Everything You Need to Know About Insurance Licensing in the Longhorn State
Starting an insurance career in Texas begins with one important question: Which Texas insurance license do you actually need?
Texas offers several insurance license paths, including Property and Casualty, Life, Accident, Health and HMO, Personal Lines, Adjuster, Limited Lines, Surplus Lines, and other specialized licenses. The right license depends on the type of insurance products you want to sell, the clients you want to serve, and the role you plan to play in the insurance industry.
This guide explains the major Texas insurance license types, the basic licensing steps, exam requirements, fingerprinting, application fees, renewal rules, continuing education, and how to prepare for your Texas insurance exam.
A Texas insurance license allows you to sell, solicit, or negotiate insurance products in Texas. The Texas Department of Insurance, often called TDI, regulates insurance licensing in the state, while Pearson VUE administers Texas insurance licensing exams.
For most new resident applicants, the basic process is straightforward: choose the correct license, pass the required exam, complete fingerprinting, and submit a license application. The Texas Candidate Handbook explains that candidates make an exam reservation with Pearson VUE, make a fingerprint reservation with IdentoGO, take the exam, get fingerprinted, and then apply electronically through Sircon after passing. The handbook also states that the application process must be completed within one year after passing the exam or the exam must be retaken.
The most common license paths for new Texas agents are:
- General Lines Property and Casualty
- General Lines Life, Accident, Health and HMO
- Personal Lines Property and Casualty
- Life Agent
- Adjuster licenses
- Limited Lines licenses
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This page gives you the big-picture map. If you already know which license you want, you may also want to visit:
- How to Get a Property and Casualty Insurance License in Texas
- How to Get a Life and Health Insurance License in Texas
- How to Pass the Insurance Licensing Exam in Texas
Quick Facts About Getting a Texas Insurance License
| Category | Texas Licensing Information |
|---|---|
| State insurance department | Texas Department of Insurance |
| Testing vendor | Pearson VUE |
| Fingerprinting vendor | IdentoGO by IDEMIA |
| Common application platforms | Sircon or National Insurance Producer Registry |
| Minimum age | 18 |
| Exam required? | Yes, for many major resident license types |
| Application timing | Apply after passing the exam |
| Application deadline after passing exam | Within 12 months |
| Common agent application fee | $50 per license type |
| General Lines P&C exam time / fee | 150 minutes / $49 |
| General Lines Life, Accident & Health exam time / fee | 150 minutes / $49 |
| Passing score | 70 scaled score |
| License renewal cycle | Typically every 2 years |
| Continuing education | Most licenses require 24 hours, including 3 hours of ethics |
TDI’s current pages for major General Lines licenses list online application through Sircon or NIPR and a $50 application fee. The Texas Candidate Handbook lists both the General Lines Property & Casualty exam and the General Lines Life, Accident & Health exam as 150-minute exams with a $49 exam fee.
Common Texas Insurance License Types
General Lines Property and Casualty License
The General Lines Property and Casualty license is usually the best fit if you want to sell property and liability insurance products.
This license may apply to insurance products such as:
- Personal auto insurance
- Homeowners insurance
- Renters insurance
- Dwelling policies
- Commercial property insurance
- General liability insurance
- Commercial auto insurance
- Businessowners policies
- Inland marine coverage
- Umbrella and excess liability coverage
- Other property and casualty products
This is one of the broadest and most practical licenses for someone who wants to work with personal insurance, business insurance, or agency-based P&C sales.
For a detailed step-by-step guide, visit How to Get a Property and Casualty Insurance License in Texas.
General Lines Life, Accident, Health and HMO License
The General Lines Life, Accident, Health and HMO license is usually the best fit if you want to sell life insurance, health insurance, accident coverage, disability income products, annuities, or HMO-related products.
This license may apply to insurance products such as:
- Term life insurance
- Whole life insurance
- Universal life insurance
- Annuities
- Accident insurance
- Health insurance
- Disability income insurance
- Medicare-related products, when properly authorized and compliant
- Long-term care-related products
- HMO products
Texas uses the formal phrase Life, Accident, Health and HMO, so candidates should pay attention to the official license name when studying, scheduling an exam, and applying.
For a detailed step-by-step guide, visit How to Get a Life and Health Insurance License in Texas.
Personal Lines Property and Casualty License
The Personal Lines Property and Casualty license is narrower than the full General Lines Property and Casualty license. It is generally designed for candidates who want to focus on personal insurance products rather than broader commercial lines.
This may include:
- Personal auto insurance
- Homeowners insurance
- Renters insurance
- Personal umbrella coverage
- Other personal lines products
This license may be a good fit for someone working in an agency or call center environment that focuses only on personal insurance.
