How to Get a Real Estate License in Texas in 5 Steps

Video: Steps to Get Your Real Estate License in Texas

The Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) requires you to complete the following five steps to obtain a Texas Real Estate Sales Agent License. View the steps below and watch our video to help visualize the process.

5 Steps to Get Your Texas Real Estate License

Prerequisites

  • You must be at least 18 years old to get started.
  • You must be a U.S. citizen or a lawfully admitted alien

  • Pass a Background Check

    Meet TREC's qualifications for honesty, trustworthiness, and integrity by getting fingerprinted and passing a background check. Applicants can request a Fitness Determination before applying for a license. Please see the TREC website regarding these requirements.

  • Complete the Required Pre-Licensing Education

    Texas Real Estate License Education Requirements

    Qualifying Education Requirements

  • Pass the Pre-License Course Final Exam

    When you have completed each of the 6 courses in the 180-Hour Licensing Package, you must pass a course final exam that will help prepare you to pass the licensing exam.

  • Apply for a License

    Apply for a real estate license with the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) using TREC's online licensing service.

  • Pass the State Licensing Exam

    Once TREC approves your application, you will need to schedule your exam and obtain a Candidate Handbook. The Texas Real Estate Exam is administered by Pearson Vue.

    How Many Questions Are on the Exam?

    • National Portion: 85 questions with a 150-minute time allowance
    • State Portion: 40 questions and a 90-minute time allowance

    What Score Do You Need to Pass the Texas Real Estate Exam?

    In order to pass your test, you will need to get a score of 70% or higher. This means you will need to answer 56 out of the 80 questions correctly.

  • First Time License Renewal: Complete the Required SAE Courses

    Complete the required SAE post-licensing education in order to maintain and renew your Texas real estate license for the first time.

    Post-License Requirements

How Much Does It Cost to Get a Texas Real Estate License?

The total cost to become a Texas real estate agent varies. The table below contains a breakdown of what you should expect to pay to get licensed.

Fees Cost
180-Hour Pre-License Courses $350.00 - $1,000.00
State Exam Fee $54.00
Texas Real Estate License Application Fee $205.00
Finger-Printing (estimated) $39.00
Recovery Trust Fund $10.00
Total (varies based on price of qualifying education) $658.00 - $1,308.00

How Long Does It Take to Receive Your License?

The entire process from taking and completing the qualifying education to receiving your license in hand takes anywhere from 4 to 6 months. Some students may finish in less time while others may take longer. This will depend on your schedule and how much time you can spend finishing your classes and when you'll be able to sit for the exam.

Full 180-Hour TREC-Required Course Package Information

You have one full year to complete your coursework in our new and improved student learning environment. Call, chat or post in the coursework Q&A and a member of the VanEd team will assist you. We are proud to be your educational partner and believe that our commitment to you and Texas Real Estate shows in our exceptional pass rates and world-class customer service.

TREC-Required Course Timing

Per TREC regulations, you cannot complete more than 12 hours per day in Pre-License coursework. Starting and completing more than one qualifying course within the same 3 days does not comply with Commission rules. Additionally, TREC will only allow a student to take course at a time – In other words, the 180 hour course should take no fewer than 18 days to complete – And you should take at least 3 days to complete each 30 hour course. As you move through the VanEd Texas Licensing coursework, you will be timed and we will notify you if you need to spend more time in the course. Questions? Give us a call at 1-361-208-0620 or an email at texas@vaned.com.

TREC Course Timing Requirements

Alternate Education or Prior Experience

All applicants must complete the coursework listed above from a Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) approved education provider. Alternate, substitute or related coursework is not allowed for application toward a Texas real estate license.

In general, the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) will not accept a license from another state, or prior experience in real estate brokerage or any related business as satisfaction of education/experience required for a license.

Texas SAE Post-License Education Requirements

The initial licensing period is two (2) years. In order to renew your Texas real estate license, you are required to complete 90 hours of Qualifying (SAE) courses and two 4-hour TREC Legal Update courses within that two year period. You are allowed to select any Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) approved SAE or Qualifying courses not already completed during pre-licensing. The new sales agent may also need to take the 6 hour Broker Responsibility course to satisfy SAE requirements if the broker has assigned them to be a supervisor during the 6-months prior to SAE renewal.

2021 TREC-Approved Pre-License Courses

All VanEd Texas Pre-License courses are approved and meet the latest Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) requirements for course content and online delivery.