How Do I Get an Insurance License in Tennessee?

Depending on what type of insurance agent you want to be or what types of policies you need to sell, you will need to choose what type or types of insurance licenses you need to get. After you’ve determined which licenses you need, you’ll take the insurance exam. You will take one exam for each line of insurance you wish to carry. After you have completed your exam, the next step is to apply for your license. Tennessee requires that all insurance license applications provide fingerprints prior to licensing. Giving your fingerprints will initiate a background check. If you have any prior misdemeanors or felonies, this may affect the outcome of your licensing efforts. Once you have submitted your application and passed your exams, your license application will be reviewed by the state. If you have more than one line of authority that you have taken the education for, be sure to apply for all of those lines. Your background check will also be reviewed. For more information, call the Tennessee Department of Insurance at (615) 741-2693 or email the department.

How Do I Get a State Adjuster License in Tennessee?

The State of Tennessee does not offer a Resident Insurance Adjuster License and does not require a license to practice insurance claims adjusting within the state.

How do I renew my insurance license in Tennessee?

The State of Tennessee requires that resident individual licensees complete twenty-four (24) credit hours of continuing education per renewal period. Three (3) of those hours of which must be in the subject of ethics or consumer protection. After you have completed your continuing education and you are within 45 days of your license expiration, you may renew your Tennessee insurance license online via the <a href="https://www.nipr.com/license_form.htm">National Insurance Producer Registry</a>. <a href="https://agentsync.io">AgentSync</a> can also help with the renewal process.

How do I renew my nonresident insurance license in Tennessee?

Tennessee is reciprocal in its licensing of nonresidents. Under a reciprocity agreement, Tennessee offers producers licensed in your state the same privileges in Tennessee that match those that your state offers Tennessee producers, thus making the process very easy. All nonresident producer licenses renew every two years based on the producer’s birth month. Non-residents file current home state certification for a fee of $50. <a href="https://agentsync.io">AgentSync</a> can also help with the renewal process.

How Do I renew My Non-Resident Adjuster License in Tennessee?

A license shall remain in effect for a period of two years. Nononresident public adjuster licensees who have met the continuing education requirements in their home state and whose home state gives credit to residents of this state on the same basis are not required to complete continuing education in TN. There is an $100 fee to renew your Tennessee adjuster license. For more information, contact the Department of Commerce and Insurance (TDCI).

How Do I Renew My Adjuster License In Tennessee?

Tennessee is one of 16 states that do not license insurance adjusters. This means you can legally adjust claims in your state without a license, but only in said state. To adjust in the state of Tennessee, you will need to obtain a Designated Home State (DHS) license. You will go through that state’s (Tennessee or otherwise) licensing process, testing, and compliance regulations and their license will act as your resident, or home state license. If youre looking to become an insurance adjuster in a non-licensing state like Tennessee, the Florida 70-20 DHS License is the next best thing for the following reasons: The state offers the quickest turnaround time after you submit your documents. The Florida 70-20 license is reciprocal with most states. A Florida DHS license is good for 4 years. This is not to say this is the only way to obtain a DHS license, it is simply the easiest. Many of the licensing states offer DHS licenses. So be sure to do additional research to find the best fit. For more information, contact the Department of Commerce and Insurance (TDCI).

Tennessee

state commissioner

Carter Lawrence

STATE email

ce.agent.licensing@tn.gov

STATE phone

(615) 741-2693

STATE LICENSE DIVISION ADDRESS

Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance Insurance Division

Address

500 James Robertson Parkway

Nashville, Tennessee, 37243

Visit State Website

Appointments & Terminations

Required to report appointments?

Yes

Permits Just-in-time (JIT) appointments?

Yes

Initial appointment deadlines

Within 15 days of contract execution or first business submission

Initial appointment deadline rule

JIT appointments permitted. Appointments must be submitted within 15 days of the date the agent/agency contract is executed or the first piece of business is submitted to the carrier

Can be processed via nipr?

Yes

Fees for appointing a resident agency or individual?

$15

Fees for appointing a nonresident agency or individual?

$15

Appoint agencies?

Adjuster appointments via NIPR?

Appointment effective date can be specified?

Yes

Appointment effective date rule

Required and is the date supplied on transaction. Must not be in the future and must be less than 15 days old.

State requires appointment renewal?

