How to become an insurance agent in Texas:
Pre-exam Education
It is not required, but it is highly recommended so that you can pass the exam(s) the first time and avoid additional exam fees.
Licensing Exam
In the state of Texas, Pearson Vue is the company that administers the licensing exam(s). There are two popular lines of authority where Property and Casualty are grouped together in one exam, and Life, Accident, and Health are grouped together in a separate exam. The total amount of questions, including both exams, is 125. The fee per exam is $62 per attempt. The passing score is 70. There is no limit on the amount of attempts you make per year, but once the exam is passed you have to apply for the license within 12 months of the passing date.
Fingerprinting and Background Check
The state of Texas uses the company, IdentoGo, for their fingerprinting and background check service. Once the fingerprinting service is done then the background check is initiated. Any prior misdemeanors or felonies may delay and/or affect the outcome of the licensure process. The cost for the fingerprinting service is $30.25. Keep the receipt so that it can be given during the application process.
License Application
The application is done online by a host company named, Sircon. You go to the Sircon website and find the application for Texas insurance agents. Apply for all lines of authority that you wish to have. There is an online application fee of $50 plus a transaction fee for each line of authority. This is where they will ask you to upload the fingerprinting receipt to complete the application.
Application Review
The license application and the background check will be reviewed. Once the application has been approved, it takes 3-5 weeks for the license to be issued. An email will be sent to confirm the status of the license.
License Renewal
The license expires every 2 years on your birthdate. For renewal, it is required that 24 hours of continuing education be completed with 2 hours of the time being an Ethics or a Consumer Protection course. At least 12 hours of the education has to be in the classroom. Then you go to the licensing website to initiate the renewal process including a $50 per line of authority fee.
Texas Department of Insurance
Address:
PO Box 149104
Austin, TX 78714-9104
Phone: 512-676-6500
Email : license@tdi.texas.gov
Website: http://www.tdi.texas.gov/insurance