
To become a life insurance agent in Texas, you'll need to meet the state's licensing requirements.
You must be at least 18 years old to apply for a life insurance license in Texas.
The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) requires you to complete a pre-licensing education course approved by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).
This course typically covers topics such as life insurance policies, annuities, and ethics.
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Becoming a Life Agent
To become a life agent in Texas, you'll need to complete a Texas Insurance Pre-license Course, which costs $149 or more. This course is a requirement to take the Texas Life Insurance Licensing Exam.
The licensing exam itself costs $33 and is administered by Pearson VUE. You'll also need to get a Fingerprint-Based Background Check, which will set you back $39.70.
After passing the exam, you'll need to complete a Texas Life Insurance License Application, which comes with a $50 application fee. This can be done through Sircon or the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR).
Here are the steps to become a life agent in Texas:
- Complete a Texas Insurance Pre-license Course
- Take the Texas Life Insurance Licensing Exam
- Get a Fingerprint-Based Background Check
- Complete a Texas Life Insurance License Application
- Watch for Your Application Results
Licensing Process

To become a licensed life insurance agent in Texas, you'll need to complete a prep course and study independently, then take the Texas life insurance exam.
The exam is administered by Pearson VUE and consists of 80 scored questions, divided into two sections: general and state-specific.
You'll have 120 minutes to complete the exam, which costs $33 and must be paid at the time of reservation by credit card, debit card, or voucher.
Take the Licensing Exam
You'll need to take the Texas life insurance exam after completing a prep course and your own studying.
The exam is administered by Pearson VUE and has a total of 80 scored questions, divided into two sections: general and state-specific.
You'll have 120 minutes to complete the exam, which costs $33 and must be paid 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 fail the exam, you can schedule a retake as soon as 24 hours after your first attempt, with no limit to the number of attempts you can make.
Keep Your Valid

You've got to stay on top of your continuing education to keep your license valid. In Texas, you need to complete 24 hours of CE every two years to renew your license and keep it in good standing. You must also pay a $50 fine for every hour you fail to complete on time, up to a maximum of $500 per license. It's a good idea to complete your required CE hours at least 30 days before your license expires to avoid delays.
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Preparation
To become a life insurance agent in Texas, you'll need to prepare for the licensing exam. Completing a Texas Insurance Pre-license Course is a crucial step in this process.
Most insurance professionals opt to take a pre-license education course online, which 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. These courses will give you a solid understanding of your duties as a life insurance agent.
Taking a pre-license education course can increase your chances of passing the exam on your first try. Over 81% of our readers use Kaplan's online courses, which come with a 93% pass rate.
Here are some key topics you'll learn in a pre-license education course:
- Insurance Basics
- Life Insurance Basics
- Health Insurance Basics
- Types of Life Insurance Policies
- Types of Retirement Plans & Annuities
- Types of Health Insurance Policies
- Policy Provisions, Riders, and Taxation
- Texas State Law Insurance
Sales and Application
Becoming a life insurance agent in Texas requires meeting the state's licensing requirements, which include passing a pre-licensing course and a licensing exam. You'll need to complete 780 hours of training and pass a state exam to get your license.
To apply for a life insurance license in Texas, you'll need to submit your application through the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR) or the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) website. You'll need to pay a fee, which varies depending on the state, and provide required documentation.
Once you've passed the licensing exam and completed the application, you'll be issued a life insurance license, which is valid for two years and requires continuing education to maintain.
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Application

To apply for a life insurance license in Texas, you'll need to submit your application online via Sircon or the NIPR. The application fee is $50, and you must apply within 12 months of passing the exam.
You can find the application process on the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) website, where you'll also find information on the insurance licensing requirements as defined under the Texas Insurance Code and Texas Administrative Code.
To complete your application, you'll need to provide any supporting documents and send them to [email protected]. If you have any questions, you can also email them to this address.
You can print your license from the Sircon or NIPR website, and it's free to create an account or print a license. If you don't remember your license number, you can use Sircon's Customer Inquiry tool to find it.
Here's a step-by-step guide to the application process:
- Submit your completed license application within 12 months of passing the exam.
- Apply online via Sircon or the NIPR.
- Pay the $50 application fee.
- Provide any supporting documents and send them to [email protected].
Choose a Sales Method
Choosing a sales method is a crucial decision that can impact your career as a sales agent. You'll have to decide whether to work as a captive agent or an independent agent.