No, perpetual

Appointment renewal fee

No fees

Licenses require appointment or affiliation?

Terminations processed via NIPR?

Yes

Termination reasons

Voluntary termination; inadequate production; cancelled by general agent; death; company defunct or liquidation; company indebtedness; poor policyholder services; agent moved; appointed in error; request regulatory review

Termination date can be specified by carrier?

Yes

Termination Effective date rule

Required and is the date supplied on transaction. Must not be in the future and must be less than 15 days old

Termination fee

$15

Allows carriers to terminate the appointment if license has expired?

Yes

Can a not-for-cause termination notice be emailed?

Email notices are permitted

If email is allowed, can notice be in body text?

Within the email body text

Licensing

Initial individual new license fee

Resident New License Insurance Producer: $50
Nonresident New License Insurance Producer: Retaliatory
Resident New License Surplus Lines Agent: $120

License renewal fee

Resident: Insurance Producer Line of Authority Combination: All Major LOAs Renewal Fee: $60 Late Renewal Fee: $120 Insurance Producer Line of Authority Combination: All Limited & Other LOAs Renewal Fee: $30 Late Renewal Fee: $60 Automobile Club Agent Renewal Fee: $20 Surplus Lines Agent Renewal Fee: $120 Viatical Settlement Broker Renewal Fee: $500 Viatical Settlement Investment Agent Renewal Fee: $100 Viatical Settlement Provider Renewal Fee: $500 Nonresident: Insurance Producer Line of Authority Combination: At least one Major Line Fee Disclaimers: See Retaliatory Fee: Automobile Agent Renewal Fee: $20.00 Surplus Lines Agent Renewal Fee: $120.00 Fee Disclaimers:See Retaliatory Fee Viatical Settlement Broker Renewal Fee: $500 Viatical Settlement Investment Agent Renewal Fee: $100 Viatical Settlement Provider Renewal Fee: $500

When does the resident individual producer license renewal period begin?

90 days before expiration

What is the resident individual producer license renewal date?

Last day of birth month every 2 years based on year of first state license issue

Late renewal or reinstatement period for resident individual producer license?

Late renewal allowed up to one year after expiration

When does the nonresident individual producer license renewal period begin?

90 days before expiration

What is the nonresident individual producer license renewal date?

Last day of birth month every 2 years based on year of first state license issue

Late renewal or reinstatement period for nonresident individual producer license?

Late renewal allowed up to one year after expiration

Can a producer use a P.O. Box in their resident or business address?

Are individuals required to list their county as part of the address?

What addresses are required for individual license maintenance?

Residence, Business, and Mailing

State individual licenses include

Risk Retention Group, Viatical Settlement Broker, Property, Viatical Settlement Investment Agent, Life, Insurance Producer, Title Agency, Public Adjuster, Automobile Club Agent, Crop Insurance Adjuster, Automobile Club, Surplus Lines Agent, Temporary Producer, Portable Electronics Vendor, Viatical Settlement Provider, Self Storage Facility, Travel Insurance Supervising Entity

State recognizes a licensing exemption for nonresident commercial lines producers with multistate contracts?

Yes

State broker license rule

Included in Producer License Class. Insurers are not required to appoint Brokers per NAIC PLMA

Requires pre licensing courses?

Prelicense education requirement

No prelicense education requirements

Background Check Required?

Yes – Full criminal history

Fingerprints Required?

Yes, for Resident Licensing

Fingerprint Submission Details

Required with Application - IdentoGO

State Pre-Licensing Exam Website

Pearson VUE

How Long are State Pre-Licensing Exams Active?

One Year

Where to apply for resident license?

NIPR Gateway

What Transactions are Retaliatory Fees Applied to?

Resident Licensing

What Determines the Retaliatory Fee?

Producer Home State

Submit Partial License Renewals through NIPR?

No - allows partial renewal of inactive licenses only

Has Personal Lines LOA?

Yes

Deadline to report personal data changes (address, name change, phone number, etc.)

Each licensed producer or adjuster must notify the Commissioner of a change of address or legal name within 30 days of such a change. Contact Change Request supported via NIPR Gateway.

Name Change Form

Individual and Business Entities can process via NIPR

Penalty for failure to timely report personal data changes

Disciplinary action may be taken against the producer or adjuster for the failure to make such a notification in a timely manner.

Agency

Can a sole proprietor be licensed as an entity?

