Texas Insurance License Requirements: Your Complete Guide

Quick Answer: Your Texas Insurance License in Brief

The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) is the sole licensing authority for insurance producers, adjusters, and related professionals in the state. Before you can sell, solicit, or negotiate insurance in Texas, you need a license from TDI that covers the specific line of authority you intend to work in.

Here is the core sequence:

1. Pick your line(s) of authority.
2. Complete state-approved pre-licensing education.
3. Pass the Texas state licensing exam.
4. Submit your application through TDI's Sircon portal.
5. Complete fingerprinting and a criminal background check.
6. Receive and verify your license.

Choosing the right line of authority upfront matters. Each line has its own education requirements, exam, and scope of practice. Consult TDI's licensing division if you are unsure which line fits your intended work.

Understanding Texas Insurance License Types and Lines of Authority

Texas organizes producer licenses by line of authority under Texas law and TDI regulations.

Life Insurance

This authorizes you to sell life insurance, annuities, and variable products. Note that variable products require a separate FINRA registration. This license is governed primarily by Texas law.

Accident and Health Insurance

This license covers health, disability, Medicare supplement, and long-term care products. It also falls under Texas law.

Property and Casualty Insurance

This covers homeowners, commercial property, auto, liability, and related lines. It is governed by Texas law.

Personal Lines Insurance

This is a narrower version of Property and Casualty insurance, restricted to personal, family, or household risks. It is appropriate for producers who only intend to write personal auto, homeowners, and similar consumer products. This license is also governed under Texas law.

Surplus Lines Broker

This license allows the placement of coverage with non-admitted carriers when admitted market coverage is unavailable. It requires an existing Property and Casualty license plus additional qualification steps. This license is governed by Texas law.

Managing General Agent (MGA)

An MGA license is required for entities that manage underwriting or claims authority on behalf of an insurer. This is a business-entity license with distinct requirements beyond a standard producer license. Consult TDI's licensing division for current MGA qualification criteria.

Adjuster Licenses

Adjusters are licensed separately from producers under Texas law. If your work involves investigating or settling claims rather than selling policies, you need an adjuster license, not a producer license.

Step-by-Step Guide to Obtaining Your Texas Insurance License

Step 1: Determine Your Line(s) of Authority

Review TDI's licensing page and match your intended work to the correct line. You can hold multiple lines simultaneously, but each requires its own education and exam.

Step 2: Complete State-Approved Pre-Licensing Education

Texas requires pre-licensing education before you can sit for the exam. Consult TDI for current hour requirements by line:

• Life Insurance: Consult TDI for current hour requirements.
• Accident and Health Insurance: Consult TDI for current hour requirements.
• Property and Casualty Insurance: Consult TDI for current hour requirements.
• Personal Lines Insurance: Consult TDI for current hour requirements.

Courses must come from a TDI-approved provider. Providers are listed on TDI's website. Both online and classroom formats are accepted. Keep your completion certificate; you will need it.

Step 3: Schedule and Pass the State Licensing Exam

Texas contracts with Pearson VUE as the state exam provider. You schedule directly through Pearson VUE's website or by phone after completing your pre-licensing education.

Consult Pearson VUE for the current passing score for Texas insurance licensing exams. Exam content outlines are published by Pearson VUE and cover state law, ethics, and line-specific product knowledge. Exam fees vary by line; consult Pearson VUE's current fee schedule directly, as TDI does not set those fees.

If you fail, you may retake the exam. There is no mandatory waiting period between attempts, but you pay the exam fee each time.

Step 4: Submit Your License Application to TDI

Applications go through Sircon, TDI's online licensing portal (accessible via the TDI website). You will need:

• Your exam score report
• Pre-licensing education certificate
• Social Security number
• Application fee payment

TDI also accepts paper applications in some cases. Application requirements are detailed in TDI's application instructions.

Step 5: Complete Fingerprinting and Background Check

Texas requires a criminal history background check for all new applicants. Fingerprinting is done through IdentoGO (MorphoTrust), the TDI-approved vendor. You schedule an appointment through IdentoGO's website. Fingerprints are submitted to the Texas Department of Public Safety and the FBI.

A criminal history does not automatically disqualify you, but certain offenses can result in denial. TDI evaluates each case individually. If you have a prior record, consult TDI before investing time and money in the process.

Step 6: License Issuance and Verification

Once TDI approves your application, your license is issued electronically. You can verify your license status and print a copy through Sircon or the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR). There is no physical wallet card mailed automatically. Verify your license is active before you begin selling.

Texas Insurance License Fees, Renewals, and Continuing Education

Application and Exam Fees

TDI sets application fees for producer licenses. Current fees: consult TDI's fee schedule at www.tdi.texas.gov, as fees are subject to legislative adjustment. Exam fees are set by Pearson VUE separately from TDI application fees.

License Renewal

Texas producer licenses renew on a regular cycle. Consult TDI for the current renewal cycle. The renewal deadline is tied to your license issue date. Renewal fees: consult TDI's current fee schedule, as amounts vary by license type and are updated periodically.

Failing to renew on time results in license lapse. A lapsed license can often be reinstated within a grace period, but late fees apply. After a certain point, you may need to reapply from scratch.

Continuing Education Requirements

Licensed producers must complete CE hours per renewal period. Consult TDI for current CE hour requirements.

Consult TDI for current ethics hour requirements.

CE courses must come from TDI-approved providers. Providers submit completion records to TDI directly in most cases, but confirm this with your course provider. You are responsible for ensuring your credits are reported before your renewal deadline.

Failing to meet CE requirements before renewal means TDI will not renew your license. If your license lapses for CE non-compliance, you face the same reinstatement process as any other lapsed license, including potential re-examination depending on how long the license has been inactive.

Key Differences: Comparing Texas Insurance License Types

The source material does not include TDI's current published fee schedule, so application fees below are marked accordingly. Consult TDI's fee schedule at www.tdi.texas.gov for current dollar amounts.

Next Steps: Resources and Official Contacts for Texas Producers

Texas Department of Insurance (TDI)

TDI is your primary resource for everything licensing-related.

• Website: www.tdi.texas.gov
• Licensing Division Phone: (512) 676-6500
• Mailing Address: Texas Department of Insurance, P.O. Box 12030, Austin, TX 78711-2030
• Email/Online Contact Form: Available through the TDI website contact page

For licensing-specific questions, use TDI's licensing division contact rather than the general line.

Exam Provider

• Pearson VUE handles all Texas insurance licensing exams. Schedule at www.pearsonvue.com/tx-insurance or call Pearson VUE directly. Exam content outlines for each line are downloadable from their site.

Online Application Portal

• Sircon (www.sircon.com) and NIPR (www.nipr.com) both connect to TDI's licensing system for applications, renewals, and license verification.

Fingerprinting

• IdentoGO (www.identogo.com) handles fingerprint appointments for TDI background checks. Use TDI's service code when scheduling to ensure your prints route correctly.

Approved Pre-Licensing and CE Providers

TDI maintains a searchable list of approved pre-licensing and CE providers on its website. Providers range from national online platforms to Texas-based classroom programs. Verify provider approval status on TDI's site before enrolling. Not all courses marketed as "Texas-approved" actually are.

Professional Associations

Two associations are worth knowing:

• Independent Insurance Agents of Texas (IIAT): www.iiat.org. Offers CE, networking, and advocacy resources for independent agents.
• Professional Insurance Agents of Texas (PIA of Texas): Affiliated with the national PIA organization. Provides CE and member resources for Texas producers.

Neither membership is required for licensing, but both offer CE courses and industry connections.