The Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) mandates a five-step process to issue a Real Estate Sales Agent License. An applicant must complete 180 hours of Qualifying Education, pass the Pearson VUE state exam, and find a sponsoring broker to activate their license.
The entire process typically takes 3 to 6 months depending on the student's study pace.
TREC Rule §535.51 defines the general eligibility requirements. The applicant must be at least 18 years of age. The applicant must be a citizen of the United States or a lawfully admitted alien.
A candidate must be a resident of Texas at the time of the application. TREC requires proof of residency if the applicant uses a P.O. Box.
TREC evaluates the honesty, trustworthiness, and integrity of every applicant. The commission creates a Fitness Determination for individuals with criminal offenses or unpaid judgments. If you have a criminal background, you should file a Fitness Determination (Form FD-7) before purchasing any courses to ensure eligibility.
The applicant must provide proof of 180 classroom hours of Qualifying Education (QE). These hours consist of six specific 30-hour courses.
| Course Name | Course # | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Principles of Real Estate I | 1200 | Licensing law, ethics, legal descriptions. |
| Principles of Real Estate II | 1201 | Appraisal, math, commercial property. |
| Law of Agency | 1101 | Fiduciary duties, representation. |
| Promulgated Contract Forms | 351 | Standard TREC forms usage. |
| Real Estate Finance | 451 | Mortgage types, secondary markets. |
Important: You must take these courses from a TREC-approved provider. Course completion certificates are valid for one year.
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Once the education is complete, the candidate submits the Application for Inactive Real Estate Sales Agent License (Form 20-0).
The most efficient method is the TREC Online Services portal. The application fee is $185. This fee includes a Texas A&M Real Estate Center fee ($10) and a recovery fund fee ($10).
After the application is processed, TREC issues an eligibility letter. This letter contains the TREC ID number required to schedule the exam and fingerprinting.
Texas law requires all license holders to undergo a criminal history check. MorphoTrust USA (IdentoGO) manages the fingerprinting process.
The applicant schedules an appointment via the IdentoGO website using their TREC ID number. The fee for fingerprinting is approximately $38.25. The results are sent directly to TREC.
Pearson VUE administers the Texas Real Estate Sales Agent Exam. The exam tests the candidate's knowledge of national and state-specific real estate law.
If you fail one portion, you only need to retake that specific portion. You have three attempts to pass both sections before additional education is required.
Passing the exam results in an Inactive License. An inactive agent cannot engage in real estate brokerage activity or earn commissions.
To activate the license, a Sponsoring Broker must file a sponsorship request. The broker assumes responsibility for the sales agent's professional actions. Once TREC processes the sponsorship, the license status changes to Active.
The cost to become a real estate agent in Texas ranges from $500 to $1,200, depending largely on the choice of education provider.
| Item | Estimated Cost | Payee |
|---|---|---|
| Qualifying Education | $300 – $900 | Course Provider |
| State Application Fee | $185.00 | TREC |
| Fingerprinting | $38.25 | IdentoGO |
| Exam Fee | $43.00 | Pearson VUE |
| Total Estimate | $566.25 – $1,166.25 |
Yes. The 180 hours of education can be completed entirely online through self-paced or live-stream formats. However, the final state exam must be taken in person at a Pearson VUE test center.
TREC processing times vary by volume. Currently, online applications are processed in 10 to 14 business days. Paper applications take significantly longer.
No. A college degree is not required. However, if you hold a bachelor's degree, TREC may waive some of the Qualifying Education hours based on your college transcript. You must submit a Request for Evaluation of Education (Form DE-1) to confirm credits.
