How Do I Get an Insurance License in Texas?

Depending on what type of insurance agent you want to be or what types of policies you need to sell, you will need to choose what type or types of insurance licenses you need to get. After you’ve determined which licenses you need, it’s time to begin studying for the Texas insurance exams. The next step after completing all of your pre-license coursework or self-study is to take the insurance exam. You will take one exam for each line of insurance you wish to carry. Life & Health and Property & Casualty lines are two combined lines in Texas, so you will take two exams if you wish to attain all of these lines of authority. Texas requires that all insurance license applications provide fingerprints prior to licensing. Giving your fingerprints will initiate a background check. If you have any prior misdemeanors or felonies, this may affect the outcome of your licensing efforts. Once you have completed your exams and fingerprinting, you are now ready to apply for your license. If you have more than one line of authority that you have passed the exam for, be sure to apply for all of those lines. Once you have submitted your application and have filled all the other requirements, your license application will be reviewed by the state. Your background check will also be reviewed. For more information, call the Texas Department of Insurance at 512-676-6500 or email the Insurance Department.

How Do I Get a State Adjuster License in Texas?

Step one is to take and pass the Texas Insurance Adjuster License exams. The State of Texas requires that all insurance license applications provide fingerprints prior to licensing. If you have specific questions regarding things that may come up on your background check you may call the Texas Department of Insurance at (512) 676-6500 or send them an email. Once you have completed your exams and fingerprinting, you are now ready to apply for your license. Once you have submitted your application and have completed all the other requirements, your license application will be reviewed by the state. This process generally takes about two to five (2-5) weeks. Depending on the results of your background check, the Department of Insurance may request more information or documentation.

How do I renew my insurance license in Texas?

To keep your license in good standing in the state of Texas, you must take twenty-four (24) credit hours of continuing education every two years. Two (2) credit hours must be in ethics or consumer protection. Note that at least twelve (12) of your CE credits must be taken in a classroom. After you have completed your continuing education, you may renew your Texas insurance license online via the <a href="https://www.nipr.com/license_form.htm">National Insurance Producer Registry</a> (NIPR). <a href="https://agentsync.io">AgentSync</a> can also help with the renewal process. The renewal fee is $50. The late fee is $25.

How do I renew my non-resident insurance license in Texas?

In most cases, if you have a non-resident license, you don’t need to take continuing education courses through the state of Texas. Non-Resident Renewal (NRR) is tracked by a unique invoice number. Applicants cannot renew earlier than Ninety (90) days prior to the license expiration date for an active line of authority. Two (2) year licenses expire on individual birth months and dates. There is a fee of $50 to renew your license in Texas. <a href="https://agentsync.io">AgentSync</a> can also help with the renewal process.

How Do I renew My Non-Resident Adjuster License in Texas?

A Non-Resident Adjuster License shall remain in effect for a period of two years. Renewal is on the last day of your birth month. In the State of Texas, renewing (or gaining) a Non-Resident Adjuster License requires the following: $50.00 payable to Texas Department of Insurance (or digitally paid via the NIPR) Equivalent license must be held in your resident state. Sign & Notarize application. In most cases, if you have a non-resident license, you don’t need to take continuing education courses through the state of Texas. However, you should always confirm this before assuming that it is the case, as some states do not have reciprocity with Texas – which ultimately means an additional 24 hours of CE is required each renewal period. For more information, contact the Texas Department of Insurance.

How Do I Renew My Adjuster License In Texas?

Once you have your license, you’ll need to complete some additional steps every few years to keep it active. Resident Texas adjusters are required to complete 24 hours of continuing education (CE) every two years to renew their license. Of these 24 hours, you are required to complete a total of twenty-four (24) hours of continuing education (CE), including two (2) hours of ethics coursework, to upkeep your adjuster license. Please note: For licenses expiring on or after September 30, 2022, the CE requirement for ethics will increase from two hours to three hours per license. There is an $50 fee to renew your Texas adjuster license. You can renew your Texas adjuster license online through an application on NIPR’s website. For more information, contact the Texas Department of Insurance.

