The Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) requires aspiring sales agents to pass a standardized licensing examination before they can practice in the state. This test evaluates a candidate’s knowledge of real estate principles and state-specific laws. The examination is a single, combined assessment that determines eligibility for a professional career in the Texas real estate market.
Prerequisites: Eligibility Before the Exam Day
Before scheduling the test, candidates must complete extensive educational requirements mandated by the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC). This ensures applicants possess a foundational understanding of the industry’s concepts and legal framework.
Candidates must complete a minimum of 180 hours of qualifying pre-licensing coursework from a TREC-approved provider. This education is broken down into six distinct 30-hour courses:
- Principles of Real Estate I and II
- Law of Agency
- Law of Contracts
- Promulgated Contract Forms
- Real Estate Finance
Applicants must also submit their formal license application to TREC. The commission reviews the application and initiates a mandatory background check, which includes fingerprinting. Only after TREC approves the application and issues an eligibility notice can a candidate schedule the licensing examination.
The Structure and Total Time Allotment
The Texas Real Estate Salesperson Examination assesses both general and state-specific knowledge areas. The total time allotted for the entire examination is 240 minutes, or a continuous four-hour period. This time is provided to complete two distinct sections, which are administered sequentially during the same testing session.
The National (General) Portion
The National (General) Portion focuses on real estate concepts common across the United States. This section consists of 85 multiple-choice questions, 80 of which are scored. Candidates are allotted 150 minutes to complete this section, which tests knowledge in areas such as property ownership, contracts, finance, and valuation.
The State (Texas Law) Portion
The State (Texas Law) Portion is specific to Texas law and regulations. This section contains 40 multiple-choice questions, 30 of which are scored. Test takers are given 90 minutes to complete this section, which focuses on the Texas Real Estate License Act (TRELA) and rules established by the Texas Real Estate Commission.
Total Time and Question Summary
The entire examination is a single, combined test totaling 125 multiple-choice questions. The combined time limit of 240 minutes applies to the full assessment. Since the clock runs continuously, candidates must manage their time effectively across both the National and State portions.
Understanding Passing Scores and Retake Rules
Passing the examination requires achieving a minimum score on both sections, which are graded independently. Candidates must correctly answer at least 70% of the scored questions on each portion. This translates to 56 correct answers on the 80 scored questions in the National section and 21 correct answers on the 30 scored questions in the State section.
A score report is provided immediately after the examination, indicating a pass or fail status for each section. If a candidate passes one section but fails the other, they are only required to retake the failed portion. Results for a passed section remain valid for one year from the date of the successful attempt, provided the application remains active.
If a candidate fails either section, they must wait a minimum of 24 hours before rescheduling the examination. TREC allows a maximum of three attempts to pass both portions within the one-year application period. Failing a section three times necessitates completing an additional 30 classroom hours of qualifying education before the candidate can register for re-examination.
Scheduling, Fees, and Testing Center Logistics
The Texas real estate licensing examination is administered by Pearson VUE, which manages scheduling and testing centers. Candidates must receive their eligibility notice and ID number from TREC before they can create an account and schedule their exam date through Pearson VUE. Appointments can typically be made up to one calendar day prior to the desired testing date, subject to availability.
The fee for the Salesperson examination is typically $43, payable to Pearson VUE at the time of reservation. Candidates should arrive at the testing center at least 30 minutes before their scheduled appointment time for check-in procedures. Two current forms of identification bearing a signature are required for admission, with one needing to be government-issued.
Test centers maintain strict security guidelines to ensure a fair testing environment. The exam is computer-based, closed-book, and administered under continuous proctor supervision. Personal items such as calculators, cell phones, and smartwatches are generally not permitted in the testing room.
Next Steps After Passing: Obtaining Your License
Passing the licensing examination does not immediately result in an active license to practice real estate. Applicants must complete a few final steps to finalize the licensing process and transition to an official, licensed sales agent.
TREC must finalize the background check and fingerprinting process. A license will not be issued until the applicant has cleared the criminal history review, demonstrating the honesty, trustworthiness, and integrity required by the commission.
The final step is securing sponsorship from a licensed Texas broker. When a candidate passes the exam and all other requirements are met, TREC issues the license in an inactive status. The sales agent cannot legally practice real estate until a broker agrees to provide sponsorship, which is formally accepted through TREC’s online services to activate the license.