What you pay to reinstate a lapsed Texas insurance license
The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) charges a reinstatement fee when you want to restore a license that has expired or been voluntarily surrendered. The amount depends on your license type — a property and casualty license costs differently than a life, health, or variable annuity license. As of 2024, reinstatement fees range from around $100 to $300, but TDI updates these amounts periodically, so you should confirm the exact fee for your specific license class before submitting payment.
Beyond the reinstatement fee itself, you may owe late renewal penalties if your license expired more than a certain number of days ago. Texas imposes a penalty for licenses that lapse beyond the grace period — typically 30 to 60 days after the expiration date, depending on your license type. The penalty is usually calculated as a percentage of the renewal fee, not a flat amount. If you also failed to complete continuing education before your license expired, you will need to complete those hours before reinstatement is approved, and some providers charge for those courses.
If your license was suspended or revoked by TDI — rather than straightforward lapsed — reinstatement involves additional steps and potentially higher costs. A suspension or revocation typically means you violated insurance laws or regulations, and TDI may require you to pay fines, restitution, or other penalties before considering reinstatement. You should contact TDI directly to learn what specific violations are on your record and what must be resolved.
Key Takeaways
- Reinstatement fees for Texas insurance licenses range from approximately $100 to $300 depending on your license type, and TDI updates these amounts regularly.
- Late renewal penalties explore if your license expired more than 30 to 60 days ago and are calculated as a percentage of the renewal fee, not a fixed dollar amount.
- You must complete any outstanding continuing education hours before your license can be reinstated, and you may need to pay course fees to do so.
- If your license was suspended or revoked rather than straightforward expired, you will owe fines or restitution and must resolve the underlying violation before reinstatement is possible.
- The Texas Department of Insurance website lists current fee schedules by license type, and you can contact them directly to confirm what you owe before submitting payment.
How to find your exact reinstatement fee and penalties
TDI publishes a fee schedule on its website organized by license type. You can read the current schedule from the TDI homepage under "Licensing" or "Fees and Fines." The schedule shows the base reinstatement fee for each category — for example, a property and casualty license, a life and health license, or a managing general agent license. Print or save this document so you have the official amount before you begin the reinstatement process.
To find out whether you owe late penalties, log into your TDI license account through the License Lookup system on the TDI website. This system shows your license status, expiration date, and any outstanding compliance issues. If your license expired more than the grace period ago, the system will typically note that a penalty applies. You can also call the TDI Licensing Division directly at the phone number listed on their website — staff can tell you the exact total amount due, including the reinstatement fee, any late penalty, and any continuing education requirements.
If you are unsure whether you completed your continuing education before your license expired, ask TDI to review your transcript. Some agents complete courses but fail to report them to TDI before the important date. If that happened to you, you may be able to submit proof of completion and avoid having to retake the hours. TDI will confirm whether your transcript is current or whether you must complete additional hours before reinstatement.
Steps to reinstate your license and pay what you owe
Start by gathering your TDI license number and your current contact information. You will need these to log into your account or to provide to TDI staff if you call. Next, confirm the total amount due by checking the fee schedule and your account status, as described above. Do not assume you only owe the reinstatement fee — late penalties and continuing education requirements add to the total.
Submit your reinstatement request through the TDI online licensing portal if you have an account set up. The portal allows you to request reinstatement, upload any required documents (such as proof of continuing education), and pay fees online by credit card or electronic check. If you do not have an online account, you can mail a paper reinstatement request form to TDI along with a check or money order. The form is available on the TDI website under "Forms" or "Licensing Forms."
Once TDI receives your request and payment, processing typically takes 5 to 10 business days. You will receive a confirmation email or letter when your license has been reinstated. If you need your license reinstated urgently — for example, because you have a job offer pending — contact the TDI Licensing Division to ask whether expedited processing is available. Expedited service is not may provide and may involve an additional fee, but TDI staff can tell you whether it is an option in your situation.
What happens if you owe fines or restitution
If your license was suspended or revoked by TDI, rather than straightforward expired, you will not be able to reinstate it until you have resolved the underlying violation. TDI issues suspensions and revocations when an agent violates the Texas Insurance Code — for example, by mishandling client funds, failing to disclose conflicts of interest, or committing fraud. The violation notice you received will explain what you did and what penalties explore.
Fines and restitution are separate from reinstatement fees. A fine is a penalty paid to the state; restitution is money paid to a client or third party who was harmed by your conduct. You must pay both in full before TDI will consider reinstatement. If you cannot pay the full amount at once, contact TDI to ask whether a payment plan is available. Some violations also require you to complete additional training or to pass a new licensing exam before reinstatement is approved.
