Texas Life and Health Exam Cheat Sheet: The Numbers to Know in 2026

Ask people who passed the Texas Life and Health exam for one tip and you hear the same thing over and over: know your numbers. Grace periods. Claim deadlines. Dollar limits. How many days someone has to do something. None of these is hard on its own. The trouble is that there are a lot of them, and many look alike.

So I put the numbers in one place, grouped the way you will meet them on the exam. You will also find a few practice questions I wrote to show how these numbers get tested, a look at how questions tend to word them, and a quick review at the end for your last week.

Every number below comes from the Texas Insurance Code, the Texas Administrative Code, TDI, or the Pearson VUE Texas candidate handbook. The sources are linked at the bottom. I checked them in October 2026. Laws do change, so if a number here ever disagrees with the official source, go with the official source. Texas lawmakers meet again in January 2027, and I will update this page if any of these numbers change.

One more thing. This is a study sheet, not something you bring with you. The candidate handbook does not allow your own notes, books, or papers in the testing room. The test administrator gives you materials for notes once you are seated, so the goal is to carry these numbers in your head.

Why the numbers matter so much on this exam

Here is what you are walking into. The exam is officially General Lines Life, Accident and Health. The English version is InsTX-LAH05 and the Spanish version is InsTX-LAH25.

It has 145 questions in 150 minutes. 130 are scored: 100 general knowledge questions and 30 on Texas law. The other 15 are unscored pretest questions, and you will not know which ones they are.

The Texas section is where a lot of these numbers live. Thirty questions is almost a quarter of your scored total. Texas also writes some deadlines in its own way, and that is exactly where people who studied from a national book get caught.

It is not an easy exam. In 2025, 57 percent of first time takers passed the English Life, Accident and Health exam (14,925 of 26,273), according to Pearson VUE's Texas pass rate report. In September 2026 it was 1,188 of 2,190, about 54 percent. Locking in the numbers is one of the cheapest ways to pick up points.

Exam and licensing numbers

Let's start with the exam itself and the license you get afterward.

70: the passing scaled score. It is not 70 percent correct. The candidate handbook says the scaled score is neither the number nor the percentage of questions you got right.

$49: the Pearson VUE fee for the Life, Accident and Health exam. The Life Agent exam is $39. Each attempt is a new fee.

12 months: how long you have after passing to submit your license application. Miss it and you take the exam again.

$50: the TDI application fee for a resident agent license.

18: the minimum age for a Texas insurance license.

180 days: how long a Texas temporary license lasts. Some older study material still says 90 days. Current law and TDI both say 180. It is issued only once, it cannot be renewed, and your sponsor has to give you at least 40 hours of training.

2 years: the license period. The Texas Insurance Code ties expiration to your birthday, and TDI sets it as the last day of your birth month, every other year. Your first term can be shorter so later renewals line up with your birth month.

24 hours: continuing education each license period for a Life and Health agent. 3 of those hours must be ethics.

90 days and 1 year: the cutoffs for an expired license. Expired 90 days or less, you can renew by paying the renewal fee plus half again. Expired more than 90 days but less than a year, you cannot renew, but you can get a new license without the exam. Expired a year or more, you take the exam again.

30 days: when an agent picks up another insurer appointment, the agent and the insurer must notify TDI no later than the 30th day after it takes effect.

Monthly: an individual agent reports a change of mailing address, a felony conviction, or an administrative action by a financial or insurance regulator to TDI on a monthly basis. Do not mix this one up with 30 days.

$25: Texas lets an agent give a promotional advertising item, an educational item, or a traditional courtesy worth $25 or less in connection with a sale. Past that, you are into the rules on rebates and inducements.

Try one (my own practice question, not a real exam item). An agent moves and has a new mailing address. How does the agent let TDI know? A) Within 10 days. B) On a monthly basis. C) No later than the 30th day. D) At the next renewal.

Answer: B. Address changes, felony convictions, and regulator actions are reported monthly. The 30th day deadline belongs to new insurer appointments, which is why it makes such a tempting wrong answer.

Life insurance numbers

Now the policy numbers. Life insurance has fewer of them than health, but a few sound a lot like their health insurance cousins. As you read, notice what starts each clock: the date of issue, the date of default, the date proof arrives.

Grace period: at least one month for every premium after the first. The policy stays in force during the grace period. The policy can also let the insurer subtract an overdue premium from the payout if the insured dies during the grace period.

Incontestability: 2 years. Once a policy has been in force for two years from its date of issue during the insured's lifetime, the insurer cannot contest it except for nonpayment of premium.

Policy loans: the policy must offer a loan once premiums have been paid for at least 3 full years. Term policies are not covered by this rule. The insurer can delay a loan for up to 6 months after you ask for it.

Misstatement of age: no number to memorize, but know the rule. If the insured's age was understated, the benefit becomes what the premium paid would have bought at the correct age.

Death claims: settlement must be made no later than 2 months after the insurer receives proof of death and proof of the claimant's right to the money.

Lawsuits: a life policy cannot cut the time to sue to less than 2 years after the cause of action accrues.

