Key Takeaways

  • Tennessee has NO mandatory pre-licensing education requirement for Property & Casualty insurance
  • Exams are administered by Pearson VUE with a 70% passing score required
  • Back-to-back exam discount available: save $30 when taking both exams together
  • After passing, candidates must wait 48 hours before applying for a license through TDCI
  • Retake policy: 10-day wait for first retake, then 30 days after each subsequent attempt
  • Tennessee auto insurance minimums are 25/50/15 for liability coverage
Last updated: February 2026

Tennessee Property & Casualty Exam Overview

Welcome to OpenExamPrep's FREE Tennessee Property & Casualty Insurance exam prep guide. This comprehensive resource covers Tennessee-specific regulations, licensing requirements, and state insurance laws you need to know to pass your exam in 2026.

About the Tennessee P&C Exam

The Tennessee Property & Casualty insurance examination is administered by Pearson VUE on behalf of the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance (TDCI). The exam tests your knowledge of:

  • Tennessee Insurance Code and regulations
  • Property insurance principles (homeowners, fire, commercial property)
  • Casualty insurance principles (auto, liability, workers' compensation)
  • Tennessee-specific policy requirements
  • Severe weather and natural disaster coverage
  • Ethics and professional conduct
  • Consumer protection laws

Exam Structure

Exam ComponentDetails
Testing ProviderPearson VUE
Regulatory AuthorityTennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance (TDCI)
Passing Score70% or higher
Question FormatMultiple-choice
Test DeliveryComputer-based at testing centers or OnVUE online
ResultsImmediate upon completion

Exam Options and Fees

Exam TypeQuestionsTimeFee
Property Only68 scored105 minutes$50
Casualty Only68 scored105 minutes$50
Combined P&C136 scored210 minutes$100
Back-to-Back DiscountBoth examsSame day$70 (save $30)

Money-Saving Tip: Take both Property and Casualty exams back-to-back on the same day and save $30! This discount makes Tennessee one of the most affordable states for P&C licensing.

Question Breakdown

Each exam includes both national and Tennessee-specific questions:

Question TypePropertyCasualty
General Insurance50 questions50 questions
Tennessee-Specific18 questions18 questions
Total Scored68 questions68 questions

Exam Tip: Approximately 26% of questions are Tennessee-specific. Master state law to maximize your score.

Pre-Licensing Education Requirements

No Education Required!

Tennessee has NO mandatory pre-licensing education requirement:

RequirementTennesseeTypical State
Pre-License Hours0 hours20-40 hours
Classroom TimeNone requiredOften required
Online CoursesNot mandatedUsually required
CertificateNot neededUsually required

What This Means for You

  • Start studying immediately - No waiting for course completion
  • Self-study permitted - Use this FREE guide and practice exams
  • Cost savings - No mandatory pre-license course fees
  • Flexible timeline - Schedule exams when you're ready

Study Tip: Although Tennessee doesn't require pre-licensing education, successful candidates typically spend 40-60 hours studying. The 70% passing requirement and Tennessee-specific questions require solid preparation.

Tennessee Insurance Market Context

Why Tennessee Is Unique

Tennessee has a growing insurance market with distinctive characteristics:

  1. Natural Disaster Risk

    • Tornadoes: Tennessee is in Dixie Alley for severe tornadoes
    • Severe Storms: Hail, wind, and thunderstorm damage common
    • Flooding: Flash floods in many areas, especially Middle Tennessee
    • Winter Storms: Ice storms can cause significant damage
  2. Market Characteristics

    • Fast-growing population centers (Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville)
    • Strong healthcare industry requiring commercial coverage
    • Music and entertainment industry with unique insurance needs
    • Agricultural sector with specialized needs
    • No state income tax makes Tennessee attractive for business
  3. Regulatory Environment

    • File-and-use rate system for most lines
    • TDCI consumer protection oversight
    • Reasonable licensing requirements
    • Business-friendly regulations

Tennessee Auto Insurance Requirements

All Tennessee drivers must maintain minimum liability coverage:

Coverage TypeMinimum Limit
Bodily Injury (per person)$25,000
Bodily Injury (per accident)$50,000
Property Damage$15,000

Exam Tip: Tennessee's auto minimums are 25/50/15. Note the $15,000 property damage limit - lower than many states. This is frequently tested!

Additional Auto Coverage Notes

  • Uninsured Motorist (UM): Must be offered; written rejection required to decline
  • Underinsured Motorist (UIM): Must be offered with UM
  • Personal Injury Protection (PIP): Not required (Tennessee is a tort state)
  • Financial Responsibility: Required for all registered vehicles
Loading diagram...
Tennessee P&C Licensing Path (2026)

License Application Process

Step-by-Step Process

  1. Study and Prepare (No pre-license course required)

    • Complete this FREE study guide
    • Review national P&C concepts
    • Focus on Tennessee-specific laws
    • Take practice quizzes
  2. Schedule and Pass the Exam

    • Register with Pearson VUE online
    • Consider back-to-back discount ($70 vs $100)
    • Choose testing center or OnVUE online option
    • Pass with 70%+ score
    • Receive immediate results
  3. Wait the Required Period

    • 48 hours after passing before applying
    • Use this time to gather application materials
    • Complete fingerprinting if not already done
  4. Complete Fingerprinting

    • Required for background check
    • Schedule through approved vendor
    • State and FBI background check
    • Cost varies by provider
  5. Apply for License

    • Submit application through NIPR or directly to TDCI
    • Pay license application fee
    • Provide all required documentation
    • Include exam pass documentation
  6. Receive License

    • TDCI review takes 2-4 weeks
    • License issued upon approval
    • Valid for 2 years
    • Begin selling P&C insurance in Tennessee

Exam Retake Policy

Tennessee has a unique graduated retake policy:

AttemptWait Period
First Retake10 days
Second Retake30 days
Third+ Retakes30 days each

Important: The retake waiting period increases after your first failed attempt. Plan accordingly and study thoroughly before your first attempt to avoid extended delays.

