Orlando Harmon
If you're looking to become a commercial insurance agent in Texas, you'll need to obtain a Texas insurance license. The type of insurance license you pursue will depend on the types of insurance policies you want to sell. The two most common types of licenses in Texas are the Property & Casualty (P&C) License and the Life & Health (L&H) License. To obtain a license, you'll need to complete a pre-licensing education course, register for and pass the Texas insurance exam, request a background check, and submit an application to the Texas Department of Insurance.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| License Types | Property & Casualty (P&C), Life & Health (L&H), General Lines – Life, Accident, and Health, General Lines – Property and Casualty, All Lines Adjuster |
| Requirements | Must pass relevant exams, submit fingerprints for a background check, and apply to the Texas Department of Insurance |
| Additional Requirements for Life Agent License | Must have an active license in your home state, apply through Sircon or the National Insurance Producer Registry, and pay a $50 application fee |
| Temporary License | Available for 180 days, non-renewable, requires a sponsor, and costs $150 |
| Education | A bachelor's degree is not required but may be beneficial; pre-licensing education courses are recommended but not mandatory |
| Salary | Varies depending on location and license type; P&C agents earn an average of $44,503 per year, while L&H agents in Houston earn an average of $84,962 per year |
Explore related products
![Texas Property and Casualty Insurance License Exam Prep - Full-Length Practice Tests, Secrets Study Guide and Review: [Detailed Answer Explanations]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/610og6OB+0L._AC_UY218_.jpg)
What You'll Learn
Get a property and casualty insurance license
To become a commercial insurance agent in Texas, you must obtain a property and casualty insurance license. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to get licensed:
Step 1: Enroll in a Pre-Licensing Education Course
Before registering for the insurance licensing exam, you must complete a pre-licensing education course approved by the Texas Department of Insurance. This course will provide you with the necessary knowledge and skills to sell insurance and discuss insurance matters with customers.
Step 2: Register and Pass the Licensing Exam
After completing the pre-licensing course, you must register for the Texas licensing exam and pay the required fees. The exam consists of two parts: a national section and a state-specific section. You need a passing score of 70% on both parts. The exam is administered by Pearson VUE, and you must make a reservation and pay the exam fee of $33 using a credit card, debit card, or voucher.
Step 3: Complete a Fingerprint-Based Background Check
As part of the licensing process, you must undergo a fingerprint-based background check. This can be done through IdentoGO for a fee of $39.70.
Step 4: Submit Your License Application
To complete your license application, you must provide specific information and pay the required fees. The application fee is $50, plus a $5.60 transaction fee. You can apply online using Sircon or the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR). Along with your application, you must provide information about the agency's operations, including executive officers, directors, partners, and any individuals or entities in control.
Step 5: Receive Your License
Once your application and background check have been reviewed and approved, you will receive your insurance license. This process typically takes one to five business days. After receiving your license, you can start selling or discussing insurance as a commercial insurance agent in Texas.
It is important to note that there are different types of licenses available, such as the Property & Casualty (P&C) License and the Life & Health (L&H) License. Choose the license that aligns with your career goals and interests. Additionally, consider the costs associated with obtaining a license, which can range from $317.30 to nearly $500, depending on the pre-license course you choose.
Understanding Medicare: How Insurance Agents Profit
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Take a pre-licensing course
To become a commercial insurance agent in Texas, you must obtain a Texas insurance license. The type of insurance license you pursue will depend on the insurance policies you want to sell.
The two most common types of licenses in Texas are:
- Property & Casualty (P&C) License: This license allows you to sell insurance products that protect against property damage and liability, such as homeowners, auto, and commercial insurance.
- Life & Health (L&H) License: This license allows you to sell products that provide financial and health-related security, such as life insurance, health insurance, annuities, and long-term care insurance.
If you want to sell commercial insurance, you will need a Property and Casualty insurance license.
Before you can register for the insurance licensing exam, the Texas Department of Insurance requires you to take an approved pre-licensing course. While Texas does not require aspiring insurance agents to complete a certain number of pre-licensing education hours, taking a pre-licensing course is highly recommended as it can help you prepare for the exam. These courses offer features such as live tutoring, study calendars, and practice exams, which can enhance your understanding of the material and increase your chances of passing on your first attempt.
Over 81% of individuals preparing for their insurance license exam use Kaplan's online courses, which come with a 93% pass rate.
Natural Disasters: Uninsurable Hazards and Their Impact
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![Texas Property and Casualty Study Cards: Texas Property and Casualty Insurance License Exam Prep 2025-2026 and Practice Test Questions [Full Color Cards]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51HY9fA8TtL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
Register and pass the exam
To become a commercial insurance agent in Texas, you must obtain a Texas insurance license. The type of insurance policies you want to sell will dictate the type of license you need. The two most common types of licenses in Texas are:
Property and Casualty (P&C) License
This license allows you to sell insurance products that protect against property damage and liability. Examples include homeowners, auto, and commercial insurance.
Life and Health (L&H) License
This license allows you to sell products that provide financial and health-related security, such as life insurance, health insurance, annuities, and long-term care insurance.
