Becoming a Real Estate Agent in Texas is Easier Than You Think
Since the last few years, Texas has been witnessing strong demand for real estate and a steady increase in the number of homes sold.
Currently, placed as the third highest most populous state in the country, Texas is a goldmine for aspiring and upcoming real estate agents who want to make it big in this profession.
Texas’s diverse real estate landscape is home to popular markets like Orlando, San Antonio, Houston, Dallas, Georgetown, and Fort Worth among others.
Due to its booming economy, vibrant cultural scene, diverse community, and strong job market, it has become a hotspot for real estate investment.
Thanks to a net positive migration rate, Texas’ population growth has placed amongst the top 10 in the country and the Lone Star state has become a favorite amongst homebuyers, migrant workers, and skilled professionals.
If you are considering a career in TX real estate, now is a good time to enter the market and reap the benefits of the exciting opportunities for sales and commissions.
Working as a real estate agent is the easier way to enter Texas’ booming real estate market and start working with clients.
Did you know that the top real estate agents in Texas can make as much as $110K in a year while enjoying a stable work-life balance in a dynamic profession?
If you dream of having a flexible, financially stable career path where you can control your earnings and professional growth, then working in real estate can be a great fit for you.
However, to achieve these goals and unlock success in this profession, you must obtain a Texas real estate license first.
Imagine earning a six-figure salary within a few years of working in the industry while enjoying a flexible schedule where you can be your own boss.
If you are already thinking about how can I get my real estate license in Texas, this article will answer your questions regarding starting a career from scratch.
This step-by-step guide will give you the career roadmap to work in TX real estate and help you approach this career path with confidence.
The need for a real estate license
Many aspiring real estate agents often wonder why getting a license is such a big deal and whether or not having a license offers any practical, real-world benefits.
Maybe you are feeling overwhelmed by all the licensing requirements and want to think twice before taking a leap of faith.
‘Before we tell you how to apply for real estate license in Texas it is important to understand why you need one to become successful in your career.
Firstly, having a valid real estate license is a mandatory career requirement, and like most states, Texas also requires you to obtain your license to be able to work with clients.
Real estate is a highly regulated and stringent industry and it is governed by a pre-established set of state and federal regulations.
For aspiring and active real estate agents, getting a state-approved license is the first and foremost step to legally participate in a real estate transaction.
Without a valid license, you will not be allowed to meet clients, discuss their requirements, or assist them in buying or selling properties.
Secondly, only licensed real estate professionals get access to exclusive communities, listing portals, and community events.
Thirdly, consumers and clients also prefer working with licensed professionals, as they entrust only skilled and knowledgeable professionals to help them make investment decisions related to buying or selling properties.
With a valid license, you can engage in real estate transactions without any state or federal limitations or restrictions and supercharge your career growth.
Failure to comply with the Texas state law could lead to serious legal and financial consequences and stall your career progress.
Basic eligibility requirements for obtaining a real estate license
You might be eager to learn about how to get my real estate license in Texas and start working with clients. To help you get started, we have outlined all the key steps.
Like most states, Texas also has its state-specific set of license requirements and eligibility guidelines for aspiring real estate professionals.
In Texas, it is the duty of the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) which is the state’s highest authority for real estate license issuing and renewal to agents and brokers.
To apply for a salesperson license, you must first determine your eligibility by meeting the minimum statutory requirements which are:
- You must be at least 18 years of age or older
- You must be a legal resident of the state of Texas
- You must have a high school diploma or GED equivalent in education
- You must not have any criminal history or felony
As an applicant, you can also determine whether you meet the eligibility requirements by completing a fitness determination test.
This will help you save time, effort, and resources before you even move to the later steps involved in getting a license.
However, if you fulfill the above requirements, you can proceed to complete the next steps in the licensing process.
Complete the pre-licensing coursework
To obtain your Texas salesperson license, you must complete minimum education to qualify for a real estate salesperson license.