Life Agent License
Texas also offers a Life Agent license. This is narrower than the General Lines Life, Accident, Health and HMO license.
A candidate who wants broader authority across life, accident, health, and HMO products will usually look at the General Lines Life, Accident, Health and HMO license instead. A candidate who only needs life insurance authority should review TDI’s license categories carefully before choosing.
Adjuster Licenses
Insurance adjusters handle claims rather than sell insurance. Texas offers multiple adjuster-related license types, including:
- All Lines Adjuster
- Property and Casualty Adjuster
- Workers’ Compensation Adjuster
- Public Insurance Adjuster
The right adjuster license depends on the type of claims work you want to perform. Adjuster candidates should review TDI requirements carefully because some adjuster paths may involve different exam, course, bond, or application rules.
Limited Lines Licenses
Limited Lines licenses are narrower licenses for specific insurance products or transactions. These may be appropriate for candidates whose job involves a limited category of insurance rather than full agent authority.
Examples may include specialized or restricted lines where the license holder is not selling the full range of major insurance products.
Surplus Lines License
A Surplus Lines license is not usually the first license a brand-new producer pursues. The Texas Candidate Handbook states that Surplus Lines Agent applicants must hold either a General Lines Property and Casualty Agent license or a Managing General Agent license, along with meeting other requirements.
In plain English: surplus lines is usually an advanced or add-on path, not the starting line.
5 Steps to Get a Texas Insurance License
Step 1: Choose the Correct Texas Insurance License
Before you study, register for an exam, or submit an application, decide which license matches your career goal.
Choose General Lines Property and Casualty if you want to sell auto, homeowners, commercial property, liability, and business insurance.
Choose General Lines Life, Accident, Health and HMO if you want to sell life insurance, health insurance, accident coverage, annuities, disability income products, and HMO-related products.
Choose Personal Lines Property and Casualty if your work will focus on personal auto, homeowners, renters, and similar personal insurance products.
Choose an Adjuster license if you want to investigate, evaluate, or settle insurance claims.
Choosing the wrong license is one of the easiest ways to waste study time. It is the licensing version of packing a suitcase for Dallas and landing in El Paso with ski goggles. Technically prepared, wildly misdirected.
Step 2: Study for the Correct Texas Insurance Exam
Texas insurance exams are based on official exam content outlines. The Candidate Handbook recommends reviewing the handbook and paying special attention to the content outlines before taking an exam.
The exam is not just a vocabulary quiz. Texas candidates need to understand:
- Insurance terms and concepts
- Policy types
- Policy provisions
- Exclusions
- Underwriting
- Producer duties
- Texas insurance laws
- Unfair trade practices
- State-specific regulations
- Scenario-based application of insurance concepts
A strong study plan should include both general insurance knowledge and Texas-specific law.
For exam strategy, visit How to Pass the Insurance Licensing Exam in Texas.
Step 3: Schedule and Pass the Texas Insurance Exam
Texas insurance licensing exams are administered by Pearson VUE. The Texas Candidate Handbook says walk-in exams are not available and that candidates must make an online or phone reservation at least 24 hours before the desired exam date.
The exam you take depends on the license type you selected. Common Texas insurance exams include:
- General Lines Property and Casualty
- General Lines Life, Accident and Health
- Life Agent
- Personal Lines Property and Casualty
- Adjuster exams
- Limited Lines
- Surplus Lines
For the major General Lines exams, the Texas Candidate Handbook lists 150 minutes and a $49 exam fee.
Step 4: Complete Fingerprinting and Background Check Requirements
Many Texas resident applicants must complete fingerprinting as part of the license application process. The Texas Candidate Handbook states that all Texas resident applicants, Adjuster Designated Home State applicants, and all nonresident public insurance adjuster applicants must submit fingerprints unless fingerprints were already submitted to TDI for another active license or registration. Fingerprints are used to check Texas DPS and FBI criminal history records.
Texas uses IdentoGO by IDEMIA for electronic fingerprinting. TDI also explains that a fingerprint background check is required for many applications and that fingerprints are used for Texas DPS and FBI criminal history checks.
Practical tips:
- Schedule fingerprinting early.
- Use the correct Texas insurance fingerprinting process.
- Bring acceptable identification.
- Keep your fingerprint receipt.
- Make sure your name, date of birth, and Social Security number match your exam and application records.
Fingerprinting is one of those steps that looks small on paper but can become a tiny bureaucratic cactus if handled carelessly.
Step 5: Submit Your Texas Insurance License Application
After passing the required exam, submit your Texas insurance license application online. TDI lists Sircon and the National Insurance Producer Registry as online application options for major General Lines agent licenses, with a $50 application fee.
