In a move to boost the number of insurance agents and make licensing exams easier to pass, life and annuity industry groups are asking states to update licensing rules and remove unnecessary barriers.

To become an insurance "producer," aka a broker or agent, you need a license from your state. If you sell multiple lines of insurance, such as life and auto, you may need multiple insurance licenses.

This is the third year I’ve published a life insurance agent’s to-do list. The list represents my humble attempt to suggest ways for agents to be more productive and effective in the year ahead. A few ...