What's Actually on the Tennessee Insurance Exam?
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Quick Answer:
- Exams contain 68-100+ questions covering both general insurance concepts (70-75%) and Tennessee-specific laws and regulations (25-30%)
- You need 70% to pass—that means knowing both national content and Tennessee state rules well enough to pass each section
- Timing is approximately 90 seconds per question—the 2-hour time limit is adequate if you're prepared, but don't linger on difficult questions
The Tennessee insurance exam stands between you and your license. Knowing exactly what you'll face removes uncertainty and lets you prepare strategically. Here's the complete breakdown of what's on the exam, how it's structured, and what Pearson VUE expects from you on test day.
Exam Structure and Format
Tennessee contracts with Pearson VUEEn Tn Insurance.html Us to administer all insurance licensing exams. The exam is computer-based, multiple choice, and proctored—either at a testing center or through online proctoring via OnVUE.
Life, Accident & Health Exam
If you're pursuing Life & Health licensing:
- Approximately 68 scored questions plus pretest questions (pretest questions don't count toward your score)
- 2-hour time limit
- 70% passing score required
- Two sections: General knowledge and Tennessee-specific content
Property & Casualty Exam
P&C licensing requires two separate exams (Property and Casualty), though they can be combined in one sitting:
- 68 scored questions per exam (Property exam + Casualty exam)
- 105 minutes per exam (210 minutes total if combined)
- 70% passing score required on each
- Combination option: Book both exams together for a single testing fee
Personal Lines Exam
- 111 total questions (100 scored, 11 pretest)
- 2-hour time limit
- 70% passing score
Pretest questions appear randomly throughout the exam and are used to evaluate new questions for future exams. You won't know which questions are pretest, so treat every question seriously.
Content Breakdown: What You'll Be Tested On
Each exam divides into two major content areas:
General/National Content (70-75% of questions)
These questions test fundamental insurance knowledge that applies across all states:
For Life, Accident & Health exams:
- Types of life insurance policies (term, whole life, universal, variable)
- Policy provisions, riders, and options
- Annuity products and how they function
- Health insurance fundamentals and policy types
- Disability income insurance
- Group insurance concepts
- Insurance contract law and principles
- Underwriting and risk assessment basics
For Property & Casualty exams:
- Homeowners policy forms and coverage
- Dwelling policies
- Commercial property insurance basics
- Auto insurance coverage types
- Liability insurance concepts
- Inland marine coverage
- National Flood Insurance Program
- Workers' compensation fundamentals
Tennessee-Specific Content (25-30% of questions)
These questions focus on Tennessee insurance laws, regulations, and practices:
For Life, Accident & Health exams:
- Tennessee laws on policy provisions and required coverages
- Policy cancellation and renewal requirements
- Group insurance regulations in Tennessee
- Medicare supplement insurance rules
- Long-term care insurance requirements
- Producer licensing and conduct regulations
- Consumer protection laws
For Property & Casualty exams:
- Tennessee minimum auto coverage requirements
- Homeowners insurance regulations
- Policy cancellation and nonrenewal rules
- Claims handling requirements
- Producer licensing regulations
- Unfair trade practices in Tennessee
Don't underestimate the state-specific section. Many candidates focus heavily on general concepts and neglect Tennessee laws—then fail because they missed too many state questions. Allocate serious study time to Tennessee regulations.
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Question Types and What They Test
All questions are multiple choice with four answer options. You'll encounter several question styles:
Definition Questions
Test your knowledge of insurance terminology. Example: What type of policy pays a benefit if the insured becomes unable to work due to illness or injury?
Calculation Questions
Require you to apply formulas or compute values. Example: An insured has a coinsurance clause of 80% and insures their property for $160,000. If the property is valued at $250,000 and suffers a $50,000 loss, what will the insurance company pay?
Scenario Questions
Present a situation and ask you to apply your knowledge. Example: A policyholder dies while their life insurance premium payment is 15 days overdue. The policy has a 31-day grace period. What happens to the death benefit?
Regulation Questions
Test your knowledge of Tennessee-specific laws. Example: In Tennessee, how many days does an insurer have to provide written notice before canceling a homeowners policy for nonpayment of premium?
Scenario and regulation questions trip up candidates who only memorized definitions without understanding how concepts apply. Focus on understanding why rules exist and how they work in practice.
For detailed preparation strategies, review our guide on how to study for the insurance examPre License How To Study Insurance Licensing Exam Resources.
Exam Day: What to Expect
At the Testing Center
If testing in person at a Pearson VUE center:
- Arrive 30 minutes early—late arrivals forfeit their exam fees
- Bring two valid IDs—one must have your photo and signature (driver's license, passport, military ID)
- Bring your pre-licensing certificate if you completed a pre-licensing course
- Leave personal items in your car or a locker—no phones, notes, or reference materials allowed
- A basic calculator is provided on screen for calculation questions
Online Proctoring (OnVUE)
If testing at home through OnVUEEn Tn Insurance Onvue.html Us:
- Quiet, private room required—no other people can be present
- Webcam and microphone must be on throughout the exam
- Clean desk/workspace—no notes, books, or unauthorized materials visible
- Single monitor only—disconnect additional displays
- System test required beforehand—verify your computer meets requirements
During the Exam
- Questions appear one at a time on screen
- You can flag questions to review later
- A timer shows remaining time
- You can review and change answers before submitting
- Results appear immediately after you complete the exam
Scoring and Results
You need 70% correct answers to pass. Results are immediate—you'll know whether you passed before leaving the testing center or ending your online session.
If you pass: Your score report simply says "Pass." No numeric score is provided for passing candidates. Your results are transmitted to the Tennessee Department of Insurance within a few days.
If you don't pass: You'll receive a numeric score showing how close you were. This helps identify whether you need minor refinement or significant additional study.
Retaking the Exam
If you need to retake:
- You can schedule a retake as soon as 24 hours after your previous attempt
- You'll pay the full exam fee again
- Online testing through OnVUE is limited to two attempts per exam—subsequent attempts must be at a testing center
- There's no limit to total retakes, though waiting periods may apply after multiple failures
Setting Yourself Up for Success
The Tennessee insurance exam is challenging but absolutely passable with proper preparation. Candidates who complete structured pre-licensing education, take practice exams, and dedicate serious study time to both general and state-specific content pass at much higher rates.
Key success factors:
- Don't skip pre-licensing education—even though Tennessee doesn't require it, the exam assumes you have this knowledge
- Study Tennessee regulations specifically—state questions account for a quarter or more of your exam
- Take practice tests—they reveal weak areas and build test-taking stamina
- Schedule soon after studying—take the exam within two weeks of completing your prep while information is fresh
For additional exam strategies, explore our guide on how to pass the Property & Casualty examPre License How To Pass The Property And Casualty Exam Resources.
Ready to Take the Exam?
You now know exactly what the Tennessee insurance exam looks like—no surprises waiting for you. The path forward is clear: prepare thoroughly, understand both general concepts and Tennessee-specific regulations, and walk into that exam confident.
Aceable Insurance offers Tennessee exam prep courses designed around the actual exam format. Our practice tests mirror what you'll see on test day, and our mobile-friendly platform lets you study whenever you have time.
Start your Tennessee pre-licensing course today and prepare to pass your exam on the first attempt.
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