Yes

DRLP must have active state license

Yes

DRLPs must cumulatively cover all LOAs in application

DRLP Notes

State and public adjuster DRLP must hold public adjuster license.

Agency Licensing renewals

90 days prior to the expiration date until the expiration date. Late renewals end one year after the expiration date.

Agency License required?

Affiliations: Indicates if producers selling on behalf of/through an entity must be formally affiliated with that entity and if the entity must notify the department of changes

Not required, only DRLP is required.

Branch office

Main license meets requirements

Deadline to report key business entity changes (address, dba, phone, email, etc.)

Each licensed producer or adjuster must notify the Commissioner of a change of address or legal name within 30 days of such a change. Contact Change Request supported via NIPR Gateway.

Adjuster

Requires adjuster license?

Only Public Adjusters

Offers designated home state?

Reciprocity states

None

Public Adjuster Renewal Period

Biennially, on the date of the licensure.

Public Adjuster Details

A surety bond of $50,000 is required for resident and nonresident independent public adjusters. Fingerprinting is required for the independent resident application.

Public Adjuster LOAs

Requires Exam: Life Accident & Health Property Casualty Personal Lines Title Does Not Require Exam: Variable Contracts Credit Products Crop Travel, Accident & Baggage Bail Bondsman Legal Title Practice Attorney No lines of authority is required for a business entity or nonresidents.

Public adjuster fees

Licensing Fee: $100 Amendment Fee: $100

Public adjuster exam required?

Yes

DHS Exam Required?

N/A

Address change request through NIPR?

DHS Contact Change Request Only

Continuing Education

Total hours per renewal period

Renewal period

2 years

CE due before license renewal date?

Yes

License renewal date is

Last day of birth month

License renewal year based on...

Year of first license issuance

When is the CE due?

Prior to license expiration.

How long before expiration does state send CE reminder?

45 days prior to expiration date

How long before expiration does state send CE reminder?

45 days prior to expiration date

Exemptions to CE

If you’ve continuously held your license since Jan. 1, 1994, you're exempt from CE. Limited lines licensees are also exempt from CE.

What if a producer missed the renewal date?

Producer may apply for reinstatement up to one year past expiration.

CE instructors get credit for teaching courses?

Yes, up to double course value

Can rollover excess hours?

Yes

Amount of rollover credits allowed

Up to 12, all as general CE

Ethics requirements

3 ethics and consumer protection

Flood-specific CE requirements

Property or casualty licensees must comply with 3 hours of NFIP course

LTC-specific CE requirements

8-hour initial certification, with 4 hours of LTC-specific training every two years

Annuity-specific CE requirements

One-time, 4-hour course

Adjusters

Check CE transcripts

https://sbs.naic.org/solar-external-lookup/license-manager

For more from agentsync

https://agentsync.io/blog/individual-producers/insurance-continuing-education-tennessee

Regulatory Updates

Tennessee Implements Automobile Club Agent Applications Electronically

Effective April 11, 2025, Tennessee will implement the Automobile Club Agent license class for resident & nonresident initial applications electronically.

Tennessee “Inactive” Reinstatement Applications

Effective April 11, 2025, Tennessee will allow applicants with an "inactive" status reason to reapply as a new applicant electronically, regardless of the expiration date. These applicants can not be renewed.

Tennessee Requests all Non-Admitted Insurers To Submit via SLIP

Posted on February 5, 2025, Tennessee requests all non-admitted insurers doing business in Tennessee to submit information through SLIP. SLIP is accessible at All non-admitted insurers currently in the SLIP system should have SLIP login credentials. Passwords can be reset on the SLIP login page if needed. New non-admitted insurers can register for a SLIP account on the SLIP login page. Please see the attachment for more information.

SBS LOA Updates

Effective November 1, 2024, State Based Systems (SBS) is updating multiple lines of authority effective dates for the below states. - North Dakota - Nebraska - New Hampshire - Tennessee

Tennessee Allowing Nonresident Insurance Professionals To Assist Due To Severe Weather and Flooding

Effective September 30, 2024, Tennessee allows nonresident insurance professionals licensed in other states to request to engage in the practice due to severe weather and flooding. Please see the attached document for more information.

Tennessee Implements New Transaction Type to Process Designated Responsible Licensed Producer

Effective July 26, 2024, Tennessee will implement a new transaction type to process designated responsible licensed producer (DRLP) updates.

