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How to get a General lines - life, accident, health and HMO license in Texas

Texas licenses insurance agents statewide through the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI).1 For the General lines - life, accident, health and HMO license you need a passing score on the General lines - life, accident, health and HMO exam2 and a criminal background check3. The board lists $50 for the application4. You renew every 2 years2 and complete at least 24 hours of continuing education5.

Last checked · 21 official sources

Who issues it

Texas Department of Insurance (TDI)

Exam

General lines - life, accident, health and HMO exam2

Fees the board lists

Application fee: $504

Renewal

Every 2 years2, at least 24 hours of continuing education5

From another state

Reciprocity agreements and Exam waiver46 Details

On this page
  1. Texas insurance agent licenses
  2. Applies to every license level
  3. Who needs a General lines - life, accident, health and HMO license
  4. Requirements for a General lines - life, accident, health and HMO license
  5. Renewal and continuing education
  6. General lines - property and casualty
  7. Personal lines property and casualty
  8. Check a license or report a problem
  9. Laws and rules
  10. Common questions
  11. Insurance agent licenses in other states

Texas insurance agent licenses

Texas issues 3 insurance agent credentials. Each has its own section below; the table shows what each one covers and its headline requirements.

LicenseWhat it coversExamApplication or license fee
General lines - life, accident, health and HMORequired to act as an agent for life, accident and health insurers, HMOs, annuities (fixed or variable) and variable life; the holder may also write the limited LAH lines.7Yes8$504
General lines - property and casualtyRequired to write property and casualty insurance for an authorized P&C insurer; the holder may also write personal lines, limited P&C lines and accident and health for a P&C insurer.9Yes8$5010
Personal lines property and casualtyRequired to write property and casualty insurance sold to individuals and families primarily for personal or household use; may also write personal accident and health for a P&C insurer. Not needed if you hold the general P&C license.9Yes8$5011

Applies to every license level

These rules are the same for several of the Texas insurance agent licenses on this page, so they are shown once here, with the licenses they apply to. Each license's own section lists only what differs.

1. Every license level (all 3)

Requirements

Minimum age
18 years old1
Background check
Background check required3
Fingerprints required41011
Criminal history is reviewed under Ins. Code ch. 4005 subch. C; the application must disclose professional background and criminal history; TDI may deny an application if fingerprints are not provided.1
Residency or citizenship
Resident license for Texas residents; nonresidents apply under Ins. Code ch. 4056 with the same license types and fees.12
Social Security number
Application requires a Social Security number.3

Fees

FeeAmountPaid toNotes
Application fee$5041011TDINot refundable
Additional appointment$1012TDIEach additional insurer appointment (usually paid by the appointing insurer)

Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.

The board's pages we cite do not list the exam fee; check it with the exam provider, Pearson VUE41011, when you schedule.

How to apply

  1. Pass the Texas exam with Pearson VUE (English or Spanish), unless exempt.41011 pearsonvue.com41011
  2. Start on TDI's online application and fingerprint portal to get your service code, then get fingerprinted at IdentoGO and keep the receipt.41011 tdi.texas.gov41011
  3. Apply online through Sircon or NIPR within one year of passing and pay the $50 application fee.41011 sircon.com41011
  4. Get appointed by each insurer you will represent ($10 per additional appointment).1
Apply online
nipr.com41011

Renewal

How often
Every 2 years2
When it expires
Licenses run two years and expire at the end of the birth month (statute: birthday in even or odd years matching the year issued); a first license may be shorter to align with existing licenses.13
Renewal fee
$506
Continuing education
At least 24 hours each renewal period5
Required topics
At least half of the hours must be classroom or classroom-equivalent; no carry-forward of extra hours.5
Approved courses
Courses must be TDI-certified.5
Exemptions
Exempt after 20 years of continuous TDI licensing (since Jan. 1, 2003); nonresidents meeting home-state CE; extensions/exemptions for illness, disability or circumstances beyond control; prorated hours for first terms under two years (none if under six months).14
Late renewal
Late renewal fee: $25151617 (renewal within 90 days after expiry (plus the $50 renewal fee))
Automatic fine for missing continuing education: $5018 (per CE credit hour short, max $500 per license per reporting period)
If it expires
Expired 90 days or less: renew with the renewal fee plus half again and proof of CE. Expired over 90 days but under a year: new application without exam, application fee plus half again. Expired a year or more: apply as new, including re-exam.19

