How to Get Your Real Estate License in Texas
Introduction to Real Estate Licensing
If you want to obtain your real estate license in Texas, this guide is designed specifically for aspiring real estate agents in the Lone Star State. The process of becoming a licensed real estate agent in Texas involves several key steps, including meeting minimum age and education requirements, completing pre-licensing education, passing a background check, submitting your application, securing broker sponsorship, and passing the state licensing exam. This article will walk you through each of these steps in detail, as well as cover license renewal and continuing education requirements to help you maintain your license and grow your career.
Obtaining a real estate license varies by state and is regulated by the state’s real estate commission or board. In Texas, the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) oversees the licensing process and ensures that all applicants meet the necessary qualifications and standards. By following the outlined steps, you’ll be well-prepared to confidently navigate the Texas real estate market and launch a successful career helping clients buy, sell, or lease property.
Texas Real Estate License Checklist
Core Steps and Requirements for Obtaining a Real Estate License in Texas:
- Minimum Age and Education: Must be at least 18 years old, hold a high school diploma or GED, and be a legal U.S. resident.
- Pre-Licensing Education: Complete 180 classroom hours of qualifying real estate courses from a TREC-approved provider.
- Background Check: Submit fingerprints for a criminal background check to demonstrate good moral character.
- Application Submission: Submit a completed application form and pay the required fees through the TREC portal.
- Broker Sponsorship: Secure sponsorship from a licensed Texas real estate broker to activate your license.
- Pass the State Exam: Pass the Texas real estate salesperson exam, which includes both national and state-specific sections.
Texas Real Estate Governing Body
Austin, Texas, USA at the Texas State Capitol
The Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) is located in Austin and comprises nine governor-appointed members who serve for six-year terms. This governing agency acts as the official department responsible for real estate licensing in Texas, providing licensing education, complaint investigation, and regulation while enforcing state laws to serve and safeguard consumers within the real estate industry.
Obtaining a real estate license varies by state and is regulated by the state’s real estate commission or board. In Texas, TREC is the authority that sets the standards and requirements for licensure.
With an understanding of the governing body, let’s look at the specific steps to become licensed in Texas.
Process and Qualifications for Salesperson
In Texas, a sales agent must complete 180 classroom hours of qualifying real estate courses and be sponsored by a licensed broker to perform real estate services. The starting qualifications to become a real estate sales agent and obtain a real estate sales agent license include being at least 18 years of age and a U.S. citizen or a lawfully admitted alien. Any person who meets these requirements may apply. In addition, each applicant must qualify by meeting all eligibility criteria, including being fingerprinted and passing a background check to meet TREC’s qualification for integrity, honesty, and trustworthiness. A fitness determination can be requested by a candidate before they apply for the license.
Below are the main steps to become a licensed real estate salesperson in Texas:
Complete the 6 TREC Courses
You must complete 180 hours of pre-licensing education, which includes the following six required courses:
- Principles of Real Estate One
- Principles of Real Estate Two
- Law of Contracts
- Real Estate Finance
- Law of Agency
- Contract Forms
There are 180 hours of pre-licensing mandatory hours, which includes 60 hours of Principles of Real Estate and 30 hours each of Law of Agency, Law of Contracts, Promulgated Contracts Forms, and Real Estate Finance courses. Commission-approved institutions are listed online.
Submit an Application
To apply for your real estate license in Texas, follow these steps:
- Create an account at https://www.trec.texas.gov/.
- Click “Register Here” under “Become Licensed.”
- Begin your online application, submit your license application, and track your application status through the official portal.
- Pay the required application fees.
- Submit supporting documents, such as course completion certificates or transcripts, if needed.
Texas mandates that an applicant find a sponsoring licensed broker with an active license within the state in order to apply for a license. You must be sponsored by a licensed broker to obtain an active license and legally practice real estate. Consider reading our post about choosing a real estate broker to help you through this part of the process. It is a good idea to start this process before you take your exam so that you can begin your career right away.
Get Approved and Consider a Prep Course
After your application is approved, you have passed a background check, have chosen a broker, and have your fingerprints on file, it’s time to get serious about preparing to pass the exam.
Most states require applicants to pass a state-specific real estate examination, known as the real estate salesperson exam, before they can receive their license. The licensing exam must be scheduled and taken at an approved testing center, where you will need to bring proper identification and documentation.
It is highly recommended that any candidate considers taking a real estate prep course for both Texas and the National portion of the exam to help ensure you pass the exam on your first attempt. Reviewing broader real estate exam prep resources and study guides can further reinforce key concepts. If you fail the licensing exam, you will need to pay additional fees to retake it, and fingerprint processing fees are non-refundable.
