What Are the Long-Term Care Training Requirements for Texas Insurance Agents?

Long-term care insurance is a growing market as Texas's population ages, and the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI)Agcehome.html Agent requires specialized training for any agent who wants to sell these products. The requirements include both a one-time certification and ongoing education that ensure agents can competently advise clients on complex LTC coverage options.

What Is the Initial LTC Certification Requirement?

Before you can sell, solicit, or negotiate any long-term care partnership product in Texas, you must hold a current Life and Health license and complete an 8-hour LTC Partnership certification course approved by TDI. This course covers LTC policy structures, partnership program provisions, consumer protections, suitability requirements, and the relationship between LTC insurance and Medicaid planning.

The 8 hours from the initial certification count toward your 24-hour CE total for that renewal period, so it reduces the number of general CE hours you need to complete. You can find approved LTC courses through the Sircon Course Offerings Inquiry tool.

What Is the Ongoing LTC CE Requirement?

After completing the initial 8-hour certification, producers must complete at least 4 hours of TDI-certified LTC training during each subsequent two-year renewal period. These 4 hours count toward the 24-hour overall CE requirement, making them a practical addition to your CE plan rather than an extra burden.

The ongoing requirement ensures agents stay current on evolving LTC regulations, product innovations, and consumer protection standards. Given the complexity of long-term care coverage and the financial decisions clients face, continued education directly improves the quality of advice you can provide.

Does the 20-Year CE Exemption Apply to LTC Training?

No. Unlike general CE hours, the LTC training requirement is not waived by Texas's 20-year continuous licensure exemption. Even if you have been licensed for 20 or more consecutive years and hold an active CE exemption, you must still complete the initial 8-hour LTC certification before selling LTC products and the 4-hour ongoing training every renewal period. This is one of three specialty areas (along with annuities and Medicare) where the longevity exemption offers no relief.

Who Needs LTC Training in Texas?

Any resident or non-resident producer who plans to sell, solicit, or negotiate LTC partnership products in Texas must complete the training. Non-resident producers are required to complete the initial 8-hour certification and the 4-hour ongoing training each cycle, even if their home statePre License Where Do Insurance Agents Make The Most Money Resources does not have an equivalent requirement.

If you hold a Life and Health licensePre License What Type Of Insurance License Should I Get In Texas Resources but do not currently sell LTC products, you are not required to complete LTC training. However, completing the certification opens a valuable market segment if you decide to expand your product offerings in the future.

How Do LTC Hours Fit Into My 24-Hour CE Total?

Both the initial 8-hour certification and the 4-hour ongoing course count toward your 24-hour total. This means LTC training can significantly reduce the number of general CE hours you need. For agents who also complete annuity (8 hours ongoing), ethics (3 hours), and LTC (4 hours ongoing) training, that is 15 of your 24 hours accounted for through specialty and ethics courses alone. Strategic planning like this is one of the fastest ways to advance your careerPre License Tips Becoming A Successful Insurance Agent Resources while staying compliant.

How Does Texas Compare to Other States on LTC Training?

Texas's 8-hour initial and 4-hour ongoing LTC requirement is consistent with the NAIC model that most states have adopted. Some states require fewer ongoing hours, while others have more stringent initial training. California, for example, also requires an 8-hour initial course and ongoing LTC CE. The key difference is often in how these hours interact with the overall CE requirement. In Texas, LTC hours fully count toward the 24-hour total, which is more efficient than states that stack specialty hours on top of general requirements.

What Can Slow Down the Licensing Process in Texas?

• Selling LTC without certification: Operating without the initial 8-hour course is a compliance violation that can lead to fines and license actions.
• Assuming the 20-year exemption covers LTC: This is a common misconception. The exemption does not apply to LTC training.
• Overlooking the Life and Health requirement: You must hold an active Life and Health license before enrolling in LTC certification.
• Course reporting delays: Providers have up to 30 days to report completions to Sircon. Plan accordingly before your renewal deadlinePre License Texas Insurance License Faq Resources.

Position Yourself in a Growing Market

Long-term care is one of the most underserved and fastest-growing segments of the Texas insurance market. Completing your LTC training not only keeps you compliant but also positions you to serve an aging population with real needs. Aceable Insurance is developing a mobile-first CE experience that includes specialty training options for Texas producers who want to expand their product knowledge efficiently.