How to Get Your Texas Life & Health Insurance License Step by Step

Getting your Texas insurance license is one of the best career moves you can make — and the process is more straightforward than most people think. The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) has a clear path. You just need to follow it in the right order.

Here's exactly how it works.

Step 1: Complete Your Prelicense Education

Before you can sit for the exam, Texas requires you to complete 40 hours of state-approved prelicense education for Life, Health, or Life & Health combined. This can be done online at your own pace, which means you can fit it around your current schedule.

Your coursework covers the concepts you'll be tested on — policy types, state laws, insurance regulations, and ethics. Don't rush this part. The stronger your foundation here, the easier the exam becomes.

Step 2: Pass the Texas Insurance Exam

Once your prelicense hours are complete, you'll register for the state exam through Pearson VUE, TDI's official exam administrator. The Life exam has 80 questions, the Health exam has 60, and the passing score is 70%.

You'll take the exam at a Pearson VUE testing center. Bring a valid government-issued ID. Results are given immediately after you finish.

Step 3: Get Fingerprinted

Texas requires fingerprinting for all insurance license applicants. You'll complete this through IdentoGO, which handles fingerprinting for TDI. You can schedule your appointment online. This is a background check requirement — it runs through both state and federal databases.

You can complete fingerprinting before or after your exam, but it must be done before your license is issued.

Step 4: Submit Your License Application

After passing your exam, apply for your license through Sircon or NIPR — both are TDI-approved online portals. The application fee is $50. TDI will review your application, confirm your exam results and fingerprint clearance, and issue your license.

Step 5: Get Appointed by a Carrier

Your license alone doesn't allow you to sell. You need to be appointed by an insurance company before you can write policies. Most carriers handle this once you've been hired or contracted with them.

How Long Does the Whole Process Take?

From start to finish, most people complete the Texas licensing process in 4 to 8 weeks, depending on how quickly they finish their prelicense course and schedule their exam.

5 Frequently Asked Questions

• Do I need a college degree to get a Texas insurance license? No. There's no degree requirement. You just need to be at least 18 years old and complete the required prelicense education.
• Can I take the prelicense course online? Yes. Texas allows fully online prelicense education, so you can study on your own schedule.
• What happens if I fail the exam? You can retake it. Texas allows multiple attempts, though each retake requires a new registration fee. There's a waiting period between attempts.
• Is my Texas license valid in other states? Texas has reciprocity agreements with many states, meaning you may be able to get licensed in other states without retaking the full exam. Check TDI's reciprocity list for specifics.
• How long is my Texas insurance license valid? Your license is valid for 2 years. You'll need to complete continuing education (CE) hours before renewing.

Start Your Texas Insurance Career the Right Way

At JustInsurance, our Texas prelicense course is built to get you exam-ready — not just to meet the 40-hour requirement. Our content is state-specific, up to date, and designed so you actually understand what you're learning.

Ready to get started? Enroll in our Texas prelicense course today and take the first step toward your license.