Tennessee Implements New Transaction Types to Process Name Change Updates

Effective July 19, 2024, Tennessee is implementing a new transaction type to process Name Change (Demographics) updates via the NIPR Gateway.

Tennessee Property and Casualty Surplus Lines Licenses and Premium Tax Changes

On November 7, 2023, Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance published changes to license fees and terms for individuals. Please see below for updated sections.

Tennessee Has Adopted IAR CE

Tennessee has adopted IAR CE with a January 1, 2024, effective date.

Tennessee Clarification of the Suitability in Annuity Transactions Requirement

Tennessee provides clarification to the Suitability in Annuity Transactions requirement. See attachment for full details.

Tennessee Issues Bulletin on Fire Loss Reporting

Tennessee issued a bulletin as a reminder to submit the required annual report of all fire losses on or before February 1, 2023.

Tennessee will be adding Crop Adjuster License Class to Renewals

Effective November 11, 2022, Tennessee will offer the Crop Adjuster license class for Resident Renewal, Nonresident Adjuster Renewal and No Home State Renewal

Tennessee Updates License Qualifications

Additional language was added to determine if one qualifies for licensing. In summary, the language outlines that if an offense occurs 10 days or more from the license application date, they will not be considered.

FAQs

How Do I Get an Insurance License in Tennessee?

Depending on what type of insurance agent you want to be or what types of policies you need to sell, you will need to choose what type or types of insurance licenses you need to get. After you’ve determined which licenses you need, you’ll take the insurance exam. You will take one exam for each line of insurance you wish to carry. After you have completed your exam, the next step is to apply for your license.

Tennessee requires that all insurance license applications provide fingerprints prior to licensing. Giving your fingerprints will initiate a background check. If you have any prior misdemeanors or felonies, this may affect the outcome of your licensing efforts. Once you have submitted your application and passed your exams, your license application will be reviewed by the state. If you have more than one line of authority that you have taken the education for, be sure to apply for all of those lines. Your background check will also be reviewed.

For more information, call the Tennessee Department of Insurance at (615) 741-2693 or email the department.
How Do I Get a State Adjuster License in Tennessee?
How do I renew my insurance license in Tennessee?

The State of Tennessee requires that resident individual licensees complete twenty-four (24) credit hours of continuing education per renewal period. Three (3) of those hours of which must be in the subject of ethics or consumer protection.

After you have completed your continuing education and you are within 45 days of your license expiration, you may renew your Tennessee insurance license online via the National Insurance Producer Registry. AgentSync can also help with the renewal process.
How do I renew my nonresident insurance license in Tennessee?

Tennessee is reciprocal in its licensing of nonresidents. Under a reciprocity agreement, Tennessee offers producers licensed in your state the same privileges in Tennessee that match those that your state offers Tennessee producers, thus making the process very easy.

All nonresident producer licenses renew every two years based on the producer’s birth month. Non-residents file current home state certification for a fee of $50. AgentSync can also help with the renewal process.
How Do I renew My Non-Resident Adjuster License in Tennessee?

A license shall remain in effect for a period of two years. Nononresident public adjuster licensees who have met the continuing education requirements in their home state and whose home state gives credit to residents of this state on the same basis are not required to complete continuing education in TN.

There is an $100 fee to renew your Tennessee adjuster license.

For more information, contact the Department of Commerce and Insurance (TDCI).
How Do I Renew My Adjuster License In Tennessee?

Tennessee is one of 16 states that do not license insurance adjusters. This means you can legally adjust claims in your state without a license, but only in said state.

To adjust in the state of Tennessee, you will need to obtain a Designated Home State (DHS) license. You will go through that state’s (Tennessee or otherwise) licensing process, testing, and compliance regulations and their license will act as your resident, or home state license.

If youre looking to become an insurance adjuster in a non-licensing state like Tennessee, the Florida 70-20 DHS License is the next best thing for the following reasons:
The state offers the quickest turnaround time after you submit your documents.
The Florida 70-20 license is reciprocal with most states.
A Florida DHS license is good for 4 years.

This is not to say this is the only way to obtain a DHS license, it is simply the easiest. Many of the licensing states offer DHS licenses. So be sure to do additional research to find the best fit.

For more information, contact the Department of Commerce and Insurance (TDCI).