Texas
Texas insurance licensing: requirements, renewal, and agency rules
Texas licenses agents and adjusters through the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI), with applications, renewals, and appointment filings routed through the state's electronic licensing channels rather than a TDI portal.
- Renewal cycle
- Every 2 years
- CE hours
- 24 hours (3 ethics)
- Application fee
- $50
- DOI phone
- 512-676-6500
Overview
Texas licenses agents and adjusters through the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI), with applications, renewals, and appointment filings routed through the state's electronic licensing channels rather than a TDI portal. TDI runs more than 30 distinct license types, from general lines agent to niche categories like county mutual agent and life settlement provider — more granular than most states. Licenses no longer arrive by mail; producers self-print them once TDI approves the application. Expiration is tied to the licensee's birth month rather than a fixed issue-date anniversary.
How to get licensed
Confirm you need prelicensing education
For most agent lines (general lines P&C, general lines life/A&H/HMO, life agent), TDI's application pages list only the exam requirement, not prelicensing hours. The exception is the temporary 180-day general lines license, which requires 40 hours of training within 30 days of issuance, and adjusters using the exam-exemption path, who need a 40-hour TDI-approved course under 28 TAC §19.1017/§19.1018.
Register for and pass the licensing exam
Texas uses Pearson VUE as its exam vendor. Review the candidate handbook before scheduling. You must apply for your license within 12 months of passing or you'll need to retake the exam.
Complete fingerprinting
Texas uses IdentoGO for the required criminal history background check tied to your application.
Apply for your license
The fastest path is to apply through InsureTrek — we file your Texas application for the state's $50 fee, pulled from NIPR at the moment of application.
Wait for approval and print your license
TDI processes most complete applications within one business day. Licenses are not mailed — you self-print yours once TDI approves the application. See TDI's licensing notices for current processing guidance.
Prelicensing education
Not required. Most agent lines require only the exam, not prelicensing hours, per TDI's application pages. The temporary 180-day general lines license requires 40 hours of training within 30 days of issuance; adjusters using the exam-exemption path need a 40-hour TDI-approved course.
Exam
Vendor: Pearson VUE.
Fingerprinting
Required. Vendor: IdentoGO.
Fees
| Fee | Initial | Renewal |
|---|---|---|
| Resident producer license (individual, most agent types) Covers general lines, personal lines P&C, life, surplus lines, MGA, and limited lines agents. A late renewal filed after 90 days but within a year costs half the license fee on top of the renewal itself. | $50 | $50 |
| Non-resident producer license (individual) | $50 | $50 |
| Agency (business entity) license Reinstatement after a lapse runs $75, charged per line of authority. | $50 | $50 |
Fees as of 2026-08-21. Fees change without much notice. When you apply through InsureTrek, we always use the current fee at the moment of application. Sources: NIPR – Texas resident licensing, individual, NIPR – Texas resident licensing, business, TDI – Licensing notices
Renewal & CE
Renewal window — License expires on the last day of the licensee's birth month.
Grace period: 90 days to complete deficient CE after expiration, with a $50 fine per deficient hour; after that, the license is inactivated and reapplication is required.
At least half of required CE hours (e.g., 12 of 24) must be classroom or classroom-equivalent instruction.
24 total CE hours per renewal term, including 3 ethics hours.
Licensees with 20+ years of continuous licensure and full CE compliance history may qualify for a CE exemption; extensions are available for medical, military, or hardship circumstances.
| Line | Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| County Mutual | 10 | — |
| Life Insurance Not Exceeding $25,000 | 10 | — |
| Limited Lines | 10 | — |
| Funeral Prearrangement | 0 | — |
For agencies and non-residents
Agencies, appointments & DRLP
Texas requires a separate business entity (agency) license, filed via Form FIN507 through InsureTrek for a $50 fee. Every agency must name at least one Designated Responsible Licensed Producer (DRLP) — an officer or active partner holding the relevant Texas general lines license — and identify all executive officers, directors, and controlling persons administering its Texas operations. Agencies must also register with the Texas Secretary of State and show proof of financial responsibility (bond or E&O).
Insurers must file agent appointments with TDI before any transactions occur, under Texas Insurance Code § 4001.201. Carriers file appointments electronically.
