Can You Get an Insurance License in Texas With a Criminal Record?

Texas doesn't use a blanket rule where any felony automatically disqualifies you from an insurance license. The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) reviews criminal history case-by-case. See our general explainer on the federal law for how 18 U.S.C. §1033 applies on top of Texas's own review. This is general information, not legal advice about your specific record.

Texas evaluates case-by-case, not with an automatic disqualification list

TDI's review is governed by 28 Texas Administrative Code §1.502 and Texas Insurance Code §4005.101(b)(8), which allow denial for felony convictions but don't impose a blanket rule. In practice, this generally means the department weighs factors like the severity of the offense, how much time has passed, evidence of rehabilitation, and how directly the offense relates to the responsibilities of an insurance license — rather than treating every felony identically.

Find out before you apply

Texas Occupations Code Chapter 53 (which applies to every Texas state licensing authority, including TDI) gives you the right to request a Criminal History Evaluation Letter before you ever file a full license application — specifically because of how much time and money is tied up in completing pre-licensing education and sitting for the exam first. Once a complete request is received, the agency has up to 90 days to respond with whether it would or wouldn't recommend granting a license based on what it knows at the time. That recommendation isn't binding if you later apply, but it's a genuinely useful gut-check before you spend money on anything else. Contact TDI's licensing division directly (License@tdi.texas.gov or 512-676-6500) to find out how to request one specific to an insurance license, since this is a statutory right across state agencies rather than a single standardized web form.

The fingerprint background check happens regardless

Texas requires a fingerprint-based background check through IdentoGO for essentially all applicants, checked against Texas DPS records (and federal records, depending on the check). This means an undisclosed record will generally surface on its own — deciding not to mention something on the application doesn't mean TDI won't find it.

If you're covered by 18 U.S.C. § 1033

If your felony involved dishonesty or breach of trust, Texas's own case-by-case review doesn't replace the separate federal requirement — you'll still need written consent from the Texas Insurance Commissioner before you can work in the business of insurance, on top of whatever TDI decides on the license application itself.

Bottom line for Texas applicants

Texas's case-by-case approach means a record is genuinely more survivable here than a lot of applicants assume — but only with full, accurate disclosure. If you're unsure where you stand, use your Chapter 53 right to a pre-application evaluation letter before committing money to a course or exam fee.