Tennessee
Tennessee Insurance Licensing Requirements
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On this page, you’ll find a comprehensive guide for becoming a licensed insurance agent in Tennessee and the state requirements. We’ll walk you through the process, and we’ll be here to answer any questions you have along the way.
The Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance requires each person selling insurance in the state to hold an insurance producer license. You will choose which line of authority you want to be licensed in: health insurance, life insurance, property and casualty insurance, or any combination of those lines.
Once you know which license you need, you’re ready to begin. In the State of Tennessee, there are 5 steps to getting your insurance license.
Step 1: Complete a Prelicensing Course
If you would like to sell insurance in Tennessee, you must pass a licensing exam. Because the exam will test your knowledge of industry information, insurance products, and state insurance laws, the best way to prepare for the exam is to take a prelicensing education course. A.D. Banker offers prelicensing courses designed to suit every learning style and will help you pass the exam on your first try. Our online courses may be supplemented with web classes and flashcards to make learning as effective as possible.
Step 2: Pass the State Licensing Exam
After you finish your prelicensing course, you are now ready to take the state licensing exam. You must score 70% or higher to pass your state licensing exam. You will be required to pay another exam fee if you retake the test, so it is important to pass the first time.
Step 3: Get Fingerprinted
The Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance requires fingerprint impressions for all unlicensed applicants that will be submitted for a background check. You can register for an appointment through Identogo using one of the corresponding codes:
- Producers – ORI# TN920680Z
- Public Adjusters – ORI# TN920560Z
- Navigator/CAC – ORI# TN920783Z
Step 4: Apply for License
After passing the exam, you are ready to submit your license application and pay the application fee through the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR). You must wait 48 hours after you have passed the exam to submit your application.
Step 5: Plan for Continuing Education
Insurance continuing education (CE) is required for all Tennessee resident insurance agents for license renewal. The CE requirements for agents are generally 24 hours every 2 years, including 3 hours of ethics training. There are additional requirements to sell certain products, such as annuities, long-term care, and flood insurance.
Nonresident license holders are currently required to adhere to their home state’s continuing education requirements.
It’s important to stay on top of any changes to Tennessee laws and licensing requirements, which can be found on the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance’s website.
Tennessee Licensing Exam FAQ
Where will I take the state exam?
- Remote exams are available to ensure accessibility and safety. These exams require you to have a computer or laptop that is compatible with OnVUE, Pearson VUE’s remote testing platform. If you do not have a compatible computer, you must schedule an in-person exam.
- Exams may also be taken in-person at a Pearson VUE testing site. Exams taken at a Pearson VUE location may include an additional provider fee.
How do I schedule my state exam?
- Every insurance licensing exam is accompanied by an exam fee that must be paid by a credit or debit card, voucher, or electronic check. This fee must be paid at the time of reservation and will not be accepted at a testing center. You can schedule your state exam through Pearson VUE or by calling (800) 274-4957.
What is the format of the state exam?
- All licensing exams are taken on a computer and are multiple choice. The exam will cover both a general section with basic insurance product knowledge, and a state section with specific insurance laws, rules, regulations, and practices that are unique to Tennessee. A good prelicensing training course will feature practice exams that simulate the format of the state exams, so you should know exactly what to expect on the actual state licensing exam.
How long is the state exam?
Depending on which line of insurance you are testing on, the amount of time and number of questions on the exam vary. Exams will be 1-2 hours long and can have 50-117 questions.
- Life: 1 hr 45 minutes with 82 questions
- Accident and Health: 1 hr 45 minutes with 82 questions
- Property: 1 hr 45 minutes with 82 questions
- Casualty: 1 hr 45 minutes with 82 questions
- Personal Lines: 2 hours with 117 questions
- Public Adjuster: 1 hour with 50 questions
Life and Accident & Health or Property & Casualty can be booked as a combination for a single testing fee.
Public Adjuster exams are only available at the Knoxville, Memphis, and Nashville testing centers.
What score do I need to pass?
- For all insurance exams, you need to score 70% or higher to pass. Immediately after your exam, you will receive a pass or fail notification.
What happens if I fail my exam?
Tennessee has specific re-examination requirements:
- Candidates failing for the first time must wait 10 days before retaking the exam.
- After each subsequent attempt, the candidate must wait 30 days before retaking the exam.
- Public Adjuster candidates must wait at least 30 days before retaking the exam.
- Public Adjuster candidates who have not successfully passed their exam after 3 attempts must wait 1 year before retaking the exam. The candidate must also file a new application with the state and pay any appropriate fees.
You are able to reschedule a new exam after 24 hours. If you would like more detailed information, or if you have any questions about the exam process, please visit Pearson VUE’s website.
After completing your exam, you can log into your Pearson VUE account to obtain your diagnostic report indicating your strengths and weaknesses on the exam. You can send us a copy of this score report to curriculum@adbanker.com for our team to review and respond with personalized feedback.
Disclaimer
This information is intended for general guidance and informational purposes only. Licensing requirements, fees, and processes are subject to change. Please refer to the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance and Pearson VUE websites for the most up-to-date information regarding insurance licensing requirements and exam procedures in the state of Tennessee.