The insurance industry in Texas is one of the most dynamic and regulated sectors of the economy, offering thousands of professionals opportunities to build rewarding careers. Whether one is entering the field as a life insurance agent, property and casualty specialist, health insurance broker, or a multi-line representative, obtaining an insurance license is the first critical step. The cost of acquiring a license in Texas varies depending on the type of license pursued, the exam requirements, preparation courses, fingerprinting, and state fees. Understanding these costs in detail is essential for aspiring agents to budget effectively and begin their journey without financial surprises.
This article provides a comprehensive look at the cost of insurance licenses in Texas, featuring the top 20 options, services, and licensing pathways. Each section highlights the description of the license type, typical pricing ranges, state requirements, contact information for licensing providers or state offices, and the services offered to support applicants. By exploring this breakdown, future insurance professionals will gain a clear understanding of the financial and procedural aspects of licensing, ensuring they make informed choices as they prepare to enter the Texas insurance market.
Cost of Insurance License in Texas
Below is a detailed list of the top 20 insurance license categories and services in Texas, along with their costs, features, and related requirements.
1. Texas General Life Insurance License
Description: This license allows individuals to sell life insurance policies, annuities, and related products. It is among the most popular entry points into the industry.
Pricing: Application fees typically cost around $50, with examination fees ranging from $40 to $60. Pre-licensing courses, when required, cost between $150 and $250. Fingerprinting services add another $40–$50.
Address: Texas Department of Insurance, 333 Guadalupe Street, Austin, TX 78701.
Contact Details: Phone: (512) 676-6500.
Services Offered: Licensing applications, exam approvals, regulatory oversight, continuing education requirements, and compliance updates.
2. Texas General Health Insurance License
Description: This license allows agents to sell health-related insurance products, including medical, dental, and vision plans.
Pricing: State application fee is approximately $50. Exams cost $40–$60. Training or pre-licensing programs can range between $200 and $300. Additional background check fees average $45.
Address: Texas Department of Insurance, 333 Guadalupe Street, Austin, TX 78701.
Contact Details: Phone: (512) 676-6500.
Services Offered: Health licensing support, renewals, compliance monitoring, exam registration, and education tracking.
3. Texas Property & Casualty Insurance License
Description: This license allows individuals to sell property, auto, and casualty insurance products. It is highly sought after by those entering personal and commercial lines.
Pricing: The total licensing cost averages $300–$400, including exam fees, application costs, and fingerprinting. Courses for preparation are typically $200–$250.
Address: Texas Department of Insurance, 333 Guadalupe Street, Austin, TX 78701.
Contact Details: Phone: (512) 676-6500.
Services Offered: Licensing approval, property and casualty training requirements, certification assistance, and regulatory guidance.
4. Texas Life and Health Insurance Combination License
Description: This license combines both life and health authority, allowing agents to sell both types of policies under one license.
Pricing: Licensing fees range between $350–$450. Application fee is about $50, while exam and fingerprinting costs add up to around $100. Pre-licensing coursework averages $200–$250.
Address: Texas Department of Insurance, 333 Guadalupe Street, Austin, TX 78701.
Contact Details: Phone: (512) 676-6500.
Services Offered: Dual licensing for life and health, combined training programs, state compliance support, and renewal services.
5. Texas Limited Lines Insurance License
Description: Designed for agents who want to sell specific products such as credit insurance, travel insurance, or crop insurance.
Pricing: Costs are relatively lower, averaging $100–$200 for application, testing, and background checks. Some lines may not require formal pre-licensing courses.
Address: Texas Department of Insurance, 333 Guadalupe Street, Austin, TX 78701.
Contact Details: Phone: (512) 676-6500.
Services Offered: Licensing for niche products, regulatory approvals, education waivers in certain categories, and license renewals.
6. Texas Surplus Lines Insurance License
Description: This license is required for professionals who want to handle non-traditional, high-risk insurance policies outside the standard markets.
Pricing: Application fees range from $50–$70. The overall cost of securing the license, including testing and compliance requirements, averages $250–$400.
Address: Texas Surplus Lines Stamping Office, 2028 E. Ben White Blvd., Austin, TX 78741.
