If you're preparing for the property and casualty (P&C) insurance exam, one of the most common questions is:
What percentage of people actually pass?
The short answer: Most states report P&C exam pass rates between 50% and 70%.
That means a significant number of people don’t pass on their first attempt — but it also means the majority succeed once they prepare properly.
The key takeaway? The exam is very passable — but only if you take preparation seriously.
In this guide, we’ll break down what these pass rates really mean, why people fail, and how you can increase your chances of passing on your first try.
If you're just getting started, read this first: How to become a property & casualty agent (step-by-step guide)
Across most states, pass rates typically fall in the range of:
50% to 70%
This tells you two important things:
Pass rates can vary depending on:
However, the biggest factor is always the same: how well you prepare.
Most people who fail the exam don’t fail because they’re incapable — they fail because of avoidable mistakes.
One of the most common issues is skipping the pre-licensing course or trying to study without structured material. Without guidance, it’s easy to miss important topics.
Another problem is underestimating the exam. Because it doesn’t require a degree, many candidates assume it will be easy — and don’t study enough.
A lack of Practice exams is also a major factor. Without seeing real exam-style questions, candidates often struggle with timing and question format.
Finally, many people ignore state-specific material, which can make up a large portion of the test.
If you want to pass on your first attempt, your preparation strategy matters more than anything else.
The most effective approach starts with a structured pre-licensing course. This ensures you’re covering everything that will appear on the exam and not wasting time on irrelevant material.
Practice exams are equally important. They help you identify weak areas, get comfortable with question formats, and build confidence before test day.
It also helps to focus on understanding how insurance works in real scenarios, rather than just memorizing definitions. Many exam questions are designed to test application, not recall.
And finally, timing matters. Taking your exam soon after studying helps you retain information and perform better.
Start your exam prep here: property and casualty pre-licensing courseIn most states, you’ll need a score of around 70% to pass the P&C exam.
The exact passing score may vary slightly depending on your state, but 70% is the standard benchmark.
Most states allow you to retake the exam if you don’t pass on your first attempt.
However:
This is why passing on your first try is ideal — it saves both time and money.
If you don’t pass, you can retake the exam after reviewing your weak areas.
Many candidates who fail the first time go on to pass on their second attempt — especially after adjusting their study approach.
Still, the goal should always be to pass the first time with proper preparation.
Improve your study strategy: how to pass the P&C examCompared to other insurance exams:
For most people, it falls in the middle — challenging, but very manageable.
The P&C exam pass rate shows one thing clearly: preparation makes the difference.
If you study the right material, take practice exams, and approach the test seriously, you can absolutely pass on your first attempt.
The best place to start is with a structured course that covers everything you need.
Start your P&C license and exam prep here: property and casualty license trainingWhat percentage of people pass the P&C exam? Most states report pass rates between 50% and 70%.
Can you pass on your first try? Yes — many candidates do with proper preparation.
Is the P&C exam harder than expected? It can be if you don’t study enough, but it’s very manageable with the right approach.
What is the best way to pass? Taking a pre-licensing course and using practice exams.
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