The Texas real estate market offers significant opportunities for professionals looking to build a career. The state’s economic expansion and population influx create a constant demand for licensed professionals to facilitate property transactions. The entire licensing process is regulated by the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC), which establishes standards for education, competency, and professional conduct. Aspiring agents must navigate a structured path to ensure they possess the necessary knowledge and integrity.
Meet the Basic Eligibility Requirements
The first step involves satisfying the personal prerequisites set by the Texas Real Estate Commission. An applicant must be at least 18 years old and must be a citizen of the United States or a lawfully admitted alien.
Applicants must demonstrate honesty, trustworthiness, and integrity to TREC. The commission reviews prior criminal history, especially for felonies or crimes involving fraud, before determining eligibility. Individuals with past issues may submit an optional Fitness Determination form to TREC for a preliminary review, providing clarity before investing in the full application process.
Complete Required Pre-licensing Education
The state mandates the completion of 180 hours of qualifying real estate coursework before an applicant can sit for the licensing exam. This educational requirement ensures a strong foundational understanding of real estate principles and Texas-specific laws. The courses must be taken through an education provider that has been approved by TREC.
The 180 hours are divided into six mandatory 30-hour courses, each covering a specific area of the profession:
- Principles of Real Estate I
- Principles of Real Estate II
- Law of Agency
- Law of Contracts
- Promulgated Contract Forms
- Real Estate Finance
Course providers must adhere to rules that prevent students from completing a 30-hour course in less than three days or spending more than 12 hours on coursework in any 24-hour period.
Submit Your Initial License Application
After completing the required pre-licensing education, the next step is the formal submission of the license application to TREC. This process involves submitting the application online, along with the required fees. Applicants must also submit the course completion certificates for the qualifying education courses.
A mandatory component of the application is undergoing a background check, which requires fingerprinting. TREC provides instructions for scheduling an appointment with the approved vendor; the license will not be issued until the background check is completed and approved. The commission must grant authorization to take the licensing exam, which often occurs after the application is submitted and the background check process is underway.
Pass the Texas Real Estate Exam
Once TREC issues an authorization to test, the applicant can schedule the licensing examination. The exam is administered by a third-party testing service, such as Pearson VUE, at designated centers. The comprehensive exam consists of two parts: a national section covering general real estate principles and a state-specific section focusing on Texas laws and regulations.
The national portion contains about 80 questions, and the Texas-specific portion includes about 40 questions; candidates are allotted a total of four hours. To pass, an applicant must achieve a score of at least 70% on both the national and state portions independently. If an applicant fails, they are allowed up to three total attempts before additional qualifying education is required.
Secure a Sponsoring Broker
A newly licensed sales agent is not permitted to practice real estate independently. To activate the license, the agent must be sponsored by an active, licensed Texas real estate broker who takes legal responsibility for the agent’s professional activities. Finding a suitable sponsoring broker is an important decision, as the broker provides training, oversight, and a brokerage culture that influences the agent’s career.
The chosen broker must formally notify TREC of the sponsorship to activate the agent’s license. This is typically done through TREC’s online services, and the agent may begin working under the broker’s supervision once the sponsorship is officially recorded. The sponsoring broker is ultimately responsible for ensuring the sales agent is competent in their practice and adheres to all regulations.
Understand Continuing Education and License Renewal
Maintaining an active license involves meeting specific education requirements on a two-year renewal cycle. The rules for the first renewal are distinct and require the completion of Sales Agent Apprentice Education (SAE). During the first two years of licensure, a sales agent must complete 90 hours of SAE coursework in addition to eight hours of Legal Update courses (four hours each of Legal Update I and Legal Update II).
For all subsequent license renewals, the agent must complete 18 hours of Continuing Education (CE) every two years. This CE requirement must include the eight hours of mandatory Legal Update I and II courses. The biennial renewal must be completed on time to avoid late fees and a lapse in the agent’s ability to legally practice real estate.