What requirement must a variable life insurance agent fulfill to practice legally?

To practice legally as a variable life insurance agent, it is essential to be licensed and appointed specifically as a life and variable contract agent. This requirement ensures that the agent has the necessary knowledge and qualifications to sell variable life insurance products, which involve unique investment risks and regulatory standards distinct from those of standard life insurance policies.

Being licensed as a life and variable contract agent indicates that the individual has completed the required pre-licensing education and passed the examination, demonstrating proficiency in both the life insurance products and the variable investment vehicles associated with variable life insurance. Appointment often involves being connected with an insurance company, allowing agents to sell their products legally and ensure compliance with state regulations.

The other options, while they may seem valuable in the broader insurance context, do not specifically fulfill the legal requirement to sell variable life insurance. For instance, being licensed as a property and casualty agent does not encompass the specific knowledge needed for variable life products, while completing a training program or obtaining a certification in financial planning may enhance an agent's knowledge but do not legally confer the authority to sell such insurance.