Texas Real Estate License Requirements

So I wanted to give you the short list of exactly what TREC (Texas Real Estate Commission) requires of you before you can get your Texas real estate license. Before I show these requirements, just remember that once you get through the initial licensing, you really have a great chance to make a solid living, and the continuing education and renewals is nothing like getting licensed initially. So here we go, here are the Texas real estate license requirements.

The general requirements are that you must be 18 years old, a legal resident of Texas, and a citizen or lawfully admitted alien of the United States.

That part’s easy, huh?

OK. On to the specific requirements:

1. Education

1. Principles of Real Estate core real estate course (60 classroom hours)
2. Law of Agency core real estate course (30 classroom hours)
3. Law of Contracts core real estate course (30 classroom hours)
4. An additional core real estate course (30 classroom hours)
5. Another four semester (60 classroom hours) in core courses or in related courses acceptable to TREC.

This accounts for a total of 210 classroom hours. Now, if you already have college credit in courses acceptable to TREC, you are eligible to be exempt from the “other” 60 hours mentioned in #5 above. Just send in your transcript with the appropriate application, and they’ll review it, and let you know if it qualifies.

Don’t be overwhelmed! You can quickly go step by step through the Texas real estate license courses if you stay focused, and take it one step at a time.

2. Submit Your Education Documents for Evaluation

Once you have completed the coursework, you’ll need to fill out a Request for Evaluation of Education Documents. There is a $30 fee for this, and you’ll need to wait at least 10 business days before contacting TREC to go on to step 3.

3. File Your Application for Inactive Salesperson License

At this point, you can apply and pay for your Inactive Salesperson License online. There is a filing fee of $97 plus a recovery fee of $10 (don’t know what this fee is for, but it’s required) in order to do this. Make sure you have all your education requirements done and approved by TREC before you do this step.

4. Taking and Passing The Exam

Once your application has been approved by TREC, they’ll notify you and you can setup a testing date with PSI. At this point, you’ll have 6 months to successful complete the exam. Once you have passed the exam, there’s just a couple more things…

5. Get Fingerprinted

I know, I know, I hate it too. But it’s there requirements. Here’s what you need to do to fulfill the fingerprint requirement. And lastly…

6. Find and Work a Deal With a Sponsoring Broker

All real estate salespersons must be sponsored by a licensed Texas real estate broker. So get the form, find and work a split with a local broker, fill out and return the form, wait until TREC shows your license as active, and then get started making money!

*Note: TREC does background investigations, and may deny your license for a variety of reasons, including, but not limited to non-payment of a Texas guaranteed student loan. So be sure to take care of that stuff!

So there you have it, the Texas real estate license requirements in a nutshell. Let me know if you need more help…