LICENSING FAQ
Questions
- How do I apply for an agent's license?
- How do I apply for a temporary agent's license?
- How do I apply for an adjuster's license?
- May I send a completed license application by fax?
- Where may I find licensing forms?
- How do I apply for a Texas non-resident license?
- I am moving to Texas and now hold a Texas non-resident license. How do I keep this license with no lapse time?
- How do I get study material to use for examination preparation?
- What are the Continuing Education requirements?
- How do I get a continuing education extension?
- How do I get a continuing education exemption?
- How do I renew my license?
- How do I get a copy of my license?
- How do I get a letter of certification?
- Why do you publish insurance agent's and adjuster's home addresses?
NOTE: The Exam fee rate schedule has changed effective April 1, 2011. The new rates are listed in the License Type information below, or see the Prometric Link below to view new rates.
Answers
How do I apply for an agent's license?
Refer to the License Types Information and Descriptions chart to determine whether a state-administered exam is required, if you must take a company-administered exam, or if you are exempt from taking any exam.
If a state examination IS required:
- Candidates should review the Insurance Licensing Information Bulletin from Prometric, our testing vendor. It contains exam content outlines, important information regarding eligibility, and details the exam process and the licensing application process;
- contact Prometric to make an exam reservation;
- appear at the assessment center the day examination is scheduled;
- submit a Prometric license application to Prometric;
- For the Prometric forms and contact information, click here, or call their toll free number (866) 267-0455.
If a state examination is NOT required:
- TDI Agent/Adjuster License Application FIN506 (Individual). Read instructions carefully.;
- application fee;
- fingerprint receipt (Starting January 1, 2007);
- any documentation exempting you from the exam.
If a company-administered examination is required (Pre-need, county mutual, and life not exceeding $25,000):
- Contact your sponsoring company to arrange taking the company administered exam. After successfully completing your company exam, submit to TDI:
- TDI Agent/Adjuster License Application FIN506 (Individual). Read instructions carefully. ;
- application fee;
- fingerprint receipt (Starting January 1, 2007);
- copy of exam certification.
Return to Top How do I apply for a temporary agent's license?
General Lines-Life, Accident & Health, General Lines-Property & Casualty and Limited Lines applicants submit to Prometric, our testing vendor:
- Completed Prometric application (read instructions carefully);
- application fee of $150;
- fingerprint receipt (Starting January 1, 2007).
County Mutual, Life Insurance Not Exceeding $25K, and Funeral Pre-Need submit to TDI:
- TDI Agent/Adjuster License Application FIN506 (Individual). Read instructions carefully;
- Form application fee of $150;
- fingerprint receipt (Starting January 1, 2007);
A Notice of Appointment is needed at time of application for a temporary license from:
- the authorized appointing official of an insurance company, or
- the executive officer or partner of a sponsoring agency, or
- the sponsoring individual agent
How do I apply for an adjuster's license?
Refer to the License Type and Descriptions chart to determine whether you may qualify for exemption from the exam.
Adjusters may qualify for a license in one of two ways, if not exempt:
A. By successfully completing a TDI certified course and approved final examination. Students who meet the course requirements and pass the comprehensive test at the end of the course are issued a certificate of completion that is good for one year.
View a list of approved Adjuster Licensing Providers
Once you have completed the course, submit to TDI:
- TDI Agent/Adjuster License Application FIN506 (Individual) form. Read instructions carefully;
- application fee;
- fingerprint receipt (Starting January 1, 2007);
- course completion certificate;
B. By passing the Prometric exam.
- Candidates should review the Insurance Licensing Information Bulletin from Prometric, our testing vendor. It contains exam content outlines, important information regarding eligibility, and details the exam process and the licensing application process;
- contact Prometric to make an exam reservation;
- appear at the assessment center the day examination is scheduled;
- submit a Prometric license application to Prometric;
- For the Prometric forms and contact information, click here, or call 866.267.0455.
May I send a completed license application by fax?
No. Faxed applications are not acceptable
Where may I find licensing forms?
License Applications, the FASTPASS / Fingerprint Card Scan Authorization form required for fingerprinting, and other forms are available for download at the TDI Forms page.
How do I apply for a Texas non-resident license?
Non-residents may apply by reciprocity and are exempt from the fingerprint requirement. Non-residents may apply to TDI by submitting:
- completed TDI Agent/Adjuster License Application FIN506 (Individual) or the Uniform NIPR non-resident application;
- application fee;
- a letter of certification obtained from their home state department of insurance or a National Producer Database (PDB) printout.
A non-resident may also apply online (Electronic Non-resident Licensing).
Non-resident applicants who do not hold a current license in good standing in their state of residence must, through the law enforcement agency of that state, submit a copy of their criminal history records along with a completed license application and fees. If the resident state will not provide a criminal history record for licensing purposes, the applicant must provide a FAST fingerprint receipt (Fingerprint Card Scan Authorization Form) received from L1 Enrollment Services or Prometric evidencing that fingerprints have been submitted to the Texas Department of Public Safety. They must pass the proper Texas licensing examination (if required).
I am moving to Texas and now hold a Texas non-resident license. How do I keep this license with no lapse time?
Submit a signed and dated address change request to...
Licensing Division
MC 107-1A,
PO Box 149104,
Austin Texas
78714-9104
or fax it to 512-490-1029.
Do this before the license expiration date.
How do I get study material to use for examination preparation?
- The Texas Department of Insurance does not provide or develop study materials for the exams. However, we suggest that you:
- Review the exam content outline in the Prometric Licensing Information Bulletin.
- Contact your sponsoring company, agent or agency for referrals to study materials or exam prep-courses
- Contact the private vendors in this list. They publish study materials or offer courses of study.