The Texas Candidate Handbook states that candidates who must pass an exam must complete an electronic application through Sircon after the exam is passed, and that candidates who do not submit a completed application within 12 months after passing must retake the exam.
Before submitting, double-check:
- Legal name
- Date of birth
- Social Security number
- Address
- License type
- Exam information
- Fingerprint receipt
- Background disclosure information
Mistakes in personal information can delay approval.
Texas Insurance Exam Details
Texas insurance exams are multiple-choice exams. The Candidate Handbook explains that major line exams consist of two parts: a general section covering basic insurance product knowledge and a state section covering Texas-specific insurance laws, rules, regulations, and practices. The score is based on the exam as a whole rather than each part separately.
Common Texas Exam Examples
| Exam | Time Allotted | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| General Lines Property & Casualty | 150 minutes | $49 |
| General Lines Life, Accident & Health | 150 minutes | $49 |
| Personal Lines Property & Casualty | 120 minutes | $39 |
| Life Agent | 120 minutes | $39 |
| Adjuster, All Lines | 150 minutes | $49 |
| Limited Lines | 60 minutes | $29 |
| Surplus Lines | 60 minutes | $29 |
The Candidate Handbook states that the passing score is a scaled score of 70. A score below 70 indicates how close the candidate came to passing, rather than the exact percentage of questions answered correctly.
Texas Insurance License Fees
The cost of getting a Texas insurance license depends on the license type, exam, fingerprinting, and study materials.
| Cost Type | Typical Texas Cost |
|---|---|
| Agent license application fee | $50 per license type |
| General Lines Property & Casualty exam | $49 |
| General Lines Life, Accident & Health exam | $49 |
| Personal Lines Property & Casualty exam | $39 |
| Life Agent exam | $39 |
| Fingerprinting | Paid to fingerprinting vendor |
| Study materials / exam prep | Varies |
| Continuing education | Varies by provider |
| Company appointment fee | May apply |
TDI lists the application fee for major General Lines agent licenses at $50. The Texas Candidate Handbook’s exam fee table lists fees by exam type, including $49 for both major General Lines exams.
Fingerprinting and Background Check
Fingerprinting is a required step for many Texas resident applicants. The Texas Candidate Handbook states that TDI cannot complete processing an application until it receives criminal history reports from DPS and the FBI for applicants required to provide fingerprints. It also states that the IdentoGO receipt must be attached to completed application submissions.
This matters because a candidate can pass the exam and still have the application delayed if fingerprinting is incomplete, mismatched, or not properly attached.
Fingerprinting Checklist
Before applying, make sure you have:
- Scheduled your IdentoGO fingerprint appointment.
- Used the correct Texas insurance fingerprinting process.
- Brought acceptable ID to the appointment.
- Saved your fingerprint receipt.
- Attached the receipt to your application if required.
- Verified that your personal information matches your exam and application records.
Texas Insurance License Application Process
Most new resident applicants follow this order:
- Choose the correct Texas insurance license.
- Study for the correct exam.
- Schedule the exam through Pearson VUE.
- Pass the exam.
- Complete fingerprinting through IdentoGO, if required.
- Submit the license application online through Sircon or NIPR.
- Wait for TDI review and license approval.
The exam-first structure is important. Texas is not a state where most candidates simply apply first and figure out the test later. The Texas Candidate Handbook directs candidates to apply electronically after passing the exam, and TDI’s pages for major license types also point candidates to exam, fingerprint, and application steps.
Texas Insurance License Renewal and Continuing Education
Texas individual insurance licenses are typically valid for two years. The Texas Candidate Handbook states that individual licenses are typically valid for two years and that TDI sends renewal notices before expiration.
TDI says most Texas insurance licenses require 24 hours of continuing education each license period, including 3 hours of ethics. TDI also notes that at least half of all CE hours must be completed in a classroom or classroom-equivalent setting.
Texas CE Quick Facts
| CE Category | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Typical CE cycle | Every 2 years |
| Most license types | 24 CE hours |
| Ethics requirement | 3 hours |
| Classroom / classroom equivalent | At least half of required hours |
| Renewal condition | CE must be complete before renewal |
Do not wait until renewal week to handle CE. Texas can assess fines for CE deficiencies, and the Candidate Handbook warns that licensees requiring CE must be CE-compliant and have paid outstanding fines to renew.
Why Exam Prep Matters in Texas
Texas gives candidates flexibility by not requiring mandatory prelicensing hours. But flexibility can become a trap if it leads to scattered studying.
The Texas insurance exam is a content-heavy multiple-choice exam. You are not just memorizing definitions. You need to recognize policy language, understand how coverages work, identify exclusions and conditions, and apply insurance law to exam-style scenarios.
