Texas Life Insurance License | StateRequirement (2024)

Getting yourTexaslife insurance licenseis the first step toward becoming alife insurance agent in the state.

TheTexas Department of Insurance(TDI) requires you to complete a five-step process to become a lifeinsurance agent in Texas — from taking thelife insurance examto applying for a license.

These steps will take a few weeks to complete so we recommend you bookmark this page so you can use it as a reference throughout the process.

Life Insurance License Texas

Obtaining your Texas life insurance license isn’t difficult. Just follow these five steps to start your journey toward becoming a life insurance agent. Once you earn this license, check out our guide on how to get youras well.

Step 1: Complete a Texas Insurance Pre-license Course

Before you take the Texas life insurance licensing exam, it’s important to make time to acquire the knowledge you’ll need to pass this exam on your first attempt. Completing apre-license education coursewill equip you with the necessary information and tools you’ll need to prepare for your exam.

While Texas doesn’t have any formal pre-license education requirements, most insurance professionals opt to take a pre-license education course online. Others purchase books or self-study materials to prepare themselves for the exam.

A pre-license education course provides very specific industry knowledge that will be tested during the exam. There is very little information on the test that could be considered “common sense”. Pre-license education courses are self-paced and include study materials like practice exams and flashcards.

Beyond helping you effectively prepare for and pass the life insurance licensing exam on your first try, taking a pre-license education course also will give you a solid understanding of your duties as a life insurance agent.

Step 2: Take the Texas Life Insurance Licensing Exam

After you complete a prep course and your own independent studying, it’s time to take the Texas life insurance exam.

Texas usesPearson VUEas its official testing service for delivering licensure exams.

TheTexas life insuranceexam outlinecontains a total of 80 scored questionsthat includes two sections: general and state-specific. The general section deals with basic life insurance product knowledge. The state section covers insurance concepts and terms, rules, regulations, and practices specific to Texas.

You’ll have 120 minutes to complete the exam.The Texas life insurance exam fee is $33, which you must pay at the time of reservation by credit card, debit card, or voucher. The exam is a proctored test, meaning an official proctor will closely monitor you in a controlled environment.

If you happen to fail the Texas life insurance exam, you can schedule a retake of the exam as soon as 24 hours after your first attempt. There’s no limit to the number of attempts a candidate can make on the same exam.

Step 3: Get a Fingerprint-Based Background Check

After you take the Texas life insurance exam, you must get a fingerprint-based background check fromIdentoGO. You’ll then need to send a copy of your IdentoGO receipt to the TDI to show that IdentoGO sent your fingerprints to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the FBI.The fee for fingerprinting services is $39.70to cover the cost of comparing your prints against criminal history records.

To set up a fingerprinting appointment,go to theIdentoGOwebsite or call (888) 467-2080. Use service code 11G6QF when making your appointment.

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.

After completing your fingerprint-based background check, you mustsubmit your license application within one year of passing the licensing exam. If you fail to do so, you’ll need to retake the exam.

Step 4: Complete a Texas Life Insurance License Application

Once you pass the life insurance exam and complete the background check, you can apply for your Texas life insurance license.The application fee is $50, and you must apply online viaSirconor theNIPR.

The TDI will issue a life insurance license to individuals who are at least 18 years old and have passed the proper licensing exam. You should submit your completed license application within 12 months of passing the exam.

To apply for a life insurance license in Texas, make sure you comply with the insurance licensing requirements as defined under theTexas Insurance CodeandTexas Administrative Code.

Send any questions or supporting documents to[email protected].

Step 5: Watch for Your Application Results

After you complete the previous four steps, the TDI’s Agent & Adjuster Licensing Office will review your application and background check. It reviews filings in the order it receives them, andthis process usually takes one to five business days from the date you submit your application.

Once your application review is complete, the TDI’s Agent & Adjuster Licensing Office will email you with its decision or ask you to provide more information.

You can print your license from theSirconorNIPRwebsite. There’s no charge to create an account or print a license. If you don’t remember your license number, you can find it by usingSircon’s Customer Inquirytool.

Congratulations!

You’re now ready to get started as a life insurance agent in Texas.

Steps After Securing Your Texas Life Insurance License

Once you complete the above steps and have your Texas life insurance license, there are a few steps you’ll need to take in order to a) excel as an insurance agent, and b) maintain your life insurance license.

Let’s take a brief look at these below.

Obtain All Relevant Securities Licenses

If you’re planning on selling advanced life insurance products, you’ll likely need to pass the Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) exam and obtain the relevant securities licenses (e.g., Series 6, 7, and 63).

For more information on this step, you can have a look at our in-depth Securities Licensing overview.

Choose a Means of Selling

You’ll have to decide whether you’d prefer working as a captive agent employed by one company, or running your own business as an independent agent.

If you’re just starting out, you’ll likely benefit from working as a captive agent, but this will ultimately depend on your personal aspirations and opportunities.

Develop Your Marketing Approach

To succeed as an insurance agent, you’ll need to adopt a marketing approach that’s effective for you.

We recommend finding and sticking to a niche, as well organizing all client appointments for the start of your week. This is because this can improve your overall client conversions.

Keep Your License Valid

In Texas, you must take 24 hours ofcontinuing education(CE) every two years to renew your license and maintain its good standing.

You must complete two hours in ethics/consumer protection and at least 12 hours in “classroom” or “classroom-equivalent” courses.

Keep in mind that for every hour of continuing education you fail to complete on time, you’ll be required to pay a $50 fine (up to a maximum of $500 per license).

You will not be able to renew your license until you complete your continuing education hours and pay any outstanding fines.

To avoid delays in renewing your license, we recommend completing the required continuing education hours at least 30 days before your license expires.

This will ensure that your CE provider has enough time to report your credits to the TDI.

Note: There is a $50 renewal fee that will need to be paid (plus a $25 late filing fee if applicable).

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 12030
Austin, Texas 78711-2030

Physical Address:
333 Guadalupe
Austin, Texas 78701

Phone:(512) 676-6500

Email:[email protected]

Website:https://www.tdi.texas.gov

License Search:Texas Insurance License Search and Lookup