How to Get Your Real Estate License in Texas (2026)
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Ready to start your real estate career in Texas? Whether you want to help buyers find their dream home or build a business in commercial real estate, getting licensed is your first step. Here is exactly what you need to do, step by step.
Texas requires 180 hours of pre-licensing education, and total government fees run approximately $300.45. The entire process typically takes 8 to 26 weeks from start to finish. For the complete requirements breakdown, see our Texas real estate license requirements page.
Step 1: Meet Basic Eligibility Requirements
Before you invest time in coursework, confirm that you meet Texas's basic eligibility requirements:
- Minimum age: 18 years old
- Residency: Not required
- Background check: Required
- Education: No high school diploma or GED required — Only the 180 hours of TREC courses are required.
- Sponsoring Broker: Required to activate license — License is initially issued as inactive. Sponsoring broker activates it through the REALM Portal.
Licensing is overseen by the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC).
Step 2: Complete 180 Hours of Pre-Licensing Education
Texas requires 180 hours of approved pre-licensing education before you can sit for the licensing exam. You can complete this entirely online through accredited providers, which allows you to study at your own pace.
Your coursework will cover:
- Principles of Real Estate I (30 hrs)
- Principles of Real Estate II (30 hrs)
- Law of Agency (30 hrs)
- Law of Contracts (30 hrs)
- Promulgated Contract Forms (30 hrs)
- Real Estate Finance (30 hrs)
Complete your 180 required hours online
The CE Shop offers Texas-approved pre-licensing courses you can take entirely online, at your own pace.
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Step 3: Pass the Texas Real Estate Licensing Exam
After completing your education, you will need to pass the Texas real estate licensing exam, administered by PearsonVUE.
| Section | Questions | Time | Passing Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| National | 85 | 150 min | 70% |
| State (Texas) | 40 | 90 min | 70% |
National section: 80 scored + 5 pretest items. State section: 40 scored + 10 pretest items. 70% passing on both sections. First-time pass rate ~56%. Applications submitted via REALM Portal.
Step 4: Submit Your License Application
Once you pass the exam, submit your license application to the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC). Here is what the process looks like:
Complete Pre-Licensing Education
Complete all six 30-hour TREC-approved courses (180 hours total). Available online or in-person.
Estimated time: 4–18 weeks
Submit Application via REALM Portal
Create an account at trec.texas.gov, submit your application, and pay the $206 application fee.
Estimated time: 30 minutes
Complete Fingerprinting
Schedule an appointment with IdentoGO/IDEMIA and pay $38.25. Fingerprints are sent to TX DPS for background check.
Estimated time: 1–2 weeks for processing
Receive Approval from TREC
TREC processes your application and sends an approval letter with the Exam Candidate Handbook.
Estimated time: 5–10 business days
Schedule and Pass the Exam
Register with Pearson VUE, pay $43 exam fee, and pass both the national and state exam sections.
Estimated time: 1–4 weeks
Find a Sponsoring Broker
A licensed Texas real estate broker must agree to sponsor you.
Estimated time: 1–8 weeks
Broker Submits Sponsorship
Your sponsoring broker submits the sponsorship via the REALM Portal. TREC activates your license.
Estimated time: 1–3 business days
Key Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| TREC Application Fee | $206 |
| Exam Fee | $43 |
| Fingerprinting / Background Check | $41.45 |
| Recovery Trust Account | $10 |
| Total Government Fees | $300.45 |
Step 5: Complete Post-License Requirements
Texas requires newly licensed agents to complete additional education after receiving their license:
First renewal requires 98 hrs (90 SAE + 4 Legal Update I + 4 Legal Update II) — extremely high.
Get ahead on post-license requirements
Complete your Texas post-licensing education online. Start right after you get licensed so you don't fall behind.
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Step 6: Stay Licensed — Continuing Education
Once you are licensed, Texas requires ongoing continuing education (CE) to keep your license active.
- 18 hours of CE every 2 years
- Renewal fee: $185
Stay compliant with online CE courses
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Texas Real Estate License: Quick Reference
| Pre-Licensing Hours | 180 hours |
| Total Government Fees | $300.45 |
| Exam Provider | PearsonVUE |
| Minimum Age | 18 years old |
| Estimated Timeline | 8–26 weeks |
| CE Requirement | 18 hours every 2 years |
| Renewal Fee | $185 |
| Licensing Authority | Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) |
For the complete, detailed requirements, visit our Texas real estate license requirements page.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Start Your Texas Real Estate Education Today
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Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. Licensing requirements change frequently. Always verify current requirements with the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) before making decisions. Data last verified 2026-04-02.
Real Estate Agent Licensing — Quick Reference by State
Median salary, government licensing fees, and estimated timeline. Click any state for full details.
| State | Median Salary | License Fees | Timeline | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $62,420 | $499 | 3 mo | View → |
| Texas | $50,150 | $276.25 | 8 wk | View → |
| Florida | $50,140 | $180.5 | 5 wk | View → |
| New York | $97,440 | $80 | 4 wk | View → |
| Pennsylvania | $53,590 | $178 | 4 wk | View → |
| Illinois | $51,210 | $270 | 4 wk | View → |
| Ohio | $43,860 | $219 | 6 wk | View → |
| Georgia | $56,190 | $329.25 | 5 wk | View → |
| North Carolina | $47,840 | $190 | 4 wk | View → |
| Michigan | $55,600 | $227 | 3 wk | View → |
Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024. Fees & timelines: state licensing boards.
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