How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Texas

Are you ready to launch an exciting career in real estate? Whether you’re drawn to the fast-paced market of Dallas-Fort Worth, the booming opportunities in Austin, the vibrant culture of Houston, or the growing neighborhoods of San Antonio and El Paso, becoming a licensed real estate agent in Texas is your first step.

The Texas real estate market offers incredible potential, but you'll need to earn your real estate license before you can start helping buyers find their dream homes or sellers close the perfect deal. Here’s what it takes to get started:

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Complete 180 hours of approved real estate education.
• Pass the Texas Real Estate Sales Agent Examination.
• Submit a background check and fingerprints to the Texas Real Estate Commission. 
• Work for a licensed broker. 

Table of Contents

• Steps to Getting Your Texas Real Estate License
• Texas Real Estate Exam Practice Questions
• First-Time Texas Real Estate License Renewal Requirements
• Ongoing Texas Real Estate License Renewal

If you’re ready to launch your career in Texas real estate, you’ll need to meet the licensing requirements set by the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC). Below is a step-by-step guide to obtaining your Texas real estate salesperson license.

Step 1: Meet the Basic Eligibility Requirements and Register with the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC)

To qualify for a real estate license in Texas, you must be at least 18 years old and a U.S. citizen or lawfully admitted alien. Additionally, you must meet TREC’s standards for honesty, trustworthiness, and integrity. If you have concerns about your eligibility, you may request a Fitness Determination from TREC before applying. 

The Texas Real Estate Commission requires educators to report your pre-license course completion. To enable this, you must pre-register on the Texas Real Estate Commission REALM portal to receive a pre-licensing education application number. Create an account or log into your existing account here.

Step 2: Complete 180 Hours of Texas Real Estate Education

Texas requires prospective real estate agents to complete 180 hours of state-approved prelicensing education. The required courses include:

• Principles of Real Estate I & II (60 Hours): Covers foundational real estate concepts, laws, and best practices. 
• Law of Agency (30 Hours): Explores the role and responsibilities of real estate agents representing clients. 
• Law of Contracts (30 Hours): Reviews contract laws and legal obligations in real estate transactions. 
• Promulgated Contract Forms (30 Hours): Focuses on Texas-specific contracts and standardized forms used in real estate deals. 
• Real Estate Finance (30 Hours): Examines financing principles, loan types, and mortgage lending processes. 

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Step 3: Submit Fingerprints and Complete a Background Check

Before taking the real estate exam, all applicants must submit fingerprints to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and undergo a background check. TREC will review your background check to determine eligibility based on their standards for honesty and integrity. 

Step 4: Apply for Licensure and Exam Approval

Once you’ve completed your education and background check, you must submit an application to TREC to obtain approval to take the Texas Real Estate Salesperson Exam. Be sure to include the required fees and documentation. TREC will review your application and notify you when you’re eligible to schedule your exam. 

Step 5: Pass the Texas Real Estate Salesperson Exam

After receiving approval from TREC, you must pass the Texas Real Estate Salesperson exam, which consists of:

• A national portion covering general real estate laws and practices.
• A state-specific portion focusing on Texas real estate laws and regulations.

If you fail the exam three times, you will be required to complete additional education before retaking the test. 

Texas Real Estate Exam Practice Questions

The Texas Real Estate Sales Agent Examination has two portions: a national portion on general real estate principles and a state portion on Texas law and Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) rules. If you fail the exam three times, you must complete additional education before retaking it.

Try these five Texas-specific practice questions from Kaplan Real Estate Education's subject matter experts. Each one includes the correct answer and an explanation of why it's right.

Topics Covered: the Seller's Disclosure of Property Condition, the unauthorized practice of law, the Real Estate Recovery Trust Account, intermediary relationships, and homestead protection.

Practice Question 1: Seller's Disclosure of Property Condition

A seller would most likely be required to give a buyer the written Seller's Disclosure of Property Condition form required by the Texas Property Code in all of these transactions EXCEPT

• A. a sale of commercial property.
• B. if the buyer has lived on the property as a tenant.
• C. when the seller is not assisted by a licensed real estate agent.
• D. if the seller has not resided on the property in the last year.

Correct Answer: A. Sellers must provide a written Seller's Disclosure of Property Condition when transferring residential real property of not more than one dwelling unit. The requirement applies even if the seller hasn't recently lived in the property, the buyer has lived there as a tenant, or the seller sells without a license holder. There is no requirement to provide the notice for commercial property.

Exam Tip: In Texas, the Seller's Disclosure applies to single-dwelling residential sales, including for-sale-by-owner transactions. Commercial sales don't require it.

Practice Question 2: License Holders and Drafting Contracts

The Texas Real Estate Commission prohibits a license holder from using a sales contract drafted by

• A. the buyer.
• B. an attorney.
• C. the broker.
• D. the seller.

