Massachusetts Insurance Exam: Questions, Passing Score and What's Tested
October 28, 2026 · PassReadyPro Team
Massachusetts insurance exams are given by Pearson VUE for the Division of Insurance. Each producer exam has two parts: general product knowledge and Massachusetts law. Here is what the handbook says.
Quick answer: The Life, Property and Casualty exams each have 80 scored questions (50 general plus 30 on Massachusetts law). Personal Lines has 105 (75 general plus 30). Each exam costs $37. The passing score is 70 on a scaled score, which is not the same as 70% correct. The handbook does not print time limits.
The exams at a glance
Pearson's June 2026 handbook lists these producer exams, all $37 each and all taken in person at a Pearson test center:
| Exam | General knowledge | Massachusetts law | Scored total | Unscored pretest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Life | 50 | 30 | 80 | 5 + 5 |
| Property | 50 | 30 | 80 | 5 + 5 |
| Casualty | 50 | 30 | 80 | 5 + 5 |
| Personal Lines | 75 | 30 | 105 | 5 + 5 |
Massachusetts gives separate Property and Casualty exams plus a Personal Lines exam, and does not list a combined Property & Casualty producer exam. Ask the Division which exams your license authority needs.
How the scoring works
- The passing score is 70 on a scaled score. The Division of Insurance set it with Pearson, and the handbook says the scaled score is neither the number nor the percentage of questions you answered correctly.
- Scores are equated across exam forms, so the number of correct answers needed can differ slightly from one form to another.
- Only candidates who do not pass see a numeric score.
- Pretest questions are mixed in. They are not identified and do not count toward your result.
- There is no penalty for guessing. You can move back and forth, change answers, and leave questions unanswered to return to later, so answer everything before time ends.
What's on each exam
Life — general knowledge (50): types of policies 15, policy riders, provisions, options and exclusions 15, completing the application, underwriting and delivering the policy 12, retirement and other insurance concepts 8. Massachusetts law (30): laws pertinent to all lines 15, laws pertinent to life insurance 15.
Property — general knowledge (50): property types of policies 22, insurance terms and related concepts 15, policy provisions and contract law 13. Massachusetts law (30): laws pertinent to all lines 20, laws pertinent to property insurance 10.
Casualty — general knowledge (50): types of policies, bonds and related terms 23, insurance terms and related concepts 15, policy provisions 12. Massachusetts law (30): all lines 15, casualty only 15.
Personal Lines — general knowledge (75): types of property policies 10, types of casualty policies 13, property and casualty terms and concepts 28, policy provisions and contract law 24. Massachusetts law (30): all lines 15, property and casualty 2, property only 5, casualty only 8.
Massachusetts law is 30 of 80 scored questions, which is 37.5% on Life, Property and Casualty. The outline points to M.G.L. chapter 175 (including the producer licensing sections, §§ 162G to 162X), chapter 176D (unfair trade practices, cease and desist orders and hearings), continuing education (§ 177E and 211 CMR 50.00), and, on the property outline, the Massachusetts FAIR Plan (chapter 175C) and inland marine rules (211 CMR 10.00).
Booking and test-day rules from the handbook
- Reserve at least 48 hours ahead. Walk-in exams are not available, and you choose a test center when you book.
- Fees are paid when you reserve, by card, debit card or voucher, and are non-refundable and non-transferable except as the change and cancel policy allows. If you are absent or late without changing the reservation properly, you forfeit the fee.
- Arrive 30 minutes early. You will have your ID reviewed and be photographed for the score report, and you sign a Candidate Rules Agreement.
- Bring one form of current signature ID. It must be government-issued with your photo and signature, in English, and exactly match the name you registered with.
- If you do not pass, you reapply on Pearson's site and pay another exam fee. The handbook states no waiting period.
A study plan that follows the questions
- Treat Massachusetts law as a full half of your prep time. More than a third of the scored questions are on it, and the outline lists the statute references.
- On Property, Casualty and Personal Lines, learn the policy types first. They are the largest general-knowledge sections.
- Practice to a clock even though the handbook gives no limit. The exam screen shows the time remaining and the exam ends automatically when time is up.
- Answer every question. There is no penalty for guessing.
The exam is one step. See how to get your Massachusetts insurance license for the rest of the process.
Figures come from Pearson VUE's June 2026 handbook and its outlines (effective July 22, 2026) as of October 2026 and can change. Check Pearson VUE before you book.
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Related reading
Frequently asked questions
How many questions are on the Massachusetts Property exam?+
80 scored questions: 50 on general property knowledge and 30 on Massachusetts law, plus a few unscored pretest questions mixed in. Casualty and Life have the same size.
What is the passing score for the Massachusetts insurance exam?+
70 on a scaled score. The handbook says a scaled score is neither the number nor the percentage of questions you answered correctly, and only candidates who do not pass see a number.
How long is the Massachusetts insurance exam?+
The handbook does not list time limits. A clock on the exam screen shows your time remaining, and the exam ends automatically when time runs out.
How much does the Massachusetts insurance exam cost?+
$37 for each producer exam, paid to Pearson VUE when you reserve.
Is there a combined Property and Casualty exam in Massachusetts?+
The handbook lists separate Property and Casualty exams and a Personal Lines exam, not a combined test. Ask the Division of Insurance which exams your license authority requires.
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Browse our Massachusetts pre-licensing courses — pay once, study at your own pace.
See Massachusetts CoursesThis article is for general informational purposes and reflects our understanding of Massachusetts's licensing process at the time of writing. Requirements and procedures change — always verify current details with the Massachusetts Division of Insurance or your exam administrator before relying on anything here.