Working as a captive agent, employed by one company, can be beneficial for those just starting out. This option provides structure and support, which can be especially helpful for newcomers to the industry.
Ultimately, the choice between working as a captive agent or an independent agent depends on your personal aspirations and opportunities.
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Laws and Requirements
To become a life insurance agent in Texas, you'll need to familiarize yourself with the laws and requirements outlined in the Texas Insurance Code.
The Texas Insurance Code, specifically sections 4054.301, 4001.151 to 4001.153, and 4001.160(a), contains the laws about the life agent license.
You can find the detailed requirements for obtaining a life agent license in these sections of the code.
The Texas Insurance Code provides a comprehensive framework for life insurance agents to operate within the state.
You'll need to stay up-to-date on these laws to ensure compliance and maintain your license.
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Temporary and Producer
To become a life insurance agent in Texas, you'll need to navigate the temporary and producer requirements. A one-time 180-day temporary license is offered for a life agent license, which is issued only once and cannot be renewed.
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The application fee for a temporary license is $150, and you'll need to apply through the Sircon website. You must also scan and attach the Appointment certification for a temporary license (Form FIN700) to the Sircon application.
To qualify for a permanent license, you'll need to take at least 40 hours of training, which must be completed before the temporary license expires. Here's a breakdown of the required training hours for different lines of authority:
Note that some lines of authority have specific requirements, such as holding a "Life" line of authority and passing certain securities examinations. Be sure to review the requirements carefully to ensure you're meeting the necessary conditions.
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Temporary
If you're looking to become a licensed life agent, you'll want to know about the temporary license option. A one-time 180-day temporary license is available, which can be issued only once and cannot be renewed.
The application fee for a temporary license is $150, and it provides you with both a temporary and a permanent license application. This fee is non-refundable, so make sure you're ready to move forward with the process.
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To apply for a temporary license, you'll need to use the Sircon website. You'll also need to scan and attach the Appointment certification for a temporary license (Form FIN700) to the Sircon application.
You'll need to take at least 40 hours of training, which must meet the requirements for a permanent license. This is a crucial step in becoming a licensed life agent, and it's essential to complete the training before applying for a permanent license.
Here are the key details about the temporary license:
- A one-time 180-day temporary license is issued only once and cannot be renewed.
- The application fee is $150.
- Apply using the Sircon website and attach the Appointment certification for a temporary license (Form FIN700).
- Take at least 40 hours of training that meets the requirements for a permanent license.
Producer
To become a producer, you'll need to complete a pre-licensing course of study for the lines of authority you're interested in. This will help you prepare for your state exam and get you licensed to sell insurance.
The pre-licensing courses for different lines of authority vary in length, but they're all designed to give you a solid foundation in insurance principles. For example, the Life line of authority requires a 20 hour course on Life Insurance or a 40 hour course on Life & Health Insurance.
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Here are the specific pre-licensing course requirements for each line of authority:
- Life: 20 hour course on Life Insurance or 40 hour course on Life & Health Insurance
- Accident & Health or Sickness (Disability): 20 hour course on Health Insurance or 40 hour course on Life & Health Insurance
- Combined Life / Accident & Health or Sickness (Disability): 40 hour course on Life & Health Insurance
- Variable Life and Variable Annuity Products: exempt from pre-licensing course and examination, but requires existing Life line of authority and securities exams
It's worth noting that some lines of authority have more stringent requirements than others, so be sure to check the specific requirements for the one you're interested in.
Life Insurance
To become a life insurance agent in Texas, you need to follow a straightforward process. Obtaining your Texas life insurance license isn't difficult, just follow these five steps. Once you earn this license, you can also pursue your Texas property and casualty (P&C) license.
The first step is to meet the basic requirements for a life insurance license in Texas. You must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or equivalent. You'll also need to submit a fingerprint background check.
To apply for your life insurance license, you'll need to complete a pre-licensing course and pass a licensing exam. The pre-licensing course will cover topics such as life insurance policies, underwriting, and ethics. You can find a list of approved pre-licensing course providers on the Texas Department of Insurance website.
After completing your pre-licensing course, you'll be eligible to take the licensing exam. The exam will test your knowledge of life insurance policies, underwriting, and ethics. You'll need to score at least 70% to pass the exam.
Once you've passed the licensing exam, you'll need to submit your application to the Texas Department of Insurance. You'll need to provide proof of completing your pre-licensing course and passing the licensing exam. You'll also need to pay the licensing fee.
After your application is approved, you'll be issued your life insurance license. You can then start working as a life insurance agent in Texas.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do life insurance agents make in Texas?
Life insurance agents in Texas earn an average annual salary of $82,888, translating to approximately $39.85 per hour. This rate can vary based on factors such as experience and performance.
Is it hard to make money as a life insurance agent?
Making a good income as a life insurance agent is challenging, with about 80% of agents failing within the first few years and another 80% not earning much. However, the remaining 4% can achieve significant success, earning over $1 million per year.
Sources
- https://www.tdi.texas.gov/agent/life-agent-apply.html
- https://staterequirement.com/become-a-life-insurance-agent/texas-life-insurance-license/
- https://www.newleafexams.com/pages/how-to-obtain-your-texas-life-health-insurance-license
- https://aoischool.com/pre-licensing-state-requirements/texas-state-pre-licensing-requirements/
- https://www.insuranceschooloftexas.com/getting-texas-life-health-insurance-license-2023/
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