A life and health license is your permission slip from the state of Texas to sell life insurance and health insurance. That’s it. No mystery. The state says you can’t sell these products without one, and they’re right — you shouldn’t be advising people on coverage that protects their families and their health unless you actually know what you’re talking about.
So you take a course, pass an exam, submit some paperwork, and Texas gives you a license. Simple concept. Let’s break down what that actually looks like.
Why You Need One (Besides “Because Texas Says So”)
Yeah, it’s required by law. But here’s why it actually matters:
You become employable overnight. Every insurance agency, every brokerage, every carrier in Texas needs licensed agents. You can’t sell without it. The second you have that license, you’re in demand. Farmers, Allstate, State Farm, independent agencies — they all need you.
You protect yourself. Selling insurance without a license in Texas isn’t just frowned upon — it’s illegal. You don’t want that problem.
You can actually earn real money. Licensed agents in Texas earn anywhere from $40,000 to $100,000+ per year. Year one? Expect around $40K while you’re building your book of business. Year three, if you’re putting in the work? Six figures is absolutely on the table.
You build something that’s yours. Your client base follows you. Your book of business is an asset. This isn’t a job where you clock in, clock out, and own nothing.
Who Can Get a Life and Health License?
Here’s the good news: you don’t need a college degree. You don’t need years of experience. You don’t need to know anyone in the industry.
Texas requires two things:
- You’re at least 18 years old.
- You can pass a background check. Texas requires electronic fingerprints for a criminal background check. If you’ve got a clean record, you’re fine. If you’ve had legal issues, TDI will review it — but it’s not an automatic disqualifier.
That’s the bar. No college degree. No pre-licensing hours. Texas doesn’t require you to take a course before sitting for the exam — you could walk into Pearson VUE tomorrow and take it cold. You’d probably fail, but you’re legally allowed to try. What you need is preparation, not a certificate.
What the Licensing Process Actually Looks Like
Here’s the real timeline — not the glossed-over version every other website gives you:
Step 1
Take an Exam Prep Course
You don’t have to take a course. But if you want to actually pass, you should. The statewide pass rate for first-time test takers is under 50%. Here’s how we do it:
- In-person classes in Fort Worth — 2-day intensive, face-to-face
- Live Zoom classes — same 2-day format, in your bunny slippers
- On-demand video course — study at your own pace, no bunny slippers necessary
Step 2
Schedule and Pass Your Exam
The exam is called General Lines — Life, Accident & Health (INS TX-LAH 05). Here’s what you’re walking into:
- 130 multiple-choice questions. You need 91 correct to pass (70%).
- Time limit: 2 hours and 30 minutes (150 minutes). That’s plenty of time if you’ve studied.
You schedule the exam through Pearson VUE. You can take it as early as the day after you finish your course.
Step 3
Fingerprints and Background Check
You’ll submit electronic fingerprints. This can be done before or after your exam — don’t wait until the last minute.
Step 4
Apply for Your License Through TDI
Here’s the part nobody tells you: after you pass, it takes about 3 weeks to get your actual license from the Texas Department of Insurance.
If you Google “how long does TDI take to process a license,” you’ll find their official processing dates page. It’ll show dates like yesterday or today, making it look like they handle applications in one day.
Here’s the trick: “processing” and “issuing” are not the same thing. Those dates show when applications were received, not when licenses were issued. TDI uses the word “processing” on their website. What you actually want is your license issued. Big difference.
The real-world timeline from exam passed to license issued? About 3 weeks. And here’s something most people don’t know: Pearson VUE, the company that administers your exam, also processes your license application on behalf of TDI. TDI just issues it.
What Can You Sell With a Life and Health License?
Your license covers two main product lines:
Life Insurance
- Term life — coverage for a set number of years (10, 20, 30)
- Whole life — coverage for your entire life with a cash value component
- Universal life — flexible premiums, flexible coverage
- Variable life — investment-linked policies
- Annuities — retirement income products (yes, these fall under life)
Health Insurance
- Individual and group health plans
- Accident and sickness coverage
- Disability insurance (short-term and long-term)
- Long-term care insurance
- Medicare supplement policies
- Dental and vision plans
That’s a lot of products. A lot of ways to help people. A lot of ways to earn commissions.
How Long Does Your License Last?
Your license renews every two years, on the last day of your birth month. When you renew, you’ll need 24 hours of continuing education. Three of those hours have to be in ethics.
That’s it. No re-testing. No re-applying. Just stay current with your CE credits, pay the renewal fee, and you’re good for another two years. And here’s a fun one: once you hit 20 years as a licensed agent, you don’t have to do CE anymore. Your license is good from two years to twenty, and then you’re free.
Ready to Get Licensed?
You can get your exam prep anywhere. Kaplan, ExamFX, some random online provider you found on Google.
Or you can take a course built specifically for the Texas exam, taught by instructors with 30 years of combined experience, with a textbook that gets updated quarterly — not once a decade.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a life and health insurance license in Texas?
Take an exam prep course (recommended but not legally required), pass the General Lines — Life, Accident & Health exam (INS TX-LAH 05) through Pearson VUE, submit electronic fingerprints for a background check, and apply for your license through TDI. The whole process takes about 3-4 weeks from start to license in hand.
How long does it take to get a life and health license in Texas?
You can complete the course in 2-3 days, take your exam within a week, and have your license about 3 weeks after that. TDI processes applications through Pearson VUE, and that step takes roughly 3 weeks. Total: under a month.
Is the Texas life and health insurance exam hard?
The exam has 130 questions, and you need 91 correct to pass (70%). You get 2 hours and 30 minutes. With proper preparation, most students pass on their first attempt. It’s not easy, but it’s very doable if you’ve studied.
How much do licensed insurance agents make in Texas?
Expect around $40,000 in your first year while you’re building your client base. Experienced agents who are putting in the work can earn $100,000+ per year. Your income is largely commission-based, so your earnings reflect your effort.
Is a life and health insurance license worth it?
If you want a career with uncapped earning potential, flexibility, and something you actually own (your book of business), yes. You don’t need a degree, you can get licensed in under a month, and the demand for agents isn’t going anywhere.