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Texas Real Estate License Education Requirements (Official Syllabus)

TREC Rule §535.64 establishes the specific education standards for all aspiring Real Estates. To qualify for the state exam, an applicant must complete 180 classroom hours of Qualifying Education.

The 6 Mandatory Qualifying Courses

Each course covers a distinct aspect of real estate law and practice. Below is the official breakdown of the required curriculum.

Principles of Real Estate I

#1200

30 Hours • Legal Foundations

  • Distinction between personal and real property.
  • Land descriptions and legal descriptions.
  • Estates in land (Freehold vs. Leasehold).
  • The Texas Real Estate License Act (TRELA).

Principles of Real Estate II

#1201

30 Hours • Practical Application

  • Real estate appraisal and valuation.
  • Real estate financing principles.
  • Closing procedures and settlement statements.
  • Commercial property management.

Law of Agency

#1101

30 Hours • Fiduciary Duties

  • OLDCAR: Obedience, Loyalty, Disclosure, Confidentiality, Accounting, Reasonable Care.
  • Intermediary relationships.
  • Deceptive Trade Practices Act (DTPA).

Law of Contracts

#1200

30 Hours • Binding Agreements

  • Elements of a valid contract.
  • Void vs. Voidable contracts.
  • Breach of contract and remedies.
  • Statute of Frauds.

Promulgated Contract Forms

#351

30 Hours • Standard Forms

  • One to Four Family Residential Contract (Resale).
  • Third-Party Financing Addendum.
  • Seller's Disclosure Notice.
  • Unauthorized practice of law.

Real Estate Finance

#451

30 Hours • Funding

  • The Federal Reserve System.
  • Primary vs. Secondary Mortgage Markets.
  • FHA, VA, and USDA loan programs.
  • Truth in Lending Act (TILA) and RESPA.

Post-Licensing Requirements (SAE vs. CE)

1. SAE (First Renewal)

Target: Agents renewing their license for the first time (typically 2 years after issuance).

  • 90 Hours Qualifying Education
  • 4 Hours Legal Update I
  • 4 Hours Legal Update II

2. CE (Subsequent Renewals)

Target: Agents who have already completed SAE (2nd renewal onwards).

  • 8 Hours Legal Updates (I & II)
  • 3 Hours Contracts
  • 7 Hours Electives

Exemptions and College Credit

Do you have a Bachelor's Degree?

TREC Rule §535.67 allows applicants to claim credit for relevant college coursework. A transcript showing a degree from an accredited university may satisfy the entire 180-hour requirement if the coursework is deemed equivalent.

Process: Submit the Request for Evaluation of Education Documents (Form DE-1) to TREC with official transcripts before purchasing any real estate courses.