What to Bring to Your Texas Insurance Exam at Pearson VUE
September 11, 2026 · PassReadyPro Team
Texas insurance exams are administered by Pearson VUE, and the rules are a little different from PSI's — most notably, Texas requires your fingerprint background check to already be cleared before your exam appointment counts. Here's what to know before you go.
Quick answer: Complete your IdentoGO fingerprint check before you register. Bring two valid, government-issued photo IDs. Arrive 30 minutes early.
Complete your fingerprint background check first
Texas requires a fingerprint-based background check through IdentoGO, scheduled through TDI's online application and fingerprint portal, before your Pearson VUE exam registration is valid. If you haven't done this yet, do it as early as possible — it's the single most common thing that delays a Texas candidate's timeline, since you can't simply schedule and sit your exam the way you can in Oklahoma or Arizona.
Identification
Bring two valid, government-issued photo IDs to your exam, with at least one showing both a photo and a signature. Acceptable forms typically include a driver's license, passport, or military ID. Pearson VUE will not let you test without both if that's what your specific exam requires — check your confirmation email for the exact requirement.
Arrival time
Arrive at least 30 minutes early for check-in.
What you can't bring into the testing room
Like most professional testing centers, Pearson VUE requires you to leave personal items — phones, bags, notes, food and drinks — in a secure storage area before you enter the testing room. Bulky outerwear may also need to be stored, depending on the location.
Testing format
Most Texas insurance exams are administered in person at Pearson VUE test centers. Policies on remote or online testing options change from time to time — confirm your specific exam's format on Pearson VUE's Texas insurance exam page when you schedule, rather than assuming based on an older article (including this one).
If you fail
Pearson VUE generally allows a retake after a short wait, commonly cited as 24 hours, with no state-imposed cap on the number of attempts. You'll pay the exam fee again for each retake, and TDI's licensing review only looks at your most recent passing result — a failed attempt doesn't otherwise affect your application.
Related reading
Frequently asked questions
Can I schedule my exam before completing fingerprinting?+
You can typically schedule an appointment, but your exam registration isn't considered valid — and you may not be allowed to test — until your IdentoGO fingerprint background check is complete. Get it done early.
Do both of my IDs need a photo?+
No — Pearson VUE generally requires at least one of your two IDs to have a photo and signature; the second just needs to be a valid, government-issued form of ID.
How long do I have to wait to retake the exam?+
Commonly cited as 24 hours, though this can vary — check your specific rescheduling options in your Pearson VUE account after a failed attempt.
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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.