How Many Questions Are on the Property and Casualty Insurance Exam
If you're preparing for the Texas Property and Casualty insurance license exam, the first thing you want to know is what you're walking into. Here's the short answer: the exam contains 130 scored questions, and you have 150 minutes to complete them. The passing score is 70%, which means you need to answer at least 91 questions correctly to earn your license.
But the raw number only tells part of the story. Below, we'll break down exactly how those 130 questions are distributed across content areas, what the exam is testing, and how to use that information to study smarter.
Why This Exam Exists
Texas law requires anyone who acts as an agent writing property and casualty insurance for an authorized insurer to hold a general property and casualty license (Tex. Ins. Code §4051.051). To obtain that license, applicants must take and pass a personal written examination prescribed by the commissioner that tests competence with respect to the types of insurance contracts involved, the laws of Texas regulating the business of insurance, and the ethical obligations and duties of an agent (Tex. Ins. Code §4002.001).
In other words, the state isn't just checking whether you memorized definitions — it wants to confirm you understand contracts, law, and professional responsibility well enough to serve Texas consumers.
The 130-Question Breakdown by Content Area
The exam is administered by Pearson VUE and divides its 130 scored questions across eight content sections. Here's approximately how many questions come from each:
| Content Section | Approximate Questions |
|---|---|
| Types of Property Policies | ~22 |
| Property Insurance Terms and Concepts | ~15 |
| Property Policy Provisions and Contract Law | ~13 |
| Types of Casualty Policies, Bonds, and Related Terms | ~23 |
| Casualty Insurance Terms and Concepts | ~15 |
| Casualty Policy Provisions | ~12 |
| Texas Statutes and Rules Common to Property and Casualty Insurance | ~18 |
| Texas Statutes and Rules Pertinent to Property and Casualty Insurance | ~12 |
A few things jump out immediately:
Casualty policy types dominate. With roughly 23 questions, this is the single largest section. It covers general liability, auto, workers' compensation, professional liability, and surety bonds. If you're going to over-study one area, this is a strong candidate.
Property policy types are close behind at about 22 questions. Expect homeowners forms, commercial property, inland marine, and fire policies.
Texas-specific law accounts for about 30 questions combined. That's nearly a quarter of the exam. Many candidates underestimate this section and focus exclusively on policy knowledge — a costly mistake.
Time Management: 150 Minutes for 130 Questions
You have just under 70 seconds per question. That's comfortable for straightforward recall questions but tight when you hit scenario-based problems that require you to apply policy provisions to a specific claim situation.
A practical strategy: aim to finish your first pass through all 130 questions in about 120 minutes, leaving 30 minutes to revisit flagged items. Most testing software (including Pearson VUE's) lets you mark questions for review.
What "70% to Pass" Really Means
You need 91 correct answers out of 130. That gives you a margin of 39 questions you can miss. While that sounds generous, remember that the Texas statutes sections often contain highly specific questions about licensing requirements, marketing practices, and claims handling obligations. For example, you may be tested on the requirement that property and casualty insurers must provide policyholders with a list of claims charged against their policy upon written request (Tex. Ins. Code §542.102), or on the examination requirements that apply to general casualty companies under state oversight (Tex. Ins. Code §861.257).
These aren't questions you can reason through — you either know the statute or you don't.
How to Prioritize Your Study Time
Given the question distribution, here's a weighted approach:
Casualty policy types and bonds (~23 questions): Master the differences between occurrence and claims-made policies, CGL coverage parts, auto liability, and surety vs. fidelity bonds.
Property policy types (~22 questions): Know the homeowners forms (HO-2, HO-3, HO-5, etc.), dwelling policies, commercial property coverage, and BOP structure.
Texas statutes — both sections (~30 questions combined): Study licensing requirements, agent duties, unfair trade practices, and claims procedures. The commissioner prescribes the examination to test knowledge of these laws specifically (Tex. Ins. Code §4002.001), so expect direct questions on statutory provisions.
Terms and concepts — property and casualty (~30 questions combined): Definitions like coinsurance, subrogation, indemnity, deductibles, and liability limits appear frequently.
Policy provisions and contract law (~25 questions combined): Understand insurable interest, representations vs. warranties, conditions, and the duties after a loss.
Exam Day Logistics
- Fee: $49 paid to Pearson VUE when you schedule
- Format: Computer-based, multiple choice
- Location: Pearson VUE testing centers throughout Texas
- Results: Typically provided immediately upon completion
You'll also want to note that Texas offers a personal lines property and casualty license for agents who limit their activities to insurance sold to individuals and families for personal or household use (Tex. Ins. Code §4051.401). That exam is different and narrower in scope. Make sure you're registering for the correct test.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many questions do I need to get right to pass?
You need at least 91 correct answers out of 130 scored questions, which equals the 70% passing threshold.
Are there unscored or pilot questions on the exam?
The exam content outline specifies 130 scored questions. Pearson VUE may include additional unscored pilot questions for future exam development, but these do not count against your score and are not identified during the test. The administrator publishes current details in its candidate handbook.
Is the Texas P&C exam harder than other states?
The 130-question format with a 150-minute time limit and 70% passing score is moderate compared to some states that require 75% or higher. However, the roughly 30 Texas-specific law questions make dedicated state-law study essential — general insurance knowledge alone won't carry you.
Start Preparing Now
Understanding the exam structure is the first step. The next step is putting that knowledge to work with realistic practice.
Take our free Property & Casualty practice test to see where you stand across all eight content areas. Then review our complete Texas Property & Casualty exam guide for study strategies, content deep-dives, and tips from candidates who've already passed.
The exam is 130 questions. With the right preparation, you only need to own 91 of them.