How to Reinstate Your Texas Property and Casualty Insurance License

How to reinstate your P&C license in Texas

To reinstate a lapsed property and casualty insurance license in Texas, you file a reinstatement request with the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) and pay the reinstatement fee. The process depends on how long your license has been inactive. If your license lapsed fewer than two years ago, you can usually reinstate it without retaking the exam. If it has been more than two years, you will need to pass the current P&C licensing exam again before TDI will reinstate you.

The reinstatement fee is separate from your renewal fee and covers the cost of processing your request. You will also need to meet any continuing education requirements that came due while your license was inactive. TDI processes most reinstatement requests within two to four weeks, though this can vary depending on how complete your submission is.

Key Takeaways

Licenses inactive for fewer than two years can be reinstated without retaking the exam, but licenses inactive for two years or longer require you to pass the current P&C exam.
You must pay the reinstatement fee and any outstanding renewal fees owed during the period your license was inactive.
Continuing education hours that came due while your license was lapsed must be completed before or during the reinstatement process.
You submit your reinstatement request directly to the Texas Department of Insurance through their online licensing system or by mail.

When your license became inactive and what that means for reinstatement

Your P&C license becomes inactive when you do not renew it by the expiration date shown on your license card. TDI does not automatically cancel inactive licenses—they straightforward stop being valid for conducting insurance business. This matters because the length of time your license has been inactive determines whether you need to retake the exam.

If your license has been inactive for less than two years, TDI considers it recent enough that you can reinstate it without exam retesting. You will still need to pay fees and complete any continuing education you missed, but the exam requirement is waived. If your license has been inactive for two years or more, TDI requires you to pass the current P&C exam before reinstatement, even if you held the license for many years before it lapsed.

Check your license card or your TDI licensing account to confirm the expiration date. If you are unsure whether your license is still active or how long it has been inactive, you can contact TDI's licensing division at 1-877-839-2378 or check your status through the TDI online licensing portal.

Fees and continuing education requirements you need to complete

Reinstatement requires you to pay two separate fees: the reinstatement fee itself and any renewal fees for the years your license was inactive. For example, if your license expired in 2022 and you are reinstating in 2024, you owe the 2022 renewal fee, the 2023 renewal fee, and the 2024 reinstatement fee. The exact dollar amounts vary and change periodically, so check the current fee schedule on the TDI website or call their licensing division to confirm what you owe.

You must also complete any continuing education hours that came due during the time your license was inactive. P&C licensees in Texas are required to complete 30 hours of continuing education every two years. If your license was inactive for one renewal cycle, you owe 30 hours. If it was inactive for two cycles, you owe 60 hours. These hours must be completed through TDI-approved providers before you submit your reinstatement request, or you can complete them after reinstatement if TDI allows you to do so under their current rules—ask when you contact them.

Steps to submit your reinstatement request to TDI

The fastest way to reinstate your license is through the TDI online licensing system. Log in with your existing TDI account credentials. If you do not remember your login, use the "Forgot Password" option on the TDI licensing portal homepage. Once logged in, look for the reinstatement option in your license management menu and follow the prompts to submit your request.

You will need to provide your license number, confirm your personal information, and declare that you have completed all required continuing education. You will also upload proof of your continuing education completion—usually a certificate or transcript from the education provider. After you submit the online form, you pay the reinstatement and renewal fees through the portal's payment system. TDI accepts credit cards and electronic check payments.

If you prefer to reinstate by mail, read the reinstatement form from the TDI website, complete it by hand or type, and mail it with a check or money order to the address listed on the form. Include copies of your continuing education certificates. Mail reinstatement takes longer than online submission—typically four to six weeks instead of two to four weeks—because TDI must manually process and enter your information.

What happens if your license has been inactive for two years or longer

If your license has been inactive for two years or more, you cannot reinstate it without passing the current P&C licensing exam. This is true even if you held the license for decades before it lapsed. You will need to register for the exam through Pearson VUE, the testing company TDI uses, and schedule a test date at a local testing center or online.

Before you take the exam, review the current P&C exam content outline on the TDI website to see what topics are covered. Insurance law, regulations, and product rules change over time, so the exam you take now may cover different material than the one you passed years ago. Many people use study guides or take a prep course before retesting. Once you pass the exam, you can then submit your reinstatement request with proof of your passing score.

Timeline for TDI to process your reinstatement

After you submit a complete reinstatement request—one that includes all required fees, proof of continuing education, and any exam results if needed—TDI typically processes it within two to four weeks. You will receive an email or letter confirming that your license has been reinstated and your new license card will be mailed to you.

Processing time can be longer if your submission is incomplete. For example, if you did not include your continuing education certificates or if TDI needs to verify information with an education provider, they will contact you and ask you to submit the missing documents. Incomplete requests can add two to four weeks to the timeline. To avoid delays, double-check that you have included everything before you submit.

Once your license is reinstated, you can when ready begin conducting P&C insurance business in Texas. Your new license card will show your reinstatement date and your new expiration date, which is typically two years from the reinstatement date.

What to do if TDI denies your reinstatement request

TDI rarely denies a reinstatement request if you have paid all fees, completed continuing education, and passed the exam if required. However, denial can happen if TDI discovers that you have an outstanding disciplinary issue, a criminal conviction that affects your fitness to hold a license, or unpaid fines or restitution from a prior TDI enforcement action.

If TDI denies your reinstatement, they will send you a written explanation of the reason. You have the right to request a hearing to contest the denial. Contact TDI's enforcement division or the licensing division to understand what issue is blocking your reinstatement and what steps you can take to resolve it. Some issues can be cleared; others may require legal representation to address.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reinstate my license if I never completed the continuing education that was due before it lapsed?

Yes. You can complete the continuing education hours after your license is reinstated, though TDI may require you to complete them within a specific timeframe—usually 30 to 60 days. Some TDI staff will allow you to complete the hours before you submit your reinstatement request. Call TDI's licensing division to ask what they will accept in your situation.

Do I have to retake the exam if my license has been inactive for exactly two years?

The rule is "two years or more," so if your license has been inactive for exactly two years, you will need to retake the exam. If it has been inactive for one year and 364 days, you do not. Check your license expiration date carefully to know which category you fall into.

What if I cannot remember my TDI online account password?

Use the "Forgot Password" link on the TDI licensing portal homepage. You will be asked to enter your email address or license number, and TDI will send you a password reset link. If you do not receive the email, check your spam folder or contact TDI's licensing division at 1-877-839-2378 for help regaining access to your account.

Can I reinstate my license if I moved out of Texas?

Yes. Your Texas P&C license can be reinstated even if you no longer live in Texas. You will still pay the same fees and meet the same requirements. However, if you want to hold an active license in another state, you will need to follow that state's licensing rules separately.

How much does reinstatement cost?

The reinstatement fee and renewal fees vary and change periodically. Check the current fee schedule on the TDI website or call 1-877-839-2378 to find out the exact amount you owe based on how long your license has been inactive and which renewal periods you need to cover.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.