Want to learn how to get a real estate license in Texas? Follow these steps
Getting your real estate license in Texas may seem daunting. However, when broken down, the process is actually fairly simple. Not only that, but you can also get your license within a few months.
Doing so will start you on a career path that can not only be lucrative—but also personally and professionally fulfilling.
In this article, we will provide you with the basics of how to get your real estate license in Texas. This includes a step-by-step breakdown of the process, the costs, and why you will be happy you did. Here is everything you need to know about how to get your real estate license in Texas.
How to get real estate license in Texas: 11 steps
To get your real estate license in Texas, you have to follow the Texas Real Estate Commission’s (TREC) guidelines. If you do so, you can become a real estate agent in the Lone Star State, which will help you control both your time and your income.
Eleven steps to get your real estate license in Texas may sound like a lot. But as you will see, it is quite manageable and not especially time-consuming. Here is a quick look at the 11 steps:
- Check eligibility
- Take Texas real estate pre-license courses
- Get TREC Account, apply online
- E-mail course completion certificates to TREC
- Receive eligibility letter
- Study for pre-licensing exam
- Get background check
- Schedule license exam with PearsonVUE
- Take Texas real estate license exam
- Connect with real estate broker
- Get license
While not as intense or costly as a bachelor’s degree, getting your real estate license in Texas does require that you have your ducks in a row. To help you get there, let’s take a closer look at each of the steps to get your real estate license in Texas.
1. Check eligibility
You must be at least 18 years old to be eligible to get your real estate license in Texas. You must also be a US citizen/permanent resident and meet the Texas Real Estate Commission’s standards for integrity, honesty, and trustworthiness. In Texas, you may still be eligible if you have a criminal record.
2. Take Texas real estate pre-license courses
Next come the education requirements. While you do not need a college degree, the TREC does require that you successfully complete these six courses:
- Principles of Real Estate I (course #121): 30 hours
- Principles of Real Estate II (course #122): 30 hours
- Real Estate Finance (course #451): 30 hours
- Law of Contracts (course #1251): 30 hours
- Promulgated Contracts (course #351): 30 hours
- Law of Agency (course #1151): 30 hours
Before you can take the pre-license exam, you have to pass each of these courses. That adds up to 180 classroom hours to meet the education requirements.
3. Get TREC account, apply online
To get your license application started, you will have to register with TREC. Once registered, you will receive an email with a username and password that will enable you to create an account to access TREC’s online services.
The name used on the “account owner contact information” must be the exact name used on the driver’s license. After you have done this, you will get an ID and barcode that you have to use to submit documents and schedule the licensing exam.
Finally, you can submit a Texas real estate salesperson application and the one-time application fee of $185.
4. Email course completion certificates to TREC
To prove that you have completed the required coursework, you must e-mail TREC your certificates ASAP.
You cannot schedule your licensing exam until TREC has processed your completion certificates and sent your eligibility letter for the exam.
5. Receive eligibility letter
TREC will send your state exam eligibility letter 21 business days after receiving your certificates. During this period, you can proceed to Step 6.
6. Study for pre-licensing exam
To study for your pre-licensing exam, you can take practice tests. TREC and PearsonVUE will also send you an exam candidate handbook to help you prepare, in addition to your eligibility letter.
In Texas, the pre-licensing exam is made up of:
- National section: 85 questions (150 minutes)
- State section: 40 questions (90 minutes)
At the same appointment, you will take both sections. And for anyone thinking of skipping the exam prep, you only have three attempts to pass the exam ultimately. If you fail after those three times, you will have to do more real estate training, which includes redoing one 30-hour course for each section.
7. Get background check
As part of your background check, you will need to do fingerprinting. In Texas, you do not necessarily have to have a clean record. You can still qualify if you pass the state’s moral character determination process.
8. Schedule license exam with PearsonVUE
After your application has been processed and you receive your TREC ID number, you can schedule your pre-licensing exam. In Texas, PearsonVUE administers the real estate exam and handles the scheduling.
Exams can be scheduled online by taking these steps:
- Create an account using your ID
- Pay the fee
- Pick a time, date, and location
You must show up in person for the exam, which is not necessarily the case for your real estate courses.
There are testing locations across Texas, so finding one in a nearby municipality is easy. PearsonVUE will give you additional details including what to expect during the exam, what you will need to bring, and general requirements.
9. Take Texas real estate license exam
There are two parts to a real estate license exam in Texas: a national section and a state-specific section. You will have four hours to finish both sections. You will get your score immediately after completion.
Before the license is issued, however, your scores must be sent to the state real estate commission.
10. Connect with real estate broker
TREC licenses real estate agents to act on behalf of licensed brokers. That means you cannot become an active agent unless you have a licensed Texas broker as a sponsor.
While a broker is not your boss, per se, they will impact your income and career. Research your options and interview each broker you think is a good fit for you. When you have found the right broker, you can submit a salesperson broker sponsorship form.
11. Get license
You have passed your real estate exam. Next, the Texas Real Estate Commission will review your score and salesperson sponsorship form. At this point, the TREC will email the active real estate license to you and your broker.
The cost to get a real estate license in Texas
The total cost to become a licensed real estate agent in Texas varies. Here is a breakdown of what you might spend when you get your real estate license in the Lone Star State.
However, the costs will be worth it. In Texas, the average annual salary for a real estate agent is roughly $93,000. While you may not start out there, you will increase your salary with more experience.
Curious about getting into real estate in general, not just in Texas? Read our guide on how to get into real estate for an overview.
Where to turn for help getting a real estate license in Texas
When figuring out how to get your real estate license in Texas, it is important to understand the licensing requirements. It is also a good idea to follow a checklist so that you can be successful from the start. There are numerous benefits to a career in real estate, including the salary and the personal and professional fulfillment you will feel in helping others land their dream home.
Remember: the more knowledge you have, the better off you will be.
For help determining how to get your real estate license in Texas, get in touch with one of the mortgage professionals we highlight in our Best of Mortgage section. Here you will find the top performing mortgage professionals across the USA.
Did you find these tips on how to get a real estate license in Texas useful? What part of the profession are you most looking forward to? Let us know in the comment section below.
