Overview
IC-38 is the pre-recruitment examination that people must pass before they can be licensed to sell insurance in India. The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has recognised the Insurance Institute of India (III) as the body that conducts these exams, for individual insurance agents as well as corporate agents, web aggregators and insurance marketing firms.
The exam is linked to a period of compulsory online training. You train first, receive a training completion certificate, and only then can you be registered for the exam.
Note
This page covers only what III publishes openly. Exam length, number of questions, pass mark and fees are not set out on its public pages, so check them with the insurer or company that is sponsoring you, or with III directly.
Exam papers
III publishes a separate IC-38 syllabus for each type of intermediary and line of business:
| Candidate type | IC-38 versions available |
|---|---|
| Insurance agent | Life, Non-Life, Health |
| Corporate agent | Composite, Life, Non-Life, Health |
| Insurance marketing firm | Composite |
| Web aggregator | Composite |
The IC-38 study material for individual agents is published in English and in most major Indian languages, including Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, Tamil, Bengali, Kannada, Malayalam, Telugu, Punjabi, Assamese, Oriya and Urdu. Each language has a common module plus material for the life, general or health line you are applying for.
Training requirement
Before the exam you must complete 25 hours of online training through III. Once the training is done, a Training Completion Certificate (TCC) is emailed to you and can also be downloaded from the III website. Generating the TCC is a precondition for registering for the exam.
How to apply
III's published process for corporate agents runs as follows; individual agents follow the same training and TCC steps.
Company profile: the sponsoring insurer or corporate sets up a profile on the III exam portal (iiiexams.org).
Candidate ID: the company creates a unique reference number (URN) for you, singly or through bulk upload.
Training: the training fee is paid online, and you receive login details by SMS or email to start the 25-hour online course.
TCC: after completing the training, you generate your Training Completion Certificate.
Exam booking: the company creates an exam batch on iiiexams.org with your preferred exam date and pays the exam fee. Individual candidates cannot create exam batches themselves.
Exam: the venue and time slot are sent to you by SMS or email.
Certificate and licence: after passing, download the examination passing certificate from the III website; the licence code is then generated on IRDAI's Agency Licensing Portal (agencyportal.irdai.gov.in), which is IRDAI's own system for registering and looking up licensed agents and corporate agents, separate from III's training and exam portal.
III also runs tab-based exams at scheduled locations, with an upcoming schedule posted on iiiexams.org.
Preparation tips
Study the IC-38 material in the language you are most comfortable with, and make sure you have the version for your line of business (life, general or health).
Use the practice test on iiiexams.org to get used to the exam screen before your slot.
Finish your 25 hours of training early; the exam cannot be booked until your TCC is issued.
FAQs
Who conducts the IC-38 exam?
The Insurance Institute of India, which IRDAI has recognised as the examining body for pre-recruitment exams for insurance agents and other intermediaries.
Do I need training before IC-38?
Yes. You must complete 25 hours of online training and obtain a Training Completion Certificate before you can be registered for the exam.
Can I register for IC-38 on my own?
Exam booking is done through the sponsoring insurer or company on iiiexams.org; III's published process says individual candidates cannot create exam batches themselves.
Is IC-38 study material available in regional languages?
Yes. III publishes the agent study material in English, Hindi and several other Indian languages.