---
title: "What Is Contracting? Definition | Epic Life Glossary"
description: "Contracting is the process of signing an agent up with an insurance carrier so the agent can sell and be paid on its products. It includes forms, a..."
url: https://epicline.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/contracting
publisher: Epic Life Group
apply: https://epicline.preview.multisites.ai/apply
quote: https://epicline.preview.multisites.ai/get-a-quote
---

Agent licensing and appointments

# Contracting

Contracting is the process of signing an agent up with an insurance carrier so the agent can sell and be paid on its products. It includes forms, a background review, and a commission agreement.

## Why it matters

After licensing, an agent completes carrier paperwork such as the NPN, license copies, E&O proof, and direct deposit details. The carrier or the agent's upline reviews it and sets a contract level. Processing can take days or weeks, and each carrier has its own steps. Agents should confirm they are contracted and appointed before submitting any application.

Source: [naic.org](https://content.naic.org/insurance-topics/producer-licensing)

[Read next, for agentsWhich carriers can Epic Life agents sell for?](https://epicline.preview.multisites.ai/careers/carriers)

## Where we use this term

-   [Building an insurance agency: how overrides and downlines work, and what is legal](https://epicline.preview.multisites.ai/guides/building-an-insurance-agency-overrides-downlines)
-   [Your first 90 days as a telesales life insurance agent: a week-by-week ramp](https://epicline.preview.multisites.ai/guides/first-90-days-as-a-telesales-agent)
-   [How to join an IMO: the questions to ask before you sign](https://epicline.preview.multisites.ai/guides/how-to-join-an-imo)
-   [How to get a multi-state life insurance license: resident first, then nonresident](https://epicline.preview.multisites.ai/guides/multi-state-life-insurance-license)
-   [Is final expense a good career? What agents really do](https://epicline.preview.multisites.ai/careers/final-expense-agent)

## Start your climb.

Tell us where you are today and request a call about licensing, training and the calls.

[Apply to join](https://epicline.preview.multisites.ai/apply)

Shopping for coverage instead? [Get a quote](https://epicline.preview.multisites.ai/get-a-quote)