Texas

state commissioner

Cassie Brown

STATE email

license@tdi.texas.gov

STATE phone

(512) 676-6500

STATE LICENSE DIVISION ADDRESS

Texas Department of Insurance

Visit State Website

Appointments & Terminations

Required to report appointments?

Yes

Permits Just-in-time (JIT) appointments?

Yes

Initial appointment deadlines

Within 30 days of appointment effective date

Initial appointment deadline rule

JIT appointments permitted. Appointments must be submitted within 30 days of the appointment effective date, which is determined by the carrier and listed on the appointment form

Can be processed via nipr?

Yes

Fees for appointing a resident agency or individual?

$10

Fees for appointing a non resident agency or individual?

$10

Appoint agencies?

Yes

Agency appointment covers affiliated producers?

Adjuster appointments via NIPR?

Appointment effective date can be specified?

Appointment effective date rule

Not required and is the date the transaction is processed by the state.

State requires appointment renewal?

No, perpetual

Appointment renewal fee

No fees

Terminations processed via NIPR?

Yes

Termination reasons

Cancelled

Termination date can be specified by carrier?

Termination Effective date rule

Not required and is the date the transaction is processed by the state. Must not precede the effective date of the appointment.

Termination fee

No fee

Licensing

Initial individual new license fee

Resident New License General Lines Agent: $50 Resident New License Personal Lines Property & Casualty Agent: $50 Resident New License Life/Accident & Health Agent: $50 Resident New License Surplus Lines Broker: $50 Non Resident New License General Lines Agent : $50 Non Resident New License Personal Lines Property & Casualty Agent: $50 Non Resident New License Life/Accident & Health Agent $50.00 Non Resident New License Surplus Lines Broker $50.00

License renewal fee

Resident: General Lines Agent Renewal Fee: $50 Late Renewal Fee: $75 Personal Lines Property & Casualty Agent Renewal Fee: $50 Late Renewal Fee: $75 Life Agent Renewal Fee: $50 Late Renewal Fee: $75 Surplus Lines Agent Renewal Fee: $50 Late Renewal Fee: $75 Managing General Agent Renewal Fee: $50 Late Renewal Fee: $75 Limited Lines Agent Renewal Fee: $50 Late Renewal Fee: $75 Nonresident: General Lines Agent Renewal Fee: $50 Late Renewal Fee: $75 Personal Lines Property & Casualty Agent Renewal Fee: $50 Late Renewal Fee: $75 Life Agent Renewal Fee: $50 Late Renewal Fee: $74 Surplus Lines Agent Renewal Fee: $50 Late Renewal Fee: $75 Managing General Agent Renewal Fee: $50 Late Renewal Fee: $75 Limited Lines Agent Renewal Fee: $50 Late Renewal Fee: $75

When does the resident individual producer license renewal period begin?

90 days before expiration

What is the resident individual producer license renewal date?

Last day of birth month every 2 years based on year of first state license issue

Late renewal or reinstatement period for resident individual producer license?

Late renewal allowed up to 89 days after expiration

When does the nonresident individual producer license renewal period begin?

90 days before expiration

What is the nonresident individual producer license renewal date?

Last day of birth month every 2 years based on year of first state license issue

Late renewal or reinstatement period for nonresident individual producer license?

Late renewal allowed up to 89 days after expiration

Can a producer use a P.O. Box in their resident or business address?

Are individuals required to list their county as part of the address?

What addresses are required for individual license maintenance?

