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How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Texas

Texas real estate agents showing a house to clients after getting their license

Unlike other professions that require years of training – or even a college degree – you can get your real estate license in Texas within a few months. We’ll walk you through the process and help you pick out a Texas real estate school.

Prerequisites to get your real estate license in Texas:

  1. You must be at least 18 years old.
  2. You must be eligible to work in the U.S. — either a U.S. citizen or a lawfully admitted alien.

Here’s the step-by-step process.

5 Steps To Get Your Real Estate License in Texas

Steps to getting a real estate license in Texas

Step 1: Enroll in a Texas real estate school

The Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) requires candidates to take 180 hours of coursework before sitting for the real estate licensing exam.

The Texas real estate pre-licensing course covers heavy topics like agency law, real estate ethics, and contracts. You need to have an intimate knowledge of these subjects to pass the licensing exam – and to guide your future clients as they buy and sell properties.

Do your research when choosing a Texas real estate school. Most people choose to take the courses online because that method offers more flexibility than in-person classes.

As you research online real estate schools, look at previews of their materials to understand how the subject matter is presented. Read reviews and look at success rates. Some real estate schools even offer a pass-or-don’t-pay guarantee.

Step 2: Pass the course final exam

When you have completed the 180-Hour Texas Pre-licensing Course, you must pass a course final exam that will help prepare you to pass the licensing exam..

Step 3: Complete the background check

Once you have your TREC ID number, schedule an appointment at one of the MorphoTrust locations across the state. Bring a photo ID, your TREC eligibility letter, and a check for $39.70 to your appointment. (You can use a credit card if you pay online in advance, but you will be charged a slightly higher rate –$40.85.)

Step 4: Apply for your Texas real estate license

Once you have completed your coursework, begin the application process by visiting the TREC website to create an account. Then, complete the online Application for an Inactive Real Estate Sales Agent License and pay the $185 fee.

The application will only take a few minutes to complete and requires your legal name found on your government-issued ID and your Social Security number.

The rest of the application requires you to provide information on your legal background and previously held professional licenses. This information is required, as you must pass a background check to work as a real estate sales agent in Texas.

Once your application is submitted and approved, TREC will send you a letter with your ID number. Once you have received that number, you can continue the licensing process.

Step 5: Pass the state license exam

Have you completed your pre-licensing real estate courses (and have the documentation to prove it?) Have you passed your background check? If so, it’s time to schedule your license exam.

Pearson VUE administers the real estate exam in Texas. Visit their website or call Pearson VUE to schedule your test. You may be able to take your exam at home with virtual proctoring. The exam costs $43 each time you take it.

Related: Texas real estate license exam prep

(TIP: When you sign up for the exam, make sure your name and personal information match the data found on your ID.)

The Texas real estate license exam includes both a national and Texas-specific section. You have four hours to complete the multiple-choice test.

As you can imagine, most people need time to prepare for the Texas real estate exam. Some real estate schools include exam prep materials to make studying easier. If your real estate school didn’t provide these tools, we recommend purchasing an exam prep package with practice exams.

Your score will immediately appear on the screen when you finish the licensing exam. If you pass the test and the background check, you’ll receive your license from TREC via email within five to 10 business days. From there, you’ve officially become a licensed real estate agent in Texas!

Additional Steps

For New License Holders: Find a Sponsoring Broker

Beginning real estate agents in Texas must have a broker oversee all their transactions. In fact, this is a requirement for all real estate agents unless or until they become a broker themselves.

Once you have found a broker to work under, you can begin your career as a real estate agent!

For First-Time License Renewal: Complete Post-Licensing Course

Complete the required 98-hour post-licensing education in Texas in order to maintain and renew your Texas real estate license for the first time.

What Should You Do After You Get Your Texas Real Estate License?

We’ve outlined the steps you need to take to become a real estate salesperson in Texas. Let’s circle back to the first thing you need to do – enroll in a Texas real estate school.

Colibri Real Estate (formerly Real Estate Express) has helped hundreds of thousands of people earn their real estate licenses. Our courses are expertly designed to explain complicated material in an easy-to-watch format. We are experts in providing quality online real estate education.

In fact, we are so confident that we can help you earn your Texas real estate license that we offer a pass-or-don’t-pay guarantee with most of our pre-licensing packages.

And when you buy your pre-licensing courses from Colibri Real Estate, you’ll receive quality exam prep materials and support from state-approved instructors.

Once our students get their Texas real estate license, they return to us for:

Enroll in Colibri’s Texas pre-license courses today, and in just a few months, you’ll be showing houses in Austin or ranches in West Texas.

Have a question?

Connect with an enrollment advisor today.

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