Getting and Maintaining a Real Estate License in Texas: What You Need to Know

If you're considering a career in real estate in Texas, it's important to understand the requirements for getting and maintaining a real estate license. In this blog post, we'll discuss the eligibility requirements, pre-licensing education, licensing exam, applying for a license, continuing education, and keeping the license.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for a real estate license in Texas, you must be at least 18 years old, a legal resident of the state, and meet the Texas Real Estate Commission's qualifications for honesty, integrity and trustworthiness.

Pre-Licensing Education

Before you can take the Texas real estate licensing exam, you must complete 180 hours of pre-licensing education from an approved education provider. This education includes Principles of Real Estate I and II, Real Estate Finance, Law of Contracts, Law of Agency and Promulgated Contract Forms. The courses include both national and state-specific content.  You'll have a proctored final exam from your education provider to pass the classes and prepare for the licensing exam.

Licensing Exam

Once you've completed your pre-licensing education, you'll need to pass the Texas real estate licensing exam. The exam consists of two portions: the national portion and the state-specific portion. You'll need to pass both portions with a score of at least 70% to obtain your license.

Applying for a License

Once you've passed the licensing exam, you'll need to apply for your license with the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC). You'll need to submit an application, fingerprints, and the appropriate fees. TREC will also conduct a background check to ensure you meet all eligibility requirements.

Continuing Education

Once you've obtained your real estate license in Texas, you'll need to complete continuing education to maintain it. For your first license renewal, you'll need to take 90 hours of qualifying Sales Apprentice Education courses in addition to 8 hours of Legal Update courses. Every two years after that, you'll need to complete 18 hours of continuing education.

Keeping the License

To keep your real estate license in Texas, you must adhere to certain ethical and professional standards. This includes disclosing all material facts to clients, avoiding conflicts of interest, and not engaging in any conduct that would harm the public or your profession.

Additionally, if you have any criminal convictions or professional disciplinary actions taken against you, you must report them to TREC within 30 days.

In conclusion, obtaining and maintaining a real estate license in Texas requires a significant amount of education and training. However, with the right preparation and dedication, a career in real estate can be both rewarding and lucrative. If you're interested in pursuing a career in real estate in Texas, be sure to carefully review all the requirements and take the necessary steps to obtain and maintain your license.