Insurance Agent in Texas

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for TX. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.

Median annual salary

$47,530

trending_down -21.3% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Texas.

engineering

44,670

Jobs (TX)

monitoring Stable

+3.7%

10-yr job growth

payments

$99

Licensing fees

schedule

3-7 weeks (application processing can take 3-5 weeks after passing the exam and background check)

Time to complete

route How to become an insurance agent in Texas

To become a licensed Insurance Agent in Texas, individuals must be at least 18 years old and pass the Texas Insurance Agent Licensing Exam, administered by Pearson VUE. While pre-licensing education is not strictly mandated for all license types, it is highly recommended for exam preparation. After passing the exam, applicants must complete a fingerprint-based background check and submit an application with the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI). The application fee is $50, and the exam fee is approximately $49 for general lines. Licenses renew every two years, requiring 24 hours of continuing education, including 3 hours of ethics, with at least 12 hours in a classroom or classroom-equivalent setting. Texas offers reciprocity for non-resident agents with an active license in good standing from their home state.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $30,140

25th percentile $38,310

50th (median) $47,530

75th percentile $77,270

90th (experienced) $121,590

Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Texas. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.

checklist Texas requirements

Licensing body	Texas Department of Insurance
State license	Required
Education	Pre-licensing education is not formally required by the state of Texas for all license types, but it is highly recommended to prepare for the state exam. For a temporary 90-day license (General Lines—Life, Accident & Health and General Lines—Property & Casualty), 40 hours of pre-licensing education are required within 14 days of application. Specific pre-licensing courses are recommended for different lines of authority (e.g., 20 hours for Life or 40 hours for Life & Health).
Exam	Texas Insurance Agent Licensing Exam (administered by Pearson VUE) ($49)
Application fee	$50
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	24.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Minimum age is 18 years old. Requires fingerprinting and a background check. CE requirements include 3 hours of ethics, and at least 12 hours must be completed in a classroom or classroom-equivalent environment. Applicants must apply for their license within 12 months of passing the exam. A temporary 180-day license is available for some lines, but it is issued only once and cannot be renewed.

Source: Texas Department of Insurance

work_outline Job outlook

10-year growth

+3.7%

Average

Annual openings

47,000

Nationwide per year

Total employment

568,800

Nationwide

neurology

AI & tech impact

error High exposure 1.34/1.00

Many tasks in this career are susceptible to AI automation. Long-term career planning should account for potential disruption.

hub

balance Is it worth it?

check_circleTexas license required — clearer credential signal to employers
warningElevated AI disruption risk

psychology

Wondering if an insurance agent career is the right fit?

See what the day actually looks like, who the role suits, and who should skip it — grounded in real practitioner sources.

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Frequently asked questions

How do I become an insurance agent in Texas? expand_more

To become an insurance agent in Texas, you need to complete the required education (Pre-licensing education is not formally required by the state of Texas for all license types, but it is highly recommended to prepare for the state exam. For a temporary 90-day license (General Lines—Life, Accident & Health and General Lines—Property & Casualty), 40 hours of pre-licensing education are required within 14 days of application. Specific pre-licensing courses are recommended for different lines of authority (e.g., 20 hours for Life or 40 hours for Life & Health).), pass the Texas Insurance Agent Licensing Exam (administered by Pearson VUE), and submit your application ($50 fee).

Do I need a license to work as an insurance agent in Texas? expand_more

You cannot practice as an insurance agent in Texas without a state license from Texas Department of Insurance. The required exam is the Texas Insurance Agent Licensing Exam (administered by Pearson VUE).

What do insurance agents earn in Texas? expand_more

The median insurance agent salary in Texas is $47,530 per year. — 21% under the $60,370 national average. New insurance agents start around $30,140; seasoned professionals can reach $121,590.

How much does it cost to become an insurance agent in Texas? expand_more

Costs include exam fee ($49) and application fee ($50). The estimated total investment is varies, including education and training.

How quickly can I become an insurance agent in Texas? expand_more

In Texas, becoming an insurance agent generally takes 3-7 weeks (application processing can take 3-5 weeks after passing the exam and background check), accounting for education requirements, hands-on training, and the exam process.

What's required to renew a insurance agent license in Texas? expand_more

License renewal in Texas requires completing 24.0 hours of continuing education on a 2.0-year cycle.