Residence, Business, and Mailing

State individual licenses include

Escrow Officer, Life Insurance Not Exceeding $25,000, Public Insurance Adjuster Trainee, Casualty, Solicitor, Public Insurance Adjuster, Life, Premium Finance, Trainee License, Temporary General Line - L&H Agent, Temporary Life Insurance Not Exceeding $25,000, Joint Underwriting Association, Personal Lines P&C Agent/Agency, Temporary Life, Temporary Personal Lines Property and Casualty, Life Settlement Brokers, General Lines Agency/Agent, Limited Lines Agency/Agent, Managing General Agency/Agent, Reinsurance Broker, Reinsurance Manager, Surplus Lines Agency/Agent, Specialty Insurance Agency/Agent, Life And Health Insurance Counselor, Pre-Need Agent, Adjuster, Discount Healthcare Program Operator Registration, Fire and Casualty, Adjuster - Designated Home State Texas, Foreign Risk Retention Groups, Single Service Health Main Organization, Trusteed Life Reinsurer, Viatical Life Settlement Brokers, Third Party Administrators, Risk Manager, Insurance Service Representative, Life Agent/Agency, Limited Lines Agent/Agency, County Mutual Agent/Agency, Temporary County Mutual Agent, Temporary General Lines - Emergency Adjuster, Temporary General Lines P/C Agent, Temporary Pre Need Agent

State broker license rule

Included in Producer License Class. Insurers are not required to appoint Brokers per NAIC PLMA

Requires pre licensing courses?

Fingerprints Required?

Yes, for Resident Licensing

Fingerprint Submission Details

Required with Application - IdentoGO

Where to apply for resident license?

NIPR Gateway

What Transactions are Retaliatory Fees Applied to?

None

Submit Partial License Renewals through NIPR?

Has Personal Lines LOA?

Personal Lines Property & Casualty

Deadline to report personal data changes (address, name change, phone number, etc.)

Every licensee must notify the Department monthly of a change in the licensee's mailing address. Contact Change Request supported via NIPR Gateway.

Agency

Can a sole proprietor be licensed as an entity?

DRLP must have active state license

Yes

DRLPs must cumulatively cover all LOAs in application

Yes

Agency Licensing renewals

90 days prior to expiration date until the expiration date. Late renewals end 89 days after the expiration date. The reinstatement period begins 91 days after the expiration date.

Agency License required?

Yes

Affiliations: Indicates if producers selling on behalf of/through an entity must be formally affiliated with that entity and if the entity must notify the department of changes

All producers selling on behalf of or through a business entity are affiliated.

Branch office

License not required but branch must be registered

Adjuster

Requires adjuster license?

Yes

Offers designated home state?

Yes

DHS exam required?

Yes

Reciprocity states

AK, AL, AR, AZ, CT, DE, FL, GA, ID, IN, KY, LA, ME, MI, MN, MS, MT, NC, NH, NM, NV, OK, OR, RI, SC, UT, VT, WA, WV, WY

Which states require an exam for reciprocity?

CA, HI, NY, PR

Independent adjuster LOAS

All Lines

Independent adjuster fees

Licensing Fee: $50 Reinstatement Fee: $75 Renewal Fee: $50 Late Fee: $25

Independent adjuster exam required?

Yes

Independent adjuster renewal date

Biennially, on the individual's birth date. If born in an even numbered year, your license will renew in even numbered years. Odd numbered years renew in odd numbered years.

Independent adjuster details

A fingerprint background check is required. If you are a non resident with an active license in your home state, you can apply for this license.

Emergency adjuster details

There is no exam required for the Emergency Adjuster license in TX. One requires sponsorship from an individual with an active TX license or an insurance company licensed in TX. Application fee is $20 and the license lasts 90 days.

Continuing Education

Total hours per renewal period

Renewal period

2 years

License renewal date is

Last day of birth month

License renewal year based on...

Year of first license issuance

When is the CE due?

Prior to license expiration.

Exemptions to CE

If you’ve held your license for more than 20 years with no breaks greater than 90 days and the license is held under the Texas Insurance Code, then you don’t need to worry about CE.

What if a producer missed the renewal date?

Licensee has 90 days to complete the deficient number of hours and pay a fine of $50 per deficient hour.

