Tennessee Insurance License Requirements: Your Complete Guide

Quick Answer: How to Get Your Insurance License in Tennessee

Tennessee licenses insurance producers under TCA Title 56, Chapter 6.

Minimum requirements before you begin:

• Age 18 or older
• Valid Social Security number
• Resident or non-resident applicants are eligible (non-residents follow a separate track, covered below)

The five-step process:

1. Choose your line(s) of authority and complete the required state-approved pre-licensing education hours for each line.
2. Pass the Tennessee insurance licensing exam administered by PSI Services for each line of authority you are pursuing.
3. Submit a license application electronically through NIPR (National Insurance Producer Registry) or Sircon.
4. Complete fingerprinting and a background check through the TDCI-designated process.
5. Receive your license from the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance (TDCI) upon approval.

Pre-licensing education hours vary by line of authority. Consult the TDCI directly or check its official website at tn.gov/commerce for current hour requirements, as these figures are subject to revision. The source material available for this page does not include a confirmed per-line hour count.

Initial licenses are issued for a term tied to the producer's birth month on a two-year cycle (TCA Title 56, Chapter 6, Part 1).

Understanding Tennessee's Insurance License Types and Lines of Authority

Tennessee recognizes several lines of authority (TCA Title 56, Chapter 6, Part 1), each requiring specific pre-licensing education and a separate exam section.

Standard Lines of Authority

Limited Lines

Limited lines licenses cover narrower product categories and typically require fewer pre-licensing hours. Common limited lines in Tennessee include:

• Credit insurance
• Travel insurance
• Car rental-related insurance
• Title insurance (separate licensing track)

Surplus Lines Broker

A surplus lines broker license allows a producer to place coverage with non-admitted carriers. You must hold an active property and casualty license before applying for surplus lines authority (TCA Title 56, Chapter 14).

Public Adjuster

Public adjusters represent policyholders in claims negotiations. This is a distinct license from a producer license and carries its own exam and application requirements under TCA Title 56, Chapter 6.

Adding Lines of Authority After Initial Licensure

To add a new line of authority to an active Tennessee producer license, complete the required pre-licensing education, pass the corresponding exam section, and submit an amendment through NIPR or Sircon. A new application is not required. Consult the TDCI for the current amendment fee schedule.

Step-by-Step: Applying for Your Tennessee Insurance Producer License

Step 1: Choose Your Lines of Authority

Before enrolling in pre-licensing education, decide which lines of authority you will pursue. Each line requires separate coursework and an exam section. While taking multiple lines simultaneously can be efficient, each adds study time and exam cost.

Step 2: Complete State-Approved Pre-Licensing Education

Tennessee requires completion of a state-approved pre-licensing course before you sit for the exam (TCA Title 56, Chapter 6, Part 1). Approved providers offer courses in multiple formats: in-person classroom, live webinar, and self-paced online. The TDCI maintains a list of approved providers on its website. Confirm your chosen provider is on this list, as unapproved coursework will not satisfy the requirement.

Consult the TDCI at tn.gov/commerce for current hour requirements per line, as these are updated periodically. The source material for this page does not include confirmed per-line figures.

Upon course completion, you will receive a certificate, which is required to schedule your exam.

Step 3: Schedule and Pass the State Licensing Exam

Tennessee's insurance licensing exams are administered by PSI Services. You can schedule your exam at psiexams.com or by calling PSI directly.

Key exam details:

• Exams are offered at PSI testing centers throughout Tennessee and, for some lines, via remote proctoring.
• Each line of authority has its own exam section. If you are pursuing multiple lines, you may be able to sit for combined exams depending on the lines selected.
• Consult PSI Services or TDCI for the current passing score.
• Exam fees are charged per attempt. Consult PSI Services at psiexams.com for the current fee schedule, as fees vary by line and are updated by the vendor.
• If you fail, a waiting period applies before retesting. Consult PSI for current retake policies.

Bring your pre-licensing completion certificate and a valid government-issued photo ID to the testing center.

Step 4: Submit Your Application

After passing the exam, submit your resident producer license application electronically through:

• NIPR (National Insurance Producer Registry): nipr.com
• Sircon: sircon.com

Both platforms process the Tennessee Uniform Application. You will need:

• Your exam pass confirmation
• Social Security number
• Disclosure answers for background questions (criminal history, regulatory actions, etc.)
• Application fee payment (consult TDCI or NIPR for current fee amounts, as fees are set by the state and updated periodically)

Applications submitted through NIPR or Sircon route directly to the TDCI for review (TCA Title 56, Chapter 6, Part 1, Application Procedures).

Step 5: Fingerprinting and Background Check

Tennessee requires fingerprinting for resident producer license applicants to conduct a criminal background check through state and federal databases.

• Consult the TDCI website for the current approved fingerprinting vendor and submission instructions.
• You will need a valid government-issued photo ID at the fingerprinting appointment.
• Fingerprinting fees are charged by the vendor; consult TDCI for current amounts.

Disqualifying offenses: Certain criminal convictions can result in denial of a license application. The TDCI reviews each application individually. Felony convictions, crimes involving dishonesty or breach of trust, and certain financial crimes carry significant weight. Applicants with a criminal history may request a pre-application determination from the TDCI before investing in education and exam fees.

Application Review Timeline

The TDCI does not publish a fixed approval timeline. Straightforward applications are typically processed within a few weeks of receiving all required materials, including fingerprint results. Applications with background issues or incomplete disclosures take longer. Consult the TDCI licensing division for current processing times.

Tennessee Insurance License Fees, Renewal, and Continuing Education

Fees

Fee amounts for application, renewal, exam, and fingerprinting are set by the state and the respective vendors and are updated periodically. Citing specific dollar amounts here without confirmed current figures would risk giving you incorrect information.

Renewal Cycle

Tennessee producer licenses renew on a two-year cycle tied to the licensee's birth month (TCA Title 56, Chapter 6, Part 1). Your renewal date is the last day of your birth month in the renewal year. TDCI sends renewal notices, but it is your responsibility to renew on time regardless of whether you receive a notice.

Continuing Education (CE) Requirements

Tennessee requires licensed producers to complete continuing education hours during each two-year renewal cycle. Requirements include a specified number of total CE hours per cycle (consult TDCI for current requirements), a mandatory ethics component, and completion through TDCI-approved providers.

Approved CE providers and course catalogs are listed on the TDCI website. Courses can be completed online or in person.

Late Renewal and Lapsed Licenses

If you miss your renewal deadline, your license lapses. Tennessee allows a reinstatement window after lapse, but a late fee applies. If the lapse period exceeds the reinstatement window, you may be required to reapply as a new applicant, which means repeating the exam and pre-licensing education (TCA Title 56, Chapter 6, Part 1). Avoid license lapse by setting a calendar reminder at least 90 days before your renewal date.

Recent Regulatory Updates Affecting Tennessee Insurance Professionals

The Tennessee 114th General Assembly enacted SB 1866 / HB 2529, which impacts the Department of Commerce and Insurance.