Correct Answer: C. Either the buyer or the seller can draw up their own contract. A license holder who drafts a contract for one or both parties violates the Texas Real Estate License Act (TRELA) and TREC rules and is guilty of the unauthorized practice of law.

Exam Tip: A Texas license holder can use a contract drafted by a party to the transaction or by an attorney, but drafting one themselves is the unauthorized practice of law.

Practice Question 3: Real Estate Recovery Trust Account

What happens in the event that TREC makes a payment out of the Real Estate Recovery Trust Account on behalf of a license holder?

• A. The license of the license holder is immediately suspended but will automatically be reinstated upon reimbursement of the trust account plus interest.
• B. TREC automatically revokes the license holder's license and will not issue a new license.
• C. The license holder's license may be revoked by TREC.
• D. If the Recovery Trust Account is not reimbursed, with interest, within six months the license holder's license will be revoked.

Correct Answer: C. If TREC makes a payment out of the Real Estate Recovery Trust Account on behalf of a license holder, TREC may revoke that license holder's license.

Exam Tip: Revocation after a Recovery Trust Account payment is discretionary ("may"), not automatic. Be wary of answer choices that say "automatically" or "immediately."

Practice Question 4: Intermediary Relationships

A realty company has entered into agency agreements with both a seller and a buyer. The seller and the buyer have given written authorization for the broker to function as an intermediary. A sales agent with the realty company has previously been working for, but not yet appointed to, the buyer. The sales agent previously working for, but not appointed to, the seller and the sales agent working with, but not appointed to, the buyer may legally disclose

• A. the buyer's financial qualifications.
• B. that the seller will accept less than the listing price.
• C. that the buyer will pay more than the offering price.
• D. market data (but not analysis) to the seller and buyer.

Correct Answer: D. A sales agent carrying out intermediary duties for the broker, before appointments are made, must remain impartial. Providing raw market data would likely be considered a fair and impartial act. But once an intermediary relationship is authorized and begins, no analysis of that data, comparative market analysis (CMA), or negotiation opinion can be given to either party until lawful appointments are made. Because a CMA is by definition an analysis or opinion of the market, it can't be prepared for the buyer until appointments are properly made.

Exam Tip: In a Texas intermediary relationship before appointments, raw market data is allowed. Analysis, opinions, and CMAs are not.

Practice Question 5: Texas Homestead Protection

A Texas homeowner may be allowed certain protection from judgments of creditors as a result of the state

• A. police power rights.
• B. lien laws.
• C. homestead laws.
• D. equal credit laws.

Correct Answer: C. In Texas, the constitutional protection vested in the homestead exists to protect the family against eviction by general creditors.

Exam Tip: Texas homestead laws, rooted in the state constitution, protect a family's home from general creditors' judgments.

Keep Practicing for the Texas Real Estate Exam

Answer these 5 questions to test your knowledge of Texas specific concepts on the Texas Real Estate Licensing Exam. After the quiz, we’ll provide answer explanations to ensure you understand each concept.

Want more practice? Practice for the Texas real estate exam with free quiz questions, or explore Kaplan's Texas real estate exam prep courses to keep preparing for test day.

Texas Real Estate License Renewal: Requirements & Process

To maintain an active real estate license in Texas, real estate agents must fulfill continuing education (CE) requirements set by TREC. Whether you’re renewing for the first time or as an experienced agent, it’s essential to complete your required education on time to avoid late fees or license activation.

First-Time Texas Real Estate License Renewal Requirements

If you are renewing your Texas real estate license for the first time, you must complete 90 hours of Sales Apprentice Education (SAE) within your initial two-year licensing period. First-time renewal requirements include:

• Complete 90 hours of SAE coursework before your license expiration date.
• 8 of these hours must be in TREC’s Legal Update I & II courses. 
• If designated as a supervisor by your broker, you must complete a 6-hour Broker Responsibility Course in addition to the 90 hours. 
• The new 3-hour contract-related course requirement does not apply until your second renewal cycle. 

TREC sends a renewal notice 90 days before your license expires, so don’t wait until the last minute to fulfill your education requirements. Be sure to submit your hours at least 10 days before the expiration of licensure to ensure no late fees or renewals. 

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Ongoing Texas Real Estate License Renewal

After your first renewal, Texas real estate agents must renew their license every two years by completing 18 hours of CE. Ongoing renewal requirements for active sales agents include:

• Complete 18 hours of CE every two years.
• 8 of these hours must be in TREC’s Legal Update I & II courses.
• 7 hours must be elective CE courses covering topics like marketing, finance, or real estate law. 
• At least 3 of the 18 hours must be contract-related coursework. 
• If designated as a supervisor by your broker, you must complete a 6-hour Broker Responsibility Course as part of your CE hours.
• If you have not previously submitted fingerprints to TREC, you must complete a fingerprint-based background check before renewing your license. 

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