Appointments — Deadlines: For-cause appointment terminations are governed by Ins. Code § 4001.206 and filed with TDI on Form FIN501.
Managing DRLPs across states? See how InsureTrek handles it →
Non-residents
Texas uses a reciprocity model: if your resident state is in good standing and grants Texas residents reciprocal treatment, Texas waives the exam, CE, criminal history, and fingerprint requirements for comparable lines of authority. Non-residents apply the same way as residents, through InsureTrek, for the same $50 fee. Adjuster applications are the exception — they aren't processed through NIPR for Texas. Non-residents whose home state doesn't license adjusters at all can apply for Texas's "Designated Home State – All Lines" adjuster license.
Apply for a non-resident Texas license through InsureTrek, plus the state fee.
Official resources
- Texas Department of Insurance — licensing
- DOI phone: 512-676-6500
Terms used on this page
Sources & disclaimer
This guide is informational and summarizes publicly available state and NIPR licensing rules as of 2026-08-21. Requirements change — verify current rules with the Texas Department of Insurance or NIPR before you rely on anything here.
Official NIPR reseller · Applications filed through InsureTrek are submitted via NIPR.
- Pearson VUE – Texas insurance exams — accessed 2026-08-19
- TDI – Adjuster (All Lines) application — accessed 2026-08-19
- TDI – Agent and Adjuster Licensing — accessed 2026-08-19
- TDI – Agent CE requirements — accessed 2026-08-19
- TDI – Agent licensing FAQ — accessed 2026-08-19
- TDI – Appointments and terminations — accessed 2026-08-19
- TDI – Designated Home State adjuster application — accessed 2026-08-19
- TDI – Fingerprinting process — accessed 2026-08-19
- TDI – General Lines Life/A&H/HMO application — accessed 2026-08-19
- TDI – General Lines P&C application — accessed 2026-08-19
- TDI – Licensing notices — accessed 2026-08-19
- TDI – Managing General Agent application — accessed 2026-08-19
- TDI – Prelicensing rules — accessed 2026-08-19
- TDI – Reciprocity — accessed 2026-08-19
FAQs
How much does it cost to get an insurance license in Texas?
TDI's application fee is $50 for most agent and adjuster license types. On top of that you'll pay Pearson VUE exam fees and IdentoGO fingerprinting fees; TDI doesn't publish those amounts itself, so check current pricing directly with each vendor before budgeting.
Do I need a prelicensing course before I can sit for the Texas exam?
For most agent lines — general lines P&C, general lines life/A&H/HMO, and life agent — TDI's application pages only require passing the exam, not a prelicensing course. The main exceptions are the temporary 180-day general lines license (40 hours of training) and adjusters using the exam-exemption path (a 40-hour approved course).
Where do I take the Texas insurance licensing exam?
Texas uses Pearson VUE as its exam vendor. Register and review the candidate handbook at pearsonvue.com/us/en/tx/insurance.html.
How do I look up or verify a Texas insurance license?
Use TDI's agent lookup tool at tdi.texas.gov/agent/agent-lookup.html to verify an individual or agency license.
How long does it take to get licensed in Texas?
TDI states that most complete applications process within one business day once submitted. Your total timeline also depends on how quickly you can schedule your Pearson VUE exam and complete IdentoGO fingerprinting, neither of which TDI puts a firm number on.
Can I get a Texas non-resident license without retaking the exam?
Yes, if your resident state is in good standing and grants Texas residents reciprocal treatment. Texas then waives the exam, CE, criminal history, and fingerprint requirements for comparable lines of authority — you still apply and pay the $50 fee through InsureTrek.
How much continuing education do I need, and how often do I renew?
Texas licenses run on a 2-year cycle expiring on the last day of your birth month. Most lines require 24 CE hours per cycle, including 3 ethics hours, with at least half completed in classroom or classroom-equivalent format. County mutual, limited lines, and life-under-$25,000 licenses need only 10 hours; funeral prearrangement licenses need none.
What happens if I miss my Texas CE deadline?
You get a 90-day grace period to complete deficient CE, but TDI charges a $50 fine per deficient hour. Miss that window and your license is inactivated, requiring you to reapply.
See how InsureTrek handles Texas licensing at scale.
Renewals, CE, and appointments tracked across every state your producers write in.