Reinstatement: within 3 years of the default, or longer if the company allows it. The owner must show evidence of insurability and pay the back premiums with interest. This rule is for policies with nonforfeiture benefits, not single premium policies.

Group life conversion: 31 days. When your job or membership ends, you have until the 31st day to apply for an individual policy and pay the first premium. No evidence of insurability is required, and you cannot convert to term.

Replacement: the replacing insurer has to notify the existing insurer by the 5th business day. The owner gets 30 days from delivery to return the new policy or contract for a full refund.

Annuity free look: at least 15 days to return the annuity if the buyer's guide and disclosure document were not given at or before the application.

Try one (my own practice question). Maria leaves her job and her group life coverage ends. Which statement about converting to an individual policy is true? A) She must apply and pay the first premium within 31 days. B) She must prove she is still insurable. C) She can convert to any term policy. D) She has 90 days to apply.

Answer: A. The window is 31 days, and conversion does not require evidence of insurability, so B is wrong. C is the classic trap, because the conversion right does not let her pick term.

Accident and health numbers

This section has the most numbers, so take it in pieces. The claim deadlines run in order from the day of the loss, so learn them as a timeline. And watch the wording: Texas law writes several deadlines as "before the 21st day" instead of "within 20 days." Same idea, different words.

Grace period: at least 7 days for a weekly premium policy, 10 days for a monthly premium policy, and 31 days for anything else. The policy stays in force during the grace period.

Time limit on certain defenses: 2 years. After the second anniversary of the issue date, a misstatement on the application that was not fraudulent cannot be used to void the policy or deny a claim.

Reinstatement: 45 days. If the insurer requires a reinstatement application and gives a conditional receipt, the policy is reinstated on the 45th day unless the insurer says no in writing first. The reinstated policy covers accidents after reinstatement and sickness that starts more than 10 days after. Back premium cannot go more than 60 days before the reinstatement date.

Notice of claim: before the 21st day after the loss, or as soon as reasonably possible.

Claim forms: if the insurer does not send claim forms before the 16th day after notice, the claimant can send their own written proof of loss.

Proof of loss: before the 91st day after the loss. If that truly was not possible, no later than 1 year after it was due, unless the person was legally incapacitated.

Payment of periodic benefits: at least monthly.

Legal actions: no lawsuit before the 61st day after proof of loss is given, and none after 3 years from when proof of loss was required.

Newborns: a policy that covers newborn children has to cover them from birth for at least 60 days. That went up from 31 days for plans issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, so older study material may still say 31. The insurer can require notice of the birth and any extra premium to keep coverage going past the 60 days.

Disabled dependent child: if a child cannot support themselves because of a disability and mainly depends on the insured for support, reaching the limiting age does not end coverage. Proof of the disability is due no later than the 31st day after the child reaches that age.

Grandchildren: a policy that covers the insured's children must also cover unmarried grandchildren under 25 who are the insured's dependents for federal income tax purposes.

Medicare supplement: 30 days to return the policy for a full premium refund.

HIV testing: under the current rule, before an insurer can deny coverage or rate someone substandard based on an HIV test, it needs two positive ELISA tests and a Western Blot that confirms them. In July 2026 TDI proposed replacing those named tests with the current CDC recommended HIV testing process. Until that change is final, learn the ELISA and Western Blot version.

Try one (my own practice question). Under a Texas individual accident and health policy, when must written notice of a claim be given? A) Before the 21st day after the loss, or as soon as reasonably possible. B) Before the 91st day after the loss. C) No later than 1 year after the loss. D) Before the 61st day after proof of loss.

Answer: A. Every wrong choice is a real number from the same timeline. B is proof of loss, C is the outer limit for late proof, and D is the wait before a lawsuit.

Texas Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association limits

If an insurer fails, the guaranty association protects Texas policyholders up to set limits. These come straight from Texas Insurance Code 463.204, and they are easy points if you know them cold.

Life insurance death benefits: $300,000 per life.

Life insurance cash surrender or withdrawal value: $100,000 per life.

Annuities: $250,000 in present value per life.

Health benefit plans: $500,000.

Disability income and long term care: $300,000.

Other health coverage that is not a health benefit plan, disability income, or long term care: $200,000.

Overall cap: $300,000 in total benefits for one life, or $500,000 when health benefit plans are involved.

An easy way to hold these: anchor on $300,000, the death benefit and usual overall cap. Cash value is the smallest at $100,000, annuities sit just under the anchor at $250,000, and health benefit plans are the largest at $500,000.

Try one (my own practice question). An annuity owner's insurer becomes insolvent. What is the most the guaranty association covers in annuity present value for one life? A) $100,000. B) $250,000. C) $300,000. D) $500,000.

Answer: B. $100,000 is cash surrender value, $300,000 is the death benefit and overall cap, and $500,000 belongs to health benefit plans.

How the exam phrases these numbers

Knowing a number is half the job. The other half is recognizing it when a question words it differently than your notes do.

Day counts written as ordinals. Texas statutes often say "before the 21st day" or "no later than the 31st day." Before the 21st day means day 20 is the last day. No later than the 31st day means day 31 still counts.

