North Carolina Insurance Exam: Questions, Passing Score and What's Tested
October 28, 2026 · PassReadyPro Team
North Carolina's insurance exams are given by Pearson VUE. They are scored on a scaled score instead of a plain percentage, which surprises many candidates. Here is what the handbook says.
Quick answer: The Life, Property and Casualty exams each have 55 scored questions and a 1 hour 15 minute limit. The Personal Lines exam has 80 scored questions and a 1 hour 45 minute limit. Each attempt costs $45. The passing score is 70 on a scaled score of 0 to 100, which is not the same as getting 70% of the questions right.
The exams at a glance
North Carolina gives separate exams by line. Pearson VUE's handbook (October 2025) lists:
| Exam | Scored questions | Unscored pretest | Time allotted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life Agent | 55 | up to 5 | 1 hour 15 minutes |
| Property Agent | 55 | up to 5 | 1 hour 15 minutes |
| Casualty Agent | 55 | up to 5 | 1 hour 15 minutes |
| Personal Lines Agent | 80 | up to 16 | 1 hour 45 minutes |
The exam fee is $45 for each attempt, paid by card, debit card or voucher when you reserve. The handbook's list shows separate Property and Casualty exams and a Personal Lines exam, and no combined Property & Casualty test. Which authorities you need, and therefore which exams, is a question for the Department of Insurance.
Each exam is a two-part exam: a general portion and a North Carolina-specific portion. The time limit covers both parts, the parts are scored together, and you need an overall passing score, not a passing score in each part. Keep an eye on the clock so you have time left for the second part.
How the scoring works
The handbook says the passing score was set by the North Carolina Department of Insurance with Pearson VUE, and that raw scores are converted into scaled scores from 0 to 100, with a passing score of 70.
- A scaled 70 is not 70% correct. The handbook says the reported score is neither the number of questions you answered correctly nor the percentage.
- The exam forms are equated. There are several versions of each exam, and the number of correct answers needed can differ slightly between them so that no candidate is helped or hurt by a harder or easier form.
- You get pass or fail at the test center. Only candidates who do not pass receive a numeric score, plus diagnostic information on the general portion.
- Pretest questions are mixed in with scored questions and are not identified. They do not affect your score.
Because the number of questions you must get right is not published, the safest target is a margin well above 70% on timed practice exams.
What's on each exam
The content outlines (effective March 15, 2024) split the 55 scored questions like this.
Life Agent
| Section | Questions |
|---|---|
| Types of Individual Life Insurance | 17 |
| North Carolina Statutes and Regulations Pertinent to Life | 14 |
| Policy Provisions, Options and Other Features | 11 |
| Other Life Topics | 8 |
| Annuities | 5 |
Property Agent
| Section | Questions |
|---|---|
| Personal Insurance Coverages | 25 |
| North Carolina Statutes and Regulations Pertinent to Property Insurance | 13 |
| Commercial Insurance Coverages | 10 |
| Terms and Concepts | 7 |
Casualty Agent
| Section | Questions |
|---|---|
| Personal Insurance Coverages | 18 |
| Commercial Insurance Coverages | 15 |
| North Carolina Statutes and Regulations Pertinent to Casualty Insurance | 15 |
| Terms and Concepts | 7 |
On the Personal Lines exam, 24 of the 80 scored questions are on North Carolina statutes and regulations.
That means about a quarter of the Life, Property and Casualty exams, and 30% of the Personal Lines exam, is North Carolina law, and the outlines name the statutes. The Life, Property and Casualty outlines all list licensing under Article 33 (G.S. 58-33), the Commissioner's powers (Article 2), the Insurance Information and Privacy Protection Act (Article 39), unfair trade practices (Article 63) and continuing education. The Property outline adds the beach plan (Article 45), the Fair Access to Insurance Requirements Plan (Article 46) and the Post Assessment Insurance Guaranty Association (Article 48). The Casualty outline adds the North Carolina Rate Bureau (Article 36), the Motor Vehicle Reinsurance Facility (Article 37), the motor vehicle liability policy definition (G.S. 20-279.21), cancellation and nonrenewal of motor vehicle policies (G.S. 20-310) and a summary of the Workers' Compensation Act.
Booking and test-day rules from the handbook
- Apply with NIPR first. Complete the license application and pay its fees at nipr.com before you reserve. You cannot reserve until Pearson VUE emails your reserved National Producer Number and exam information.
- Reserve at least 24 hours ahead. Walk-in exams are not available.
- Arrive at least 30 minutes early to register.
- A simple function calculator is allowed. Personal items, phones, watches, books and notes are not. The test administrator provides materials for notes or calculations, which you cannot remove.
- Palm vein scan. Test centers scan your palm for identity checks. If you decline the scan, you cannot take breaks, and the exam clock keeps running during any break you do take.
- Retake wait: you must wait 24 hours before reserving another attempt, and each attempt costs $45.
Study plan
- Use the outline. The handbook's own hint is to study from the content outline, since the questions are based on it.
- Learn North Carolina law early. It is about a quarter of every exam and is easy to lose points on if you only know the national rules.
- Practice for application, not memorization. The handbook warns that candidates who memorize definitions but cannot apply them to a situation find the questions hard.
- Time yourself. Fifty-five questions in 75 minutes is about 82 seconds each.
The exam is one step in a longer process. See how to get your North Carolina insurance license for fingerprints, the application and what happens after you pass.
Figures come from Pearson VUE's October 2025 handbook and its outlines as of October 2026 and can change. Check Pearson VUE before you book.
Ready to start your North Carolina license?
Start the North Carolina Property & Casualty course → — built around the North Carolina exam outline, with timed practice exams and a state-law section.
Start the North Carolina Life Only course → — the same approach for the life exam.
Both are one flat price per license line: pay once, keep lifetime access, no subscription, and backed by our Pass Guarantee. Not sure which line to pick? Compare everything on the North Carolina page, or book a 1-on-1 tutoring session and we'll help you choose and build a study plan.
Related reading
Frequently asked questions
How many questions are on the North Carolina Property exam?+
55 scored questions with a 1 hour 15 minute limit, plus up to 5 unscored pretest questions mixed in. The Casualty and Life exams use the same size and time.
What is the passing score for the North Carolina insurance exam?+
70 on a scaled score of 0 to 100. The handbook says the scaled score is not the number or percentage of questions you answered correctly, so you cannot convert it into a fixed number of right answers.
Is there a combined Property and Casualty exam in North Carolina?+
The handbook lists separate Property and Casualty exams and a Personal Lines exam, and does not list a combined test. Ask the Department of Insurance which exams your license authority requires.
Can I use a calculator on the North Carolina exam?+
Yes. The handbook says candidates may use a simple function calculator.
How long do I have to wait to take the exam again?+
24 hours before you can reserve a new attempt. Each attempt costs the $45 exam fee.
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See North Carolina CoursesThis article is for general informational purposes and reflects our understanding of North Carolina's licensing process at the time of writing. Requirements and procedures change — always verify current details with the North Carolina Department of Insurance or your exam administrator before relying on anything here.