Getting your Texas insurance license is the first step to becoming an insurance agent in Texas. Whether you’re interested in selling property and casualty insurance, life insurance, health insurance, or any combination of those lines of authority, this article has the information you need to get started.
The Texas Department of Insurance has a 6-step process on how to become an insurance agent in Texas. We’ll walk you through step-by-step; from the license application to insurance test prep, to the Texas insurance exam, and beyond.
This guide has everything you need to know to get your TX insurance license quickly and easily.
Recommended: Interested in getting started? We recommend using Kaplan’s online study packages, which come with a 93% pass rate.
How to Get Your Texas Insurance License
Getting your insurance license in Texas is easy! Just follow our step-by-step guide. Be sure to bookmark this page so that you can visit it again throughout this process.
Step 1. Which Insurance Licenses Do You Need?
The first step to getting your insurance license is choosing which licenses you need. The most common licenses new insurance agents get are the property & casualty license (P&C), life and health insurance license (L&H).
The types of insurance products and policies you’ll be selling will determine which licenses you need. Here are some examples of the types of policies you can market with each license:
- Property and Casualty Insurance License – Auto Insurance, Home Insurance, Business Insurance, etc…
- Life and Health Insurance License – Life Insurance, Annuities, Medicare, Health Insurance, etc…
Most insurance agents and producers choose to get both P&C and L&H licenses, but if you plan on specializing in only one category then you don’t need every license.
Insurance adjusters require a separate license. You can find more information on becoming an insurance adjuster here: Texas Insurance Adjuster License.
Note
If you plan on specializing as a life insurance agent, then you may also need to hold a certain FINRA securities license.
Step 2. Texas Insurance Pre-License Education
After you’ve determined which licenses you need, it’s time to begin studying for the Texas insurance exams.
Texas does not require you to take a certain amount of pre-license credits before testing. This means that studying for your exam is 100% up to you.
Most folks choose to take an insurance pre-license course online. These courses are created specifically to give you the skills you need to pass the test. Others purchase books or other self-study tools to prepare themselves.
It’s wise to take a week or so to dedicate to your study of this exam. If you don’t feel as though you’re a strong test taker, take a little longer, but don’t let it drag out for long. We want you to pass your test the first time you take it, and we know that you can do it.
Recommended Course
Over 81% of our readers use Kaplan’s online courses — which come with a 93% pass rate — when preparing for their insurance license exam(s). For comprehensive study packages, StateRequirement recommends:
Step 3. Texas Insurance License Exam
The next step after completing all of your pre-license coursework or self-study is to take the insurance exam.
You will take one exam for each line of insurance you wish to carry. Life & Health and Property & Casualty lines are two combined lines in Texas, so you will take two exams if you wish to attain all of these lines of authority: Property, Casualty, Life, Accident, Health.
This is a proctored test, which means that you will be in a controlled environment with a person watching over you. For people who haven’t tested in a situation like this should be aware of this fact, and work on taming their nerves prior to sitting for the exam. One great way to get some experience with insurance testing is taking an insurance practice exam.
The fee for each attempt of the exams is $43 (one exam per combined lines of authority). When you show up you must have a photo ID any other documents that the testing facility has asked you to bring.
The Life, Accident & Health exam and the Property & Casualty exams consist of one hundred thirty (130) questions. There are no limits on attempts at each exam per year, but once you pass, you must apply for the license within twelve (12) months or retake the test.
Here is a copy of the exam content outline for all the insurance lines that are being offered in Texas.
We will quote Pearson VUE’s Texas Department of Insurance Licensing Candidate Handbook to explain scoring:
The passing score of an examination was set by the Texas Department of Insurance (in conjunction with Pearson VUE) after a comprehensive study was completed for each examination. Raw scores are converted into scaled scores that can range from 0 to 100. The scaled score that is reported to you is neither the number of questions you answered correctly nor the percentage of questions you answered correctly. With a passing score of 70, any score below 70 indicates how close the candidate came to passing, rather than the actual number or percentage of questions the candidates answered correctly.
Check out our Insurance Exam Guide. It’s extremely in-depth, and will hopefully help you pass the first time.
Looking for a guide to passing the insurance exam in Texas? Check out our Texas Insurance License Exam article.
Insurance license tests are intentionally difficult, but not impossible by any means. You should study to the point of comfortability with the information before you attempt the test. Failing the exam isn’t the end of the world, but keep in mind that you will need to pay the fee each time you attempt the test.
Tip
StateRequirement recommends that you study for one exam at a time, then after passing, starting on your next line. The exams are difficult enough on their own without confusing information from one line to another. Check out our review of the Kaplan Insurance Course.
