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How to Get a Real Estate License in Texas

How to Get my Texas Real Estate License: Summary of Requirements

Note: All first-time sales agent licenses are issued “Inactive.”

To be eligible for a real estate Sales Agent License, an individual must:

Be a citizen of the United States or a lawfully admitted alien;
Be eighteen (18) years of age or older, and;
Meet TREC’s qualifications for honesty, trustworthiness, and integrity.
Consider requesting a Fitness Determination before applying for the license

To obtain an active Texas real estate Sales Agent license, you must:

Satisfy current education requirements of 6 thirty-hour mandatory courses:

121 Principles of Real Estate 1
122 Principles of Real Estate 2
1151 Law of Agency
1251 Law of Contracts
351 Promulgated Contract Forms
451 Real Estate Finance

Complete and file an application for your First Time Sales Agent License.
Email your application receipt and your 6 course certificates to TREC.
Wait for the Eligibility Letter email from TREC
Follow the instructions for fingerprinting with IdentoGO by IDEMIA and scheduling your exam with PearsonVue.
Get fingerprinted.
Take and pass the state licensing examination.

Once you have passed the exam and your inactive license number is issued, obtain sponsorship by an active Texas licensed broker through the Relationship Management Tool (RMT).

Important: Applicants must satisfy the above requirements and pass the exam within one year after the date the application is filed, or the application will expire.

How to Get Your Texas Real Estate License in 6 Steps

Here’s what you need to know about having an active real estate license in Texas

1. Enroll in the state-approved Pre-Licensing Courses with The Real Estate Business School

To start your journey in real estate, Texas requires 180 hours of real estate pre-licensing coursework. These 6, 30-hour courses cover a wide range of topics such as real estate principles, agency law, contract law, and real estate finance. It’s crucial to select a learning institution or online platform approved by the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) like Texas Real Estate Business School, an online real estate school.

Principles of Real Estate I (30 hours) – #02710-REQC
Principles of Real Estate II (30 hours) – #02711-REQC
Law of Agency (30 hours) – #02709-REQC
Law of Contracts (30 hours) – #02269-REQC
Promulgated Contract Forms (30 hours) – #02271-REQC
Real Estate Finance (30 hours) – #02270-REQC
Exam Preparation Crash Course (can be used to prepare for a sales agent or a broker agent)

Tip: Break up your study schedule into manageable chunks to avoid cramming. Keep track of complex topics or areas you struggle with and revisit them often. After completing each course, you will receive a certificate of completion, which you will need when applying to take the state exam, so keep these safe.

View The Real Estate Business School Pre-Licensing Packages

2. Create an account with the Texas Real Estate Commission’s REALM system

IMPORTANT — Effective October 1, 2026

Before you begin your first course, you must create an account with the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) through its new REALM portal.

Go to the TREC website: https://www.trec.texas.gov/
Click the REALM/Login box in the upper-right corner of the TREC homepage.
Follow the instructions to create your account.
Once your account is created, TREC will email you an Application Number.

IMPORTANT: Save your Application Number. TREC requires this number to appear on each of your course completion certificates.

Once you receive your Application Number from TREC:

Log in to your course portal: http://trebs.mindquilt.com using your TREBS login.
Click your profile in the upper-right corner of the home page.
Enter your TREC Application Number in the License Number field and save your changes.

Adding your Application Number now will ensure it appears correctly on your course completion certificates and help streamline the licensing process when you return to the TREC REALM system to apply for your license.

Once you have completed these steps, you are ready to begin your real estate courses.

3. Register and Prepare for the Real Estate License Examination

After finishing the pre-licensing courses, you’ll need to register for the state exam via the TREC. For a step-by-step walkthrough, download our guide on how to fill out and submit your real estate license application! Once your application is approved, you’ll receive an eligibility letter detailing how to schedule your exam with PearsonVue.

Advice: Start your review early and aim to understand the concepts rather than just memorizing facts. Make use of flashcards, mind maps, or other study aids that work best for you.

4. Take Exam Prep Crash Course and Practice Exams

Maximize your chances of passing the state exam by enrolling in an exam prep class. These classes can provide valuable insights into the exam format, question types, and key focus areas. Our exam prep classes also offer unlimited access to questions that will cover the concepts you will need to pass the exam!

Tip: Practice exams are an invaluable resource. They simulate the real exam experience, helping you get comfortable with the exam structure and timing. Aim to take several practice exams, noting areas where you consistently perform poorly and revisiting these in your studies.

5. File Background Check and Fingerprints

The next step is submitting your fingerprints for a background check. This can be done at some Pearson Vue centers or other approved locations.

Tip: Ensure you disclose any past criminal history on your application. Failure to disclose can be viewed as an attempt to deceive the commission and can lead to your application being denied. Once you’ve passed your background check and fulfilled all other requirements, you can activate your license and start your career as a Texas real estate agent.

6. Pass the State Exam at Pearson Vue

The state exam, conducted at a Pearson Vue testing center, is split into national and state portions. You’ll need to pass both sections to qualify for a license. If you don’t succeed on the first attempt, TREC allows retakes, though each attempt requires payment of the exam fee.

Advice: On the day of the exam, ensure you get a good night’s sleep, eat a healthy meal, and arrive at the test center early to allow for registration and to familiarize yourself with the environment. Read each question carefully before answering and manage your time wisely.

7. Start the Mentoring Program as fast as you can.

Take the On-Demand Mentoring course; shows you step-by-step how to get up and running in 10 days, starting the day you receive your license. How to List, sell, close, get paid, repeat.

After you get licensed, you’l have access to Zoom Mentoring Progress Calls with Wayne Morgan, the Co-founder and CEO of The Real Estate Business School.

Active Texas Licensed Broker Sponsorship

To actively practice real estate in Texas, you need to be sponsored by an active Texas licensed broker. This partnership is essential for your career as it allows you to legally perform real estate transactions.

How to Find a Sponsor:

Research: Look for reputable brokers in your area. Consider their training programs, commission splits, and company culture.
Network: Attend real estate events, join local real estate groups, and reach out to professionals in the industry.
Apply: Submit applications to brokers who align with your career goals and values.

Maintaining an Active License

To keep your real estate license active, you must complete continuing education (CE) requirements set by TREC. This includes completing 18 hours of approved CE courses every two years.

Tip: Keep track of your CE requirements and deadlines to avoid any lapse in your license status.

Embarking on a career in real estate in Texas involves a clear set of steps and requirements. From completing the necessary pre-licensing education to passing the state exam and obtaining sponsorship from an active broker, each stage is crucial. With dedication and proper preparation, you can successfully navigate this process and start a rewarding career in real estate.

Application Status Tracker:

The Texas Real Estate Commission has launched a new application status tracker. This new tool is an easy way for anyone to track the status of initial applications, reducing delays and confusion about what comes next.

You can track your Application status here.

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