How To Get A Texas Real Estate License + Best Schools 2023

In this article, you’ll learn the step-by-step ways on how to get a Texas real estate license in 2023.

We will discuss the steps you need to complete before getting your license in Texas, the requirements once you become an agent, and how to stay informed about the rules for education in the Texas real estate industry.

Lastly, we will share some of our favorite Texas real estate licensing schools. Let’s get started!

How To Get a Texas Real Estate License (Prerequisites)

The prerequisites for obtaining a Texas Real Estate License are designed to ensure that licensed agents are well-prepared for their professional duties. 

Here’s a clear breakdown of what you’ll need to do to meet the basic qualification criteria:

• You must be at least 18 years old.
• You don’t have to be a Texas resident, but you do need to be a U.S. citizen or lawfully admitted alien.
• Complete 180 classroom hours of qualifying Texas real estate courses.
• The courses usually include “Principles of Real Estate I & II,” “Law of Agency,” “Law of Contracts,” “Real Estate Finance,” and “Promulgated Contract Forms.”
• Submit to fingerprinting.
• Pass a background check to meet TREC’s qualifications for honesty, trustworthiness, and integrity.
• No defaults on a Texas Guaranteed Student Loan.
• No debt owed to the state of Texas under any other state program.

How To Get a Texas Real Estate License (Step-by-Step)

Following a set of requirements lies the path to licensure as a Texas real estate agent. Follow this detailed yet user-friendly guide to tackle the process successfully.

• 1. Eligibility Criteria: By necessity, certain prerequisites must be fulfilled. To participate, you must meet these requirements: age of at least 18 and either U.S. citizenship or legal residency. Also, Texas will perform an ethics analysis to verify your compliance with ethical principles.
• 2. Pre-licensing Education: To sit for the real estate license examination, 180 hours of approved pre-licensing education must be completed first. Through these courses, you will attain a fundamental grasp of real estate basis, laws, and practices. Ensure enrollment in a state-accredited institution. I recommend taking your pre-licensing courses with Colibri Real Estate, AceableAgent, or the CE Shop. All three are top online real estate school options.
• 3. Exam Preparation: After completing the prescribed coursework, it is of utmost importance to adequately prepare for the licensure exam. By mining study resources and taking practice tests, you bolster your understanding and enhance your likelihood of acing the authorized test. We like PrepAgent’s Texas real estate exam prep course. We have a PrepAgent review on our site.
• 4. Examination: The national portion and the state-specific portion comprise the Texas Real Estate License Exam. Two exams in multiple choice format stand in your way to progress.
• 5. Broker Sponsorship: In succession to passing the examination, obtaining a sponsoring broker is essential. An adept professional will act as your mentor and steer you through the early phases of your professional journey. Broker harmony with agent ambitions is fundamental to advancement in the industry.
• 6. License Application: Once complete, send in your application for a Texas real estate license through the Commission’s portal. Fees as well as applications make up the complete submission process. Commission granting permission marks beginning as a certified real estate broker within Texas’ boundaries.
  
  Meeting all needs via the established procedure enables entry into the prosperous Texas property domain.

How Do I Register My Real Estate License with the Texas DBPR?

To register your real estate license with the Texas Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), you will need to complete the following steps:

1. Create a TREC account and log in to the TREC website.
2. Click on the “Register License” tab.
3. Select the type of license you are registering for (salesperson or broker).
4. Enter your personal information and contact information.
5. Upload your fingerprints and a copy of your driver’s license.
6. Pay the registration fee.

Once you have completed these steps, your license will be activated and you will be able to start working as a real estate agent or broker in Texas.

What Is the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC)?

Texas Real Estate Commission industry is overseen by the state agency known as TREC. It issues licenses to real estate agents and brokers upholds the Texas Real Estate License Act, and probes grievances involving real estate professionals.

Nine members appointed by the Texas Governor serve six-year terms on the TREC. At least six real estate agents, all of whom hold a broker’s license, must collaborate. At least three individuals who are not subject to Commission oversight must make up the group.

The TREC has a number of powers and duties, including:

• Issuing licenses to real estate agents and brokers
• Enforcing the Texas Real Estate License Act
• Investigating complaints against real estate licensees
• Disciplining real estate licensees who violate the law
• Providing consumer education about real estate

The TREC is a important group that helps keep consumers safe when they are buying or selling houses.

