What's Actually on the Tennessee Insurance Exam?
Stop Guessing What's On the Test.
Our course is built around the actual Pearson VUE content outline, not a generic template. Walk in knowing exactly what's coming.
Quick Answer:
- Tennessee uses Pearson VUE, in person or remotely through OnVUE. Your call.
- 20 hours of pre-licensing per line of authority gets you exam-ready.
- Score 70% on each section (general and Tennessee-specific) and you pass.
- Most exams have 100 to 150 questions, plenty of time at about 90 seconds each.
- Failed once? Wait 10 days and try again. After that, 30 days between attempts.
- Your pre-licensing certificate is valid for 6 months, so don't sit on it.
The Tennessee insurance exam stands between you and your license. Walking in without knowing exactly what's on the test is the most common reason candidates fail, not because they couldn't have passed, but because they prepared for the wrong things. This guide breaks down the exact format, content distribution, question types, and rules so you walk into the Pearson VUE testing center prepared, not surprised. For the broader picture of how the Tennessee exam fits into the licensing process, see how to get an insurance licensePre License How To Get An Insurance License Resources.
Who administers the Tennessee insurance exam?
The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance (TDCI) contracts with Pearson VUETn Insurance Home.pearsonvue.com to deliver all insurance licensing exams. You can take exams either in person at a Pearson VUE testing center or remotely through OnVUE, Pearson's online proctored platform, assuming your computer and testing environment meet OnVUE's requirements.
Schedule your exam online at the Pearson VUE Tennessee insurance portal or by phone at (800) 274-4957. Online reservations need to be made at least 24 hours in advance, 5 days in advance if you're paying by electronic check.
What lines of authority does Tennessee offer?
Each Tennessee insurance line is its own exam, with its own pre-licensing course, its own content outline, and its own fee. The major lines:
Life Insurance
Term, whole, universal life products, plus annuities and federal tax considerations. Common starting line for new agents, see whether selling life insurance is right for youPre License Is Selling Life Insurance A Good Job Resources before you commit to that line.
Accident and Health
Health insurance, disability income, Medicare, long-term care, group plans, and Tennessee-specific health coverage rules.
Property Insurance
Homeowners, dwelling fire, commercial property, and Tennessee-specific property regulations.
Casualty Insurance
Liability, auto, workers' compensation, and Tennessee-specific casualty rules including financial responsibility laws. Casualty pairs with Property in most working portfolios, our breakdown on whether P&C is worth itPre License Is Becoming A Licensed Property And Casualty Insurance Agent Worth It Resources covers the renewal economics.
Most new producers start with Life and Accident & Health combined or Property and Casualty combined. Property and Casualty exam strategiesPre License How To Pass The Property And Casualty Exam Resources are different enough from Life lines to warrant their own focused approach.
How is the Tennessee insurance exam structured?
Every Tennessee insurance exam contains two distinct sections. Both must be passed at 70% or higher.
The general section
This section tests national insurance product knowledge. Topics rotate through policy types, riders, premiums, underwriting, claims, ethics, and federal regulations. Roughly 70-75% of total exam questions live here.
The Tennessee state section
This section covers Tennessee-specific laws, rules, and regulations. The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance writes detailed content outlines that specify exactly which statutes, regulatory bodies, and state-specific rules will appear. State sections typically run 25-30% of the total exam, a higher percentage than many candidates expect.
The single most common cause of Tennessee failures isn't general content, it's underweighting the state section. Spend proportional study time on Tennessee statutes, the Commissioner's powers, the Guaranty Association rules, and Tennessee-specific cancellation, renewal, and claims procedures.
What types of questions show up on the exam?
Every question is multiple choice with four answer options. The styles vary:
Recall questions
Test knowledge of insurance terminology and definitions. Example: which type of policy pays a benefit if the insured becomes disabled and unable to work? These are typically the easiest questions if your study is current.
Application questions
Test whether you can apply concepts to real scenarios. Example: a client is shopping for a policy and has specific needs, which product fits best? About 30-40% of the exam is application-based, and these questions trip up candidates who only memorized definitions.
Computation questions
Test math and formulas. Example: an insured has 80% coinsurance on a $160,000 property, how much does the insurer pay on a partial loss? You'll receive a dry-erase board for calculations, but no calculator.
Pretest questions
Each exam contains unscored "pretest" questions mixed in with real items. They look identical to scored questions, but Pearson VUE uses them to evaluate future test items. They don't count, but you won't know which is which, answer them all.
