What This License Is
A Texas General Lines — Property & Casualty license lets you sell coverage that protects against property loss and legal liability: homeowners, personal and commercial auto, commercial property, and liability lines. It is issued by the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI).
Texas P&C is one of the larger producer markets in the country. Once licensed, you can pursue non-resident licenses in other states through reciprocity.
Eligibility Requirements
You must be at least 18 and have a Social Security Number (or FEIN for business entities). A criminal history involving fraud or dishonesty can lead to denial; TDI reviews each application individually. Answer all background questions on the application truthfully.
Pre-Licensing Education
Texas does not require pre-licensing education for a permanent P&C license. Most candidates take a prep course anyway because the exam expects fluency in policy forms and Texas-specific code.
The 40-hour pre-licensing requirement only applies if you are pursuing a 90-day temporary license under an agency or carrier sponsor.
Exam Options & Format
Pearson VUE administers the Texas P&C exam at testing centers across the state and via online proctoring. Schedule at home.pearsonvue.com/tx/insurance.
Most producers take the combined General Lines P&C exam (130 questions, 2.5 hours) to sell all P&C lines with a single credential. Texas also offers a separate Personal Lines license for producers who only sell personal-lines products — if that fits your role better, see the Personal Lines guide for that path.
What the Exam Covers
The exam splits into a general section (P&C concepts, policy forms, lines of business) and a state section (Texas Insurance Code, TDI regulations, state-specific producer duties).
Texas auto-specific rules, windstorm and hurricane coverage rules (especially relevant in coastal counties), and TDI-specific complaint and claims-handling rules all show up regularly on the state section.
What It Costs
Required state fees come in around $130–$155 total. Here is the breakdown:
Passing Score
You need 70% to pass, with the result on screen immediately. Texas does not limit retakes, but each attempt costs another exam fee. Aim for a consistent 80% on practice exams before scheduling the real one.
Keeping Your License Active
Important CE details: 3 hours must be ethics/consumer protection. At least 50% (12 hours) must be classroom or classroom-equivalent. No carry-over, no repeating a course in the same cycle. P&C producers who sell flood insurance must complete one-time NFIP training. The 20-year continuous-license CE exemption is available via TDI form FIN517 (does not waive specialty training).
Texas requires 24 hours of CE every 2 years, with 3 hours in ethics/consumer protection and at least 12 hours in classroom or classroom-equivalent format. Renewal is tied to your birth month.
If you sell flood insurance, you must complete a one-time National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) training course before selling. Those hours count toward your CE total.
The 20-year continuous-licensure CE exemption (TDI form FIN517) is available for long-tenured producers, though it does not waive specialty training requirements.
Quick Reference
Official Links
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