How to Become an Insurance Agent in Texas
Do you want to become an insurance agent in Texas? It is a stable job with good pay and flexible hours. You can work for a big company or start your own agency. This guide shows you exactly how to get your license and start selling.
Step 1: Decide Which License You Need
Texas has two main license types for new agents. You can get one or both.
- Life & Health Insurance License– Lets you sell life insurance, health insurance, annuities, and related products.
- Property & Casualty (P&C) License– Lets you sell home insurance, auto insurance, business insurance, and liability coverage.
Many agents get both licenses to serve more clients:
- Not sure which one to pick? Think about what you want to sell.
- Like helping families with life and health plans? Get Life & Health.
- Prefer home, car, or business policies? Get Property & Casualty.
Step 2: Complete a Pre-Licensing Course
Texas law requires you to finish a state-approved pre-licensing course before taking the exam. You cannot just study on your own.
The course covers:
- Insurance basics and terms
- Texas insurance law
- Policy types and coverage
- Ethics and consumer protection
Life & Health pre-licensing course – Covers life insurance, health insurance, annuities, and Medicare.
Property & Casualty pre-licensing course – Covers home, auto, business, and liability policies.
Some providers offer an All-in-One Bundle that includes both licenses. This saves money if you want both.
At Time2Renew, our pre-licensing courses are online, self-paced, and affordable. You can start anytime and learn at your own speed.
Step 3: Pass the Texas Insurance Exam
After finishing your course, you must take the state exam. Pearson VUE runs the exam at testing centers across Texas.
Exam details:
- Life & Health exam: 150 questions, 2.5 hours
- Property & Casualty exam: 150 questions, 2.5 hours
- Passing score: 70% or higher
- Cost: about $50 per exam
You can take the exam at a Pearson VUE test center. Bring your pre-licensing course certificate and a valid photo ID. If you fail, you can retake the exam after 14 days.
Step 4: Get Fingerprinted
Texas requires a background check for all new insurance agents. You must get fingerprinted by an approved vendor. The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) will review your criminal history.
How to do it:
- Schedule a fingerprint appointment online through IdentoGO
- Pay the fee (about $50)
- Bring your confirmation number and ID
Most people pass the background check without any problem. If you have past convictions, TDI will review your case individually.
Step 5: Apply for Your License
After you pass the exam and finish the fingerprint check, you can apply for your license online. You can use NIPR or Sircon.
You will need:
- Your exam score report
- Fingerprint confirmation
- Course completion certificates
- Payment for the license fee ($50 per license)
The application takes about 15 minutes. Most licenses are approved within 3 to 5 business days.
How Much Does It Cost to Become an Agent?
Here is a rough breakdown of costs:
| Cost Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Pre-licensing course (one license) | $49 – $140 |
| All-in-One Bundle (both licenses) | $80 – $200 |
| Exam fee (per exam) | $50 |
| Fingerprinting | $50 |
| License application (per license) | $50 |
| Total for one license | $200 – $300 |
| Total for both licenses | $300 – $400 |
The biggest cost difference comes from the pre-licensing course. At Time2Renew, we price our Life & Health and Property & Casualty courses affordably with no hidden fees.
How Long Does It Take?
| Step | Time |
|---|---|
| Pre-licensing course | 2 – 6 weeks |
| Schedule and take exam | 1 – 2 weeks |
| Fingerprinting | 1 week |
| License application | 3 – 5 days |
| Total | 1 – 2 months |
You can go faster if you study full-time. Some people finish in 3 weeks.
What Can You Do After Getting Licensed?
Once you have your license, you can start selling insurance. Many new agents start with a company that provides training and leads. Others open their own agency.
Jobs for licensed agents:
- Work for State Farm, Allstate, Farmers, or Liberty Mutual
- Join a local independent agency
- Become a broker and sell for many companies
- Start your own insurance agency
Average pay in Texas:
- New agent: 40,000–55,000 per year
- Experienced agent: 70,000–100,000 per year
- Top agents: $150,000+ per year
Continuing Education (CE) After You Get Your License
After you get your license, you must complete continuing education (CE) every two years to keep it. Texas requires 24 hours of CE, including 3 hours of ethics.
Popular CE courses for active agents:
- Life & Health Insurance Practice
- Advanced Property & Casualty Claims Handling
- Texas Insurance Law
- Fraud Detection & Claims Investigation
- Emerging Risks & Technology in Insurance
These courses help you stay up to date and serve your clients better. Time2Renew offers all of these as online CE courses.
Common Questions
Do I need a college degree?
No. Texas does not require a degree to become an insurance agent. Anyone 18 or older can get licensed.
Can I take the exam online?
No. The Texas insurance exam must be taken in person at a Pearson VUE testing center.
How hard is the exam?
The exam is not easy, but most people pass with good preparation. The average pass rate is about 65% for first-time test takers. A good pre-licensing course makes a big difference.
How long is my license good for?
Two years. You must renew it every two years by completing CE hours and paying the renewal fee.
Start Your Journey Today
Becoming an insurance agent in Texas is a clear path. You take a course, pass an exam, get fingerprinted, and apply for your license. The work is steady, the pay is good, and you help people protect what matters to them.
At Time2Renew, we make the first step easy. Our pre-licensing courses are state-approved, online, and simple to follow. Whether you want Life & Health, Property & Casualty, or more, we have a course for you.
Start your insurance career with Time2Renew today
About Time2Renew: We help Texans become licensed insurance agents. Our online courses cover continuing education (CE) and pre-licensing (Pre). We are state-approved and affordable.