I am an independent insurance agent. how do begin offering mutual fund investments?

You need to be licensed as a broker for whatever type(s) of securities you plan on selling. You should also seek professional accreditation for investment advising or retirement planning. Most of the insurance companies you carry have various funds available for their brokers; contact them and find out what it takes to get started. Then contact various mutual funds that are available in addition. Figure out which arrangements will make you the most money and start advertising to your customers.

As a licensed insurance agent you should know that you need securities license to sell mutual funds. If you're not licensed than you need to get one, but you can't get the license until a broker or a company sponsor you, meaning you have to work for someone else first. The first securities license you need to have is series 6 or 7, then 63 and 65, than to go off on your own and open your own business you need a principal license; series 26 or 27, it depends on what kind of broker you want to be.

First you have to have product to offer, that means you need a firm to allow you to sell their offerings. They also may sponsor you to take the series 6 and 63 (you have to have a sponsor to test and be registered). As long as you sell only variable product (mutual funds and annuity), you will not need the series 7. Annuities will require the L&D insurance license. You will not need the series 26 since the firm that sponsors you will be the OSJ that you report through for compliance.The 7 only comes into play if you offer stocks, bond, options, etc. And the 24 only if you are supervising a 7 registered rep. the company that sponosrs you should take care of all the compliance and supervisory stuff.