A solid prep course can save a lot of frustration and fees to retake the exam.
This is Our #1 Choice for a Texas Real Estate Exam Prep Course
Register for Your Exam
In Texas, you must register for the real estate salesperson examination, which is administered by PearsonVUE.
After you complete the required coursework—180 classroom hours of qualifying real estate courses—and submit your course completion documents to TREC, they will send you a notice with instructions for scheduling the exam along with a copy of the exam Candidate Handbook.
Many pre-licensing courses are available in a self-paced online format, allowing you to complete the coursework on your own schedule. The Texas real estate exam is divided into a national and state section with a total of 110 questions and 150 minutes to complete. The minimum passing score on each section is 70%.
In Texas, you must also be sponsored by a licensed broker to perform real estate services.
With the main steps outlined, let’s explore how Texas compares to other states in terms of real estate licensing requirements.
State Comparison
While Texas requires 180 hours of pre-licensing education and broker sponsorship, other states have different requirements:
- California: Applicants must complete three college-level courses (Real Estate Principles, Real Estate Practice, and one elective) totaling 135 hours.
- Georgia: Requires 75 hours of pre-licensing education from a GREC-approved school and passing the licensing exam.
- Arizona: Outlines its own Arizona real estate license requirements and procedures.
- Washington: Aspiring sales agents must complete 90 hours of pre-licensing education, which includes a 60-hour fundamentals course and a 30-hour practices course, as detailed in the Washington real estate license requirements.
- Florida, Nevada, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, and DC: Each state has its own unique education, exam, and renewal requirements, which can be found in their respective guides.
Understanding these differences can help you compare your options if you are considering licensure in multiple states.
License Reciprocity and Inactive Status
Real estate license reciprocity allows licensed real estate professionals to practice in other states without having to start the licensing process from scratch. This is especially valuable for agents and brokers who wish to expand their business across state lines or relocate.
However, each state sets its own rules for license reciprocity, and some may require additional education, exams, or documentation before granting a license to out-of-state applicants. It’s important to understand how getting a reciprocal real estate license works before you apply and to research the specific license reciprocity agreements in any state where you wish to practice.
An inactive license, on the other hand, refers to a real estate license that is temporarily not in use—often due to non-renewal or a personal decision to pause practicing real estate. While on inactive status, a licensed real estate agent or broker cannot legally engage in real estate transactions or represent clients. To return to active practice, you must meet any continuing education requirements and reactivate your license with the state’s real estate commission.
With license status and reciprocity explained, let’s move on to maintaining your license through renewal and continuing education.
Renewal
Even after you obtain your real estate license in Texas, licensees must meet specific continuing education (CE) requirements to maintain active licensure and remain in good standing.
For the first two-year license renewal, you must complete an additional 90 hours of qualifying real estate course credit hours, including 8 hours of current legal update courses. For each subsequent two-year license period, you are required to complete 18 hours of continuing education (CE), which consists of 8 hours of legal education and 10 hours of relevant elective accredited education.
Meeting these CE requirements and renewal obligations is essential for maintaining licensure and ensuring you remain in good standing in your state.
With renewal requirements covered, let’s look at the career opportunities that a Texas real estate license can unlock.
Career Opportunities and Growth
Earning a real estate license opens the door to a wide range of career opportunities within the real estate industry. Licensed professionals can work as real estate agents, brokers, or property managers, and may choose to specialize in residential, commercial, or industrial real estate.
With experience, agents can advance to roles such as managing broker or designated broker, or even establish their own real estate firm. The flexibility of a real estate career also allows for specialization in niche markets, such as luxury homes, investment properties, or sustainable housing.
As the demand for knowledgeable real estate professionals continues to grow, obtaining a real estate license can be the first step toward a rewarding and dynamic career with significant potential for advancement.
Free Texas Real Estate Exam Resources
Texas Real Estate Candidate Handbook
Conclusion and Summary
Obtaining your real estate license in Texas is a structured process that ensures you are well-prepared to serve clients and succeed in the real estate industry. From completing pre-licensing education and passing the real estate license exam to understanding license reciprocity and maintaining your active status, each step is designed to build your expertise and credibility as a licensed real estate agent.
With a real estate license, you can pursue a variety of career paths, enjoy professional growth, and make a meaningful impact in your community. If you’re ready to start your real estate career, follow the outlined steps, stay committed to your education, and feel confident as you move forward in this exciting field.
