You can read all about how to become a licensed insurance agent in Tennessee and what the state needs from you on this page. We’ll help you through the whole process and answer any questions you have along the way. Â.
Tennessee requires each person selling insurance in the state to hold an insurance producer license. You will pick which area of insurance you want to be licensed in: health insurance, life insurance, property and casualty insurance, or any mix of those areas. Â.
Once you know which license you need, youâre ready to begin. In the State of Tennessee, there are 5Â steps to getting your insurance license. Â.
Starting a career selling insurance allows you to help protect people’s lives while building your own financial security. If you’re interested in becoming an insurance agent in Tennessee, this comprehensive guide will walk you through the entire licensing process step-by-step.
I’ll cover the major requirements, costs, exam details, licensing options, application instructions, and more – everything you need to obtain your Tennessee insurance license hassle-free. Let’s get started!
Overview of Licensing Requirements in Tennessee
While insurance agent requirements vary by state, Tennessee has a relatively straightforward path to licensure. Here are the key steps:
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Meet Residency and Age Requirements – You must be at least 18 years old and a Tennessee resident.
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Select Your License Type – Decide if you need a Life Health, Property, Casualty, Personal Lines or other insurance license.
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Complete Prelicensing Education (Recommended) – Voluntary in TN but extremely helpful for passing state exams.
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Pass Your Exam(s) – You must achieve a 70% on the line-specific exam(s) you choose.
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Submit Fingerprints for a Background Check – This is done through IdentoGO centers in Tennessee
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File Your License Application – Apply online via the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR).
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Pay Required License Fees – This includes exam, fingerprinting, and application fees.
Let’s explore each of these steps in more detail so you know what to expect.
Choosing the Right Insurance License for You
Tennessee offers several license types depending on the insurance products you wish to sell:
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Life Insurance – For term life, whole life, and annuity products.
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Accident & Health – For health, dental, disability, and long-term care plans.
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Property Insurance – For home, renters, commercial property, and flood policies.
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Casualty Insurance – For auto, liability, workers’ compensation, and professional liability.
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Personal Lines – For home and auto insurance products.
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Variable Contracts – For variable annuities and life insurance.
Most agents obtain a Life/Health or Property/Casualty license to maximize career options. But focus on the license matching your niche if you plan to specialize.
Completing Your Prelicensing Education
Prelicensing education is voluntary in Tennessee but highly recommended. Quality courses like those from Kaplan Financial Education provide:
- Hundreds of practice exam questions
- Content review and test-taking strategies
- Sample insurance forms and rate tables
- Live and recorded streaming lectures
This prelicensing knowledge reduces nerves on exam day and sets you up for first-attempt success. Budget 40-60 hours of study time depending on your focus.
Scheduling Your Tennessee Insurance Exam
Once you’ve selected your license type(s), use the Pearson VUE website to schedule your insurance exam(s). You can locate test centers and choose a date and time for your exam. Expect to pay an exam fee around $50.
Study hard beforehand using prelicensing materials focused on your specific exam. Arrive early at your test center with valid ID. Tennessee insurance exams contain around 85 multiple choice questions and you’ll have a time limit of 120 minutes.
You must score at least 70% to pass. You’ll receive immediate results and can retake an exam after a mandatory waiting period if needed.
Submitting Fingerprints for Your Background Check
All insurance license applicants in Tennessee must complete a fingerprint-based criminal background check. You’ll schedule a fingerprinting appointment through IdentoGO by submitting this information:
- Full legal name and SSN
- Date and place of birth
- Zip code (to locate fingerprint sites)
- Department of Commerce and Insurance as the requesting agency
The background check costs $37.15. Allow a few business days for processing before you apply for your license. Felonies or misdemeanors may require special application procedures.
Applying for Your Tennessee Insurance License
With your background check complete and exam passed, you can finally submit your license application through the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR). This costs $50 plus transaction fees.
You’ll need to read and submit the Fingerprint Policy and Acknowledgment Form. Applications are typically processed within 15 days as long as everything looks good.