The TREC requires aspiring real estate agents to complete 180 hours of pre-license education from a state-approved education provider.
The 180 hours of coursework includes 6 courses worth 30 hours each which are:
- Principles of Real Estate 1
- Principles of Real Estate 2
- Law of Agency
- Law of Contracts
- Promulgated Contract Forms
- Real Estate Finance
These courses are formulated to give you an overview of the real estate principles and an understanding of the fundamentals of the industry and its laws, policies, and processes.
Completing the above courses will ensure that you are prepared to tackle the next step in your licensing journey which is the Texas salesperson licensing exam.
Remember that education is the foundation upon which a successful and prosperous career is built and is essential to your progress in a competitive industry like real estate.
The education and coursework will give you the skills and knowledge needed to perform as a professional in Texas real estate.
Knowledge and education are the foundation upon which a successful and prosperous career is built and it is a must to learn about state and federal laws, consumer rights, best practices, and industry standards.
TREC allows individuals to complete the pre-licensing education in their preferred learning medium.
This means you are free to choose between joining an in-person, classroom-based environment or enrolling in an online real estate license Texas course.
However, it is important that your preferred education provider must be approved by the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC).
Irrespective of where you learn from, completing 180 hours of state-approved pre-licensing course credits is mandatory to move forward with your licensing process.
Many students prefer online real estate prep courses as they are more flexible and convenient and can be completed from anywhere using any device.
Passing the Texas salesperson licensing exam
After you have completed the pre-licensing course credits and obtained a certificate of completion, you can proceed to take the Texas real estate licensing exam next.
This is a crucial step in getting licensed as the TREC requires all applicants to pass the exam by scoring at least 75 percent or above.
The salesperson licensing exam in TX is a closed book, multiple choice questions test that consists of both state and national-specific portions.
You will get a total of 2.5 hours to tackle 110 multiple-choice questions and you can take the test at any Pearson Vue center in Texas as per your preferred day and date.
The state real estate license test is challenging and is aimed to test your preparation and knowledge by asking you questions based on state-specific and national-specific portions.
Passing the salesperson licensing exam might seem overwhelming but if you are prepared and understand the exam structure and type of questions, it is certainly achievable.
To boost your preparation, it is recommended to make use of Texas real estate state exam prep resources such as mock tests and sample questions.
By doing so, you will become familiar with the exam format and the type of questions you can expect to face during the test.
Note that you have to pay $43 for each attempt at the test. If you are unable to clear the test, you can retake it by paying the examination fee again.
Clearing federal background verification check
In Texas, you must meet the minimum standards of honesty, integrity, and truthfulness by clearing the background verification and criminal history check.
Doing so is one of the mandatory requirements for real estate license Texas if you want to obtain your salesperson license.
To complete this step, first, you need to go to the official website of the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) and register yourself by creating an account.
Next, you need to get an electronic scan of your fingerprints taken at a state-approved live scan vendor.
Along with the application, you must also submit the fingerprint scan for verification purposes.
Finding employer sponsorship
After completing all the steps discussed above, it is just a matter of waiting for a few weeks and you will receive your Texas salesperson license.
However, there’s one last step you must complete to become eligible for working with clients and that is to activate your salesperson license.
The TREC requires newly licensed professionals to find employer sponsorship and work under the guidance of a state-licensed brokerage firm.
Working under the supervision of a skilled, more experienced broker is a must to activate your license and establish a strong foundation for a successful career.
Finding a sponsoring broker is a must for every licensed individual and you can easily find one in your local real estate community or agency as Texas is home to thousands of experienced real estate brokers.
It is important to choose the right employer for sponsorship as it is going to be a formative experience for you in your career.
It is recommended that you carefully evaluate your career prospects and priorities before deciding on a brokerage or choosing one.
You must consider multiple factors such as - brokerage fees, mentorship and training resources, commission splits, tools, and support to make an informed choice.
It is suggested that you choose a broker who has a viable reputation and experience in the industry.