How To Get A Real Estate License In Texas

Female Texas real estate agent meeting with clients in her office to discuss their needs.

If you're considering starting a real estate career in Houston, San Antonio, Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin, El Paso, or any other city in the state, you'll need to earn a Texas real estate license.To earn your real estate license in Texas, you must be 18 years of age, complete 180 hours of approved education, obtain a sponsoring broker, submit required fees and forms to Texas Real Estate Commission, submit to fingerprinting, and pass the state exam. While the process to become a real estate agent is similar in most states, each state has its unique steps that must be adhered to. The seven steps to becoming a Texas real estate agent are as follows:

Step 1: Must be at least 18 years of age.

Before you apply for a license, you can request that the Commission determine whether your fitness meets TREC's qualifications for honesty, trustworthiness, and integrity. Consider requesting a Fitness Determination before applying for the license.

Step 2: Register and complete 180 hours of required education:

In order to apply for the Texas Real Estate License Exam, the state requires you to complete 180 hours of TREC-approved college-level real estate courses. Kaplan offers four education options that fulfill the 180-hour requirement.

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Step 3: Consider obtaining a sponsoring broker

In order to practice as a real estate salesperson, you must be sponsored by a licensed Texas real estate broker. You and your sponsor will both need to complete an online sponsorship request.

Step 4: Submit forms and fees to TREC

After completing the required 180 hours of licensing education, submit all education documents to TREC, including real estate school certificates.

Active or inactive initial license?

You'll need to decide if you'd prefer an active or inactive license.

To apply for an active license to practice real estate, include with your initial mailing the Salesperson Sponsorship (SSF-2) form signed by a licensed Texas real estate broker.
To apply for an inactive license, submit only the Inactive Salesperson Application forms at this time. Submit the SSF-2 form later to activate your license.

Note: These forms can be downloaded at www.trec.texas.gov, or you may complete this process online at https://mylicense.trec.texas.gov/datamart/mainMenuTXREC.do.

Step 5: Schedule your license examination and fingerprinting

After you receive your response letter from TREC approving you and directing you to the exam Candidate Handbook, you can schedule your exam with Pearson Vue. You will also receive direction on how to submit your fingerprints for review. You have one year from the date your application is filed to pass the examination.

Step 6: Prepare for the exam

By taking Kaplan's world-renowned Exam Prep course, you will have no surprises on exam day. The Texas Real Estate Exam Prep program is available as a live online class or OnDemand video course.

Step 7: Take the state exam

Once you have passed the state exam and your fingerprints are on file, you will receive an Active or Inactive Salesperson License from TREC via email (remember to monitor your junk mail folder).

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