If you plan on selling real estate in El Paso, Austin, or Houston, you will have to earn your Texas Real Estate License first. If you want to build your real estate website with MLS listings, then MLSimport.com is the way to go. But we’ll get back to that in another article. Let’s take a look at the requirements for getting your real estate license. To put it, here are the steps and requirements:
- You must be 18 or older
- You must take a real estate course which lasts 180 hours
- Optional – Have a broker sponsor you
- Submit paperwork along with fees to the Texas Real Estate Commission
- Submitting fingerprints and taking the exam
- Confirmation
1. You must be 18 or older
Before becoming a real estate agent, you must graduate high school and be 18 or older.
2. Take the real estate course
Before you can apply for your Texas Real Estate License Exam, you will have to complete a TREC-approved real estate course, which lasts 180 hours. This is the most expensive part of the process, but we’ll get to it later.
3. Get a sponsor
You might also consider getting a real estate broker as your sponsor. Both you and your sponsor will have to complete and submit the Sponsorship Form. The sponsor’s role is to “show you the ropes” and help you gain experience faster. Some sponsors may charge a flat fee or commission; in return, they will provide you with an office or desk within their agency.
4. Submit forms and fees
After completing your real estate course, submit your completed forms and all payments to the TREC – the Texas Real Estate Commission.
5. Submitting fingerprints and interview
If everything goes well, you will receive a letter from the TREC that outlines the next step in obtaining your real estate license – the Texas real estate exam. You will also have to submit fingerprints at this point. You must pass the exam with a 70% grade before getting your license.
6. Confirmation
After passing the Texas Real Estate exam and having your fingerprints reviewed, you will receive approval from the Texas Real Estate Commission via E-mail. You can either get an Active or Inactive Salesperson License.
Texas Real Estate License Cost
Since we have already outlined the necessary steps to get your real estate license in Texas, let’s look at the costs closely. The real estate course will set you back around $430. The exam itself costs $55, and the license fee is $205. The Texas Real Estate Commission will also charge you $10 for the recovery fee, $27 for the background check, and $37 for fingerprinting. The overall cost of getting your real estate license is approximately $764.
“Texas real estate” is a unique market, and understanding how MLS works in this state can provide valuable insights. You can read more about it in our article “Multiple Listing Services (MLS) in Texas“. For detailed information about MLS fees, you can read this article : Understanding MLS Access Costs: A Guide for Real Estate Professionals
Useful Resources for Texas Future Realtors
TREC-approved real estate course – https://www.trec.texas.gov/education/approved-qualifying-real-estate-courses
Texas Sponsorship Form – https://www.trec.texas.gov/taxonomy/pdf-category/sponsorship
Texas Real Estate Commission – https://www.trec.texas.gov/become-licensed/sales-agent
FAQ
How much does it cost to get a Texas real estate license in total?
The overall cost is approximately $764. This estimate includes the 180-hour real estate course (around $430), the exam fee ($55), the license fee ($205), and Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) charges for the recovery fee ($10), background check ($27), and fingerprinting ($37).
What are the basic requirements to qualify for a Texas real estate license?
You must be at least 18 years old and have graduated high school. You also need to complete a TREC-approved real estate course totaling 180 hours before you can apply for the Texas Real Estate License Exam.
Do I need a broker sponsor to get licensed in Texas?
A broker sponsor is presented as optional in this process. If you choose to have one, both you and the broker complete and submit the Sponsorship Form, and the sponsor can help you learn the business and gain experience faster.
Keep in mind that some sponsors may charge a flat fee or take a commission in exchange for support, and they may provide an office or desk within their agency.
What happens after I finish the 180-hour course and submit my application to TREC?
After completing the course, you submit your forms and payments to the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC). If your application proceeds successfully, TREC sends a letter outlining the next step: taking the Texas real estate exam.
At that stage you also submit fingerprints. To earn the license, you must pass the exam with a 70% grade, and then TREC confirms approval by email after your fingerprints are reviewed.
What license status will I receive after passing the Texas real estate exam?
After you pass the Texas Real Estate exam and your fingerprints are reviewed, TREC sends an approval email. At that point, you can receive either an Active or an Inactive Salesperson License.
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