SituationPolicy
Failed ExamWait 10 days for first retake
Failed AgainWait 30 days between each subsequent attempt
Retake FeeFull exam fee required
No LimitTennessee has no limit on total attempts

Total Costs Summary

ItemCost
Pre-License Education$0 (not required)
Back-to-Back Exam Fee$70 (saves $30)
Individual Exams$50 each ($100 total)
Fingerprinting~$40-50
License Application Fee~$50
TOTAL (with discount)$160-170

Budget Tip: Tennessee offers one of the most affordable paths to P&C licensing when you take advantage of the back-to-back discount and the lack of pre-licensing requirements.

License Maintenance

RequirementDetails
License Term2 years
CE Hours24 hours every 2 years
Ethics Hours3 hours (included in 24)
Renewal FeeVaries
Late RenewalAdditional penalty fees apply

Continuing Education Details

  • 24 hours required every 2-year license period
  • 3 hours must be in ethics/law
  • Must be completed before license expiration
  • From TDCI-approved CE providers
  • Online and classroom options available

Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance Contact

ResourceDetails
Websitetn.gov/commerce/insurance
Address500 James Robertson Parkway<br/>Nashville, TN 37243
Consumer Insurance Line(800) 342-4029
Phone(615) 741-2218
Licensing Division(615) 741-2693
Pearson VUE Registrationpearsonvue.com

What This Guide Covers

This FREE study guide focuses on Tennessee state-specific content for the P&C exam:

Chapter 1: Tennessee Insurance Regulation & Licensing

  • Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance (TDCI) structure
  • Commissioner authority (appointed by Governor)
  • Producer licensing requirements and CE
  • Prohibited practices and penalties

Chapter 2: Tennessee Property Insurance Laws

  • Homeowners insurance requirements
  • Tornado and severe weather coverage
  • Flood insurance considerations
  • Claims handling timeframes

Chapter 3: Tennessee Casualty Insurance Laws

  • Auto insurance minimums (25/50/15)
  • Uninsured/underinsured motorist requirements
  • Workers' compensation regulations
  • Liability insurance requirements

Chapter 4: Ethics & Consumer Protection

  • Unfair trade practices
  • Claims handling requirements
  • Tennessee Insurance Guaranty Association
  • Producer conduct standards
national Property & Casualty exam prepFree exam prep with practice questions & AI tutor

Study Tips for Success

Key Numbers to Memorize

TopicNumber
Pre-license hours0 hours (none required)
Questions per exam68 scored
Tennessee-specific questions18 per exam (26%)
Time per exam105 minutes
Passing score70%
Back-to-back fee$70
Individual exam fee$50
Post-exam wait48 hours
First retake wait10 days
Subsequent retake wait30 days
License term2 years
CE hours per renewal24
Ethics CE required3 hours
Auto minimum liability25/50/15

Tennessee-Specific Topics to Master

  1. TDCI Structure and Authority
  2. 25/50/15 Auto Liability Minimums
  3. Tornado/Severe Weather Coverage
  4. 48-Hour Post-Exam Wait Period
  5. 10-Day First Retake / 30-Day Subsequent Retakes
  6. Back-to-Back Exam Discount
  7. File-and-Use Rate System

Next Steps

Ready to begin? Here's your action plan:

  1. Complete this FREE study guide - Read all 4 chapters
  2. Study national P&C concepts - See our Property & Casualty exam prep
  3. Take chapter quizzes - Test your knowledge
  4. Take practice exams - Aim for 80%+ before real exam
  5. Register with Pearson VUE - Use back-to-back discount
  6. Pass both exams - With 70%+ score on each
  7. Wait 48 hours - Required processing period
  8. Complete fingerprinting - For background check
  9. Apply for license - Through NIPR or TDCI

Remember: Take advantage of Tennessee's back-to-back discount and save $30! Schedule both exams for the same day and maintain your study momentum.

Let's get started with Chapter 1: Tennessee Insurance Regulation & Licensing!

Test Your Knowledge

How much can you save by taking Tennessee P&C exams back-to-back on the same day?

A
B
C
D
Test Your Knowledge

What are Tennessee's minimum auto liability insurance limits?

A
B
C
D
Test Your Knowledge

How long must candidates wait after passing the Tennessee P&C exam before applying for a license?

A
B
C
D
Test Your Knowledge

What is Tennessee's retake wait period after your FIRST failed exam attempt?

A
B
C
D
Test Your Knowledge

How many Tennessee-specific questions are on each P&C exam?

A
B
C
D
Test Your Knowledge

Which testing provider administers the Tennessee P&C insurance exam?

A
B
C
D