Texas Real Estate License Requirements
How to Get Your Real Estate License in Texas
Whether you’re exploring a new career or preparing for another year of market success, get the education you need from a reliable, established real estate school. With Colibri Real Estate, expect an education partner for life — and nothing less. We’re here to guide you, no matter what part of the path you’re on. Learn more about Texas’s real estate license requirements.
How To Get Your Real Estate Salesperson License In Texas
Texas State Required Pre-licensing Hours: 180 hours
Colibri Real Estate Texas Course Hours Offered: 180 hours
Step 1. Meet Texas real estate license requirements as outlined by the Texas Real Estate Commission:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be a U.S. citizen or lawfully admitted alien
- Meet TREC’s qualifications for honesty, trustworthiness, and integrity (Consider requesting a Fitness Determination Form before applying for the license if you have any criminal offenses, unpaid judgments, had discipline taken against a professional or occupational license, or have performed unlicensed activity)
Step 2. Complete an approved 180 hours of Texas real estate pre-license education.
Step 3. Apply for your Texas Sales Agent license.
Step 4. Submit fingerprints for a background check.
Step 5. Successfully pass the Texas real estate licensing examination.
Step 6. Obtain sponsorship from a Texas real estate broker.
Step 7. Complete 98 hours of SAE first time renewal education.
How long does it take to get a Texas real estate license?
On average, it takes between four (4) and five (5) months to get a Texas real estate license depending on the pace in which you complete the 180 hours of pre-licensing courses and pass your licensing examination, the time it takes you to complete the fingerprinting and application process, find a sponsoring broker, and application processing times.
What kind of information will I learn to help me get a real estate license in Texas?
All Colibri Real Estate courses are approved by the Texas Real Estate Commission. Once completed, you are eligible to sit for the Texas Real Estate License Exam.
Per Colibri Real Estate policy, students have six (6) months PER COURSE to complete each course. Your six month completion period begins once you access your course.
The required pre-licensing education consists of all of the following courses:
- Principles of Real Estate I (30 hours)
- Principles of Real Estate II (30 hours)
- Law of Agency (30 hours)
- Law of Contracts (30 hours)
- Promulgated Contract Forms (30 hours)
- Real Estate Finance (30 hours)
Each course concludes with a course final exam that must be proctored by an acceptable proctor, as defined by the Texas Real Estate Commission. Course tuition includes proctoring through our online proctoring partner for our students. Additional information on the proctoring process can be found here.
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How do I submit my Texas Sales Agent application?
Submit your application and fee to become a Sales Agent using TREC’s online portal. You have one (1) year from the date your application is filed to meet all license requirements. After meeting the requirements, you will be issued an inactive license. When the application requirements are met, TREC will send you an eligibility letter which includes an ID number that you will need to register to take the licensing examination.
After completing the exam, you need to be sponsored by an active Texas licensed broker to work. You can complete a sponsorship request using the online portal. You cannot submit a sponsorship request until you have been issued an inactive license. Once the broker has accepted your request, your active license will be issued. Learn more about finding a sponsoring broker.
Track the status of your application using TREC’s Application Status Tracker.
How do I submit my fingerprints for the background check?
You are required by law to have fingerprints on file with the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) so a background check can be performed. Fingerprints on file for other agencies will not be accepted. When you have received your exam eligibility letter from TREC, you may schedule a fingerprint appointment through IdentGo. You will need the TREC ID number from the eligibility letter when making your appointment. Pursuant to DPS requirements, you will be photographed as part of the fingerprint process. You must pay a fingerprinting fee to the vendor in a manner that is acceptable to the vendor. Learn more about the fingerprinting process here.
How do I take the Texas real estate licensing exam?
After your application is accepted for processing and education requirements are satisfied, you will be notified of eligibility to sit for the examination. License examinations are administered by a national testing service contracted by TREC. The exam eligibility notification will have instructions for contacting the exam administrator and obtaining a copy of the Candidate Handbook. The Candidate Handbook contains information about the examination, study material, and instructions for making an exam reservation.
The sales agent examination must be taken through Pearson Vue. After obtaining eligibility, candidates may make a reservation by either visiting www.pearsonvue.com or calling Pearson VUE at (800) 997-1248. Before taking an examination, candidates must complete all pre-licensing education and file a real estate sales agent application with the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC). If you have filed an application and met TREC’s qualifications, you have one year from the date the application was filed to pass your examination. You will need to answer 56 questions correctly on the National portion of the examination and 21 questions correctly on the State portion of the examination in order to pass the examination.
The state requires proctoring of your licensing exam. Additional information on the proctoring process can be found here.
What are the Texas Sales Agent post-licensing requirements?
If you are renewing for the first time, active or inactive, you must complete a total of 90 first time renewal education hours along with 4 hours of TREC’s Legal Update I and 4 hours of TREC’s Legal Update II for a total of 278 hours of education prior to the end of your first license term. The 90 hours of education consist of the following courses:
- Texas Real Estate Marketing (30 hours)
- Texas Real Estate Brokerage (30 hours)
- Texas Real Estate Property Management (30 hours)
You must submit qualifying course completion documents to TREC at least 10 days before renewing your license. Qualifying credit will not be granted if you were previously given credit for a substantially similar qualifying course within a two year period. You may not defer SAE requirements. If you have been made a supervisor by your broker for six months or more, you need to take a 6-hour Broker Responsibility course to renew.
Enroll in Colibri Real Estate’ 90 hour SAE renewal education today!
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Regulatory Notes:
Obtaining Certificate of Course Completion: Upon completion of the course, Colibri Real Estate will provide you an electronic certificate of completion in your account dashboard. Submit your course completion documents to TREC after applying online or with your paper application. After completing your course work, you are welcome to submit a course and instructor evaluation. Course completion dates are recorded using Central Standard Time, therefore that will be the time reflected on your certificates.
