What to Expect as an Agent
Interested in becoming a life licensed agent and independent business owner in the financial services industry? It takes hard work and determination to succeed, but WFG can show you how to become an independent insurance agent. Explore independent agent opportunities part-time or as a full-time career.
An Investment in Your Future
A college degree or a background in finance is not required to become a licensed agent with WFG, but it does take a certain type of individual to succeed. A few key insurance agent requirements are:
A Willingness to Learn
Studying and preparation are necessary to join the thousands of independent insurance agents who pass their licensing exam. A valid insurance license is a requirement for insurance agents at World Financial Group. Many of WFG’s agents earn their license within three to four months, but as an independent insurance agent, you set your own timeline – you control the pace!
During this time, you will learn about the products and services that our insurance agents have to offer and build a foundation of knowledge that you can share with your clients. Once you finish your insurance agent requirements, you’ll be able to provide fair and sound support to families and individuals in your local community under the WFG name.
Your Commitment to Build the Business
As most of our agents will tell you, starting and growing any business, but particularly in financial services, isn’t always easy, but it is immensely rewarding. No one is expecting overnight success, so go at your own speed and build your financial services business as big as you want it to be. Long after you complete your license exam and after acquiring your first clients, try to collaborate with fellow agents to promote mutual growth. You’ll be surrounded by experienced financial insurance professionals whose footsteps you can follow.
You can also start - and keep - your business as a part-time opportunity, or you can go full time. We support a healthy mix of both full-time and part-time insurance agents. The decision is completely up to you.
Some Out-of-Pocket Expenses
Starting a business does incur some costs, but at WFG we try to keep these expenses as low as possible, especially when compared to others in the industry. Aside from the WFG registration fees, costs are kept to a minimum for our independent agents. Some of the fees that are required when you decide to be a WFG business owner include:
United States Fees
Initial Fee to Associate
$125
Pre-Licensing Education Fee1
$20 - $250 (Costs range based on provider)
Exam Fee2
$100 (approximate cost – varies by state)
E&O Costs for Life Licensed Agents3
$535 Annually
Platform Fee for Licensed Agents4
$15 Monthly
Canada Fees
Initial Fee to Associate
$150 + applicable taxes
Pre-Licensing Education Fee1
$199 + applicable taxes
Exam Fee2
$100 (approximate cost – varies by province)
E&O Costs for Life Licensed Agents3
$480 Annually
Platform Fee for Licensed Agents4
$30 Monthly
1 Becoming licensed also requires this additional cost, paid to the education providers, not WFG. In the United States, we have agreements with several education providers who will charge from $20 - $250 dollars for education depending on the type of course. Exam fees are approximately $100, but can vary by state.
2 The HLLQP Pre-Licensing Bundle, available through the contracted pre-licensing provider, costs $199 plus applicable taxes. This bundle, which includes the Canadian Ethics Course for Life Insurance Agents and Anti-Money Laundering in the Financial Industry, provides all the necessary study materials to write the provincial exam(s) and become licensed with WFG. Exam fees are approximately $100, but can vary by province.
3 All life licensed agents, no matter what insurance agency they are affiliated with, have a regulatory requirement to hold Errors & Omissions insurance. The premiums can be paid quarterly or annually, and are not refundable. In the United States, New York resident agents must obtain and maintain their own E&O insurance.
4 The Platform Fee is for access to our suite of technology tools that can help you run your business more efficiently and effectively. The initial charge is $15 per month in the U.S., $30 in Canada. This fee increases for individuals who also possess a securities license, as does the amount of tools offered.
Support When You Need It
You are not alone. WFG believes in the power of mentorship, and our experienced agents can show you how to be successful here. After becoming an insurance agent, you’ll have opportunities to work with some of WFG’s best. Our team of experienced insurance professionals has been in your shoes and knows that while there may be challenges, there are considerable benefits to being a WFG agent. In turn, you can bolster the hopes and aspirations of each member of your team. Provide support to one another, and together, you can succeed. And remember, you have a team of several hundred U.S. and Canadian home office staff to support you.
Transform Your Future
Whether or not you decide that becoming an independent insurance agent with WFG is right for you – either as a part-time opportunity to earn income or as a full-time career – meeting with one of our licensed agents offers you the chance to improve your financial literacy as well as the potential freedom and future you envision. Our ultimate goal is for everyone to succeed.
At WFG, you work for yourself, but not by yourself.
Your success and reputation is our central focus.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the WFG business model differ from other agencies?
With other opportunities, when you become an entrepreneur, you may or may not have a mentor to guide you. WFG’s independent business owners work together to help each other succeed. Additionally, WFG streamlines the onboarding and business-building process and allows you to work and grow at your own pace. You can work part-time or full-time to become the independent insurance agent you want to be.
How does WFG help prepare our independent agents?
It’s not easy to start a business on your own, but we’re here to help. At WFG, individuals who wish to become WFG independent agents have access to pre-licensing companies that offer financial services training to help them earn their insurance license. As aspiring licensed independent agents grow their businesses, they will receive invaluable guidance and mentorship from the WFG home office and experienced fellow agents.
Is it possible to become a part time insurance agent or do you have to be full time?
With World Financial Group, you’re able to set your own pace. You can start as a part-time independent insurance agent and get a feel for operating and building your own business before deciding to become a full-time agent. This option is great for agents who have other full-time jobs or are currently in school. If you decide that you’d prefer to stay on as a part-time agent indefinitely, that’s fine, too.
What are the steps to become a WFG agent?
Becoming an independent agent with World Financial Group requires you to be a United States or Canadian resident. We’ll ask a few preliminary questions to gauge your preparedness and experience; then you can start the process to become licensed. There will be a few online training opportunities and exams, but soon you’ll be running your own business. You can start the online registration process any time you’re ready.
How long does it take to become an insurance agent?
The time it takes to become an insurance agent depends on your location and the type of insurance license you need. After you receive the license, onboarding with WFG can take a few more days to complete a final background check and other company processes. In most cases, you can become an insurance agent within one to three months, depending on how quickly you complete each step.
Build Your Business with Us
Ready to own your future? Leveraging our business model, you can become an independent insurance agent and help the individuals and families in your community protect their financial futures.