Texas Insurance License Cost & Timeline (2026 Guide)
Getting your Texas insurance license on the standard resident path requires passing a Pearson VUE producer exam, completing fingerprints and a background check, and filing an application with the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI). The state does not require pre-licensing hours for the permanent Life Agent license, though most candidates still take an exam-prep course.
Last verified July 28, 2026 against the primary sources below.
Primary sources
- TDI - Life Agent (Apply), updated April 17, 2026.
- Pearson VUE / TDI Candidate Handbook (PDF), content effective December 1, 2025.
Key Takeaways
- Resident application fee: $50 (TDI), submitted through Sircon or NIPR.
- Life Agent exam (
InsTX-Life01): $39, 120 minutes, 80 scoreable items (50 general + 30 state) plus 10 unscored pretest items, 90 items presented. - No mandatory pre-licensing hours for the standard permanent Life Agent license. The 40-hour training requirement applies only to the one-time Temporary License route, not the permanent path.
- Fingerprint vendor fee varies. Verify when scheduling through the TDI-approved vendor.
- General Lines - Life, Accident & Health (
InsTX-LAH05) is a separate, broader authority with its own exam: $49, 150 minutes. It is not the same exam, fee, or scope as the Life Agent exam.
Texas Life Agent Fees (from primary sources)
| Item | Cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| TDI resident Life Agent application | $50 | TDI - Life Agent (Apply) |
Pearson VUE Life Agent exam (InsTX-Life01) | $39 | Pearson/TDI Candidate Handbook |
| Fingerprints and background check (vendor fee) | Varies. Verify when scheduling | TDI - Life Agent (Apply) |
| Exam-prep course (optional) | Varies by provider | N/A (not TDI-required) |
We do not publish a fixed all-in total because the fingerprint vendor fee and any optional exam-prep course are not set by primary sources.
Texas Pre-Licensing Requirements
Per TDI, the standard permanent Life Agent path requires the exam, fingerprints/background check, and application. There is no state-mandated pre-licensing hour requirement for the permanent license.
The 40 hours figure you may have seen elsewhere refers to the separate one-time Temporary License route, which lets a sponsored candidate sell for a limited period before completing the full exam path. Do not use it as the requirement for the permanent Life Agent license.
The Texas Life Agent Exam (Pearson VUE)
Per the current Pearson VUE / TDI Candidate Handbook (content effective December 1, 2025):
- Exam code:
InsTX-Life01 - Length: 120 minutes
- Fee: $39 per attempt
- Content: 50 scoreable general items + 5 general pretest items, and 30 scoreable Texas-specific items + 5 state pretest items. 80 scoreable + 10 unscored pretest, for 90 items presented in total.
- Results are delivered on screen at check-out.
For preparation guidance, see our insurance exam preparation guide.
Life Agent vs General Lines - Life, Accident & Health
The Life Agent license (exam InsTX-Life01) and the General Lines - Life, Accident & Health license (exam InsTX-LAH05) are two separate authorities. They do not share an exam, a fee, or a scope.
| Authority | Exam code | Length | Exam fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life Agent | InsTX-Life01 | 120 minutes | $39 |
| General Lines - Life, Accident & Health | InsTX-LAH05 | 150 minutes | $49 |
Sources: TDI - Life Agent (Apply), Pearson VUE / TDI Candidate Handbook.
Choose the authority that matches the products you intend to sell. If you are unsure, verify the current line-of-authority scope with TDI before scheduling an exam.
Fingerprinting and Background Check
TDI requires fingerprints and a background check as part of the resident Life Agent application. Fingerprints are collected through a TDI-approved vendor and results route directly to TDI. The vendor fee varies. Verify the current fee when scheduling through the vendor listed on the TDI - Life Agent (Apply) page.
Submitting Your Texas License Application
File the resident Life Agent application through Sircon or NIPR and pay the $50 TDI application fee. TDI reviews the application after fingerprint results and exam results are on file. See the TDI - Life Agent (Apply) page for current processing guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the Texas Life Agent license cost?
The TDI resident application fee is $50 and the Pearson VUE Life Agent exam fee is $39. The fingerprint vendor fee varies. Verify it when you schedule fingerprints. Any exam-prep course is optional and priced by the provider.
How long does the Texas Life Agent exam take?
120 minutes, per the Pearson VUE / TDI Candidate Handbook (content effective December 1, 2025). It contains 80 scoreable items plus 10 unscored pretest items (90 items presented).
Do I need 40 hours of pre-licensing?
No, not for the permanent Life Agent license. The 40-hour requirement applies only to the one-time Temporary License route. The standard permanent path requires the exam, fingerprints/background check, and TDI application.
Is the Life Agent exam the same as the General Lines - Life, Accident & Health exam?
No. Life Agent is InsTX-Life01 (120 minutes, $39). General Lines - Life, Accident & Health is InsTX-LAH05 (150 minutes, $49). They are separate authorities with separate exams, fees, and scopes.
Do I have to live in Texas to get a Texas license?
No. Non-resident Texas licenses are available. See TDI's application guidance for the non-resident path.
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