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How long is the exam, and how many questions?
Counts vary slightly by line. A Life Producer exam typically contains around 100-115 total items (including pretest), with 65-75 scored questions. The Tennessee Combined Life and Health exam runs longer, roughly 150 items, and is usually given 2 hours and 30 minutes.
That works out to approximately 90 seconds per question on most line exams. Manageable if you're prepared, tight if you're guessing your way through. Practice exams under timed conditions are essential preparation.
What happens if you fail?
Pearson VUE displays your score immediately and prints a diagnostic report breaking down your performance by content area. Tennessee retake rules:
- 10-day wait after a first failure
- 30-day wait after each subsequent failure
- 30-day wait for Public Adjuster candidates regardless of attempt number
- If you haven't passed within 6 months of your first attempt, additional pre-licensing education is required before further attempts
Each attempt requires a separate exam fee. Use the diagnostic report, don't restudy the whole course. Focus on the specific content areas where you scored weakest. Targeted study strategies consistently outperform restart-from-scratch retakes.
What are the Tennessee testing center rules?
Pearson VUE rules are strict and uniformly enforced:
- Arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled time. Late arrivals are turned away with no refund.
- Bring two forms of signature ID, one with a current photo (driver's license, passport, military ID).
- Bring your printed Certificate of Completion for pre-licensing.
- Personal items including phones, watches, calculators, and bags are stored, not allowed in the testing room.
- You'll receive a dry-erase board for calculations. No outside scratch paper.
- No breaks are permitted during the exam.
- Food and chewing gum are prohibited; water in a clear container is generally permitted.
What do you do after passing the exam?
Three steps:
1. Wait 48 hours, then apply
Tennessee requires a 48-hour wait between passing the exam and submitting your license application through NIPR. Submitting too early means a rejected application.
2. Complete fingerprinting
Tennessee resident applicants must be fingerprinted through the Tennessee Applicant Processing Service for a TBI and FBI background check. Schedule through the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance website.
3. Plan your first month in production
Most TDCI applications process within a few business days of receiving a clean background check. Use the waiting period to build your prospect pipeline. First-month strategies for new agents matter, agents who walk into licensing with prospects already lined up start earning weeks faster. If you're still weighing whether the career fits you, our look at who actually thrives in insurance will help you decide before exam day.
What can slow down Tennessee candidates?
- Letting your pre-licensing certificate expire. It's valid for 6 months, schedule the state exam promptly.
- Underestimating the state section. Tennessee state law accounts for 25-30% of the exam.
- Skipping practice exams. Without exposure to the Pearson VUE question format, real-exam scores drop.
- Submitting NIPR applications before the 48-hour wait. The application will be rejected.
- Skipping fingerprint scheduling. No fingerprints, no license, even with a passing score.
How does Tennessee compare to other states?
Tennessee's 20-hour pre-licensing requirement and Pearson VUE testing structure put it in the same category as most mid-volume insurance states. The 70% pass threshold is standard. The 6-month certificate window is shorter than some states (Georgia gives 12 months) but longer than others. Tennessee's 48-hour application wait is unusual, most states either require no wait or a longer one. The exam itself is widely regarded as fair: not the easiest in the country, not the hardest, with content outlines published openly so prepared candidates can target their study precisely.
Frequently asked questions
What score do I need to pass the Tennessee insurance exam?
70% on both the general and state-specific sections. Each section is scored independently, passing one but failing the other counts as a failure.
Can I take the Tennessee insurance exam online?
Yes. Tennessee permits remote testing through OnVUE for compatible candidates. You'll need a working computer, webcam, microphone, and a quiet, private testing space.
How long is my Tennessee pre-licensing certificate valid?
6 months from your completion date. If you don't pass the state exam in that window, you'll have to retake the entire pre-licensing course.
How much does the Tennessee insurance exam cost?
Exam fees vary by line of authority and are paid at the time of reservation. Check the Pearson VUE Tennessee insurance portal for current fees.
Can I take separate exams for Life and Health, or only the combined exam?
Both options are available. You can take Life and Accident & Health as separate exams or as a combined exam. Most candidates choose the combined option to streamline scheduling.
Does Tennessee accept out-of-state insurance licenses?
Yes. Non-resident applicants licensed and in good standing in another state can obtain a Tennessee non-resident license through NIPR without taking the Tennessee state exam.
Walk Into Pearson VUE Confident, Not Hoping.
You can't walk into the Tennessee exam knowing what's on it without studying it specifically. That's exactly what our state-approved course is built for.
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