How to Get Your Insurance License in Tennessee
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Quick Answer:
- Pass the state licensing exam administered by Pearson VUE with a score of 70% or higher—pre-licensing education is recommended but not required by Tennessee
- Complete fingerprinting through IdentoGO and submit the Fingerprint Policy and Acknowledgement Form to the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance
- Apply online through NIPR within 12 months of passing your exam, paying the $50 application fee plus transaction charges
Tennessee's insurance industry is thriving, and smart career changers are taking notice. With over 300,000 insurance producers licensed to do business in the Volunteer State according to the Tennessee Department of Commerce & InsuranceInsurance Agent Producer Resources Licensing Packets Instructions Forms.html Commerce, you'll be joining a well-established profession with serious earning potential.
The Bureau of Labor StatisticsSales Insurance Sales Agents.htm Ooh projects 4% employment growth for insurance sales agents through 2034, with approximately 47,100 annual job openings nationwide. In Tennessee specifically, agents can earn between $53,000 and $79,000 annually, with top performers breaking into six figures.
Here's your complete roadmap to getting licensed and launching your Tennessee insurance career.
Step 1: Choose Your License Type
Before anything else, decide which insurance products you want to sell. Tennessee offers several license types, but the two most common are:
Life, Accident & Health: This license qualifies you to sell life insurance, health insurance, annuities, disability coverage, and long-term care products. If you want to help families protect their financial futures and health, this is your path.
Property & Casualty: This license covers homeowners insurance, auto insurance, renters insurance, commercial property, and liability coverage. It's ideal if you prefer helping people protect their homes, vehicles, and businesses.
Many agents eventually get licensed in bothPre License What Type Of Insurance License Should I Get In Texas Resources to serve more client needs and maximize earning potential. But starting with one allows you to focus your preparation and build expertise before expanding.
Step 2: Complete Pre-Licensing Education (Highly Recommended)
Here's something that surprises many aspiring agents: Tennessee doesn't legally require pre-licensing education before taking your exam. However, this doesn't mean you should skip it.
The Tennessee insurance exam covers complex material, including policy provisions, state regulations, and insurance law. According to the Pearson VUE Tennessee Insurance Candidate HandbookEn Tn Insurance.html UsEn Tn Insurance.html Us, candidates who complete structured education courses have significantly higher pass rates than those who attempt the exam without preparation.
Pre-licensing courses typically run 20 hours per line of authority (40 hours for combined Life, Accident & Health). A quality course will cover:
- Insurance fundamentals and terminology
- Policy structures and provisions
- Tennessee-specific laws and regulations
- Ethics and market conduct standards
- Practice exams that mirror the actual test format
Think of pre-licensing education as an investment in passing on your first attempt—saving you time, money, and frustration from retakes.
Step 3: Schedule and Pass Your State Exam
Tennessee contracts with Pearson VUEEn Tn Insurance.html UsEn Tn Insurance.html Us to administer all insurance licensing exams. You can schedule your exam online or by calling (800) 274-4957, with appointments available as soon as one day in advance.
Exam Format and Requirements
Each exam contains both general knowledge questions (covering national insurance concepts) and state-specific questions (covering Tennessee laws and regulations). Here's what to expect:
Life, Accident & Health Exam:
- Approximately 68-100 scored questions plus pretest questions
- 2-hour time limit
- 70% passing score required
Property & Casualty Exam:
- 68 scored questions per line (property and casualty are separate tests)
- 105 minutes per exam (can be combined in one sitting)
- 70% passing score required on each section
Testing is available at Pearson VUE centers throughout Tennessee—including Nashville, Memphis, and Knoxville—or through online proctoring via OnVUE.
What to Bring on Exam Day
- Two valid forms of government-issued identification (one with photo and signature)
- Certificate of completion from your pre-licensing course (if you took one)
Arrive at least 30 minutes early to complete check-in. Late arrivals forfeit their exam fees. For proven strategies to pass on your first attempt, check out our guide on how to study for the insurance examPre License How To Study Insurance Licensing Exam Resources.