Ethics requirements

3 hours ethics and consumer protection

Flood-specific CE requirements

3 hours of NFIP course

LTC-specific CE requirements

8-hour initial certification, with 4 hours of LTC-specific training every two years

Annuity-specific CE requirements

One-time, 4-hour course; 8 hours every renewal cycle

For more from agentsync

https://agentsync.io/blog/individual-producers/insurance-continuing-education-texas

Regulatory Updates

Texas Issues Bulletin Related to Insurance Legislation Enacted

On August 31, 2023, Texas issued a bulletin describing insurance legislation enacted during their 88th Legislature, Regular Session, 2023. See attachment for full details.

Texas Issued Commissioner’s Bulletin Regarding Reporting of Cybersecurity Incidents

On July 18, 2023, Texas issued a Commissioner’s Bulletin to lay out the requirements for reporting of Cybersecurity Incidents by Insurance Carriers in the state. See attachment for full details.

Texas Made Changes Related to Navigators and Home Office Salaried Employees

TX made the following changes effective June 19, 2023 for Residents and Non Residents. Deleted navigator registration and pre licensing requirements for individuals and organizations. Deleted full-time home office salaried employee information from individual license requirements.

Texas Requirements for Agents Offering Windstorm and Hail

For Residents and Non-Residents 2023 TX S.B. 2232(NS) (Effective 9/1/2023) - INDIVIDUAL NONRESIDENT LICENSE REQUIREMENTS: GENERAL REQUIREMENTS - Added requirements for agents offering windstorm and hail insurance policies issued by the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association.

Texas Fingerprint Service Code Request Requirement

For Residents and Non-Residents 28 TX ADC s 1.504 (Effective 4/16/2023) - Per 2023 TX REG TEXT 632910(NS) - INDIVIDUAL NONRESIDENT LICENSE REQUIREMENTS: FINGERPRINTS - Added fingerprint service code request requirements.28 TX ADC s 1.509 (Effective 4/16/2023) - Per 2023 TX REG TEXT 632910(NS) - INDIVIDUAL NONRESIDENT LICENSE REQUIREMENTS: FINGERPRINTS - a) Revised the entities that may capture fingerprints and fingerprinting process information. b) Deleted option to have fingerprints captured by the "department's examination vendor." c) Deleted information discussing methods for obtaining fingerprint cards. 28 TX ADC s 19.1602 (Effective 4/16/2023) - Per 2023 TX REG TEXT 632911(NS) - DISCOUNT MEDICAL PLAN ORGANIZATIONS: GENERAL REQUIREMENTS - Revised the Department contact information and methods for submitting the registration form.

Texas Proposes Amendments to Licensees with Criminal History

The Texas Department of Insurance proposes amending 28 TAC §1.502, concerning licensing persons with criminal history. These amendments update the section for consistency with Occupations Code §§53.021, 53.022, and 53.023, amended by House Bill 1342, 86th Legislature, 2019. See attachment for full details.

Texas DOI Potential Amendments and Repeals

Texas has proposed several amendments and repeals to the Texas Administrative Code’s Licensing and Regulation of Insurance Professionals Chapter

Texas Department of Insurance Requests Info for the HelpInsure Website

The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) requests for information to help the HelpInsure site. This site is a resource for consumers in TX that are looking to purchase personal auto or residential property insurance. Responses are due by July 22, 2022.

Texas Releases Bulletin on Uvalde School Shooting and Health Benefit Plan Guidance

On May 27, 2022, a disaster declaration was issued in response to the Robb Elementary School shooting and tragedy. In response, the governor authorized the use of all available state and local government resources to cope with the disaster. The Texas Department of Insurance encourages health benefit plans to consider covering and reimbursing for mental health services and authorize payment to pharmacies for up to a 90-day supply of prescription medications regardless of last fill date.

Texas 2021 Disallowed Expenses Data Call

A mandatory "disallowed expenses" data call for the 2021 calendar year was issued by Texas. This call applies to licensed companies that wrote premium for: fire, allied lines, private crop, farm owners multiple peril, homeowners multiple peril, commercial multiple peril, inland marine, medical malpractice, other general liability, products liability, private passenger automobile, commercial automobile, fidelity, or surety. The document must be filled out and returned by July 8.

