Which of the following best describes the role of licensed agents regarding applications?

Licensed agents play a crucial role in the life insurance application process, primarily focusing on soliciting and forwarding applications to the insurer. This means that agents engage with potential clients, educating them about different insurance products, helping them understand their options, and ultimately guiding them through the application process. Once the applications are completed, agents submit these documents to the insurance company for review and underwriting.

Agents do not have the authority to make decisions regarding the approval of applications; that responsibility lies with the insurance underwriters who evaluate the submitted applications based on established criteria. Additionally, while they can be involved in discussing the medical history of applicants, agents do not solely verify this information independently; this is part of the insurer's underwriting process.

Therefore, the essence of the agent's role is to facilitate the application process by acting as a liaison between the applicant and the insurance company, aligning with the description of being responsible for soliciting and forwarding applications.