Here are some of the things that the TREC does to protect consumers:

• Real estate license holders must finish a specific amount of education before getting their license.
• Real estate agents must take and pass a test to get their license.
• Real estate license holders must regularly take classes to maintain their license.
• Look into complaints about real estate agents and punish those who break the law.
• Helps people learn about buying and selling houses and properties.

If you want to buy or sell a house in Texas, you need to work with a licensed real estate agent. This will make sure that you are safe under the law and that the person helping you is qualified.

How Much Does it Cost to Get Your Texas Real Estate License?

Getting a real estate license in Texas costs money. You have to pay for classes and exams, as well as submitting an application for the license. There might be other fees too. It’s important to think about these expenses when you are preparing to get involved in the Texas real estate market.

Here is a breakdown of the costs involved:

Pre-licensing Education Costs: The price for finishing the necessary 180 hours of education before getting a license can vary from $300 to $900, depending on the school and how the course is structured. I would compare the pricing of the Colibri Texas Real Estate courses, AceableAgent Texas, and the CE Shop’s Texas courses to see which online school suits you best.

Here is a snapshot of the cost to get your Texas Real Estate license through Colibri:

Exam Fees: The cost of the Texas Real Estate License state Exam is about $54. Remember, if you don’t pass the first time, you will have to pay the fee again if you want to try again.

License Application Fees: The first time you apply for a license, you will need to pay around $205. You cannot get your money back and you have to pay it to the Texas Real Estate Commission.

Broker Sponsorship: Some brokers don’t ask for money to sponsor you, but others may require you to pay a monthly fee or share some of the money you earn. The fees and splits can be different for each broker.

Additional Costs:

• Fingerprinting and Background Check: $40 approximately
• Errors and Omissions Insurance: Costs can vary but usually start around $200 annually
• Real Estate Association Membership: Optional, but if you choose to join, fees can range from $200 to $400 per year

Recurring Costs: Once licensed, you’ll also encounter annual or biennial costs for license renewal, continuing education, and maintaining your association memberships, among other potential costs.

Adding up all the initial costs, you’re looking at an investment of approximately $800 to $1,400 to get started, not including any broker fees or additional optional costs.

What Are The Texas Real Estate Post-Licensing Requirements?

After getting your real estate license, your journey isn’t quite over. There are Texas post-licensing requirements you’ll need to meet to keep that license active.

Here are the requirements for Real Estate Post-Licensing:

Sales Apprentice Education (SAE) Requirement:

If you’re a newly licensed real estate agent, you’ll need to complete 90 hours of Texas Sales Apprentice Education (SAE) courses within the first two years of licensure. This is on top of the 180 hours of pre-licensing education you’ve already completed. These courses help you gain deeper insights into the real estate industry.

Continuing Education:

After the first renewal, you’re required to complete 18 hours of Texas Continuing Education (CE) every two years. This includes four hours in Legal Update I and four hours in Legal Update II courses, plus an additional 10 hours in CE elective courses.

Renewing Your License:

Your Texas real estate license is valid for two years. You’ll need to renew it before it expires to keep it active. The renewal fee is around $110.

Broker Relationship:

Make sure you keep in touch with a broker who is supporting you. If you don’t have a broker to support and sponsor you, you can’t work as a real estate agent in Texas.

Record-Keeping:

Make sure to keep your educational certificates and any other important paperwork in a safe place. You will need these documents for audits or if there are any questions about your license status.

How Much Does the Texas Real Estate Post-Licensing Course Cost?

Rates range depending on the source of instruction for the Texas Real Estate Post-Licensing Course. As you prepare to spend around $200, understand that it is a worthwhile investment.

Here are some of the factors that can affect the cost of the course:

• The format of the course: Online courses are typically less expensive than in-person courses.
• The length of the course: Shorter courses are typically less expensive than longer courses.
• The provider of the course: Some providers charge more than others.

Before choosing a course, take the time to compare prices and consider your options carefully. Access a curated selection of classes on TREC’s portal for continuing education.

Texas Real Estate Continuing Education Requirements

Mandatory CE requirements exist for actively maintaining a Texas real estate license. Every two years, TREC mandates 18 hours of Texas CE courses for license renewal, marking one of the key requirements.

Here’s a breakdown of the requirements:

1. Legal Update I & II: These are 4-hour courses each, totaling 8 hours, that cover recent changes in laws, regulations, and rules affecting the real estate industry.

2. Elective Courses: The remaining 10 hours can be comprised of elective courses that are TREC-approved. These can range from topics like ethics and fair housing to more specialized subjects like commercial real estate or property management.