From another state

Route
Reciprocity agreements
What the board says
Nonresidents with a comparable resident license in good standing in a state that licenses Texans on a reciprocal basis get a Texas nonresident license without exam or fingerprints; fees are the same as residents.41011
States on Texas's list
The pages cited here give no list of partner states for this route; the board's words above say who qualifies. Ask the board which states it has agreements with.
Conditions
Nonresidents meeting home-state CE are exempt from Texas CE; a nonresident license is suspended or canceled with the home-state license.20
Fee
$5041011
Route
Exam waiver
What the board says
Agents moving to Texas file their new address within 30 days of the move; the exam is waived for CLU holders (life/health) and CPCU holders (P&C) and for licenses expired under one year.621

2. Every license level except Personal lines property and casualty

Fees

FeeAmountPaid toNotes
Temporary license or permit$10012TDIOne-time 180-day temporary license

How to apply

Temporary or provisional license
Offered for general lines: a one-time, non-renewable 180-day temporary license ($150 total) for someone an agent or insurer is considering for appointment; the sponsor signs Form FIN700 and gives at least 40 hours of training; the exam must be passed within the 180 days. No provisional permit for general lines.410

3. Every license level except General lines - property and casualty

Renewal

Renew online
sircon.com1517

Who needs a General lines - life, accident, health and HMO license

Required to act as an agent for life, accident and health insurers, HMOs, annuities (fixed or variable) and variable life; the holder may also write the limited LAH lines.7

Other rules on who may do this work:

  • Agency (entity) license also $50 and needs a designated responsible licensed producer holding this license, SOS registration and a bond or E&O policy.4
  • A licensee must intend to sell to the general public: at least 25% of premium volume must come from persons and property the applicant does not control.1

Requirements for a General lines - life, accident, health and HMO license

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1, group 2 and group 3 under Applies to every license level.

Exam
General lines - life, accident, health and HMO exam2
Given by: Pearson VUE4
When you can take it: No pre-licensing course is required by TDI for this license; pass the exam before applying (applying first means re-applying and paying again).4
The exam covers the contracts for the license sought, Texas insurance law and agent ethics; offered in English and Spanish.21
Time limit: Apply within one year (12 months) of passing, or retake the exam.4
Exam waived: No exam for CLU holders, for licenses expired under one year (not denied/revoked), or for nonresidents licensed in a reciprocal state.4

Renewal and continuing education

Renewal planner

Enter the expiration date printed on your Texas General lines - life, accident, health and HMO license. The count is worked out on your device from today's date; nothing is sent anywhere.

General lines - property and casualty

Required to write property and casualty insurance for an authorized P&C insurer; the holder may also write personal lines, limited P&C lines and accident and health for a P&C insurer.9

Requirements

Exam
General lines - property and casualty exam2
Given by: Pearson VUE10
When you can take it: No pre-licensing course is required by TDI for this license; pass the exam before applying (applying first means re-applying and paying again).10
The exam covers the contracts for the license sought, Texas insurance law and agent ethics; offered in English and Spanish.21
Time limit: Apply within one year (12 months) of passing, or retake the exam.10
Exam waived: No exam for CPCU holders, for licenses expired under one year (not denied/revoked), or for nonresidents licensed in a reciprocal state.10

Renewal

Renew online
tdi.texas.gov16

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1 and group 2 under Applies to every license level.

Personal lines property and casualty

Required to write property and casualty insurance sold to individuals and families primarily for personal or household use; may also write personal accident and health for a P&C insurer. Not needed if you hold the general P&C license.9

Requirements

Exam
Personal lines property and casualty exam2
Given by: Pearson VUE11
When you can take it: No pre-licensing course is required by TDI for this license; pass the exam before applying (applying first means re-applying and paying again).11
The exam covers the contracts for the license sought, Texas insurance law and agent ethics; offered in English and Spanish.21
Time limit: Apply within one year (12 months) of passing, or retake the exam.11
Exam waived: No exam for CPCU holders, for licenses expired under one year (not denied/revoked), or for nonresidents licensed in a reciprocal state.11

Fees

FeeAmountPaid toNotes
Temporary license or permit$10012TDIOne-time 180-day temporary license (personal lines P&C)

How to apply

Temporary or provisional license
A one-time, non-renewable 180-day temporary license ($150 total) for someone an agent, insurer or agency is considering for appointment as a full-time agent; the sponsor completes Form FIN700 and gives at least 40 hours of training; the exam must be passed within the 180 days. No provisional permit and no emergency license for personal lines.11

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1 and group 3 under Applies to every license level.

