How To Get A Real Estate License In Texas
If you’re looking to get your Texas real estate license online, you’re at the right place. We are a Texas approved education provider with over 30 years and several hundred transactions to our credit. We have listed, sold and invested in HUNDREDS of properties and will get you licensed, then show you how to do the same.
Before you say yes to the fascinating real estate world, let’s cover all the steps to becoming a real estate agent in Texas. And of course, not a regular real estate, but a top producer!
Texas License
The Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) is the state agency that governs real estate practices in the state of Texas. TREC is responsible for licensing real estate service providers in Texas to ensure they are qualified to advise consumers about these transactions. TREC regulates education providers (the real estate schools) and licensees. TREC created the pre-licensing course material prospective agents are required to learn in order for a real estate license to be issued. The education providers deliver and administers the courses according to TREC guidelines. Once all the courses have been completed, take the state exam. PearsonVUE is the testing service chosen by TREC to administer the state licensing exam.
Here Are The Steps To Getting A Real Estate License In Texas
Fitness Determination
1) If you have any criminal offenses, unpaid judgments, had discipline taken against a professional or occupational license, or have performed unlicensed activity you should considering requesting a Fitness Determination BEFORE applying for your license. The FD process is significantly less expensive (currently $50) than paying for an application, examination, and education necessary to receive a license.
2) Before you apply for a license, you can request that the Commission make a fitness determination to see if you meet TREC’s qualifications for honesty, trustworthiness, and integrity.
3) Here is the link for the Fitness Determination form and fee: https://www.trec.texas.gov/sites/default/files/pdf-forms/FD-1.9.18.19.pdf
The following steps must be completed in order
STEP 1: Take the six (6) TREC-required Pre-licensing courses (We offer this in a 7-Course package that includes the exam prep course)
STEP 2: Once you have completed your courses and received all six (6) Course Completion Certificates, submit the following to TREC:
1) Application for Inactive Salesperson License;
2) Salesperson Sponsorship Form.
*Both Forms can be found on TREC’s website at: https://www.trec.texas.gov/agency-information/forms-and-contracts
3) Copies of Certificates of Completion (DO NOT submit the originals) must be emailed to documents@trec.texas.gov. Keep originals for future reference. (The Real Estate Business School does not store certificates). TREC will send you a confirmation email within 1-2 business days of receiving your certificates.
STEP 3: Receive TREC eligibility letter which is emailed to you within 2-3 weeks of submitting your completed application. (This letter will have an ID number needed for Steps 4-6). STEP 4: Get Fingerprinted STEP 5: Get background check STEP 6: Schedule state exam with PearsonVUE STEP 7: Take state exam STEP 8: Receive license in the mail
The Real Estate Business School provides all three levels of education:
- Technical education required for licensure
- Business education clients expect
- Financial education for retirement
- NEW! Mentoring included in the Pre-licensing package.
To File Online
- Go to TREC’s website at: http://www.trec.state.tx.us/onlineservices_status.asp.
- The information requested online is the same as on the paper application. You may either scan and send your education documents electronically to documents@trec.texas.gov or fax them to 512-936-3863 with a copy of your completed application. TREC has a new “Check Application Status” feature located on their home page
To Mail Application
Texas Real Estate Commission 1700 N. Congress Avenue, Suite 400 Austin, TX 78701
NOTE: Filling the application out online will speed up the application process considerably.
Applying For A Real Estate Salesperson’s Or Real Estate Broker’s License
The Texas Real Estate Commission has established the requirements for qualification for a real estate salesperson or broker license. 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.
Texas Residents
You must pass both the state and national portions of the Texas real estate exam. However, if you currently hold an active license in another state and passed the national portion of an exam that is ARELLO approved, the national portion of the exam may be waived.
Testing
TREC has chosen PearsonVue to administer the state licensing exam.
Who Is Pearsonvue?
The Texas Real Estate Commission has established the requirements for qualification for a salesperson or broker license. Applicants should read the PearsonVUE candidate handbook, and any other information provided by the Texas Real Estate Commission before making a reservation for any licensing examination. Applicants must meet all education and experience requirements if applicable and receive an eligibility letter from TREC before they make an examination reservation
Fingerprint And Criminal History Requirements
Pursuant to §1101.3521 of the Texas Real Estate License Act, any person applying for a broker or salesperson license must be fingerprinted specifically for TREC and pass a background history check before a license will issue. When you pass the examination, your license will not issue until TREC receives your criminal history report from the DPS and the FBI and clears your background history check. TREC encourages applicants to use the electronic fingerprinting process. Electronic fingerprinting is fast and accurate, and in most cases will avoid potential delays in the processing of applications. All fingerprints taken for TREC at MorphoTrust locations are electronically transmitted to the DPS and the FBI for criminal history background checks. A fingerprint processing fee must be paid to MorphoTrust to cover the cost of the criminal history reports.
Electronic Fingerprinting
When you have received your exam eligibility letter form TREC you may schedule a fingerprint appointment through MorphoTrust. You will need the TREC ID number from the eligibility letter when making your appointment.
Candidates may call (888) 467-2080 (hours – Monday – Friday, 8 AM – 5 PM Central Time) to make a fingerprint reservation or by going online to TREC’s website at https://www.trec.texas.gov/fingerprint-requirements .
Fingerprinting For Texas Non-residents
Applicants who reside outside of Texas may have an option to be fingerprinted in a location near them during the registration process through MorphoTrust. If this option is unavailable, applicants must print the waiver at the end of the online registration and contact TREC to request a TREC-specific Hard Card. This Hard Card contains coding that the DPS and FBI require. Fingerprints submitted on a generic card will be rejected because the generic card does not include TREC-specific information. The TREC-specific card is available at the TREC offices in Austin and through the mail upon request at information@trec.texas.gov
Topics Covered in the Texas Real Estate Exam
You’ll have 150 minutes to complete 110 questions during the Texas real estate exam. The questions are all multiple choice and are broken into two sections:
- National section – There are 80 questions that must be answered within 105 minutes.
- State section – There are 30 questions that must be answered in 45 minutes.
Based on the information above, it’s clear the questions on the state portion require a little more time to answer. Each section is graded independently, and you have to make 70% or higher on each section to pass the exam. Basically, everything you cover in the pre-licensing courses will be included on the exam. In case it’s been a while since you completed the courses, those topics are:
- Real Estate Principles I
- Real Estate Principles II
- Law of Agency
- Law of Contracts
- Promulgated Contract Forms
- Real Estate Finance
You’ll also see questions about:
- Real property characteristics
- Property use
- Forms of ownership
- Property values and appraisals
- Environmental issues
- Commission duties and powers
- Real estate licensing in Texas
- Ethics and conduct
- Community property
- Landlord-tenant issues
- Homeowners associations
You can expect to see a number of questions on the existing rules and regulations as well as questions that involve math.