0Chance2Fail
877-516-8384
https://0chance2fail.com (LAH and P&C)
360training.com, Inc.
888-360-8764
www.360training.com (LAH, P&C, and Adjusters)
ABLE Incorporated
800-586-2253
www.examsimulator.com (Note: LAH package available in Spanish)
A.D. Banker
800-866-2468
www.adbanker.com
AMCAT
800-995-1433
www.amcatusa.com
(Adjusters P&C or other CE Courses)
CIA Training Academy
214-244-2639
www.txcia.com (All-Lines Adjuster)
CPMI Professional Development Inc.
877-601-2273
www.cpmipro.com (LAH and P&C - Spanish/English)
ExamFX
1-800-586-2253 (Insurance Training)
www.examfx.com
Independent Insurance Agents of Texas
800-880-7428
www.iiat.org/mx/hm.asp?id=public (LAH, P&C, Adjuster-All Lines only)
INS e.t.c.
281-360-2628
www.ins-etc.com (LAH and P&C)
Insurance Schools, Inc.
800-333-3926
www.insuranceadjusterscourse.com (Adjuster only)
Kaplan Financial
800-824-8742
http://www.kaplanfinancial.com/ LAH and P&C)
Lakeway Training Institute
512-402-9785
www.lakewaytraining.org (Adjuster, All Lines)
Mary Roth Staff Training Programs
817-265-7110
dba Leonards Training Programs
www.MaryRoth.com
www.leonardsinsurance.com (P&C and All Lines Adjusters and Agents)
National Online Insurance School
888-770-3681
www.nationalonlineinsuranceschool.com (Life & Health Online)
Noble Financial Group
800-275-2589
www.noblece.com (Life and Health only)
PreLicense.com (a service of WebCE)
877-488-9310
www.PreLicense.com (Life and Health)
Saturn Learning Solutions dba License2go
888 439-3527 ext. 7
www.license2go.com (LAH and P&C)
Securities Training Corporation
800-782-8505
www.stcusa.com (LAH only)
TAAS (The American Adjusting Schools)
(469) 396-9315
www.adjustingschools.com (All-Lines Adjuster Pre-License Course)
TesTeachers
888-422-7714
www.testeachersonline.com (LAH and P&C)
Texas Insurance Training Academy
469-212-6451
www.texasinsuranceprelicensingschools.com (L&H, P&C, Adjusters)
Disclaimer: TDI does not regulate these firms. If you are a vendor who would like your information listed here, please contact us at LICENSE@tdi.state.tx.us
What are the Continuing Education requirements?
30 hours per 2-year reporting period with 2 hours in ethics for:
- General Lines Agents,
- Life Agent,
- Personal Lines Property and Casualty,
- Managing General Agents (MGA),
- Adjusters (all types),
- Life & Health Insurance Counselors,
- Insurance Service Representatives,
- Full-Time Home Office Employees
10 hours including 2 hours in ethics, for:
- Limited Lines Agents,
- Life Insurance Not Exceeding $25K Agents,
- County Mutual Agents
Everyone subject to Continuing Education Requirements must do at least half the hours in a classroom setting or as classroom-equivalent. For more details click HERE to access our Continuing Education page.
How do I get a continuing education extension?
Extensions are granted for a number of non-work related situations.
Submit with your CE Exemption/Extension Form LHL216 a written letter and attach full documentation, such as doctor's letters, military orders sending you to a theater of war, or other statements of extenuating circumstances.
A request for extension must be made before your license's expiration date.
A continuing education extension does not extend the renewal date, nor does it waive any renewal late fees that may become due. Click here for details
How do I get a continuing education exemption?
You must have been continuously licensed for at least 20 years, with no break in licensure greater than 90 days. Your license must have been issued by this department. You cannot count home state licensure in another state. Submit a completed CE Exemption or Extension form LHL216 to TDI. You may fax this form to (512) 490-1054.
[Effective April 1, 2010, new admendments to the CE rules have added several Certification programs (TAC ยงยง 19.1024 - 19.1029) that are not exempt from CE requirements after 20 years of continous licensing.]
- About 85 days before your license expires, a perforated renewal invoice is sent to your last known mailing address on file with TDI. Tear-off the bottom portion of the renewal invoice and return with your fee.
You may:
return the renewal invoice in the pre-addressed envelope with a check or money order
OR
- renew by credit card (most major cards accepted) through Texas.gov, or
Sircon
How do I get a copy of my license?
If your mailing address is current with TDI, you may request a copy of your license
- through our automated phone service by calling 512-322-3503 and selecting option 2 on the main menu, or
- by email at LICENSE@tdi.state.tx.us.
If your mailing address has changed you will need to submit to TDI: a written statement that contains your full name, license number, new mailing and/or business address, any new contact numbers and your signature. You may submit:
- by mail Licensing Division MC 107-1A, P.O. Box 149104, Austin, TX 78714-9104, or
- fax to (512) 490-1029.
How do I get a letter of certification?
There are two ways to get a letter of certification.
First, you may request and print a TDI letter of certification on-line through our database vendor, Sircon Corp using Visa or Mastercard for the $11 state fee and the vendor's convenience fee.
Second, you may go to the TDI request form through this link, fill it out, print it, and mail it with the $11 fee to the address on the form.
Why do you publish insurance agent's and adjuster's home addresses?
Our application requests both a MAILING address and physical BUSINESS address be indicated. It does not specifically ask for your residential address. Keep in mind that all correspondence that is mailed from TDI will be mailed to your MAILING address on record.
All agent information except for social security number and criminal history is public information and may be accessed by the public. A solution may be to obtain/indicate a PO box address for your mailing address.
For more information contact:
Last updated: 04/24/2012