Check a license or report a problem

Before you hire an insurance agent in Texas, you can confirm the license is current on the board's own search. Every board we cover in Texas is on the Texas license lookup page.

Look up a license
tdi.texas.gov2

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

Common questions

Can I transfer my insurance agent license to Texas?

TDI publishes these routes for the General lines - life, accident, health and HMO license: reciprocity agreements4 and exam waiver6. Conditions and forms.

How often do you renew a General lines - life, accident, health and HMO license in Texas?

Every 2 years2. Continuing education: at least 24 hours5. The renewal fee is $506.

Insurance agent licenses in other states

Sources

Every number and rule above links to one of these official pages. Select a footnote number to read the board's own words.

  1. Texas Insurance Code ch. 4001Texas Legislature (Texas Legislative Council), Texas Constitution and StatutesChecked November 8, 2026
  2. Agent and adjuster licensingTexas Department of InsuranceDated April 13, 2026Checked November 8, 2026
  3. 28 TAC §19.801 General ProvisionsTexas Secretary of State (Texas Administrative Code); rule of the Texas Department of InsuranceDated June 19, 2023Checked November 8, 2026
  4. General lines apply – life, accident, health and HMOTexas Department of InsuranceDated November 2, 2026Checked November 8, 2026
  5. 28 TAC §19.1003 Licensee Hour and Completion RequirementsTexas Secretary of State (Texas Administrative Code); rule of the Texas Department of InsuranceDated June 19, 2023Checked November 8, 2026
  6. Texas Insurance Code ch. 4003Texas Legislature (Texas Legislative Council), Texas Constitution and StatutesChecked November 8, 2026
  7. Texas Insurance Code ch. 4054Texas Legislature (Texas Legislative Council), Texas Constitution and StatutesChecked November 8, 2026
  8. 28 TAC §19.805 Application for a New Individual LicenseTexas Secretary of State (Texas Administrative Code); rule of the Texas Department of InsuranceDated June 19, 2023Checked November 8, 2026
  9. Texas Insurance Code ch. 4051Texas Legislature (Texas Legislative Council), Texas Constitution and StatutesChecked November 8, 2026
  10. General lines apply – property and casualtyTexas Department of InsuranceDated July 25, 2025Checked November 8, 2026
  11. Personal lines property and casualty applyTexas Department of InsuranceDated March 20, 2026Checked November 8, 2026
  12. 28 TAC §19.802 Amount of FeesTexas Secretary of State (Texas Administrative Code); rule of the Texas Department of InsuranceDated June 19, 2023Checked November 8, 2026
  13. 28 TAC §19.808 The Initial Term of a New License and Renewal License ExpirationTexas Secretary of State (Texas Administrative Code); rule of the Texas Department of InsuranceDated May 31, 2018Checked November 8, 2026
  14. 28 TAC §19.1004 Licensee Exemption from and Extension of Time for Continuing EducationTexas Secretary of State (Texas Administrative Code); rule of the Texas Department of InsuranceDated February 29, 2024Checked November 8, 2026
  15. General lines – life, accident, health and HMO: manage your licenseTexas Department of InsuranceDated December 19, 2025Checked November 8, 2026
  16. General lines – property and casualty: manage your licenseTexas Department of InsuranceDated September 6, 2024Checked November 8, 2026
  17. Personal lines property and casualty: manage your licenseTexas Department of InsuranceDated December 29, 2025Checked November 8, 2026
  18. 28 TAC §19.1016 Automatic FinesTexas Secretary of State (Texas Administrative Code); rule of the Texas Department of InsuranceDated May 31, 2018Checked November 8, 2026
  19. 28 TAC §19.810 License Renewal and Application for an Expired LicenseTexas Secretary of State (Texas Administrative Code); rule of the Texas Department of InsuranceDated February 29, 2024Checked November 8, 2026
  20. Texas Insurance Code ch. 4056Texas Legislature (Texas Legislative Council), Texas Constitution and StatutesChecked November 8, 2026
  21. Texas Insurance Code ch. 4002Texas Legislature (Texas Legislative Council), Texas Constitution and StatutesChecked November 8, 2026