How to Get a Texas Real Estate License
Jay Gallagher
Real Estate Broker (Advice from an agent like you, not some tech nerd who never sold a home!)
Become a Realtor with this Easy Step-by-Step guide on how to get your Texas Real Estate License. No matter where you live, from Dallas to Houston or San Antonio to my favorite town, Austin, or anywhere in between, becoming a real estate agent may be the best decision you ever make.
All the information, documents and links you’ll need to get your Texas real estate salesperson license are below.
I also answer all the most frequently asked questions at the bottom of the page.
Click on a question to see the answers:
Meet the State Requirements
Learn what the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) requires before you can get a Real Estate Sales Agent License.
File Your Application
You have one year from the date of filing your application to meet all the requirements to get a license.
Submit Fingerprints
Texas makes it easy to get fingerprints. They use a private company, IdentoGo to obtain and process your fingerprints.
Get a Background Check
It takes a few weeks to process your background check once you submit your fingerprints for review.
Complete Licensing Education
Texas requires 180 hours of Real Estate Education to get licensed. Find the best Real Estate School for you.
Wait To Be Notified
TREC will process your application and if approved, you’ll be notified to schedule an exam.
Pass the State Exam
Learn the fastest and easiest way to pass the Texas Real Estate Salesperson License Exam the very first time.
Pick a Sponsoring Broker
Meet the new boss! The good news is you get to pick the broker you want to work with. Learn how to pick the best.
Launch Your New Career
Now the fun begins. Learn how to get your new Real Estate Career off on the right foot by doing the right things to get business.
So, How Do You Get Your Texas Real Estate License?
1. Meet The State Requirements
To get your Texas Real Estate Salesperson License you must meet the following requirements:
- Must be 18 years of age.
- Have a Social Security Number.
- Have proof of citizenship or be a lawfully admitted alien.
- Fulfill statutory requirements for honesty, integrity and trustworthiness.
- Must be fingerprinted and pass state and and national background checks.
- Take and Pass a Texas approved Real Estate Salesperson Course.
- Pass the National Portion of the Real Estate Salesperson Exam
- Pass the Texas State Portion of the Real Estate Salesperson Exam.
Print out the Texas Application for Inactive Real Estate Sales Agent License here.
You apply for an Inactive Real Estate Sales Agent License first and then you pick a sponsoring broker and apply for an active license.
2. File Your Application
You can apply for your Texas license either online or by mailing a paper application.
To apply for your Texas real estate license online, the following items need to be submitted to TREC (Texas Real Estate Commission):
- Go to the TREC Website and create an account.
- Complete the online Application Form.
- Submit copies of your Pre-Licensing Course Completion Documents.
If you are planning on submitting your application by mail you will need the following:
- Completed Texas Application for Inactive Real Estate Sale Agent.
- Check or Money Order made out to TREC with the appropriate fees.
- Submit copies of your Pre-Licensing Course Completion Documents.
- Submit the Consent To Service Of Process Form.
- Mail the entire package to: TEXAS REAL ESTATE COMMISSION P.O. Box 12188 Austin, Texas 78711-2188
3. Submit Fingerprints
Anyone applying for a Texas Real Estate License must provide fingerprints for a criminal history check.
The fingerprint process is easy and can be done in a few short steps.
How to Get Your Fingerprints Taken:
- Go to this TREC website and enter your name.
- There you will get your IdentoGO ID.
- Use this ID to schedule a fingerprinting appointment at the IdentoGo website.
- IdentoGO will take your fingerprints.
- IdentoGo then submits your fingerprints to the FBI via the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS).
4. Get A Background Check
IdentoGo will submit your fingerprints to TREC and TREC will run your background check before they approve you to take the exams.
Certain elements of your background may disqualify you from getting a license, but you don’t have to wait until the final steps of the licensing process to find out. You can save your time and money by requesting an FD or Fitness Determination.
Prior criminal convictions, disciplinary actions against you on professional licenses you hold, unpaid judgments, or performing unlicensed activity are all reasons why you might want to request a FD from TREC and submit an FD form.
This is not required but requesting an FD as your first step in the licensing process lets you find out whether you’re eligible to become licensed before you take the Pre-Licensing education courses, pay the application fees, and take the exam.
Click here to get more information on applying for a Fitness Determination.
5. Complete Pre-Licensing Education
Texas has 6 courses that have a minimum of 180 hours of coursework that must be completed before you can apply for your Texas Real Estate License:
- Principles of Real Estate I (30 classroom hours)
- Principles of Real Estate II (30 classroom hours)
- Law of Agency (30 classroom hours)
- Law of Contracts (30 classroom hours)
- Promulgated Contract Forms (30 classroom hours)
- Real Estate Finance (30 classroom hours)
They have 4 levels of instruction.
I don’t recommend the basic level at all because it doesn’t included the most valuable part, the Real Estate License Practice Tests.