Texas Real Estate Commission
Website: https://www.trec.texas.gov
Phone: 512-936-3000
Fax: 512-936-3809
Address: Texas Real Estate Commission P.O. Box 12188 Austin, TX 78711
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Texas Sales Agent License Requirements
Online Info
- 1. Meet Texas Real Estate License requirements.
- You must be at least 18 years old, a citizen of the United States or a lawfully admitted alien, and meet TREC’s qualifications for honesty, trustworthiness, and integrity in order to receive your real estate license in Texas.
- 2. Complete 180 hours in real estate qualifying education courses – Enroll Today
- Principles of Real Estate I (30 hours)
- Principles of Real Estate II (30 hours)
- Law of Agency (30 hours)
- Law of Contracts (30 hours)
- Promulgated Contract Forms (30 hours)
- Real Estate Finance (30 hours)
- 3. File and pay for the Inactive Sales Agent License application. You have one year from the date your application is filed to meet all license requirements.
- Apply and pay for your Inactive Sales Agent License either online or by mail using a paper application (subject to a $20 paper filing fee and longer processing time).
- Pay all fees when you submit your application. TREC accepts payment via one personal check, cashiers check or money order payable to the Texas Real Estate Commission. Do not send cash. Fees are nonrefundable.
- Original application fee: $205, required for all applicants.
- Real Estate Recovery fee: $10, due on initial applications for a license.
- Background check fee: $38.25, paid to IdentoGO ID if the applicant has not previously been fingerprinted for TREC.
- Scan and email your education documents to [email protected] or fax them to 512-936-3864 with a copy of your Online Payment Summary page.
- 4. Take and pass the license exam.
- License exams are administered by PearsonVUE. You will be sent a notice with instructions for scheduling the exam and obtaining a copy of the exam Candidate Handbook.
- If you fail the exam three times, additional education will be necessary.
- 5. Before you can practice as a Texas real estate agent, you must arrange for a Texas real estate broker holding an active license to sponsor you as a sales agent. Applicants and inactive sales agents are not authorized to act as a real estate license holder. Here are your two options:
- File the sponsorship request along with the application, OR
- File the application and arrange for sponsorship after TREC notifies you that you have been issued an inactive license.
Online Limitations
Final Exams are closed note/closed book and must be proctored. A proctor is a third-party who monitors while you take the exam.
Criminal History Evaluation
Please be advised that a criminal history may make an individual ineligible for an occupational license. Anyone concerned about the effect their criminal history may have on their ability to get an occupational license may request a criminal history evaluation prior to enrolling in courses or applying for a real estate, inspector or appraiser license. Please refer to the criminal history eligibility guidelines set out in Texas Occupations Code §53.025 and TREC Rule 541.1. Potential applicants may request a criminal history evaluation by submitting a completed Fitness Determination Form to TREC prior to applying for a license. This form is recommended for individuals with any criminal offenses, unpaid judgments, who have had discipline taken against a professional or occupational license, or who have performed unlicensed activity.
Once licensed, the Sales Agent must complete 98 hours of Sales Agent Apprentice Education (SAE), for a total of 278 hours of education prior to the end of their first license term. These hours must include: 4 hours of TREC’s Legal Update I, 4 hours of TREC’s Legal Update II, and 90 hours in elective qualifying real estate education courses. Elective qualifying education courses include: Property Management (30 hours), Real Estate Marketing (30 hours), Real Estate Math (30 hours), Real Estate Appraisal (30 hours), Real Estate Investment (30 hours), Real Estate Law (30 hours), and Residential Inspection for Real Estate Agents (30 hours). The 30-hour Real Estate Brokerage course (mandatory for a broker’s license) is also an eligible qualifying real estate education course for SAE. Additionally, if you have been made a supervisor by your broker for six months or more, you need to take the 6-hour Broker Responsibility course to renew.
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Texas Broker License Requirements
Online Info
The remaining 630 elective hours must be in related courses acceptable to the Board.
A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college will satisfy the 630 hour requirement. Acceptable proof is a college transcript that includes the degree earned. A copy of a college diploma will not be accepted. Pre and post-licensing education will count toward the 270-hour qualifying education requirement.
Online Limitations
Final Exams are closed note/closed book and must be proctored. A proctor is a third-party who monitors while you take the exam.
Criminal History Evaluation
Please be advised that a criminal history may make an individual ineligible for an occupational license. Anyone concerned about the effect their criminal history may have on their ability to get an occupational license may request a criminal history evaluation prior to enrolling in courses or applying for a real estate, inspector or appraiser license. Please refer to the criminal history eligibility guidelines set out in Texas Occupations Code §53.025 and TREC Rule 541.1. Potential applicants may request a criminal history evaluation by submitting a completed Fitness Determination Form to TREC prior to applying for a license. This form is recommended for individuals with any criminal offenses, unpaid judgments, who have had discipline taken against a professional or occupational license, or who have performed unlicensed activity.
Roster
Governing Agency
Texas Salesperson Post Licensing License Requirements
Online Info
New Salespersons must complete a 25-hour Salespersons post-license course in their first year of licensure. The course taken must be one specifically approved by the Commission. Failure to complete a post-license course during the first year of being licensed will cause the license to lapse. Click here for the post-license course.
Online Limitations
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Governing Agency
Good to Know
The information provided is a summary of the minimum requirements set forth by the Texas Real Estate Commission. For a more detailed requirements breakdown, please see the board’s site.
If you hold Real Estate licenses in multiple states, please make sure to check each state’s requirements.
Note: This license renewal information is provided as a convenience only and is subject to change at any time. It’s ultimately the responsibility of the licensee to be sure that he or she is meeting all requirements for each license and corresponding renewal period.