How long does it take to get a Texas Life Agent license?

Timing depends on Pearson VUE exam appointment availability, fingerprint processing through the TDI-approved vendor, and TDI review. TDI does not mandate pre-licensing hours for the permanent Life Agent license, so total time is driven by scheduling the Pearson VUE exam (InsTX-Life01, 120 minutes, $39), complete fingerprints through the TDI-approved vendor (fee varies. verify when scheduling), and file the $50 TDI resident application through Sircon or NIPR.

How much does a Texas Life Agent license cost?

Per primary sources: the TDI resident Life Agent application fee is $50 and the Pearson VUE Life Agent exam fee (InsTX-Life01) is $39. The fingerprint vendor fee varies and must be verified when scheduling. Any exam-prep course is optional and priced by the provider.

Do I need to be a Texas resident to get a Texas license?

No. TDI issues non-resident Life Agent licenses. See the TDI Life Agent (Apply) page for the current non-resident process.

Is the Life Agent exam the same as the General Lines - Life, Accident & Health exam?

No. Life Agent is exam InsTX-Life01 (120 minutes, $39). General Lines - Life, Accident & Health is a separate authority with a separate exam, InsTX-LAH05 (150 minutes, $49). They are not the same exam, fee, or scope.

Do I need 40 hours of pre-licensing?

Not for the permanent Life Agent license. Per TDI, the 40-hour training requirement applies only to the one-time Temporary License route. The standard permanent path requires the exam, fingerprints and background check, and TDI application.

How do I look up a Texas insurance license?

Use the Texas Department of Insurance agent and adjuster lookup at tdi.texas.gov. You can search by name, license number, or NPN. The lookup shows license status, authorized lines, issue date, expiration, and any disciplinary actions.

Can I sell insurance in Texas from Houston, Dallas, Austin, or San Antonio remotely?

Yes. A Texas resident producer license lets you sell insurance to clients anywhere in the state, whether you live in Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin, San Antonio, El Paso, Fort Worth, Plano, Corpus Christi, or a smaller market. TPG is a telesales-first agency.

How do I renew a Texas insurance license?

Texas producer licenses renew every 2 years. To renew, you must complete 24 hours of continuing education (including 3 hours of ethics) before your expiration date and submit the renewal fee through Sircon or NIPR.

Texas Life Agent License 2026: Fees, Exam, and Application

0 hours of pre-licensing, Pearson VUE exam, $89 in state fees, plus fingerprint vendor fee. Here is the exact path.

Verified against the Texas Department of Insurance on July 28, 2026.

Free Texas Licensing Roadmap

A printable step-by-step PDF covering pre-licensing, application requirements, the Pearson VUE exam, and what to do the week your license arrives.

0 hrs

Pre-licensing hours

scaled score of 70

Passing score

$89 + vendor fee

Fingerprint vendor fee varies. Verify when scheduling.

Total cost estimate

Typical timeline: Varies by course, testing availability, and state review

Path options: No pre-licensing hours required for the permanent Life Agent license. The 40-hour training requirement applies only to the one-time Temporary License route, not the standard permanent path.

Already licensed in Texas?

Skip the licensing details. See how Texas agents are building remote insurance businesses with The Price Group.

How to sell insurance from home in Texas

5 Steps to Get Licensed in Texas

Use this as a practical roadmap. Your state may allow or require a different order for education, examination, application, and fingerprinting.

1
Complete pre-licensing education
Complete the education required for your license type through an approved provider. Course format and completion time vary by state and provider.
Start the JustInsurance Course
2
Schedule your Texas state exam
Register through Pearson VUE, the testing partner for the Texas Department of Insurance. Use the provider's current portal to confirm available testing formats and appointments.
Schedule with Pearson VUE Visit Texas Department of Insurance
3
Pass the Texas life insurance exam
Review the testing provider's current identification, arrival, and remote-testing rules before exam day. Use the official content outline to guide your preparation.
Retake policy: Retake policy: schedule your next available test date with no mandatory waiting period.
4
Submit your license application
After passing, file your application through NIPR or your state's online portal and follow the documentation requirements for your license type.
Fingerprinting: Submitted through the TDI-approved vendor listed on the TDI Life Agent (Apply) page. Vendor fee varies. Verify when scheduling.
5
Get appointed with carriers
A license alone does not authorize work for every carrier or product. The Price Group can assist with carrier contracting, subject to carrier approval and applicable state requirements.

