How to Get a Title Insurance License

Title insurance protects property owners from unexpected flaws in the title itself. This requires an extensive search of many public records including deeds, surveys and liens, among other things. Having a title insurance policy issued by a licensed representative can give the homeowner assurance that the search was performed correctly.

1. Learn how to do title searches by taking a class. These are often conducted at real estate offices or local community colleges. Most states require licensed title insurance agents to log a certain number of hours doing title searches before applying for a license.

2. Complete the required number of title search hours. You can find work in this field by contacting a real estate attorney or title insurance company. Keep a log of the work you have performed, as you may need to show this when applying for a title insurance exam.

3.  Contact your state board of insurance to register for the exam. You may be asked to fill out an application and pay an administrative fee in addition to proving you have completed the minimum number of hours doing title searches. This agency may also have study materials for you to use when preparing for the test.

4. If you initially fail the exam, you may need to wait around 30 days before retaking the test. You may also be required to pay an application fee again.

5. Once you have obtained your license, it is normally renewable annually. Some states require you to take continuing education courses in order to renew your license. The exact guidelines are normally found on state government websites.