How to Transfer Your Real Estate Agent License from California to Texas

Side-by-side comparison of requirements, costs, and reciprocity. Updated 2026.

Quick Comparison

Requirement	California (CA)	Texas (TX)
Total Cost	Varies	Varies
Training Hours	135 hrs	180 hrs
Exam Required	Check with board	Check with board
Renewal Period	4	2
Reciprocity	No	No

Can You Transfer Your Real Estate Agent License?

Reciprocity information not available

Check with the Texas licensing board for current reciprocity agreements and transfer requirements for real estate agent licenses.

What You'll Need to Do in Texas

These are the standard licensing steps in Texas. As a licensed real estate agent from California, you may already satisfy some of these requirements.

1
Complete Pre-Licensing Education: Complete all six 30-hour TREC-approved courses (180 hours total). Available online or in-person.
2
Submit Application via REALM Portal: Create an account at trec.texas.gov, submit your application, and pay the $206 application fee.
3
Complete Fingerprinting: Schedule an appointment with IdentoGO/IDEMIA and pay $38.25. Fingerprints are sent to TX DPS for background check.
4
Receive Approval from TREC: TREC processes your application and sends an approval letter with the Exam Candidate Handbook.
5
Schedule and Pass the Exam: Register with Pearson VUE, pay $43 exam fee, and pass both the national and state exam sections.
6
Find a Sponsoring Broker: A licensed Texas real estate broker must agree to sponsor you.
7
Broker Submits Sponsorship: Your sponsoring broker submits the sponsorship via the REALM Portal. TREC activates your license.

Cost Comparison

California Fees

Exam Fee$100
Original License Fee$350
Fingerprinting (LiveScan)$49

Texas Fees

TREC Application Fee$206
Exam Fee$43
Fingerprinting / Background Check$41.45
Recovery Trust Account$10

Estimated Timeline

8\u201326 weeks

Estimated time to complete the real estate agent licensing process in Texas. Transferring licensees who qualify for reciprocity may complete the process faster.

Minimum assumes full-time education (~4 weeks) + fast processing. Maximum accounts for part-time study and broker search.

Explore More

California Real Estate Agent License

Full requirements, fees, and steps

Texas Real Estate Agent License

Full requirements, fees, and steps

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer my real estate agent license from California to Texas?▾

Contact the Texas licensing board directly to confirm current transfer and reciprocity policies for real estate agent licenses.

How much does it cost to transfer a real estate agent license to Texas?▾

Fees vary — check with the Texas licensing board for current fee schedules.

How long does it take to transfer a real estate agent license from California to Texas?▾

The process typically takes 8–26 weeks in Texas, depending on application processing times and whether additional exams or coursework are required.

Do I need to retake the real estate agent exam when moving to Texas?▾

Contact the Texas licensing board for current exam requirements for transferring licensees.

Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →

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Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only. Licensing requirements change frequently. Always verify current requirements, fees, and reciprocity policies directly with the California and Texas licensing boards before making decisions. LicenseMap is not a government agency and does not guarantee the accuracy of this information.

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