Getting your Tennessee property and casualty license is the first step toward becoming a P&C insurance agent in Tennessee.
The Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance requires you to complete a five-step process to obtain your property & casualty license – from taking the P&C insurance exam to applying for a P&C license.
These steps will take a few weeks to complete so we recommend you bookmark this page so you can use it as a reference throughout the process.
How to Get Your Tennessee Property and Casualty Insurance License
- Complete a Tennessee Pre-License Education Course (All-Lines – $179)
- Take the Tennessee Licensing Exam (Pearson VUE – $59)
- Get a Fingerprint-Based Background Check (IdentoGO – $35.15)
- Complete a Tennessee License Application (National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR) – $50 application fee + $5.60 transaction fee)
- Watch for Your Application Results
Property and Casualty Insurance License Tennessee
Obtaining your Tennessee P&C license is easy. Just follow these five simple steps to start your journey toward becoming a property and casualty insurance agent. Once you earn this license, check out our guide on how to get your Tennessee life insurance license as well.
Step 1: Complete a Tennessee Pre-License Education Course
Before you take the Tennessee P&C insurance licensing exam, it’s important to make time to acquire the knowledge you’ll need to pass this exam on your first attempt. Completing a pre-license education course will equip you with the necessary information and tools you’ll need to prepare for your exam.
In Tennessee, you must complete 40 hours of pre-license education on P&C insurance (20 hours for each line of authority). After completing the course, you’ll need to present a valid photo ID and an original certificate of completion from the approved pre-licensing education provider when you arrive to take your exam. Your course completion certificate will remain valid for 12 months.
A pre-license education course provides very specific industry knowledge that insurance professionals will encounter during the exam. There are very few questions on this test that you can answer with “common sense” information.
You can complete insurance licensing courses on your own schedule and at your own pace when you choose online courses. Taking a pre-license education course will also give you a solid understanding of your duties as a P&C insurance agent.
Recommended Course
StateRequirement recommends All-Lines Training’s course for aspiring insurance agents because it’s price-competitive, fully state compliant, and comes with exceptional resources tailored for real-world insurance scenarios in Tennessee.
All-Lines ($179+)
Step 2: Take the Tennessee Licensing Exam
After you complete a pre-licensing education course and/or your own independent study, it’s time to take the Tennessee P&C license exam.
Tennessee uses Pearson VUE as its official testing service for delivering licensure exams. In Tennessee, the P&C exam includes two separate tests — one for each line of authority. You’ll need to take both the property insurance exam and the casualty insurance exam. If you opt to take a combination of the two exams(P&C) in one sitting, you’ll get one exam free of charge.
The Tennessee P&C insurance exam:
- Includes a total of 68 scored questions (for the property exam) and 68 scored questions (for the casualty exam), covering both general and state-specific knowledge. The general sections deal with basic property and casualty insurance product knowledge. The state-specific sections cover P&C insurance concepts and terms, rules, regulations, and practices specific to Tennessee.
- Gives you 210 minutes to complete the test (105 minutes for each of the property and casualty exams). The exam is a proctored test, meaning an official proctor will closely monitor you in a controlled environment.
- Costs $59, a fee you must pay at the time of reservation by credit card, debit card, or voucher.
Passing the Tennessee P&C license exam can prove challenging, but taking an exam prep course and following a good study program can help prepare you to pass on your first attempt.
If you happen to fail the Tennessee P&C insurance exam, you must wait 10 days before retaking the exam. After each subsequent attempt, you must then wait 30 days before retaking the exam.
Tip
Check out our in-depth insurance exam guide for tips to help you pass on the first attempt.
Step 3: Get a Fingerprint-Based Background Check
After you take the Tennessee P&C license exam, you must get a fingerprint-based background check from IdentoGO. The fee for fingerprinting services is $35.15 to cover the cost of comparing your prints against criminal history records.
To set up a fingerprinting appointment, go to the IdentoGO website. Choose the service code for TN Insurance Producer – ORI# “TN920680Z”. If you don’t have a service code, select “Don’t Know Your Service Code” and then choose the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance.
If you need assistance, call 855-226-2937 to speak to an IdentoGO representative.
At your fingerprinting appointment, you’ll receive a receipt. Don’t throw it away! Keep the original receipt for your records.
Step 4: Complete a Tennessee License Application
Once you pass the P&C insurance exam and complete a fingerprint-based background check, you can apply for your P&C insurance license.
In Tennessee, you must apply online via the NIPR. The application fee is $50 and the transaction fee is $5.60.
The TDCIwill issue a P&C insurance license to individuals who are at least 18 years old and have passed the proper licensing exam. You should submit your completed license application within 12 months of passing the exam.
To apply for a P&C insurance license in Tennessee, make sure you comply with the insurance licensing requirements as defined under the Tennessee Rules and Laws.