If you believe the suspension or revocation was issued in error, you have the right to request a hearing before the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH). This is a formal legal process, and many agents hire an attorney to represent them. You must request a hearing within a certain time frame — usually 30 days from the date of the suspension or revocation notice — so act quickly if you want to challenge the decision.
Continuing education requirements before reinstatement
Texas requires all active insurance agents to complete a set number of continuing education (CE) hours during each license period, which is typically two years. The number of hours depends on your license type — for example, property and casualty agents must complete 30 hours per two-year period. If your license expired before you finished your CE hours, you must complete them before reinstatement is approved.
You can take CE courses from any provider approved by TDI. The TDI website lists approved providers, and you can search by course topic or provider name. Most courses are offered online and cost between $50 and $150 per course, though prices vary. Once you complete a course, the provider reports your completion to TDI automatically, or you may need to submit a certificate of completion yourself — check with your course provider about their reporting process.
If you are close to meeting your CE requirement but fell short before your license expired, ask TDI whether any hours can be carried over or whether you can count hours completed after expiration toward your next renewal period. Policies vary, and TDI staff can explain what applies to your situation. In some cases, you may be able to complete your outstanding hours and reinstate without penalty if you act quickly after expiration.
Payment methods and where to send your reinstatement request
TDI accepts payment through multiple methods depending on how you submit your reinstatement request. If you use the online portal, you can pay by credit card or electronic check. If you mail a paper request, you must include a check or money order made payable to the "Texas Department of Insurance." Do not send cash through the mail.
Mail your paper reinstatement request and payment to the address listed on the TDI website under "Mailing Address for Licensing." Include your license number, your full name, your current address, and a clear statement that you are requesting reinstatement. Keep a copy of everything you send for your records. If you are mailing your request, allow extra time for delivery — TDI processes requests in the order they are received, and mail delays can push your processing time beyond the standard 5 to 10 business days.
If you have questions about payment or your account, call the TDI Licensing Division during business hours. The phone number and hours are on the TDI website. Have your license number ready when you call, and be prepared to provide your date of birth or other identifying information to verify your identity.
Timeline for reinstatement and what to expect
The reinstatement process typically takes 5 to 10 business days from the date TDI receives your complete request and payment. "Complete" means you have submitted the reinstatement form, paid all fees and penalties, and provided proof of any continuing education hours. If any information is missing or unclear, TDI will contact you to ask for clarification, which adds time to the process.
You will receive written confirmation when your license has been reinstated. This confirmation will be sent to the email address or mailing address on file with TDI. Once you receive it, your license is active and you can resume work as an insurance agent. You can also check your license status in the TDI License Lookup system at any time to confirm that your license shows as active.
If your reinstatement request is denied, TDI will send you a written explanation of the reason. Common reasons for denial include incomplete continuing education, outstanding fines or restitution, or a violation that TDI believes makes you unfit to hold a license. If your request is denied, you have the right to request a hearing to challenge the decision. The denial letter will explain how to request a hearing and the important date for doing so.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as an insurance agent while my reinstatement request is being processed?
No. Once your license expires, you cannot legally sell insurance or perform any licensed activity until your reinstatement is approved and your new license is issued. Working without an active license is a violation of Texas insurance law and can result in fines or criminal charges. If you have a job offer pending, explain to your employer that you are in the reinstatement process and provide them with a timeline based on TDI's standard processing time.
What if I cannot pay the full reinstatement fee and late penalty all at once?
Contact the TDI Licensing Division to ask whether a payment plan is available. TDI has discretion to allow installment payments in some cases, particularly if the amount owed is substantial. You will need to make a formal request and may be required to provide documentation of financial hardship. Payment plans are not may provide, but it is worth asking.
Do I have to retake my licensing exam to reinstate my license?
No, not in most cases. Reinstatement does not require you to retake the exam — you only need to pay the reinstatement fee, any late penalties, and complete any outstanding continuing education. However, if your license was revoked due to a violation, TDI may require you to pass a new exam as a condition of reinstatement. The revocation notice will state whether this applies to you.
How long does my reinstated license last?
Your reinstated license will be valid for the standard license period, which is typically two years for most Texas insurance licenses. Your new expiration date will be shown on your license certificate. You will need to renew your license before that date to keep it active. Renewal is different from reinstatement — renewal is the normal process to extend an active license, while reinstatement restores a lapsed license.
Can I reinstate my license if it has been expired for more than a year?
Yes. Texas does not have a time limit on how long after expiration you can request reinstatement. However, the longer your license has been expired, the higher your late penalties may be, and you will need to complete all continuing education hours that were due during the time your license was inactive. Contact TDI to find out the total amount you owe before you submit your reinstatement request.