You can print your license through the National Association of Insurance Commissioners once approved. Make sure you complete any securities licensing if you plan to sell certain life insurance products.
Maintaining Your Tennessee Insurance License
To keep your license active in Tennessee, you must complete 24 hours of continuing education biennially. At least 3 of these credit hours must cover ethics. Renewal periods end at midnight on your expiration date to avoid potential fines or suspension.
Additional Considerations for New Insurance Agents
Here are a few final tips to boost your success after becoming a licensed agent in Tennessee:
- Decide between being a captive or independent agent
- Create a marketing plan to generate leads and sales
- Obtain any securities licenses if selling annuities or investments
- Consider professional designations like CFP or ChFC
- Join local and national insurance industry organizations
The process takes dedication, but obtaining your Tennessee insurance license opens the door to an rewarding, lucrative career. Reach out anytime if you need guidance getting licensed. I’m happy to help you join the industry and start protecting Tennesseans.
How should I prepare for my remote state exam?
Before scheduling your licensing exam, test the compatibility of your computer, webcam, and microphone. OnVUE requires the newest versions of Microsoft Edge, Safari, Google Chrome, or Firefox. Exams must be scheduled at least 24 hours ahead of time, and you can call Pearson VUE up to 48 hours before your reservation time to cancel or change your exam.
Next, download OnVUE. Please note that the download can take up to 30 minutes, so we recommend you do this before the day of your test to prevent any last-minute technical problems.Â
Login to the testing platform 30 minutes before your exam reservation time. A state or government ID is required to be presented to verify your identity. For remote exams, a military ID or certain secure access IDs are not accepted as a valid form of identification. Check with Pearson VUE if you are unsure if your ID will be accepted for remote proctoring.
Your remote test requires you to be alone in a private room for the duration of the exam. The surface you have your computer on must be clear of all objects. You cannot have a phone, headphones, or a wristwatch on you while you are taking the exam. Food, chewing gum, and tobacco products are also prohibited. You are permitted to have a beverage. Â.
All exams are monitored by a third-party to ensure all testing requirements are followed. The monitors can answer questions about things that aren’t on the test through live chat.
If there are any technical problems during the test, the proctor will be there to fix them right away. If the proctor cannot resolve the issue, they will file a case on your behalf. Your exam will be rescheduled, and Pearson VUE will either give you money back or a voucher for a new exam.
Candidates taking an online examination are allowed only one attempt per exam. All subsequent examination attempts must be taken at a Pearson VUE testing center.
How do I schedule my state exam?
Every insurance licensing exam is accompanied by an exam fee that must be paid by a credit or debit card, voucher, or electronic check. This fee must be paid at the time of reservation and will not be accepted at a testing center. You can schedule your state exam through Pearson VUE or by calling (800) 274-4957.
What To Expect Your First 90 Days As An Insurance Agent!
FAQ
How much is an insurance license in Tennessee?
Do you need a license to sell insurance in Tennessee?
How long does it take to get an insurance license in Tennessee?
Is it hard to make money as an insurance agent?
How do I become an insurance producer in Tennessee?
Finding and sticking to a niche, as well organizing all client appointments for the start of your week, are two great ways to do this. Keep Your License Valid: In Tennessee, all insurance producers must complete 24 hours of continuing education (CE) biennially in order to keep their license valid.
How do I become a life insurance agent?
At this point, there are four main steps that we recommend new insurance agents to take: Obtain Any Relevant Securities Licenses: If you’re planning on selling advanced life insurance products, you’ll need to pass the Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) exam and obtain the relevant securities licenses (e.g., Series 6, 7, and 63).
How do I become a P&C insurance agent?
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.
How do I become a successful insurance agent?
Develop Your Marketing Approach: To succeed as an insurance agent, you’ll need to adopt a marketing approach that’s effective for you. Finding and sticking to a niche, as well organizing all client appointments for the start of your week, are two great ways to do this.