The path to becoming a licensed real estate agent in Texas is heavily regulated by the state, but it does not require a traditional four-year college degree. Aspiring agents must fulfill specific educational and character requirements established by the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC). This structured approach ensures every licensee possesses a foundational knowledge of real estate law, contracts, and finance before they begin practicing. The process involves meeting basic qualifications and securing a broker sponsor to activate the professional license.
Required Education Versus a College Degree
A college degree is not a prerequisite for entering the real estate profession in Texas. The state mandates the completion of specific, qualifying course hours instead of a general academic degree. A person can hold a doctorate degree yet still be required to complete the state-mandated coursework. The focus is placed on a targeted curriculum covering the legal and practical aspects of real estate transactions within the state.
Basic Eligibility Requirements for Licensing
Applicants must satisfy minimum non-educational criteria before enrolling in coursework. They must be at least 18 years of age and be a citizen of the United States or a lawfully admitted alien. TREC also requires all applicants to demonstrate honesty, trustworthiness, and integrity.
The application process includes a mandatory criminal background check initiated through fingerprinting. Applicants must submit an electronic copy of their fingerprints to the Department of Public Safety (DPS) so that TREC can review their criminal history. The commission recommends that any individual with a prior criminal offense submit a Fitness Determination request before starting their education to confirm their eligibility for a license. This proactive step helps applicants avoid spending time and money on coursework only to be denied licensure later due to a past issue.
Mandatory Pre-Licensing Coursework Details
The core educational requirement for a Texas Real Estate Sales Agent license is the completion of 180 hours of qualifying real estate courses. This extensive curriculum must be taken through a provider that has been specifically approved by the Texas Real Estate Commission. The 180 hours are divided equally into six distinct 30-hour courses focusing on fundamental areas of the profession:
- Principles of Real Estate (two courses, covering foundational concepts, laws, and practices).
- Law of Agency (detailing the agent’s role in representing clients).
- Law of Contracts (covering the legal elements of binding agreements).
- Promulgated Contract Forms (focusing on standardized documents used for transactions).
- Real Estate Finance (covering mortgages, lending practices, and financial instruments).
Applying for the License and Passing the State Exam
After completing the 180 hours of pre-licensing education, the applicant must formally apply to TREC for an inactive Sales Agent license. This application, often called Form 1, requires submitting proof of course completion certificates and paying the required fees to start the formal licensing process.
Once TREC processes the application and approves eligibility, the applicant receives authorization to schedule the state licensing examination. The Texas Real Estate Sales Agent Exam is a comprehensive assessment divided into a national portion and a state-specific portion. The applicant must pass both sections independently, achieving a minimum passing score of 70% on each.
Activating Your License Through Broker Sponsorship
Passing the state examination results in the issuance of a license, but it is initially inactive. A Texas Sales Agent cannot perform any licensed real estate activities, such as showing property or representing a client, until they secure a sponsoring broker. This requirement ensures that every new licensee operates under the direct supervision of an experienced professional.
The sponsoring broker mentors the new agent, oversees transactions, and provides guidance on ethical and legal practices. Agents should choose a brokerage that aligns with their career goals, considering training programs, commission split structures, and office culture. The final step for activation is administrative: the broker must formally notify TREC of the sponsorship, updating the agent’s status to active.
Maintaining Your Texas Real Estate License
Educational requirements continue after the license is obtained, as Texas mandates ongoing education for renewal. For all renewals after the first one, agents must complete 18 hours of Continuing Education (CE) every two years. This biennial requirement includes mandatory courses, such as Legal Update I and Legal Update II, which keep the agent current on changes to state law and commission rules.
New agents have a unique requirement called Sales Agent Apprentice Education (SAE) for the first license renewal. Agents must complete 98 hours of additional post-licensing education before this deadline. This SAE requirement, which includes the Legal Update courses, is designed to bridge the gap between pre-licensing coursework and the practical demands of the profession.