Want this written out as a printable checklist?

Texas Licensing Cost Breakdown

Everything you can expect to pay to get fully licensed in Texas.

Item	Cost
State-approved pre-licensing course	Varies by provider
Texas state exam fee	$39
License application fee	$50
Estimated total	~$89

Course prices and government fees can change. Verify the course on the state-approved provider list and confirm current fees before paying.

Texas Life Agent fees in 2026

Per TDI's Life Agent (Apply) page (updated April 17, 2026), the resident Life Agent application fee is $50. Per the Pearson VUE / TDI Candidate Handbook (content effective December 1, 2025), the Life Agent exam (InsTX-Life01) fee is $39.

TDI also requires fingerprints and a background check submitted through the TDI-approved vendor. The vendor fee varies. Verify the current fee when scheduling.

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. Last verified July 28, 2026.

Texas Life Agent exam: format, items, and passing score

Per the current Pearson VUE / TDI Candidate Handbook, the Texas Life Agent exam (InsTX-Life01) runs 120 minutes and costs $39.

Content: 50 scoreable general items plus 5 general pretest items, and 30 scoreable Texas-specific items plus 5 state pretest items. That is 80 scoreable + 10 unscored pretest = 90 items presented in total. Passing is a scaled score of 70.

Retakes have no mandatory waiting period in Texas. Rebook the next available Pearson VUE date and pay the $39 fee again.

How many hours of pre-licensing are required in Texas?

Per TDI, the standard permanent Life Agent path does not require pre-licensing hours. The 40-hour training requirement applies only to the one-time Temporary License route, not the permanent Life Agent license.

Exam-prep courses are optional and priced by the provider. Verify current provider pricing before enrolling.

Life Agent vs General Lines - Life, Accident & Health

Texas issues Life Agent and General Lines - Life, Accident & Health as separate authorities.

Life Agent uses exam InsTX-Life01 (120 minutes, $39). General Lines - Life, Accident & Health uses exam InsTX-LAH05 (150 minutes, $49). They are not the same exam, fee, or scope.

Choose the authority that matches the products you intend to sell. Verify current line-of-authority scope with TDI before scheduling.

Official Texas licensing sources

Use these government and examination-provider pages to confirm requirements before paying or applying.

TDI - Life Agent (Apply) — Updated April 17, 2026. Standard resident path: exam, fingerprints/background check, application. $50 resident application fee.
Pearson VUE / TDI Candidate Handbook (PDF) — Content effective December 1, 2025. Life Agent (InsTX-Life01): 120 minutes, $39. GLAH (InsTX-LAH05): 150 minutes, $49.

License term

2 years

CE hours per renewal

24 hrs (3 ethics)

Official CE rules

Reciprocity

Reciprocal licensing is available for producers licensed in good standing in their home state. Exam, CE, fingerprint, and criminal history requirements are all waived.

The TPG perspective

Selling Insurance in Texas

What the Texas insurance market actually looks like for new agents, from a remote-first agency that writes business here every week.

Texas is one of the largest insurance markets in the country and one of the easiest states to start in on the permanent path: TDI does not require pre-licensing hours for the Life Agent license, and the Pearson VUE Life Agent exam (InsTX-Life01) is scheduled subject to Pearson VUE appointment availability.

TPG Texas agents work AI-powered final expense leads across Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, San Antonio, Austin, El Paso, Fort Worth, Arlington, Plano, Corpus Christi, Lubbock, and the Rio Grande Valley. The Central time zone is ideal for a full-day dialing schedule that covers both East Coast morning calls and West Coast evenings.

Bilingual Spanish-English agents have a particular advantage in South Texas, Houston, and El Paso, where a meaningful portion of the final expense market prefers Spanish-language presentations.

Ready to start writing business in Texas?

Texas Licensing FAQ

Quick answers to the most common questions about getting licensed in Texas.

Why agents choose The Price Group

Once you are licensed, the next decision is who you go to market with. The Price Group is built for life insurance agents who want a real system, not an MLM.