To become a Texas real estate agent, you must complete 180 hours of qualifying education courses approved by the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC). After finishing the courses, you must file an application, clear a background check, and pass the Texas real estate license exam. This process launches your new career.
Your First Step into the Texas Real Estate World
Your journey to get your license isn’t just about passing an exam; it’s a formal process to prove you’re ready to handle one of the biggest transactions in a person’s life. This guide will walk you through every single step, from the initial paperwork to finding a sponsoring broker. Your new career is waiting. Let’s get you there.
Are You Eligible? Meeting the Basic Requirements
Before you spend a dime on education, let’s make sure you’re eligible. The Texas Real Estate Commission has a few non-negotiable requirements you must meet. It’s a simple checklist, but a critical one. You don’t want to get halfway through your courses only to find out you can’t proceed.
Here’s the deal. To even apply for a license, you must be:
- A citizen of the United States or a lawfully admitted alien.
- At least 18 years of age.
- A legal resident of Texas.
Beyond that, TREC requires every applicant to meet its standards for honesty, trustworthiness, and integrity. This is mainly determined through a comprehensive background check, which involves submitting your fingerprints. If you have any criminal offenses, unpaid judgments, or disciplinary actions from other licensing agencies, you must disclose them. Honesty is crucial here.
The Core of Your Journey: Required Education Courses
This is where the real work begins. To qualify to sit for the license exam, you have to complete 180 classroom hours of specific pre-license education from a provider approved by the Texas Real Estate Commission. There’s no way around this. This course work is designed to give you the foundational knowledge you need to be a competent and ethical real estate sales agent. The education is your bedrock.
The 180-hour curriculum is broken down into six distinct 30-hour courses. You’ll complete classes covering everything from real estate law and contracts to agency and finance. Many people, like Sarah, a 29-year-old from Austin who was transitioning from a tech career, choose online training for its flexibility. She could complete her courses at her own pace after work, which was essential for her busy schedule.
Summary of the 180-Hour Texas Real Estate License Education Requirements
This table breaks down the mandatory 180 hours of education courses required by the Texas Real Estate Commission to obtain your sales agent license. Completing this real estate education is a foundational step in the process.
| Course Name | Required Hours | Key Topics Covered |
|---|---|---|
| Principles of Real Estate I | 30 | Real property concepts, estates, land description, ownership rights |
| Principles of Real Estate II | 30 | Deeds, title transfer, closing procedures, and recording |
| Law of Agency | 30 | Agent-client relationships, fiduciary duties, agency law |
| Law of Contracts | 30 | Contract creation, validity, enforcement, and breach of contracts |
| Promulgated Contract Forms | 30 | TREC-specific forms, proper use, and avoiding unauthorized practice of law |
| Real Estate Finance | 30 | Mortgages, financing instruments, and lending practices in Texas |
Source: Information compiled from the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) website.
Making it Official: The Application and Fingerprinting Process
Once you have your course completion certificates in hand, it’s time to make things official with TREC. You’ll start by filling out the Application for Inactive Real Estate Sales Agent License. The easiest way to do this is through the TREC website’s online services portal. You’ll need to submit the application and pay the required fees.
This is the stage where the background check really kicks in. After you submit your application, TREC will send you instructions on how to schedule a fingerprinting appointment. This is mandatory for every applicant. Take it from Michael, a 45-year-old Houston resident starting a new career. He was nervous about the background check but found that being upfront about a past issue was the best policy. TREC simply wants a full picture to make a fair determination. The process is straightforward, but it requires your complete honesty.
The Final Hurdle: Passing the Texas Real Estate Exam
This is the big one. The Texas real estate exam is the final barrier between you and your license. Once TREC has reviewed and approved your application and background check, they’ll send you an eligibility letter with instructions on how to schedule your exam. You’ll schedule your exam through the third-party testing service, Pearson VUE, which has testing centers all over Texas.
The exam itself is split into two parts: a national portion and a Texas-specific portion. You have to pass both. Don’t underestimate this exam. It covers a vast amount of information from your 180 hours of courses, including complex topics on contracts and law. Your best bet is to use exam prep materials and take as many practice exams as you can to get comfortable with the format and timing. This is your final test; prepare for it.
Finding Your Home Base: The Importance of a Sponsoring Broker
Plot twist: passing the exam doesn’t mean you can immediately start selling houses. In Texas, a real estate sales agent cannot work independently. You must be sponsored by a licensed Texas real estate broker who will oversee your work. Your license will actually be issued as “inactive.” To activate it, you need a sponsoring broker.
So how do you find one? Start researching local brokerages. Think about what you want in a career. Are you looking for a big, national brand with lots of resources, or a smaller, boutique agency with a more personal touch? Interview several brokers. Ask them about their training, mentorship, and commission splits. Once you’ve found the right fit, you or your new broker will submit the sponsorship request to TREC. Only then does your active real estate career truly begin.
You Have Your License! Now What?
Congratulations! You’ve completed the courses, passed the background check, conquered the exam, and found a sponsoring broker. Your Texas real estate license is active. It’s a fantastic achievement. Now the real journey begins. Your first steps should involve joining professional organizations like the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and your local board. This gives you access to the MLS, networking opportunities, and more contracts and forms.
But don’t get too comfortable. Your education isn’t over. For your very first two-year renewal, you won’t do standard continuing education. Instead, you’ll need to complete 90 hours of Sales Agent Apprentice Education (SAE) courses, plus some legal updates. The Texas Real Estate Commission requires this to ensure you build on your foundational knowledge. This is a career of lifelong learning.
Commonly Asked Questions
Below are commonly asked questions about this topic.
How long does the entire Texas real estate license process take?
The timeline varies, but most applicants take 4-6 months to complete the process. This includes finishing the 180 hours of pre-license education, application processing by the Texas Real Estate Commission, clearing the background check, and scheduling the exam.
Can I get a Texas real estate license with a criminal history?
It is possible. The Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) evaluates criminal offenses on a case-by-case basis, considering the nature and recency of the conviction. You must disclose everything on your application. A background check is a mandatory part of the process.
What is the first thing I must do after passing the real estate exam?
After passing the exam, you must find a licensed Texas real estate broker to sponsor you. Your license will remain inactive until a sponsoring broker submits a sponsorship request to TREC. This is a critical step to beginning your real estate career.
