TL;DR
Texas Real Estate License Requirements — What TREC Requires
The Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) sets the requirements for obtaining a real estate salesperson license in Texas. All requirements are governed by the Texas Real Estate License Act (TRELA) and TREC rules. The process has five main components: education, application, background check, exam, and sponsoring broker.
1. Pre-License Education — 180 Hours Required
Texas requires 180 hours of TREC-approved pre-license education before you can sit for the licensing exam. The 180 hours are divided into six specific courses, each 30 hours long:
- Principles of Real Estate I
- Principles of Real Estate II
- Law of Agency
- Law of Contracts
- Promulgated Contract Forms
- Real Estate Finance
Each course must be completed through a TREC-approved education provider. Providers include online schools, community colleges, and in-person real estate schools. TREC maintains a list of approved providers on its website. Courses may be completed in any order, and courses do not have a strict short-term expiry, but applicants must meet TREC requirements at the time of application — verify current course validity rules on the TREC website.
2. License Application
After completing your education, the next step is to submit your license application to TREC through its online licensing system. At the time of application you will pay the application fee — see our full cost breakdown for all fees involved — and certify that you meet the eligibility requirements.
TREC will review your application and, if approved, issue an eligibility notice authorizing you to schedule your exam with Pearson VUE. The review process may take a few business days to a few weeks depending on the application — those involving criminal history disclosures typically require additional time.
3. Fitness Determination — Criminal History
TREC conducts a background check as part of the licensing process. If you have a criminal history, you are not automatically disqualified — TREC evaluates applications on a case-by-case basis considering the nature of the offense, how much time has passed, and evidence of rehabilitation. TREC offers a Fitness Determination process that allows applicants to request an advance determination of whether their criminal history would bar them from licensure before completing the education requirements. This can save significant time and expense if there is a concern.
Fingerprinting is required and must be completed through an approved vendor. You can be fingerprinted and sit for the exam before the background check is complete, but your license will not be issued until the background check is cleared.
4. The Licensing Exam
Once TREC approves your application, you may schedule your exam through Pearson VUE. See our exam day guide to know exactly what to expect at the test center. The exam has two separately scored portions — national and state — which you can take on the same day or on separate days. See our honest assessment of exam difficulty to know what to expect. You must pass both portions to proceed with your license.
Your exam eligibility is valid for one year from the date TREC approves your application. If you do not pass both portions within that year, you will need to reapply. There is no fixed limit on attempts within your one-year eligibility period, though each failed attempt requires waiting before rescheduling.
5. Sponsoring Broker
A Texas real estate salesperson license is inactive until it is sponsored by a licensed Texas real estate broker. You cannot conduct real estate transactions under an inactive license. Before your license can be activated, you must find a sponsoring broker willing to supervise your activities. The sponsoring broker submits the activation request through TREC's online system.
You do not need to have a sponsoring broker lined up before you take the exam, but you should begin researching brokerage options during your exam preparation period so you can activate your license promptly after passing.
What Are the Age and Residency Requirements?
To obtain a Texas real estate salesperson license you must be at least 18 years old. You do not need to be a Texas resident — non-residents may obtain a Texas real estate license. You do not need to be a U.S. citizen, though you must meet TREC's identification and legal presence requirements — check the TREC website for current details.
How Long Does the Process Take?
The timeline varies by candidate. The 180 hours of education can be completed in as little as eight weeks for a full-time student or spread over several months for someone studying part-time. TREC application processing takes a few days to a few weeks. Most candidates who move efficiently through the process receive their license within three to six months — our step-by-step licensing guide walks you through every stage.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do I need a college degree to get a Texas real estate license?
- No. Texas does not require a college degree to obtain a real estate salesperson license. The only educational requirement is the 180 hours of TREC-approved pre-license coursework. There are no prerequisites for enrolling in the pre-license courses.
- Can I get a Texas real estate license with a criminal record?
- Possibly. TREC evaluates each application individually rather than applying automatic bars for most offenses. Factors considered include the nature and severity of the offense, how long ago it occurred, and evidence of rehabilitation. Certain offenses — particularly those involving fraud or crimes directly related to the practice of real estate — receive heightened scrutiny. If you have a criminal history, consider using TREC's Fitness Determination process to get an advance ruling before investing time and money in the education requirements.
- Can I take the Texas real estate exam before finding a sponsoring broker?
- Yes. You can complete your education, apply for your license, and take the exam without having a sponsoring broker. Your license will be issued in inactive status after you pass the exam and your application is fully processed. You activate your license by finding a sponsoring broker who submits the activation request to TREC. You cannot conduct real estate transactions until your license is active and sponsored.
- What is the application fee for a Texas real estate license?
- TREC sets the application fees and they are subject to change. Current fees are listed on the TREC website (trec.texas.gov). In addition to the application fee, you will pay a separate Pearson VUE exam fee when you schedule your exam. There is also a fingerprinting fee charged by the approved fingerprint vendor.
Source: Pearson VUE Texas Real Estate Salesperson Candidate Handbook · Texas Real Estate Commission (trec.texas.gov)