Choose a State and Course
Already part of the insurance world? Here’s what’s next.
Take your skills to the next level with these Top 5 Tips for Becoming a Successful Insurance Agent!
Step 4: Complete Fingerprinting and Background Check
All Tennessee resident applicants must complete a fingerprint-based background check through IdentoGOTennessee Locations. This is required after passing your exam and before your license can be approved.
How to schedule:
- Visit tn.state.identogo.comTn.state.identogo.com
- Enter the ORI code: TN920680Z (for Insurance Producer)
- Select your preferred location and appointment time
- Pay the processing fee (currently around $37-42)
Important: You must have your fingerprints scanned within two weeks of registering, or you'll need to re-register and pay again. Bring valid government-issued photo ID to your appointment.
After fingerprinting, you'll also need to download, sign, and submit the Fingerprint Policy and Acknowledgement Form from the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance website. This can be emailed to ce.agent.licensing@state.tn.us or faxed to (615) 532-2862.
Step 5: Apply for Your License Through NIPR
With your exam passed and fingerprinting complete, you're ready to apply. Tennessee uses the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR)Licensing Center State Requirements Tennessee Resident Licensing Individual Nipr.com for all license applications.
Application requirements:
- $50 filing fee per application (plus small transaction fee)
- Valid Tennessee residence address
- Completed fingerprint background check
- Signed Fingerprint Policy and Acknowledgement Form
- Application must be submitted within 12 months of passing your exam
Wait 48 hours after passing your exam before applying—this allows time for your results to appear in the Tennessee Department of Insurance database.
Applications are typically processed within 15 business days. If everything is in order, you'll receive an email notification once your license has been approved.
Total Cost Breakdown
Here's what you can expect to invest in your Tennessee insurance license:
- Pre-licensing education: Varies by provider
- Exam fee: $49-59 depending on license type (per Pearson VUE)
- Fingerprint processing: Approximately $37-42 (per IdentoGO)
- License application: $50 plus transaction fee (per NIPR)
The total investment is modest compared to most professional licenses—and the earning potential makes it worthwhile. Many Tennessee agents recoup their licensing costs within their first few weeks of selling policies.
What Happens After You're Licensed?
Getting your license is just the beginning. Here's what comes next:
Get Appointed by Insurance Carriers: Your license authorizes you to sell insurance, but you'll need appointments with specific insurance companies to sell their products. Appointments happen when you join an agency or receive direct approval from carriers.
Choose Your Career Path: You can work as a captive agent (representing one company), an independent agent (representing multiple carriers), or eventually open your own agency. Learn more about captive vs. independent careersPre License Captive Vs. Independent Insurance Agent Resources to decide what fits your goals.
Stay Licensed: Tennessee requires 24 hours of continuing education every two years, including 3 hours of ethics training. Your license renewal falls on the last day of your birthday month, so mark your calendar.
For more guidance on building your career after licensing, explore our tips for becoming a successful agentPre License Tips Becoming A Successful Insurance Agent Resources.
Why Tennessee Is a Great Place to Start Your Insurance Career
Tennessee offers several advantages for new insurance agents:
- Growing population: More residents means more families and businesses needing coverage
- Diverse economy: From Nashville's healthcare and entertainment industries to Memphis's logistics hub, you'll find clients across every sector
- No state income tax: Keep more of your commissions compared to agents in high-tax states
- Lower cost of living: Your earning potential goes further in Tennessee than in many coastal markets
The combination of strong demand, reasonable licensing requirements, and favorable business conditions makes Tennessee one of the better states for launching an insurance career.
Ready to Get Licensed?
Your Tennessee insurance license opens the door to a flexible, lucrative career helping people protect what matters most. With the right preparation and a clear plan, you can go from starting your education to actively selling policies in just a few weeks.
Aceable Insurance offers Tennessee-approved pre-licensing courses designed to help you pass your exam on the first attempt. Our mobile-friendly platform lets you study anywhere, anytime—whether you're on a lunch break, commuting, or settling in for a focused study session at home.
Start your Tennessee pre-licensing course today and take the first step toward your new career.
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