Insurance Agent in Tennessee

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for TN

Median Salary
$49,130
Tennessee (2024)
National Median
$60,370
All states
License Fees
$105
Exam + application
Time to Complete
2-4 weeks
From start to licensed

How to Become an Insurance Agent in Tennessee

To become a licensed Insurance Agent in Tennessee, individuals must be at least 18 years old and pass the Tennessee Insurance Producer Licensing Exam. While pre-licensing education is not legally mandated for most lines, it is strongly recommended, with 20 hours per line of authority being typical for major lines and 30 hours required for a title insurance line. After passing the exam, applicants must submit fingerprints for a background check and then apply for the license through the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance via NIPR. The license renews every two years, requiring 24 hours of continuing education, including 3 hours of ethics.

Insurance Agent Requirements in Tennessee

DetailTennessee
Licensing BodyTennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance
State License Required Yes
EducationWhile not legally required, pre-licensing education is highly recommended. For a title insurance line of authority, 30 hours of pre-licensing study through an approved provider is required. For other major lines of authority (Life, Accident and Health, Property, Casualty), quality courses typically run around 20 hours per line.
Exam Tennessee Insurance Producer Licensing Exam ($55)
Application Fee$50
RenewalEvery 2.0 years
Continuing Education24.0 hours per cycle
NotesMinimum age is 18. Requires fingerprinting and a background check. CE requirements include 3 hours of ethics. Excess CE hours (up to 12) may be carried over to the next renewal cycle as general credits. License renewal is biennial, based on the licensee's birth month and year of first license issuance. Specific training is required for selling annuities (one-time 4-hour course, or 1-hour update for those licensed before Jan 1, 2024), long-term care (initial 8-hour course, then 4 hours every 24 months), and flood insurance (one-time 3-hour course).

Source: Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance

Insurance Agent Salary in Tennessee

The median insurance agent salary in Tennessee is $49,130 per year, which is 18.6% below the national median of $60,370.

PercentileAnnual Salary
10th (entry level)$31,860
25th$38,390
50th (median)$49,130
75th$75,280
90th (experienced)$104,440

Tennessee employs approximately 8,650 insurance agents.

Insurance Agent Job Outlook

10-Year Growth
+3.7%
Average
Annual Openings
47
Nationwide per year
Total Employment
568.8
Nationwide

AI Impact on Insurance Agents

High AI Exposure (Score: 1.34/1.00)

Many tasks in this career are susceptible to AI automation. Long-term career planning should account for potential disruption.

Is Becoming an Insurance Agent in Tennessee Worth It?

Factors to consider: Tennessee's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, moderate job growth, elevated AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's required to work as an insurance agent in Tennessee?
Tennessee requires insurance agents to complete the required education (While not legally required, pre-licensing education is highly recommended. For a title insurance line of authority, 30 hours of pre-licensing study through an approved provider is required. For other major lines of authority (Life, Accident and Health, Property, Casualty), quality courses typically run around 20 hours per line.), pass the Tennessee Insurance Producer Licensing Exam, and submit your application ($50 fee).
Do I need a license to work as an insurance agent in Tennessee?
A state license is required in Tennessee. Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance handles insurance agent licensing — the Tennessee Insurance Producer Licensing Exam is part of the process.
How much does an insurance agent make in Tennessee?
In Tennessee, the median pay for insurance agents comes to $49,130/year. — 19% under the $60,370 national average. Entry-level (10th percentile) starts at $31,860, while experienced professionals (90th percentile) earn $104,440.
How expensive is insurance agent licensing in Tennessee?
Between exam fee ($55) and application fee ($50), expect to invest around varies in total to get started.
How long does it take to become an insurance agent in Tennessee?
In Tennessee, becoming an insurance agent generally takes 2-4 weeks, accounting for education requirements, hands-on training, and the exam process.
How many CE hours do insurance agents need in Tennessee?
Tennessee requires 24.0 hours of continuing education every 2.0 years to maintain your insurance agent license.

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