Contact Details: Phone: (512) 225-8500.
Services Offered: Surplus line agent licensing, compliance management, premium reporting services, and educational resources.
7. Texas Adjuster License
Description: An adjuster license allows professionals to investigate and settle insurance claims. It is one of the most versatile licenses and highly demanded in Texas due to frequent weather-related claims.
Pricing: The cost for an adjuster license averages $300–$450, including exams, background checks, and applications. Courses for exam preparation usually cost between $200–$300.
Address: Texas Department of Insurance, 333 Guadalupe Street, Austin, TX 78701.
Contact Details: Phone: (512) 676-6500.
Services Offered: Adjuster licensing, claims settlement training, exam guidance, continuing education tracking, and compliance enforcement.
8. Texas Public Insurance Adjuster License
Description: This license allows individuals to represent policyholders in claims disputes, negotiating directly with insurers on behalf of clients.
Pricing: Fees include a $50 application fee, a $50 exam fee, and fingerprinting charges of about $40. Pre-licensing courses cost around $250. The total expense is typically $350–$450.
Address: Texas Department of Insurance, 333 Guadalupe Street, Austin, TX 78701.
Contact Details: Phone: (512) 676-6500.
Services Offered: Licensing for public adjusters, compliance management, educational support, and renewals.
9. Texas Personal Lines Insurance License
Description: This license allows agents to sell insurance products focused on personal property, such as auto and homeowners insurance.
Pricing: The application fee is $50, exam fees are around $40–$60, and fingerprinting averages $40. Preparation courses range from $150–$200, bringing total costs to about $300–$350.
Address: Texas Department of Insurance, 333 Guadalupe Street, Austin, TX 78701.
Contact Details: Phone: (512) 676-6500.
Services Offered: Licensing support for personal insurance agents, renewal services, compliance monitoring, and exam registration.
10. Texas Life Insurance Counselor License
Description: This license is issued to professionals who advise clients on life insurance and annuity products, without directly selling the policies.
Pricing: Application fee is approximately $50, while exams and fingerprinting raise costs to about $150. Pre-licensing or professional study costs can be an additional $100–$200.
Address: Texas Department of Insurance, 333 Guadalupe Street, Austin, TX 78701.
Contact Details: Phone: (512) 676-6500.
Services Offered: Counselor licensing, advisory service regulation, exam and application processing, and professional development resources.
11. Texas Managing General Agent (MGA) License
Description: An MGA license allows individuals or firms to manage multiple insurance agents and handle underwriting responsibilities on behalf of insurers.
Pricing: The application fee is $50–$70. Compliance costs, training, and other associated expenses typically total $300–$500.
Address: Texas Department of Insurance, 333 Guadalupe Street, Austin, TX 78701.
Contact Details: Phone: (512) 676-6500.
Services Offered: Licensing for MGAs, business compliance oversight, regulatory filings, and agent management approvals.
12. Texas Temporary Insurance Agent License
Description: Temporary licenses are available for individuals who need short-term authorization to practice while completing full licensing requirements.
Pricing: Application fees range from $50–$100. Since no exam is typically required, the overall cost is relatively low, usually under $200.
Address: Texas Department of Insurance, 333 Guadalupe Street, Austin, TX 78701.
Contact Details: Phone: (512) 676-6500.
Services Offered: Short-term licensing, regulatory guidance, conversion to permanent licenses, and compliance support.
13. Texas Risk Manager License
Description: This license is granted to individuals who provide risk management services to businesses, advising them on strategies to minimize exposure.
Pricing: Application fee is around $50. Background checks and certification courses cost $200–$300. Total licensing expenses average $300–$400.
Address: Texas Department of Insurance, 333 Guadalupe Street, Austin, TX 78701.
Contact Details: Phone: (512) 676-6500.
Services Offered: Licensing for professional risk managers, compliance programs, advisory oversight, and renewal processing.
14. Texas Title Insurance Agent License
Description: A title insurance license is required for professionals who handle real estate title insurance transactions.
Pricing: Application and exam fees average $150. Pre-licensing education and compliance costs can bring the total to $400–$500.
Address: Texas Department of Insurance, 333 Guadalupe Street, Austin, TX 78701.