These practice tests actually guarantee you will pass the Real Estate Exam. Just take the practice tests until you consistently score 90 or higher and you are guaranteed to pass the Wyoming Real Estate Exam on your first try. I think these practice tests are the easiest way to ensure you pass.
6. Wait To Be Notified To Schedule Exams
Once you take and pass all of your Pre-Licensing Education Courses you will be given a Course Completion Certificate. You need to submit a copy of this certificate to TREC either through your TREC online account or mail it to TREC at: TEXAS REAL ESTATE COMMISSION P.O. Box 12188 Austin, Texas 78711-2188
TREC will now run your background check and make a final determination. If you fulfill all the requirements, TREC will notify you that you can schedule a time to take the final exams.
7. Pass The State Exam
Texas has two exams you must be pass before you can apply for your Texas Real Estate License:
- Real Estate Sales Agent National Exam
- Real Estate Sales Agent Texas State Exam
You can download the Candidate Handbook for all the details.
Many people get very stressed about passing the exams but if you bought a Pre-Licensing Education course that included the Practice Tests you should have no problem passing the exam the first time. These online practice tests are a real game changer especially for people who don’t “test well”.
8. Pick A Sponsoring Broker
After meeting the above requirements, you’ll be issued an inactive real estate sales agent license.
You need to be sponsored by an active Texas licensed broker before you can get to work. You can complete a sponsorship request using the TREC online services. Once the broker has accepted your request, your active license will be issued, and you can work as a Sales Agent.
The good news is that you get to pick a broker to place your real estate salesperson license under. If you’re a new agent, I recommend you go with one of the big box real estate brokerages. ReMax, Keller Williams and Century 21 are a good place to start.
The reason I recommend these brokerages for new agents is because the big box brokerages have training programs in place to help you make the transition from Rookie Agent to seasoned pro.
9. Launch Your New Real Estate Career!
Now the real fun (and work) begins. The best thing about being a Real Estate Agent is the freedom it gives you. You’re your own boss and you get to decide how to move your real estate career forward.
Books
Continuous learning is the hallmark of all successful agents. Here are some resources to get you going in the right direction.
Below are my best suggestions:
- Best Books to Learn Principles of Success.
- Best Books for Real Estate Agents.
- Best Books for Real Estate Agent Social Media Marketing
Tools
You’ll need some tools to get the job done. At the very least, you’ll need a good Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software and a Real Estate Agent Website.
10. Jay Answers Your FAQs...
The best (and worst) thing about being a realtor is the freedom you have. Many agents just work part-time and only do 1-3 transactions a year. Other agents work 60+ hours a week and sell hundreds of homes a year.
The best way to answer the question of how much a Texas realtor makes is to show how much you are likely to make per transaction.
The average price of a home in Texas is $315,000. Say the average commission per side of the transaction is 5.5% and the average broker/agent split is 15/85. That means you will earn, on average, about $6700 per transaction. Not bad.
Of course this number will vary based on the average cost of real estate in your area, your commission rate and your broker split but that’s a good number to start with. Now you can dial up your income based on how hard and how effectively you work.
Texas requires 180 hours of coursework. If you elect to take these courses in a classroom setting, you’ll have to go to a designated place and sit for the entire time.
For this reason, most people take the courses online so they can take the courses at their own pace and any time they wish.
Most people find they can complete the online coursework in a fraction of the 180 hours. A highly motivated person can complete it in as little as three weeks but most people will take a month or more if they do a little bit every day.
The Texas Real Estate Exam is not difficult IF you buy a test prep course.
The best test prep courses include practice tests that you can take over and over again until you know the material. If you can consistently take a practice test and score a 90 or higher, then you are practically guaranteed to pass the actual exam.
If you’re someone who gets nervous and their mind goes blank during testing, then maybe you should wait until your score on the practice tests is consistently 95 or better.
The best brokerage is the one that’s the best fit for you.
Call up a few local brokerages and schedule a time to sit down and talk to them. Discuss things like E&O insurance, commission splits, leads and don’t forget to find out about any desk fees, tech fees or insurance fees.
Remember, if you don’t like the brokerage, you can easily change brokers.
I don’t recommend that you use any brokers CRM or email address because those things are the heart of YOUR real estate business and if your clients information is locked into your broker’s CRM, then it will be harder to make the move. That’s why the tools are “free” or included in a tech fee, to make it difficult for you to leave.
Let’s break it all down.
- Fingerprint/Background check – $40.00
- Pre-licensing Educational courses – $472.00 – $1245.00
- Exam Prep Courses – $0.00 – $99.00 – (Some Pre-Licensing Includes Exam Prep)
- Exam costs – $43.00
- TREC Application Fee – $150.00
- Texas Online Fee – $5.00
- Real Estate Center at TX A&M Support Fee – $20.00
- Recovery Fund Fee – $10.00
The cost of getting your Texas real estate license can vary depending on your situation and your needs. The cost for most agents will be as low as $709.00 to as high as $1190.00.
Most agents who follow my recommendations will pay about $770.00.
