How to Become an Insurance Agent in Texas
Texas offers a wide array of insurance licenses. Before beginning the application process candidates should take a moment to understand which license they should seek. Texas offers the following types of insurance licenses:
The state of Texas has many different license types for those looking to become an insurance agent in Texas. So before you run off to the nearest licensing site, you need to familiarize yourself with the insurance agent license types and insurance specialties offered in the state of Texas.
License Types
Most Texas Insurance Agents licenses fall into two categories- Property & Casualty (P&C) and Life & Health. The General Lines – Property and Casualty insurance license will allow your meat and potatoes coverages like auto, home, business insurance or bonds; while the General Lines- Life, Accident, Health & HMO license deals with life, health, annuities, and other related coverages.
Regardless of which specialty you choose, the General Lines licenses will allow you to represent a larger array of companies and products making it easier for your to eventually become an agency owner. However, if you wish to take the easier route to becoming and insurance agent in Texas, the additional insurance license types are also available:
Life(only) Agent
Funeral pre-arrangement Life
Life Insurance Not Exceeding 000
Life and Health insurance counselor
Personal Lines Property Casualty Agent
Insurance Service Representative
Managing General Agent
Limited Lines – Agent
County Mutual
Surplus Lines
Beware, each license type has different requirements. Check with the Texas Department of Insurance for details regarding each license type.
Pre-licensing and Backgrounds
The state of Texas has no pre-licensing educagtion requirement, but it is highly recommended that you attend a local licensing course offered in your area. After taking a pre-licensing course, you must take the state mandated test offered at Thompson Prometric. Once you’ve passed, you’ll need to have your fingerprints recorded.
As a part of the application process all Texas insurance applicants go through an FBI criminal background check. It is highly recommended that you set an early appointment for your fingerprints because the wait can be a long one.
Texas Insurance Agent Licensing Fees
As of this writing, the fees involved for becoming a licensed insurance agent in Texas are as follows:
State Licensing Exam: Fee ranges from to depending on type of license
Fingerprinting fee is .50
Licensing application fee per license type
Texas Insurance Licensing and Continuing Education
Generally, the insurance agents’ licensing term is two years from issue. Agents are required to take 30 hours of continuing education before renewing their licenses each two years.
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