What happens when your resident insurance license lapses
A resident insurance license in Texas expires if you do not renew it before the expiration date on your license card. Once it lapses, you cannot legally sell, solicit, or negotiate insurance in Texas until you reinstate it. The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) handles all resident license matters, and reinstatement is faster and cheaper than getting a new license from scratch — but only if you act within a specific window.
The key difference between reinstatement and reapplication is timing. If your license has been expired for less than two years, you can reinstate it by paying a fee and meeting a few basic requirements. If it has been expired for two years or longer, you must explore for a new license as if you were starting over, which means retaking the licensing exam.
Key Takeaways
- You can reinstate a Texas resident insurance license within two years of expiration by submitting a reinstatement request and fee to the Texas Department of Insurance.
- Reinstatement requires proof that you have completed any continuing education hours you missed during the lapsed period.
- The reinstatement fee is less than a new license process fee, and you do not have to retake the licensing exam if you reinstate within two years.
- After two years of expiration, your license cannot be reinstated — you must explore for a new resident license and pass the exam again.
- Processing time for reinstatement is typically one to two weeks once TDI receives your complete request.
Check how long your license has been expired
Before you start the reinstatement process, confirm the expiration date on your license. Look at the card itself or log into your TDI account at license.texas.gov to see your license status. If you cannot find your card, you can search for your license on the TDI website using your name and license number.
Count the months between your expiration date and today. If fewer than 24 months have passed, you can reinstate. If 24 months or more have passed, you must explore for a new license instead. This two-year window is firm — TDI does not extend it.
Complete any missing continuing education hours
Texas requires resident insurance agents to complete 24 hours of continuing education (CE) every two years. If your license expired during a CE cycle, you must have completed those hours before your expiration date. If you did not, you must complete them before you can reinstate.
Check your TDI account to see which CE hours you completed and which cycle you were in when your license expired. If you owe hours, you must take them through a TDI-approved provider. The provider will report your completion directly to TDI, so keep the course completion certificate for your records. You cannot reinstate until TDI's system shows all required hours completed.
Gather your reinstatement documents and fee
You will need to submit a reinstatement request form to TDI along with the reinstatement fee. The form is called the process for Resident License Reinstatement and is available on the TDI website under "Forms." You can read it as a PDF or request a paper copy by phone.
The reinstatement fee varies depending on your license type (life, health, property and casualty, or a combination). As of the most recent update, fees range from around $50 to $150, but confirm the exact amount on the TDI website or by calling their licensing department, since fees can change. You will also need a valid form of identification and proof of your CE completion if you completed hours during the lapsed period.
Submit your reinstatement request to TDI
You can submit your reinstatement request by mail, in person, or through the TDI online portal if you have an account. Mailing is the most common route. Send the completed process for Resident License Reinstatement form, your fee (check or money order made payable to the Texas Department of Insurance), and any supporting documents to the address listed on the form.
If you submit by mail, allow one to two weeks for processing after TDI receives your request. If you want to track your request, include a self-addressed stamped envelope or call the TDI licensing department at the number on their website to confirm receipt. Do not send cash through the mail.
What to do if your reinstatement is denied
TDI will deny your reinstatement request if you do not meet the requirements — most commonly because your CE hours are incomplete, your license has been expired for more than two years, or you have an outstanding disciplinary issue. If your request is denied, TDI will send you a letter explaining why.
If the reason is incomplete CE hours, you can complete them and resubmit. If your license expired more than two years ago, you must explore for a new resident license instead. If there is a disciplinary issue on your record, contact TDI directly to understand what must be resolved before you can reinstate.
After your license is reinstated
Once TDI approves your reinstatement, you will receive a new license card by mail within one to two weeks. Your license will be active when ready upon approval, even before the card arrives, so you can legally work as a resident agent. You can verify your active status on the TDI website at any time.
Mark your calendar for your next renewal date, which will be two years from the date your reinstated license is issued. Set a reminder three months before that date so you have time to complete your CE hours and submit your renewal before the important date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reinstate my license if I have been out of the insurance business for several years?
Yes, as long as your license expired fewer than two years ago. You will need to complete any missing CE hours from the cycle when your license expired, but you do not have to retake the licensing exam. If more than two years have passed, you must explore for a new license.
What if I cannot find my license number?
Search for your license on the TDI website using your full name and date of birth. If you still cannot locate it, call the TDI licensing department and provide your name and Social Security number. They can look up your license number and tell you whether it is may be able to access for reinstatement.
Do I have to retake the licensing exam to reinstate?
No. Reinstatement does not require you to retake the exam. You only need to complete any missing CE hours and pay the reinstatement fee. If your license has been expired for more than two years, you must explore for a new license, which does require passing the exam again.
How long does reinstatement take?
Processing typically takes one to two weeks after TDI receives your complete request. Your license becomes active when ready upon approval, even if your new card has not arrived yet. You can verify your status on the TDI website.
What if I do not remember how many CE hours I completed?
Log into your TDI account at license.texas.gov and check your CE transcript. It shows every course you completed and the hours credited. If you cannot access your account, call TDI and they can provide a transcript by phone or mail.