Texas All-Lines Insurance Adjuster License: 2026 Requirements Guide

Overview: Who Needs a Texas Adjuster License?

The Texas All-Lines Insurance Adjuster License authorizes individuals to investigate, evaluate, and settle insurance claims on behalf of insurance carriers, third-party administrators (TPAs), or self-insured entities operating within Texas jurisdiction. This license is required for anyone adjusting property, casualty, auto, or general liability claims in Texas, regardless of employment status or residency.

Texas issues a single “All-Lines” adjuster license covering all property and casualty claim types, eliminating the need for separate licenses by line of authority. This consolidated licensing structure contrasts with states like California or Florida, which require separate licenses for property, casualty, workers’ compensation, and public adjusting.

License scope and authority: The Texas All-Lines Adjuster License permits holders to adjust claims involving residential property damage, commercial property losses, automobile collision and liability claims, general liability claims, and inland marine losses. The license does not authorize public adjusting (representing policyholders against insurers), which requires a separate Texas Public Insurance Adjuster License.

The “Golden Ticket”: Designated Home State (DHS)

Texas operates as a Designated Home State under the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) uniform licensing framework. This distinction is critical for non-residents seeking to enter the insurance adjusting profession.

Who qualifies: If your home state does not license insurance adjusters (examples: Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin), you may obtain a Texas All-Lines Adjuster license as your DHS license. This Texas license then serves as your foundation for applying for reciprocal licenses in other states that require adjuster licensing.

Why this matters: The DHS framework was established to create portability for adjusters working across state lines, particularly during catastrophe deployments following hurricanes, wildfires, and other major disaster events. Without a DHS license, adjusters from non-licensing states cannot obtain reciprocal licenses in states that do require licensing, effectively excluding them from the national catastrophe adjusting market.

Residency requirement: None. Texas does not require physical residency or proof of Texas domicile to obtain this license. You can live anywhere in the United States and obtain a Texas DHS license, provided you meet the basic eligibility requirements (minimum age 18, pass background check, complete education/examination requirements).

Geographic advantage: Texas’s central location and extensive reciprocity network make it the most strategically valuable DHS license available. Texas-licensed adjusters gain immediate access to reciprocal licensing in Florida, Georgia, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Alabama—states that collectively generate the highest volume of catastrophe claims in the United States due to hurricane, tornado, and hail activity.

Step 1: The 40-Hour Pre-Licensing Course

Texas requires completion of a 40-hour pre-licensing course from a Texas Department of Insurance (TDI)-approved provider. The course covers insurance fundamentals, claims handling procedures, ethics, and Texas-specific statutes including the Texas Insurance Code and Texas Administrative Code provisions governing adjuster conduct.

Course content breakdown: TDI-approved courses must cover specific topics mandated by regulation, including:

• Insurance principles and terminology
• Policy analysis and coverage determination
• Claims investigation procedures and documentation requirements
• Texas Insurance Code provisions affecting adjusters
• Ethical obligations and prohibited practices
• Fair claims settlement practices under Texas law
• Estimating techniques and damage assessment methodologies

Critical advantage: Passing the final examination of an approved 40-hour course (minimum score: 70%) exempts you from taking the Pearson VUE state examination (exam code InsTX-ALAdj36). You submit your course completion certificate directly with your application. No additional testing center appointment required. This exemption represents the primary pathway to licensure—approximately 90% of Texas adjusters obtain their licenses through course completion rather than the state exam.

Delivery formats: Most TDI-approved course providers offer fully online, self-paced instruction accessible 24/7 from any internet-connected device. Some providers also offer in-person classroom instruction and hybrid formats combining online learning with live instructor sessions. Online courses typically allow students to complete the 40-hour requirement in 3-7 days depending on their schedule and prior insurance knowledge.

Alternative path: Candidates may skip the pre-licensing course and sit directly for the Pearson VUE state exam. However, most applicants choose the course route to avoid the testing center experience and benefit from structured instruction. The Pearson VUE exam is closed-book, proctored in-person, and has lower first-attempt pass rates (approximately 60-70%) compared to course final exams (95%+ pass rates).

Step 2: Fingerprinting & Application Submission

Fingerprinting: Texas requires FBI criminal background checks through IdentoGO (formerly MorphoTrust). Schedule an appointment at an approved IdentoGO location. Fee: $47.00 – $50.00 (varies by location). Results are transmitted electronically to TDI within 24-48 hours.

Background check requirements include both state (Texas Department of Public Safety) and federal (FBI) criminal history searches. Certain criminal convictions may disqualify applicants from licensure or require additional review and documentation. TDI evaluates criminal history on a case-by-case basis, considering factors such as the nature of the offense, time elapsed since conviction, and evidence of rehabilitation.

Application process: Submit your license application through the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR) portal or directly via the Texas Department of Insurance SIRCON system. Required documents:

• Completed adjuster license application
• Course completion certificate (if using the exam exemption route)
• Fingerprint confirmation receipt
• Application fee: $50.00 (non-refundable)

Processing time: Applications are typically processed within 7-10 business days after TDI receives fingerprint clearance and all required documentation. Applications submitted during peak licensing periods (March-May, preceding hurricane season) may experience slightly longer processing times due to increased volume.

Application tips: Ensure your name appears identically across all documents (course certificate, fingerprint receipt, government-issued ID, application). Name discrepancies cause processing delays requiring manual verification. Double-check that your course provider’s TDI approval number appears on your completion certificate—certificates without valid approval numbers will be rejected.

Reciprocity: Where Can You Work?

Texas maintains reciprocal agreements with multiple states, allowing Texas-licensed adjusters to obtain licenses in those jurisdictions through simplified applications (no additional examinations required).

Reciprocal states (as of 2026):

• Florida
• Georgia
• Oklahoma
• Louisiana
• Alabama

These reciprocal states collectively represent the highest-volume catastrophe claim territories in the United States. Florida alone generates more hurricane-related insurance claims than any other state, while Oklahoma leads the nation in tornado frequency. Texas reciprocity provides immediate access to the most lucrative deployment opportunities in the adjusting industry.

Non-reciprocal states requiring separate examinations:

• New York
• California
• Hawaii

States not listed above may offer limited reciprocity or require case-by-case review. Verify current reciprocity status with the target state’s insurance department before applying. Some states recognize Texas licenses for emergency/temporary licensing during declared disasters even without formal reciprocity agreements.

Continuing Education & Renewal

Texas All-Lines Adjuster licenses expire biennially (every two years). Renewal requires:

• 24 hours of continuing education (CE), including a mandatory 3 hours of Ethics (increased from 2 hours effective September 30, 2022)
• Renewal fee: $50.00
• No lapse in coverage (late renewals may incur penalties or require reapplication)

CE courses must be completed through TDI-approved providers. Credits earned in excess of the 24-hour requirement do not carry over to the next renewal period.

Renewal deadlines: Texas licenses expire on the last day of the licensee’s birth month in the renewal year. For example, if you were born in June and obtained your license in January 2026, your first renewal deadline is June 30, 2028. TDI sends renewal notices approximately 60 days before expiration, but licensees bear sole responsibility for tracking renewal deadlines and completing requirements on time.