Getting your license is the first step in becoming a real estate agent in Texas. To do that, you’ll need to meet specific qualifications and requirements.
Requirements to Get a Real Estate License in Texas
- Be at Least 18 Years Old
- Be a U.S. Citizen or Legal Resident
- Complete the Real Estate Course and Pass the Exam
- Pass a Background Check
1. Be at Least 18 Years Old
To first requirement to get a real estate license in Texas is that you must be at least 18 years old.
2. Be a U.S. Citizen or Legal Resident
Another requirement for getting a real estate license in Texas is that you must either be a U.S. citizen or a lawful resident.
3. Complete the Real Estate Course and Pass the Exam
You’ll also need to complete a real estate education course to get your license in Texas. The course is 180 hours, after which you’ll take a final exam.
4. Pass a Background Check
The final requirement for getting your real estate license will be passing a criminal background check. The Texas Real Estate Commission, or TREC for short, will also assess candidates. This will include everything regarding the candidate’s trustworthiness, honesty, and overall integrity they showcase in their personal lives.
For example, if you have a criminal record, you might not be able to get a real estate license.
Additionally, if you had a professional license in some other field but lost it for certain reasons, that might also make you ineligible to get a real estate license in Texas.
How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Texas
- Take the Education Course
- Send in Your Application
- Pass the Background Check
- Schedule Your Real Estate Exam
- Pass the State Real Estate Exam
- Find a Sponsoring Brokerage
- Receive Your Active Texas Real Estate License
1. Take the Education Course
When it comes to real estate courses, every state has different requirements. In this case, the state of Texas has one of the highest requirements coming up to 180 hours of pre-licensing courses. These courses can include the law of contracts and principles of real estate as well as real estate finance. Once you complete your pre-licensing courses, you are ready to take the final exam.
2. Send in Your Application
After you complete your education requirements, pass the exam, and find a sponsoring brokerage, it is time to apply for your Texas real estate license. You need to send your application to the Texas Real Estate Commission and pay the necessary fees. You can make a submission online as long as you create an account with the TREC, or you can stick with a paper application which you will need to submit through mail.
3. Pass the Background Check
When you send your application, you must also provide your fingerprints to the Texas Department of Public Safety so the Texas Real Estate Commission can complete a background check. Make sure not to delay this, as it can invoke additional investigations of your background history, which will only delay the clearance in the first place. Keep in mind that you need a clear background check to be able to receive a real estate license.
4. Schedule Your Real Estate Exam
Once you finish the pre-licensing process, it is time to take the final exam. You will have to schedule your real estate exam and pay a certain fee. Scheduling can be done through the testing provider Pearson VUE which also does the administration of the exam itself.
5. Pass the State Real Estate Exam
All you have to do now is pass the exam so that you can get your real estate license in Texas. If you pass the exam, the Texas Real Estate Commission will issue an inactive real estate license for you. You may then join an active, licensed broker that can help you start your real estate career.
6. Find a Sponsoring Brokerage
The final step to getting your real estate license in Texas is to find a sponsoring brokerage. This broker will be where you start your career, so it’s important to meet with and apply to a real estate company that is a good fit for you and offers the support you want.
7. Receive Your Active Texas Real Estate License
Once you join your sponsoring brokerage, you will get an active license. With this license, you can now work as a licensed real estate agent in the state of Texas. After this, the sky is your limit. If you put in time and effort, you can expect a very successful career.
Getting a Real Estate License in Texas Bottom Line
Although the requirements to get a Texas real estate license aren’t that strict, it will take you at least a couple of months to get your license. You won’t be paid while taking the required courses and exams, but getting your license and becoming a real estate agent in Texas can be an exciting, lucrative, and rewarding career.