How to get a
Texas Real Estate License

Thinking about getting a real estate license? Follow these 6 essential steps and you are on your way to starting an exciting new career!

6 Easy Steps to Obtaining a Texas Real Estate Sales Agent License

Complete the Required Texas Real Estate Qualifying Education Courses

These six, 30-hour Real Estate Qualifying Education (QE) courses are required by the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) in order to meet the educational requirements for your Texas Real Estate License.

Principles of Real Estate 1 (01878-REQC)
Principles of Real Estate 2 (01872-REQC)
Law of Agency (01873-REQC)
Law of Contracts (01835-REQC)
Real Estate Finance (01838-REQC)
Promulgated Contract Forms (01837-REQC)

Estimated Time:

3 - 6 Weeks

Estimated Cost:

$980 - $1698

Please Note - In addition ot unit quizzes, students are required to take a final exam and pass with a 70% or above. Course exams are open-book; If a student fails a course exam, they may take a second exam. After two failures, TREC requires the student to retake the course before taking the exam again. Courses can be taken in any order.

Submit Online Application for Real Estate Sales Agent License and Course Certificates to TREC

Go to www.trec.texas.gov and click on "Real Estate Sales Agent" in the "Become Licensed" dropdown menu.

Under "File Your Application," click "REALM Portal." On the login screen, click "Sign In" and If you're not registered, then click "Create an Account". Once signed in, fill out all required information to set up your account using the same name on your government-issued ID. You will submit an "Application for Inactive Sales Agent."
Pay the application fee of $206.
Upload a copy of all course completion certificates. Include college transcripts if applicable.
It may take up to two weeks to receive your approval letter and Exam Candidate Handbook from TREC once the application has been filed and all documents have been sent to TREC.

Estimated Time:

7 - 14 Business Days

Estimated Cost:

$206 Application Fee

Please Note - You have one year from the filing date of your Application for Inactive Real Estate Sales Agent License to meet all of the requirements for a real estate license. If the requirements are not met within that year, your application expires and you must submit a new one.

Application Processing Times - TREC has set up the following page to communicate the current TREC processing times to license applicants. - TREC Processing Times.

Check Application Status - TREC has set up the following page to allow applicants to check the status of their existing license application. If you have submitted an application and are wondering about the status, this is a good place to start. - Check Application Status.

Take the Exam Prep Class | Your Key to Passing the State Exam

Once you have submitted your application to TREC, we highly recommend that you complete the Real Estate Exam Prep course to ensure that you are prepared for the state exam. This class will take the guesswork and stress out of testing. You may repeat the prep course as many times as you want Free for up to six months! We recommend taking it at least twice before taking the actual exam. Purchase our TX Real Estate Exam Flashcards app ($2.99) or our physical Real Estate Flashcards deck ($35) for additional study support.

Estimated Time:

2 - 4 Days

Estimated Cost:

$250 (included in package)

Students are also invited to purchase our Texas Real Estate Eam Prep Flashcards app ($2.99 via the Google Play Store) or our physical flash cards ($35) for additional study support.

Take the State Exam at Pearson VUE

Upon receiving the approval letter and Exam Candidate Handbook from TREC, register to take the state exam at a Pearson VUE Testing Center. Appointments can be made by going to pearsonvue.com/tx/realestate or calling them at 800-997-1248. The cost is $43 for the sales agent exam, payable to Pearson VUE. Payment is required at the time of reservation and may be made by credit card, debit card, voucher, or electronic check. You must pass the exam with a score of 70% or higher to obtain your license.

Estimated Time:

7 - 10 Business Days

Estimated Cost:

$43 Exam Fee

Please Note - You must pass the State Exam within one year of submitting your Application for Inactive Real Estate Sales Agent License. If either portion of the exam is failed three times, you are required to take an additional 30-hours of qualifying education before you can register for re-examination.

Get Your Fingerprints Taken and Pass Your Background Check

Visit the TREC website (www.trec.texas.gov), and follow these steps to schedule an appointment and complete your fingerprinting/background check. The fingerprinting fee is $38.25.

When applying for your license, you will automatically be authorized for a fingerprinting appointment.
Check your email for further instructions from TREC.
IdentoGO by IDEMIA collects and submits fingerprints to the FBI via the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS).

Estimated Time:

7 - 10 Business Days

Estimated Cost:

$38.25 Fingerprinting Fee

To Become an Active Sales Agent, Find a Sponsoring Broker and Submit a Sponsoring Broker Form to TREC

All real estate Sales Agents must work under the sponsorship of a licensed broker. Begin by searching for brokers in your area. Reach out and inform them that you're getting your real estate license and need sponsorship. It is wise to begin this process even before taking your exam.

During your subsequent interview(s) with brokers, try asking them these questions to determine if the brokerage is a good fit.

To become an active sales agent, you must submit a sponsoring broker form to TREC. Your active sales agent license will arrive in an email to both you and your sponsoring broker. You can then look up your public license number under TREC's License Holder Search feature on their website.

Estimated Time:

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Estimated Cost:

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Congratulations! You’re a licensed real estate agent in the state of Texas.

6 Pasos Para Obtener una Licencia de Bienes Raíces en Texas

¡Siga estos seis pasos esenciales a continuacíon y estará en camino hacia una nueva carrera emocionante!

(Clases impartidas unicamente en inglés)

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Set Your Real Estate License Education Course Schedule.
Classroom, Online, or in the Virtual Classroom!

Blended Classroom

Do you enjoy independent study but also want live instruction? This delivery combines both! Spend half your time studying at home, then attend class at a brick-and-mortar campus.

Learn More

Please Note - This delivery method is only applicable to real estate QE and SAE courses.

Virtual Classroom

Attend live classes from the comfort of your home! Our ChampionsLive virtual classrooms are perfect for students who prefer at-home learning, but also want live instruction.

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Online Correspondence

Do you learn best at your own pace? Through this delivery method, you get the textbook and teach yourself. Then, when you're ready, take the test either online or at a Champions campus!

Sample Course

Learn More

Please Note - This method is only available for real estate QE/SAE/CE and some home inspection courses.

Online Interactive

Perfect for independent learners, this delivery is completely self-paced and includes videos and activities. Accessible from any mobile or desktop device with an internet connection.

Learn More

Please Note - This delivery method is only available for all QE, select SAE and CE courses.

Select the "Champions Advantage" option when you enroll to customize your learning experience. This option allows you to choose different delivery methods for each course in the program. Learn More.

Basic Requirements to Apply for a Texas Real Estate License

Citizen of the United States or lawfully admitted alien
18 years of age or older
Meet TREC's qualifications for honesty, trustworthiness, and integrity (TREC recommends submitting an optional 'Fitness Determination' form if you have any criminal offenses, unpaid judgments, etc.) The Fitness Determination process is cheaper than paying for an application, examination, and education necessary to receive a license if you do not meet the qualifications for honesty, trustworthiness, and integrity. Please do not submit a Fitness Determination form if you do not have any criminal offenses or already have a pending application with TREC. Please refer to the TREC website for more information on the topic of fitness determination.