Texas Issues Data Call in Catastrophe Area

This announcement is applicable to companies writing commercial property or business owners insurance in Texas.

FAQs

How Do I Get an Insurance License in Texas?

Depending on what type of insurance agent you want to be or what types of policies you need to sell, you will need to choose what type or types of insurance licenses you need to get. After you’ve determined which licenses you need, it’s time to begin studying for the Texas insurance exams. The next step after completing all of your pre-license coursework or self-study is to take the insurance exam. You will take one exam for each line of insurance you wish to carry. Life & Health and Property & Casualty lines are two combined lines in Texas, so you will take two exams if you wish to attain all of these lines of authority.

Texas requires that all insurance license applications provide fingerprints prior to licensing. Giving your fingerprints will initiate a background check. If you have any prior misdemeanors or felonies, this may affect the outcome of your licensing efforts. Once you have completed your exams and fingerprinting, you are now ready to apply for your license. If you have more than one line of authority that you have passed the exam for, be sure to apply for all of those lines. Once you have submitted your application and have filled all the other requirements, your license application will be reviewed by the state. Your background check will also be reviewed.

For more information, call the Texas Department of Insurance at 512-676-6500 or email the Insurance Department.
How Do I Get a State Adjuster License in Texas?

Step one is to take and pass the Texas Insurance Adjuster License exams. The State of Texas requires that all insurance license applications provide fingerprints prior to licensing. If you have specific questions regarding things that may come up on your background check you may call the Texas Department of Insurance at (512) 676-6500 or send them an email. Once you have completed your exams and fingerprinting, you are now ready to apply for your license. Once you have submitted your application and have completed all the other requirements, your license application will be reviewed by the state. This process generally takes about two to five (2-5) weeks. Depending on the results of your background check, the Department of Insurance may request more information or documentation.
How do I renew my insurance license in Texas?

To keep your license in good standing in the state of Texas, you must take twenty-four (24) credit hours of continuing education every two years. Two (2) credit hours must be in ethics or consumer protection. Note that at least twelve (12) of your CE credits must be taken in a classroom.

After you have completed your continuing education, you may renew your Texas insurance license online via the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR). AgentSync can also help with the renewal process.

The renewal fee is $50. The late fee is $25.
How do I renew my non-resident insurance license in Texas?

In most cases, if you have a non-resident license, you don’t need to take continuing education courses through the state of Texas.

Non-Resident Renewal (NRR) is tracked by a unique invoice number. Applicants cannot renew earlier than Ninety (90) days prior to the license expiration date for an active line of authority. Two (2) year licenses expire on individual birth months and dates.

There is a fee of $50 to renew your license in Texas. AgentSync can also help with the renewal process.
How Do I renew My Non-Resident Adjuster License in Texas?

A Non-Resident Adjuster License shall remain in effect for a period of two years. Renewal is on the last day of your birth month. In the State of Texas, renewing (or gaining) a Non-Resident Adjuster License requires the following:
$50.00 payable to Texas Department of Insurance (or digitally paid via the NIPR)
Equivalent license must be held in your resident state.
Sign & Notarize application.

In most cases, if you have a non-resident license, you don’t need to take continuing education courses through the state of Texas. However, you should always confirm this before assuming that it is the case, as some states do not have reciprocity with Texas – which ultimately means an additional 24 hours of CE is required each renewal period.

For more information, contact the Texas Department of Insurance.
How Do I Renew My Adjuster License In Texas?

Once you have your license, you’ll need to complete some additional steps every few years to keep it active. Resident Texas adjusters are required to complete 24 hours of continuing education (CE) every two years to renew their license.
Of these 24 hours, you are required to complete a total of twenty-four (24) hours of continuing education (CE), including two (2) hours of ethics coursework, to upkeep your adjuster license.

Please note: For licenses expiring on or after September 30, 2022, the CE requirement for ethics will increase from two hours to three hours per license.

There is an $50 fee to renew your Texas adjuster license. You can renew your Texas adjuster license online through an application on NIPR’s website.

For more information, contact the Texas Department of Insurance.