Texas life and health exam: frequently asked questions
Short answers to what people ask about the Texas general lines life, accident and health agent exam. Each one links to the document it comes from.
How many questions are on the Texas life and health exam?
130 scoreable questions: 100 in the general knowledge part and 30 in the state specific part. The outlines also list 10 pretest questions in the general part and 5 in the state part, which do not affect your score. [Outline p.4] [Outline p.7] [Handbook p.15]
How long is the exam?
150 minutes, for the English exam (InsTX-LAH05) and the Spanish one (InsTX-LAH25). [Handbook p.19]
What is the passing score?
A scaled score of 70. Scaled scores run from 0 to 100, and the score reported to you is neither the number of questions you answered correctly nor the percentage of questions you answered correctly. [Handbook p.16]
How much does the exam cost?
$49 for the General Lines - Life, Accident & Health exam, paid when you make the reservation. Payment is not accepted at the test center. [Handbook p.19] [Handbook p.12]
How much does the license cost?
The application fee is $50, paid to TDI after you pass the exam. It is per license type and non-refundable. [TDI] [Handbook p.6]
How do I schedule the exam?
Make an online reservation on Pearson VUE's Texas insurance page at least 24 hours before the date you want, or reserve by phone at (888) 754-7667 with the same notice. Walk-in examinations are not available. [Handbook p.11] [Pearson VUE, Texas]
What happens if I fail?
You can schedule a new exam within one day, and there is no limit to the number of attempts on the same exam. [Handbook p.15]
When do I get my score?
At the test center. The handbook says candidates leave with their official scores in hand. [Handbook p.15]
Is there a penalty for guessing?
No. The handbook says it is always better to guess at the correct answer than not to answer a question, because there is no penalty for incorrect answers. [Handbook p.18]
What ID do I bring?
Two forms of current signature identification. The primary one must be government issued with a photo and a signature, the secondary one must contain a valid signature, and the name on both must exactly match the name on your registration. [Handbook p.14]
How early should I arrive?
Thirty minutes before the exam. [Handbook p.14]
Is the exam offered in Spanish?
Yes. The Spanish exam is InsTX-LAH25. Candidates taking a Spanish version can switch back and forth between Spanish and English at any time during the exam. [Handbook p.19] [Handbook p.13]
Do I need fingerprints?
Most people who apply for a license must get a fingerprint background check from IdentoGO and send TDI a copy of the receipt. You begin on TDI's online initial application and fingerprint portal to receive your fingerprint service code. [TDI]
How soon after passing do I have to apply?
Within one year. If you do not submit a completed application within twelve months of passing, you must retake the exam. [TDI] [Handbook p.6]
Can I skip the exam?
TDI says you do not need to take an exam if your license has been expired for more than 90 days but less than one year, if you do not live in Texas but have a license in good standing in a reciprocal state, or if you have the chartered life underwriter designation. [TDI]
Can I work before I pass?
TDI offers a one-time 180-day temporary license, sponsored by the agent, company or agency you will work for, with at least 40 hours of training in the first 30 days. You must pass the state exam within the 180 days. An emergency license and a provisional permit are not available. [TDI]
Do I need a prelicensing course?
TDI lists the steps for this license as the exam, fingerprints and the application, and the handbook's list of what TDI requires names no course. The only training TDI's page states is the 40 hours for a temporary license, and TDI's page for registering a pre-licensing course is titled for adjusters: "Register an Adjuster pre-licensing course." Ask TDI before you buy a course. [TDI] [Handbook p.6] [TDI, pre-licensing courses]
How many hours of continuing education does the license need?
A general life, accident, and health license holder must complete 24 hours of continuing education during the license period. [Tex. Ins. Code §4004.053]
Is this the same as the Life Agent exam?
No. The Life Agent exam is a separate exam: InsTX-Life01 is 120 minutes and costs $39, against 150 minutes and $49 for the General Lines - Life, Accident & Health exam. [Handbook p.19]
Sources
- Pearson VUE, Texas Insurance Licensing Candidate Handbook (October 2024, PDF)
- Pearson VUE, Texas Insurance Supplement: Examination Content Outlines, effective September 1, 2026 (PDF)
- Texas Department of Insurance, General lines – life, accident, health and HMO (how to apply)
- Texas Department of Insurance, Register an Adjuster pre-licensing course
- Pearson VUE, Texas Department of Insurance licensing exams
- Texas Insurance Code, Chapter 4004 (continuing education)
Every fact on this page was checked against these sources on . Fees, forms and exam details change, so check the Texas Department of Insurance and Pearson VUE before you pay. noshu is not affiliated with the Texas Department of Insurance or Pearson VUE, and this is a study aid, not legal advice: they and the statutes are the authority. If something here is wrong, tell us at a@noshu.net.