That is why TESTivity uses a multi-tool study system instead of relying on one flat textbook.
The TESTivity Platinum Study Package includes:
Texas-Specific Licensing Quirks
Texas Uses “General Lines” Terminology
Many candidates search for a “Texas P&C license” or “Texas life and health license,” but the formal license names are usually:
- General Lines Property and Casualty
- General Lines Life, Accident, Health and HMO
Use the official license name when scheduling exams, applying, and checking TDI requirements.
You Generally Pass the Exam Before Applying
The Texas Candidate Handbook states that candidates who must pass an exam must complete the electronic license application after the exam is passed. It also states that the application must be completed within 12 months after passing.
That one-year window is important. Pass the exam, then finish the application. Do not let your passing score go stale in the pantry.
Fingerprinting Can Delay the Application
If fingerprints are required, TDI cannot complete processing until it receives the criminal history reports. The Candidate Handbook strongly encourages electronic fingerprinting because it is fast and accurate and can help avoid processing delays.
Temporary Licenses May Be Available in Some Situations
The Texas Candidate Handbook states that Life Agent, Personal Lines Property and Casualty, General Lines, and Limited Lines applicants may receive a temporary 180-day license before passing the required exam if a sponsoring company, agent, or agency requests it and the applicant is otherwise eligible. The handbook also states that the temporary license is not renewable and that the exam must be passed within 180 days.
This is not the standard path for every candidate, but it is a Texas-specific option worth knowing about.
Texas Exams Include State-Specific Law
The Candidate Handbook explains that major line exams include both general insurance product knowledge and a Texas-specific section covering laws, rules, regulations, and practices unique to Texas.
That means a generic insurance study guide is not enough. You need to study both the national concepts and the Texas rules.
Recommended Insurance Exam Study Tools
Texas insurance candidates need more than one pass through a textbook. The exam tests definitions, policy structure, legal rules, application, and judgment. That is why a multi-tool study system works better than trying to hammer every concept with the same study hammer.
Useful TESTivity learning tools include:
- Insurance Exam Prep Course: TESTivity Platinum Study Package
- Insurance Exam Practice Questions / Exam Simulator
- Insurance Exam Study Guide / Study Manual
- Insurance Exam Flashcards
- Insurance Exam Audio Course
- Insurance Exam Video Course
- AI Insurance Exam Tutor
- Insurance Exam Cheat Sheet
- Insurance Exam Mind Maps
- Insurance Exam Learning Games
Each tool supports a different part of learning. The Study Manual builds the foundation. The Exam Simulator builds test readiness. Flashcards strengthen recall. Audio reinforces concepts during downtime. Mind Maps help connect related topics. The AI Tutor helps explain confusing ideas before they turn into test-day goblins.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Getting a Texas Insurance License
About this Texas Insurance Licensing Exam Guide
This Texas insurance licensing guide was created for GetTheLicense.org as part of our state-by-state insurance licensing resource library. Our goal is to help future insurance professionals understand licensing requirements, compare license types, and prepare for state insurance exams.
This page summarizes information from official Texas insurance licensing sources, including the Texas Department of Insurance and the Texas Insurance Licensing Candidate Handbook from Pearson VUE. Licensing rules, fees, exam outlines, and application procedures can change, so candidates should always verify final requirements with TDI and Pearson VUE before scheduling an exam or submitting an application.
Where should I go next?
Choose the page that matches your goal:
- How to Get a Property and Casualty Insurance License in Texas
- How to Get a Life and Health Insurance License in Texas
- How to Pass the Insurance Licensing Exam in Texas
About the author
Matt Williams
Matt Williams has been teaching insurance pre-licensing curriculum for over 20 years and has helped thousands of people pass their exams on their first attempt. Matt holds Life & Health, Property & Casualty, and Adjuster insurance licenses along with the Series 7, 8, 24, 63, and 65 FINRA/NASAA designations, and the CLU, ChFC, and CFP® professional credentials. He is a certified trainer in adult education and the founder of TESTivity.
The TESTivity Platinum Study Package is built around exactly this map: video lessons weighted to the actual exam outline, mind maps that show how coverage types relate to each other, a full-length exam simulator that mirrors the Pearson VUE questions, and a pass guarantee. Built by the people who teach the exam — used by the candidates who pass it!
Ready to Get Your Texas Insurance License?
Getting licensed starts with the process. Passing the exam starts with preparation.
TESTivity helps future Texas insurance producers study with a complete system built for how people actually learn: reading, watching, listening, practicing, reviewing, and recalling.
Whether you are preparing for Property and Casualty, Life and Health, or another Texas insurance license exam, TESTivity gives you the tools to study with structure instead of guesswork.
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