California Personal Lines insurance license exam is administered by PSI on behalf of the California Department of Insurance (CDI). It consists of 90 questions and must be completed in 135 minutes. A score of 60% or higher is required to pass. The Personal Lines license authorizes producers to sell residential property and personal auto insurance — homeowners, renters, personal auto, earthquake, and personal umbrella policies. The exam covers general insurance concepts, property insurance, personal lines-specific coverage, and California Insurance Code regulations. As of January 1, 2026, California requires only 12 hours of pre-licensing education in Ethics and CA Insurance Code (per AB 943, replacing the previous line-specific requirement).
Exam details
The California Personal Lines exam is a closed-book, computer-based multiple-choice test at PSI testing centers throughout California or via PSI Bridge remote proctoring. Schedule at psiexams.com or call (833) 518-7456. There is a $43 convenience fee at PSI locations; no fee at the CDI Los Angeles testing center (300 South Spring Street). Bring one valid government-issued photo ID. Results appear on screen immediately. You may reschedule with no waiting period after a failed attempt. After passing, submit a license application to CDI within 12 months. The license renews every two years with 24 hours of CE including 3 ethics hours.
This link downloads a pre-generated PDF when available for this certification.
Two areas trip up the most candidates on the California Personal Lines exam. First, California-specific personal auto and homeowners regulations — Proposition 103 mandatory rating factors (driving record, miles driven, years of experience — in that order), the Good Driver Discount requirements, California minimum liability limits (15/30/5 currently, phasing to 30/60/15 by 2035 under AB 1011), FAIR Plan structure (pooling arrangement, not a government program), and the California Low Cost Auto Insurance program (CLCA, 10/20/3 limits). These are California-specific rules that standard national study materials skip. Second, the HO-3 coverage structure — candidates consistently confuse which sections are open perils vs named perils (Coverage A and B are open perils; Coverage C is named perils), how umbrella policies interact with underlying coverage, and the distinction between dwelling (Coverage A), other structures (Coverage B), personal property (Coverage C), and loss of use (Coverage D).
The Personal Lines license authorizes producers to sell personal insurance products for individuals and families: homeowners, renters, personal auto, earthquake, personal umbrella, and other residential property coverages. It does not authorize commercial lines sales.
90 questions with a 135-minute time limit. A score of 60% or higher (54 correct) is required to pass.
As of January 1, 2026, California requires 12 hours of Ethics and California Insurance Code education (per AB 943). This replaced the previous line-specific pre-licensing requirement.
Proposition 103 (1988) requires prior CDI approval for personal auto, homeowners, and earthquake rate changes. It also mandates that auto insurance rates be based primarily on driving safety record, annual miles driven, and years of experience — in that order. It is a major California-specific topic tested on the exam.
Currently 15/30/5 ($15,000 per person, $30,000 per accident, $5,000 property damage). AB 1011 (2023) phases in increases to 30/60/15 by 2035.
The California FAIR Plan is an insurer of last resort for homeowners who cannot obtain coverage in the standard market. It is not a government agency — it is a pooling arrangement among all admitted property insurers required to participate.
Schedule online at psiexams.com or call PSI at (833) 518-7456. The CDI Los Angeles location (300 South Spring Street) charges no convenience fee. PSI locations add a $43 fee.
You must submit your license application to CDI within 12 months of passing the exam. After 12 months the exam result expires and you must retake it.
Topics and blueprint percentages come from our topic bank; practice sessions allocate questions using those shares when set.
Start practicing free — no account required. The first questions in each topic are unlocked. Our 115 practice questions are built from the CDI/PSI exam content outline, with full explanations and California-specific coverage for every answer.