Working as a Texas agent

What the licence lets you do, and what comes after it.

Becoming an insurance agent in TexasPass one examination, get fingerprinted, apply through Sircon, then get appointed by a carrier. That is USD 49 and USD 50 in fees, no degree, no pre-l…
What a life and health agent actually doesSolicit coverage, take applications, collect premium and deliver policies, all as the insurer's agent rather than the customer's. Section 4001.051 of …
Captive against independent agents in TexasA captive agent is appointed by one insurer. An independent agent holds appointments from several, which section 4001.202 of the Insurance Code expres…
Joining a carrier that pays for your licenseIt is usually a good offer and it comes with a clock. Texas issues a temporary agent license valid for 180 days, not renewable, with no examination re…
Your first year as a licensed Texas agentGet appointed, because a license alone authorizes nothing. Then keep insurance records separate from every other business, notify TDI monthly of the i…
Building a book of business, inside the rulesTexas puts hard limits on how you may win business. No rebate of premium or commission, no inducement not specified in the policy, and an unlicensed r…
The licenses Texas agents add nextProperty and casualty is the usual next one, at a 58.3% first-time pass rate, or personal lines at 66.0% for a narrower version. Surplus lines and man…
Moving from health into Medicare salesYour General Lines license already covers Medicare products, but Texas gates them separately. Section 4004.252 bars you from selling one until you hav…
The compliance mistakes that cost Texas agents their licenseRebating, misrepresentation and commingling premium. All three are disciplinary grounds under section 4005.101, misrepresentation is also an unfair tr…
What we do not publish about agent earnings, and whyWe hold no earnings data for Texas insurance agents and publish none. No salary, no commission rate, no pay band, no job-growth figure. The number you…
Is the license worth getting if you are unsure?The license is cheap enough to get on a maybe: USD 49 for the exam, USD 50 to apply, no pre-licensing course required, and it runs to your birthday tw…
The time and money cost of getting licensed in TexasUSD 49 for the examination and USD 50 for the application, so USD 99 in known fees, plus a fingerprinting charge we have not verified. The time is 150…