You may register to take your exams and find more information on the Pearson VUE Texas Insurance page or by calling Pearson VUE at (888) 754-7667.
Step 4. Fingerprinting And Background Check
The State of Texas 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. For more information on this topic, call the Texas Department of Insurance at 512-676-6500 or email the Insurance Department.
To set up a fingerprinting appointment, go to the IdentoGO website or call (888) 467-2080. Use service code 11G6QF when making your appointment. Your fingerprints will be sent electronically to the DPS and the FBI.
The fee for fingerprinting services is $39.70.
At your fingerprinting appointment, you’ll receive a receipt. Don’t throw it away! Keep the original receipt for your records and attach a copy to the license application you send to the TDI.
Step 5. Texas Insurance License Application
Once you have completed your exams and fingerprinting, you are now ready to apply for your license. If you have more than one line of authority that you have passed the exam for, be sure to apply for all of those lines.
You must apply online by using Sircon or the National Insurance Producer Registry. The fee for an online application is $50 per line plus a small transaction fee.
Be sure to include the fingerprint receipt from IdentoGO.
Step 6. Application Review
Once you have submitted your application and have filled all the other requirements, your license application will be reviewed by the state. Your background check will also be reviewed.
If everything is to acceptable standards your license should be issued within 3-5 weeks. If there are any items from your background check that need to be reviewed, it may slow down the process of issuance. If this is the case, the state may contact you to provide context to the issues that they have run into.
Once the review has been completed, you should receive an email from the state regarding the status of your license.
Congratulations!
You’ve done the work, put in the time and effort, and now hold the key to your own success! We’re proud of you. Take five (5) minutes and celebrate.
After Getting Your Texas Insurance License
Once you’ve passed your exams and completed the licensing application, you are now a licensed insurance agent in Texas. A common question we hear is, “I have my insurance license, now what?” Here are a few things you can do or need to know:
- Get a job in the insurance field. Check out StateRequirement’s Insurance Jobs board
- If you’re going to sell advanced life insurance products, you’ll need to have the proper securities licenses. Series 6, Series 7, and Series 63 are the most common among insurance agents, but you’ll need to begin with the SIE (Securities Industry Essentials) exam. Find out which licenses you need with our Securities Licensing Guide
- Every two years, you’ll need to renew your insurance license. Check out our guides on Texas Insurance License Renewal and Texas Insurance Continuing Education for more details
- Learn how to market yourself as an insurance agent: Have a look at our Insurance Agent Marketing article
- Interested in learning how successful life insurance agents operate? Check out our How Do Life Insurance Companies Make Money article
Texas Department of Insurance Contact Information
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 12030
Austin, Texas 78711-2030
Physical Address:
333 Guadalupe
Austin, Texas 78701
Phone: (512) 676 – 6500
Email: License@tdi.texas.gov
Website: https://www.tdi.texas.gov/agent/index.html
License Search: Texas Insurance License Search and Lookup
Texas Insurance License FAQ
How long is the insurance license period in Texas?
In Texas, insurance licenses expire every two years. The expiration aligns with the licensee’s date of birth, occurring biennially, ensuring that licenses remain valid and up-to-date with the state’s regulations and requirements. Learn how to get an insurance license renewal here: Texas Insurance License Renewal.
How long does it take to get an insurance license in Texas?
2-8 weeks. The bulk of the time is spent studying for your Texas insurance exam. Some people study for as little as one week and feel comfortable taking the exam. We recommend you take whatever amount of time you need to feel comfortable with the material. Check out our guide: How to Pass the Insurance Exam.
How much does the Texas insurance license cost?
The cost of obtaining an insurance license in Texas is around $375, which includes your insurance course, application, fingerprinting and background check, and exam fees. If you don’t pass the exam the first time, add $62 for each subsequent attempt. Additional costs may include other related expenses, which vary based on the specific type of insurance license being pursued.
How do I get a life insurance license in Texas?
If you want to get a life insurance license in Texas, you can take a pre-license course and must initially pass an exam. Following the exam, a fingerprint background check is required. Subsequently, you must submit your application online and pay the fees via Sircon or the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR).
How do I get a property and casualty license in Texas?
If you’re planning to obtain a property and casualty license in Texas, you can complete pre-licensing education and must pass the state licensing exam. The application process, including submission of fingerprints and paying fees, can be completed online through platforms such as Sircon and NIPR.
Do I need business insurance in Texas?
Yes. In Texas, business insurance is not required but highly recommended. Having a Texas business insurance protects your business assets and legal name from potential liabilities and losses. Different types of insurance such as liability insurance, property insurance, and workers’ compensation can be essential based on the nature and size of your business.