Once you have decided on the type of insurance license you want to pursue, the next step is to register for the Texas insurance licensing exam. The Texas Department of Insurance requires you to take an approved pre-licensing course before you can register for the exam. While Texas does not require aspiring insurance agents to complete a certain number of pre-licensing education hours, it is highly recommended as it can help you pass the exam on your first attempt. Pre-licensing courses include features such as live tutoring, study calendars, and practice exams, which can enhance your understanding of the material and make you more confident on exam day.
After completing your pre-licensing course, you can register for the exam and pay the required fees. The exam is administered by Pearson VUE, and you can take it online using your own device. It consists of two parts: a national section and a state-specific section. You will need a passing score of 70% on both parts. The first part covers standard questions about health insurance, while the second part tests your knowledge of insurance rules, techniques, and laws.
You will need to provide fingerprints when you take the exam, which will trigger a background investigation. If you pass the exam, you can apply for your insurance license by paying an additional fee. If you do not pass the exam within the 180-day temporary license term, you must submit a new application and fee.
Fire Insurance for Private Forests: Is It Possible?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Apply for a license
To apply for a license to become a commercial insurance agent in Texas, you must first decide what type of insurance policies you want to sell. The two most common types of licenses in Texas are:
- Property & Casualty (P&C) License: This license allows you to sell insurance products that protect against property damage and liability, such as homeowners, auto, and commercial insurance.
- Life & Health (L&H) License: This license allows you to sell products that provide financial and health-related security, such as life insurance, health insurance, annuities, and long-term care insurance.
You can also obtain a General Lines – life, accident, and health license, which allows you to sell life and health insurance, including annuities, with just one license. Alternatively, you can get a General Lines – property and casualty license, which allows you to sell home, auto, commercial, liability, and other types of personal and limited lines property and casualty insurance with a single license.
Once you have decided on the type of license you want to pursue, the next step is to complete a pre-licensing education course. While Texas does not require aspiring insurance agents to complete a certain number of pre-licensing education hours, it is highly recommended as it can help you pass the licensing exam on your first attempt. Over 81% of applicants use Kaplan's online courses, which offer a 93% pass rate.
After completing your pre-licensing course, you must register for the Texas exam and pay the required fees. The insurance exams consist of two parts – a national section and a state-specific section – and you need a passing score of 70% on both.
Once you have passed the exam, you can apply for your insurance license by paying the application fee. You can apply online using Sircon or the National Insurance Producer Registry. The application fee is typically $50, but a temporary life agent license costs $150 and includes both the temporary and permanent license applications. To apply for a temporary license, you must submit an Appointment certification (Form FIN700) signed by your sponsor, confirming that they will supervise your training. You must then take at least 40 hours of training given by the appointing company.
After receiving your insurance license, you can legally sell or discuss insurance in Texas. However, you must fulfill CE criteria every two years to keep your license in good standing.
Becoming a National Insurance Agent: Steps to Apply
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![Final Exam [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81ELu5pr7JL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
Background check
To become a commercial insurance agent in Texas, you must pass a background check as part of the licensing process. This is a crucial step in ensuring that only trustworthy individuals are licensed to sell insurance in the state. The background check will investigate your past conduct and criminal history to confirm that you meet the state's insurance agent regulations.
The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) requires all applicants for a property and casualty insurance license to undergo a fingerprint background check through the Texas Department of Public Safety. You can schedule an appointment with IdentoGO, which is authorized to collect electronic fingerprint images and submit them to the Texas Department of Public Safety for the background check. This process costs $41.45 and will generate a receipt, which you must include with your license application.
If you live in Texas and have an active insurance license or registration, you may be exempt from the fingerprint background check requirement if you have already submitted fingerprints. Similarly, if you live outside of Texas, you may be able to waive the fingerprinting requirement by providing a criminal history record from your home state.
It is important to note that any past criminal history must be disclosed, and applicants with certain criminal backgrounds may be ineligible for licensure. If there are items from your background check that require further evaluation, the issuance of your insurance license may be delayed. The state will typically notify you via email of the status of your license application once the evaluation is complete.
Philippine Bank Deposits: Are They Insured?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
While a bachelor's degree may help you learn more about insurance and improve your abilities, it is not required. A pre-licensing education course is also not mandatory in Texas, but it is highly recommended to help you pass your exam on the first try.
You will need a Property and Casualty (P&C) license to sell commercial insurance in Texas. This license also allows you to sell insurance products that protect against property damage and liability, such as homeowners, auto, and liability insurance.
First, you must complete a pre-licensing education course and register for the Texas exam by paying the required fees. The exam is divided into two parts: a national section and a state-specific section. You need a passing score of 70% on both parts. Once you pass the exam, you can apply for your insurance license for an additional fee.
To get an insurance license in Texas, all applicants must provide fingerprints, which will trigger a background investigation. The presence of any past misdemeanors or crimes may impact your ability to get licensed. You will also need a sponsor who already has an insurance license. A temporary license is good for 180 days and cannot be renewed.
![ATI TEAS Secrets Study Guide: TEAS 7 Prep Book, Six Full-Length Practice Tests (1,000+ Questions), Step-by-Step Video Tutorials: [Updated for the 7th Edition]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71xaJ3oKu4L._AC_UY218_.jpg)
![Exam (2009) [ Blu-Ray, Reg.A/B/C Import - Denmark ]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/516e6SeMJiL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
![The Exam [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.0 Import - Australia ]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71j-bP0a5EL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