The aim of these courses is to ensure that real estate professionals are updated with the latest industry knowledge, ethical standards, and legal responsibilities.

How To Get Your Texas Real Estate Broker License

Securing a Texas Real Estate Broker License is an important milestone for agents looking to climb the ladder in the real estate industry. 

Let’s delve into the key steps you’ll need to take to achieve this goal. The process is regulated by the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC), and it’s imperative to adhere to their guidelines.

1. Meet the education and experience requirements. To be eligible to get a Texas real estate broker license, you must:
   • Have a valid Texas real estate salesperson license.
   • Complete 630 hours of qualifying Texas Broker education.
   • Pass the Texas Real Estate Broker Examination.
2. Apply for your license. After meeting the necessary educational and experiential benchmarks, you may submit an application for a Texas real estate broker license. A completed application, criminal background check, and fingerprint card must be submitted.
3. Obtain passing scores in the Texas Real Estate Broker Examination. Given in two parts, the Texas Real Estate Broker Examination assesses proficiency in state real estate laws and guidelines. Acquiring your license requires successfully completing both exam parts.
4. Get fingerprinted. TREC requires prospective real estate licensees to have their fingerprints taken before they can be approved. Depending on location, fingerprinting fees can vary; generally, they hover around $30.
5. Pay the licensing fees. The TREC charges a $185 fee to apply for your real estate license.
6. Receive your license. Once you have met all of the requirements, the TREC will issue you your real estate broker license.

How Much Does it Cost to Get Your Texas Real Estate Broker License?

The cost of getting your Texas real estate broker license varies depending on the education provider you choose, but you can expect to pay around $2,000 for the required education and exam fees.

Here is a breakdown of the costs involved:

Pre-licensing Education Costs

1. Educational Courses: Costs can range from $300 to $900, depending on the provider and format (online or in-person).

Examination Costs

1. Exam Fee: Approximately $54 for the state exam.

State Application and License Fees

1. Application Fee: $305 for the application to TREC (Texas Real Estate Commission).
2. Background Check: Around $28.25 for the FBI background check.
3. License Fee: A fee of approximately $150 upon passing the exam and broker application approval.

Additional Costs

1. Study Material: Study guides, practice exams, and prep courses can add another $50 to $200.
2. Fingerprinting: Around $38.25.

Grand Total

The total costs could potentially be between $925 and $1575 or more, depending on your choices for study materials, prep courses, and where you opt to complete your required education.

How To Get a Texas Real Estate License Online?

Obtaining your Texas Real Estate License online is a convenient option for those juggling other commitments or who prefer a self-paced learning environment. 

Below is a simple, straightforward guide to help you navigate the process.

Eligibility Criteria

• Age & Citizenship: You need to be at least 18 years old and a U.S. citizen or lawfully admitted alien.

Pre-Licensing Education

• Course Selection: Enroll in an online school approved by the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC). You’ll need to complete 180 hours of courses. Check out Colibri Texas Real Estate, AceableAgent Texas courses, and the CE Shop.
• Modules: The courses typically include Principles of Real Estate, Law of Agency, and Law of Contracts among others.

Exam Preparation

• Study Material: Utilize online study guides, flashcards, and practice exams to prep yourself.
• Mock Tests: Some online platforms offer mock tests to familiarize you with the exam pattern.

Examination

• Booking: Once your educational requirements are complete, apply to take the state exam. You’ll get an eligibility letter, post which you can book your online exam slot.
• Exam Day: Make sure you have a stable internet connection and a quiet place to take the test.

Broker Sponsorship

• Find a Broker: Before you can practice, you’ll need to be sponsored by an active Texas licensed broker. Many brokers are open to virtual interviews and onboarding.

License Application

• Online Submission: After passing the exam and securing a broker, apply for your license online through the TREC website.
• Fees and Background Check: Pay the required fees and submit a background check online.

Once approved, you’ll receive your Texas Real Estate License, and you’ll be all set to start your career in real estate, right from the comfort of your home.

Have any questions or thoughts? Feel free to share them in the comments section below!

Whether you’re interested in exploring Real Estate License Requirements for different states or ready to begin your pre-licensing journey, don’t hesitate to check out the options available at some of the leading online real estate schools in Texas.

And if you found this information helpful, sharing it with your network would be greatly appreciated. Here’s cheers to your triumph in acquiring a Texas real estate license and every success along the pleasing and rewarding career road ahead!