Contact Details: Phone: (512) 676-6500.
Services Offered: Title insurance licensing, real estate compliance oversight, continuing education, and regulatory enforcement.
15. Texas Viatical Settlement Broker License
Description: This license authorizes professionals to negotiate viatical settlement contracts, typically involving life insurance policies.
Pricing: Application fee is $50. The overall cost, including compliance courses and exams, averages $300–$400.
Address: Texas Department of Insurance, 333 Guadalupe Street, Austin, TX 78701.
Contact Details: Phone: (512) 676-6500.
Services Offered: Broker licensing, compliance management, education resources, and regulatory filing services
16. Texas Reinsurance Intermediary License
Description: This license is for professionals who act as intermediaries in reinsurance transactions, helping insurers transfer portions of their risk portfolios.
Pricing: Application fees average $50–$70. Compliance costs, educational programs, and fingerprinting can bring the total to $300–$400.
Address: Texas Department of Insurance, 333 Guadalupe Street, Austin, TX 78701.
Contact Details: Phone: (512) 676-6500.
Services Offered: Licensing for reinsurance intermediaries, transaction oversight, compliance management, and ongoing renewals.
17. Texas Insurance Service Representative (ISR) License
Description: This limited license is designed for customer service representatives working under the supervision of licensed agents, allowing them to handle certain insurance-related tasks.
Pricing: Application fee is about $50. Since no exam is required, costs remain low, typically between $100 and $150 with fingerprinting.
Address: Texas Department of Insurance, 333 Guadalupe Street, Austin, TX 78701.
Contact Details: Phone: (512) 676-6500.
Services Offered: ISR licensing, compliance support, business oversight, and assistance with renewals.
18. Texas Limited Lines Automobile License
Description: This license enables professionals to sell automobile insurance exclusively, making it an option for those focusing on a niche market.
Pricing: Licensing costs are relatively low, averaging $150–$250. Application fees are around $50, while fingerprinting and compliance add additional expenses.
Address: Texas Department of Insurance, 333 Guadalupe Street, Austin, TX 78701.
Contact Details: Phone: (512) 676-6500.
Services Offered: Automobile-specific licensing, compliance regulation, renewal services, and educational resources.
19. Texas County Mutual Agent License
Description: This license is issued to agents representing county mutual insurers, often specializing in auto and property coverage for underserved markets.
Pricing: The average cost is $200–$300, including application, compliance, and fingerprinting fees.
Address: Texas Department of Insurance, 333 Guadalupe Street, Austin, TX 78701.
Contact Details: Phone: (512) 676-6500.
Services Offered: Licensing for county mutual insurers, compliance oversight, regulatory guidance, and renewals.
20. Texas Fraternal Benefit Society Agent License
Description: This license allows individuals to represent fraternal benefit societies, which provide life, health, and annuity products within a membership-based organization.
Pricing: Application fee is $50. With fingerprinting, compliance checks, and optional training, the total cost averages $200–$300.
Address: Texas Department of Insurance, 333 Guadalupe Street, Austin, TX 78701.
Contact Details: Phone: (512) 676-6500.
Services Offered: Licensing for fraternal benefit representatives, compliance monitoring, and regulatory filings.
Conclusion
Obtaining an insurance license in Texas is not only a requirement for entering the industry but also an investment in a long-term professional career. The costs vary significantly depending on the type of license, ranging from as low as $100 for limited lines licenses to $500 or more for advanced or specialized categories. Every applicant must consider state application fees, examination costs, fingerprinting, and optional pre-licensing courses as part of their financial planning.
The Texas Department of Insurance plays a central role in overseeing licensing, ensuring that every professional meets the regulatory standards necessary to protect consumers and maintain industry integrity. From life and health insurance agents to adjusters, risk managers, and reinsurance intermediaries, each license opens the door to unique career opportunities tailored to different market needs.
By understanding the financial commitments and responsibilities associated with each license, aspiring insurance professionals can strategically plan their entry into the field. With clear expectations and proper preparation, Texas insurance agents and adjusters are well-positioned to build successful, compliant, and rewarding careers in one of the nation’s largest and most competitive insurance markets.