Floors and ceilings. Many rules are minimums: the life grace period is at least one month and newborn coverage is at least 60 days, though a policy can give more. Others are maximums: an insurer can delay a policy loan for up to 6 months, and a promotional item must be worth $25 or less. Words like "at least," "up to," and "no more than" tell you which kind you are looking at.

What starts the clock. Questions often test the trigger, not the number. Incontestability runs from the date of issue. Group conversion runs from the day the job ends. Proof of loss runs from the loss. The lawsuit wait runs from when proof of loss is given.

Who has to act. Sending claim forms before the 16th day is the insurer's job. Giving notice before the 21st day is the claimant's job. Notifying the existing insurer by the 5th business day is the replacing insurer's job.

The number traps I would watch for

Most missed number questions come down to a few pairs that look alike. If you only have a few minutes, review these.

Life grace period versus health grace period. Life is at least one month. Health depends on how often the premium is paid: 7, 10, or 31 days.

Temporary license. 180 days, not 90. If your study material says 90, it is out of date.

Newborn coverage. 60 days, not 31. Texas changed this for plans issued or renewed starting in 2026, so a lot of study material is behind.

Reporting to TDI. Address changes, felony convictions, and regulator actions are reported monthly. The 30 day deadline is for new appointments.

The free look family. 15 days for an annuity when the buyer's guide and disclosure came late. 30 days for a replacement. 30 days for Medicare supplement. Learn what triggers each one.

How to actually memorize these

Rereading a list does not stick for most people. Here is what I would do instead.

Learn the trigger with the number. "31 days" by itself is useless. "31 days after the job ends to convert group life" is a point on the exam.

Group numbers that repeat. 31 days shows up for the longer health grace period, group life conversion, and proof for a disabled child. 2 years shows up for incontestability on both lines, the shortest allowed time to sue on a life policy, and the license period.

Walk the claim timeline out loud: notice before the 21st day, forms before the 16th day after notice, proof before the 91st day, no lawsuit before the 61st day after proof or after 3 years. Saying it in order beats reading it ten times.

Test yourself instead of reading. Cover the number, say it out loud, then check. Do it for ten minutes a day in your last week instead of one long session the night before.

Do not memorize statute section numbers. The exam asks about the rule, not where it lives in the code.

Then practice under time. Numbers you know on a list can still slip when the clock is running. Take the free timed practice test at getlicensedtx.com/diagnostic and look at your Texas law and policy provision results. If those are your weak spots, getlicensedtx.com/articles/practice-weak-areas-texas-life shows how to drill them.

If you want to see how much each topic is worth before you start, read getlicensedtx.com/articles/texas-life-health-exam-content-outline. And if you want to know where people lose the most points, see getlicensedtx.com/articles/why-people-fail-texas-life-health-exam.

Quick review: the whole cheat sheet in one place

Here is everything above for a last look. Cover each line and say it from memory.

Licensing: apply within 12 months of passing. $50 application fee. Age 18. Temporary license 180 days, once only. License period 2 years, ending the last day of your birth month. 24 CE hours, 3 in ethics.

Reporting and conduct: new appointments by the 30th day. Address changes, felony convictions, and regulator actions monthly. Gifts $25 or less.

Life: grace period at least 1 month. Incontestable after 2 years. Loans after 3 full years, delay up to 6 months. Death claims within 2 months of proof. Time to sue at least 2 years. Reinstatement within 3 years. Group conversion 31 days. Replacement notice by the 5th business day, 30 day return. Annuity free look at least 15 days when disclosures came late.

Accident and health: grace period 7, 10, or 31 days. Time limit on certain defenses 2 years. Reinstatement on the 45th day. Notice before the 21st day. Forms before the 16th day. Proof before the 91st day, 1 year outer limit. Benefits at least monthly. No suit before the 61st day or after 3 years. Newborns 60 days. Disabled child proof by the 31st day. Grandchildren under 25. Medicare supplement 30 day return. HIV: two positive ELISA tests plus a confirming Western Blot under the current rule.

Guaranty association: $300,000 death benefit. $100,000 cash value. $250,000 annuity. $500,000 health benefit plans. $300,000 disability income and long term care. $200,000 other health. Overall cap $300,000, or $500,000 with a health benefit plan.

Study the numbers inside real questions

A list gets you started, but the exam hands you a question with four believable answers. I built GetLicensedTX so you can practice numbers like these inside exam style questions. You get course modules, 1,000+ Pearson VUE style practice questions with weak area drills, flashcards, the Full Exam Simulator (145 questions, timed), the exam day checklist, and the AI Study Tutor to explain any answer that does not make sense.

Start with the free timed practice test at getlicensedtx.com/diagnostic. When you are ready, study for your license for $12.99 a month. You can see every plan at getlicensedtx.com/pricing.

Before test day, grab the free exam day checklist at getlicensedtx.com/free-exam-day-checklist, and read getlicensedtx.com/articles/pearson-vue-texas-insurance-exam-day-rules so check in goes smoothly. You have put in the work. Go get your license.