YOU HAVE THE CHOICE OF TAKING THE TITLE INSURANCE EXAM OR THE ABSTRACTORS EXAM.  THE GENTLEMAN THAT HEADS THE ABSTRACTORS EXAM, THAT I WOULD HAVE TO HAVE MY OWN COMPANY AFTER GETTING MY ABSTRACTORS LICENSE, OR WORK FOR A TITLE COMPANY. AS FOR THE TITLE INSURANCE EXAM, I WAS TOLD THAT I HAD 30 DAYS TO BE PLACE WITH OR SPONSORED BY A TITLE COMPANY.  THAT MENT I HAD TO HAVE MY LICENSES REGISTERED WITH AN APPROVED TITLE COMPANY, AND THAT MY  APPOINTMENT WOULD BE VERIFIED BY THE INSURANCE COMMISSION.  THIS ALL CAME FROM THE PEOPLE IN CHARGE OF GIVING THE TESTS AND THE INSURANCE COMMISSIONERS OFFICE.  SO, AN ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION, YES WE HAVE TO BE LICENSED AND WORK FOR A COMPANY, WHETHER IT IS A TITLE COMPANY OR OUR OWN COMPANY THAT IS REGISTERED WITH THE STATE.