If you have any questions or need to forward supporting documents related to your license application, send them to ce.agent.licensing@tn.gov.
Step 5: Watch for Your Application Results
After you complete the previous four steps, the TDCI will review your application and background check. The process usually takes 10 business days from the date you submit your application.
Once the TDCI finishes reviewing your application, a TDCI information specialist will contact you with its decision or ask you to provide more information.
You can print your license from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) State Based Systems (SBS) License Manager page. There’s no charge to create an account or print a license. If you don’t remember your license number, you can find it by using the NAIC SBS Lookup Search tool.
Recommended Course
StateRequirement recommends All-Lines Training’s course as our number one pick for aspiring insurance agents. This is because it is price-competitive, fully state compliant, and comes with exceptional resources tailored for real-world insurance scenarios in Tennessee.
All-Lines ($179+)
Congratulations!
You’re now ready to get started as a P&C insurance agent in Tennessee.
Next Steps After Securing Your Tennessee Property and Casualty Insurance License
Once you complete the above steps and have your Tennessee P&C insurance license, here’s what you should pursue next.
Get a Job in the Insurance Field
Once you hold a P&C license, you can consider several different insurance-related careers. The P&C license gives you authorization within your state to sell P&C insurance policies and related products that’ll provide financial protection to your clients against loss or damage.
You can find P&C insurance job postings on our Insurance Jobs Board.
When applying for an insurance-related job, potential employers will request your license number and National Producer Number (NPN).
Complete Continuing Education and Renew Your License
In Tennessee, you must take 24 hours of continuing education (CE) courses every two years to renew your P&C license. Tennessee CE requirements state that three of those hours must focus on ethics/consumer protection. P&C insurance licensees also must complete a one-time, three-hour course focused on the Flood Insurance Federal Reform Act of 2004.
If you have a non-resident license that satisfies the CE requirements in your home state, you don’t need to take CE courses in Tennessee.
You must complete the required CE hours at least 90 days before your license expires. You must apply for license renewal via the NIPR. The renewal fee is $60 and the late fee is $120.
For more detailed information, check out how to renew your license with our Tennessee insurance license renewal guide.
Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance Contact Information
Mailing Address:
Insurance Division
500 James Robertson Parkway
Nashville, TN 37243
Phone: (615) 741-2693
Email: ce.agent.licensing@tn.gov
Website: https://www.tn.gov/commerce/insurance-division.html
License Search: Tennessee Insurance License Lookup
Tennessee Property and Casualty License FAQ
How much does it cost to get a property and casualty insurance license in Tennessee?
The total cost of getting a property and casualty (P&C) insurance license in Tennessee is at least $338.75, but can reach nearly $500 based on the type of pre-license education course you choose. The costs include:
Insurance Pre-license Education Course Fee: $179 via All-Lines
Exam Fee: Exam Fee: $59 via Pearson VUE
Fingerprint-Based Background Check Fee: $35.15 via IdentoGO
Application Fee: $50 + $5.60 transaction fee via the NIPR
How long does it take to process a property and casualty insurance license application in Tennessee?
It will take up to ten business days for you to become an insurance agent. You’ll receive an email once the TDCI reviews your application.
Can I get a temporary property and casualty insurance agent license in Tennessee?
Yes. Tennessee provides a 90-day, temporary P&C license. You must submit a completed Uniform Application for Individual Producer License/Registration via the NAIC along with a $50 filing fee sent directly to the TDCI. The filing fee must be paid via check or money order made payable to the “Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance.”
Can I get an emergency property and casualty insurance agent license in Tennessee?
No. Tennessee doesn’t provide emergency licenses for P&C insurance agents.
What can I sell with a property and casualty insurance license in Tennessee?
With a Tennessee P&C license, you can sell insurance products like homeowners insurance, renters insurance, auto insurance, general liability insurance, and workers’ compensation policies.
How much can you make with a property and casualty insurance license in Tennessee?
According to ZipRecruiter, P&C insurance agents earn an average salary of between $30,000 and $44,500+ per year. P&C insurance agents who sell homeowners and auto insurance also can earn a 5 percent to 20 percent commission based on policy premiums.
What are the limitations of a Tennessee property and casualty insurance license?
Unless you have multiple licenses to sell various types of insurance products, having a Tennessee P&C license only gives you the authority to negotiate and sell P&C insurance policies. You’ll need additional licenses to sell other types of insurance.
Can I cancel my property and casualty license in Alabama?
Yes. To cancel your license, you must submit a signed and dated request directly to the TDCI at ce.agent.licensing@tn.gov. Your request must include your signature and Tennessee license number.
How hard is it to get a property and casualty insurance license in Tennessee?
The process is quite simple! Follow the steps above and get started today!