How to Get Your Texas Life & Health Insurance License: Step-by-Step Guide
September 7, 2026 · PassReadyPro Team
Texas calls this license "General Lines – Life, Accident and Health," and it authorizes you to sell life insurance, annuities, and health/accident insurance. The path: confirm eligibility, study, pass your Pearson VUE exam, and apply through the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI).
Quick answer: Texas doesn't require pre-licensing course hours for this license — study a couple of weeks, pass the Pearson VUE exam at 70% or better, complete a fingerprint background check, then apply through NIPR or TDI.
Step 1: Confirm you're eligible
You must be at least 18 years old. TDI reviews criminal history as part of licensing — see TDI's agent licensing page for current eligibility standards before you start studying if that applies to you.
Step 2: Study the required material
Texas doesn't require a fixed number of pre-licensing hours, but the exam pulls from the Texas Insurance Code alongside general life, accident, and health insurance concepts. Our Texas Life & Health course is written directly against Texas statute and TDI rules.
Step 3: Schedule and pass your exam through Pearson VUE
Texas exams are administered by Pearson VUE. The Life, Accident & Health exam fee is generally around $39 per attempt, though Pearson VUE's own portal has the current figure. Before you can test, Texas requires a fingerprint-based background check through IdentoGO — you schedule this separately through TDI's application portal, and it has to be completed before your exam appointment is valid.
A few practical notes for exam day:
- Bring two valid, government-issued photo IDs — at least one with a photo and signature.
- Arrive at least 30 minutes early.
- No personal items in the testing room; Pearson VUE provides secure storage.
- You need 70% correct to pass.
- If you fail, Pearson VUE generally allows a retake after a short wait (commonly cited as 24 hours) — confirm the current policy when you reschedule.
Step 4: Apply for your actual license
After passing, submit your application through NIPR or directly with TDI, along with proof your fingerprint background check is complete. TDI's application looks at your most recent passing result, not your full attempt history, so a prior failed attempt doesn't appear on your application.
What it actually costs
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Pearson VUE exam fee (per attempt) | ~$39 |
| License application fee | ~$50 |
| Fingerprint background check (IdentoGO) | ~$40–$50 |
| Pre-licensing course | Varies by provider |
These are the ranges most commonly published by TDI, Pearson VUE, and IdentoGO — always confirm the exact current fee before you pay, since these are adjusted periodically.
Putting it together
Budget a couple of weeks to study, schedule your fingerprinting appointment early since it has to be done before your exam counts, then sit your Pearson VUE exam and apply through NIPR once you pass.
Related reading
Frequently asked questions
Is this the same as a "life insurance license" in Texas?+
Texas's General Lines – Life, Accident and Health license covers life, annuities, and health/accident products together. If you only want life insurance and annuities, Texas also offers a separate, narrower Life Agent license.
Do I really need fingerprinting before the exam?+
Yes — Texas requires the fingerprint background check to be completed through IdentoGO before your exam registration is valid, which is different from Oklahoma and Arizona, where fingerprinting happens during the license application instead.
Will a failed attempt hurt my application?+
No. TDI's licensing review looks at your most recent passing exam result, not your full history of attempts.
Ready to start studying?
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This article is for general informational purposes and reflects our understanding of Texas's licensing process at the time of writing. Requirements and procedures change — always verify current details with the Texas Department of Insurance or your exam administrator before relying on anything here.