Insurance Agent Permit Requirements in Des Moines, IA

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC or corporation. Free from the IRS.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online application)

   Free

   Immediate (online application)

1. Iowa Department of Revenue — Sales Tax Permit

   Required for businesses selling taxable goods or services in Iowa. The state rate is 6%, and local option sales tax of up to 1% may apply. Iowa taxes about 75 enumerated services, so check whether your service is taxable before assuming you need a permit. Register with the Iowa Department of Revenue online.

   Official government source

   Free — no fee to register for a sales tax permit·Register online through GovConnectIowa, the state's tax portal

   Free — no fee to register for a sales tax permit

   Register online through GovConnectIowa, the state's tax portal

2. Errors and Omissions (E&O) Insurance

   Insurance agents are strongly advised (and often required by employers or carriers) to carry Errors and Omissions insurance. E&O covers claims arising from professional mistakes or failures.

   Varies widely by carrier and coverage limits; often required or subsidized by the agent's carrier/agency — confirm with an insurance broker.·Immediate to 1 week

   Varies widely by carrier and coverage limits; often required or subsidized by the agent's carrier/agency — confirm with an insurance broker.

   Immediate to 1 week

1. Iowa Insurance Division — Insurance Producer License

   Insurance agents in Iowa must be licensed as producers by the Iowa Insurance Division. Iowa has no pre-licensing education requirement: pass the Iowa producer exam for each line of authority you want (administered by Pearson VUE; results valid 90 days), then apply. Some applicants must submit fingerprints and a state and federal criminal history check under Iowa Code 522B.5A.

   Official government source

   $50 license fee (exam fees are paid separately to Pearson VUE)·About 15 business days to process, or up to 22 business days after fingerprints are collected when a background check is required

   $50 license fee (exam fees are paid separately to Pearson VUE)

   About 15 business days to process, or up to 22 business days after fingerprints are collected when a background check is required

2. No Des Moines General Business License Required

   Des Moines has no general or blanket business license, and the Development Services Department does not issue one. The City Clerk's Office licenses only specific regulated activities - alcohol, tobacco, transient merchants, mobile food vendors, peddlers, pawnbrokers, theaters, coin-operated machines, solid waste haulers and similar categories. Most businesses need nothing from the Clerk. What a commercial tenant does need is a Certificate of Occupancy for the space, issued by the Permit and Development Center, and home-based businesses go through home occupation review with Zoning Enforcement.

   Official government source

   Nothing - there is no such license. A commercial Certificate of Occupancy is $51.50·Not applicable

   Nothing - there is no such license. A commercial Certificate of Occupancy is $51.50

   Not applicable

Official Sources

• Iowa Insurance Division — Insurance Producer License
• City of Des Moines Development Services Department

Related Guides