---
title: "What Is DOI (State Department of Insurance)? | Epic Life"
description: "A state Department of Insurance is the state agency that licenses agents, reviews insurance products, and handles consumer complaints. Names vary, such..."
url: https://epicline.preview.multisites.ai/glossary/state-department-of-insurance
publisher: Epic Life Group
apply: https://epicline.preview.multisites.ai/apply
quote: https://epicline.preview.multisites.ai/get-a-quote
---

Agent licensing and appointments

# State Department of Insurance (DOI)

A state Department of Insurance is the state agency that licenses agents, reviews insurance products, and handles consumer complaints. Names vary, such as Division of Insurance or Department of Financial Services.

## Why it matters

For families, the DOI is where to check an agent's license and file a complaint. For agents, it sets licensing rules, exams, and fines. Each state's rules differ, and the NAIC coordinates among them. When in doubt about a rule, the DOI site is the primary source. Most offer a free license lookup for the public.

Source: [nipr.com](https://nipr.com/licensing-center/state-information)

[Read next, for agentsHow life insurance licensing works across multiple states](https://epicline.preview.multisites.ai/careers/licensing)

## 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)
-   [Fixed vs fixed index annuity: how do they work and who do they fit?](https://epicline.preview.multisites.ai/guides/fixed-vs-fixed-index-annuity)
-   [How do you file a life insurance claim after a loved one dies?](https://epicline.preview.multisites.ai/guides/how-to-file-a-life-insurance-claim)
-   [How to join an IMO: the questions to ask before you sign](https://epicline.preview.multisites.ai/guides/how-to-join-an-imo)

## 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)