How to Choose a Texas Pre-License Course For Becoming a Real Estate Agent
Texas is home to thousands of successful real estate agents who are making the most of the abundant opportunities for earnings and commission.
Working in Texas real estate is a professional dream come true for anyone who values financial independence and professional autonomy.
One of the largest states area-wise, Texas’ real estate is a flourishing landscape for aspiring and upcoming real estate agents and brokers who want to make it big in this profession.
The Lone Star state is considered a beacon of growth and offers a diverse market with popular hotspots such as Austin, Houston, Fort Worth, and Dallas among others.
Texas’ real estate is brimming with opportunities and if you are a real estate agent, you will have plenty on your plate as the real estate market is growing steadily over the years.
Working in TX real estate will be a rewarding and lucrative career path and will give you the golden opportunity to earn exciting commissions while helping clients close deals.
Did you know that you can make a six-figure income as a real estate agent in Texas while working as your own boss and enjoying professional autonomy?
The best part about starting a career in Texas real estate is that you do not need any special education or years of college degree to join the industry
However, you must complete the mandatory Texas real estate license course to become eligible to work with clients and earn commissions.
Completing PRE-LICENSE education is mandatory to obtain a Texas real estate license and prove your competence and preparation for the job role.
Most importantly, completing education will be an important stepping stone to, importantly, earn your Texas real estate license and qualifying to work anywhere in the state.
If you are ready to tap into the exciting and lucrative opportunities in Texas’ booming real estate landscape, now is the time to get started.
To help you pursue the goal of working in Texas real estate, we have put together this guide which will cover all the aspects related to completing mandatory education and training.
The purpose of real estate education
Education is the foundation and building block of any career and real estate is no different because it requires you to learn about the core principles, processes, and policies.
Completing pre-license education might seem overwhelming or complicated, especially if you are switching careers, but it is an essential step in building a successful, thriving career.
As per the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC), every aspiring real estate professional must complete 180 hours of coursework as per the qualifying education requirements.
This means if you want to work as a real estate agent in TX, you must prepare to complete 180 hours of course credits from a TREC-approved education provider.
The purpose of PRE-LICENSE education is to learn, imbibe, and gain knowledge about the various laws, principles, and frameworks of the real estate industry.
During the 180 hours of PRE-LICENSE education, you will cover a range of mandatory and elective courses such as:
- Law of Agency: 30 course hours (mandatory)
- Law of Contracts: 30 course hours (mandatory)
- Principles of Real Estate: 60 course hours (mandatory)
- Promulgated Contract Forms: 30 course hours (mandatory)
- Real Estate Finance: 30 course hours (mandatory)
The Texas law requires individuals to complete all the mandatory courses from a state-approved education provider.
These courses are designed to help students learn more about the real estate industry, its laws, regulations, and standards. Most importantly, these courses will prepare you for your job role, responsibilities, and tasks that you will perform as a licensed professional.
As a student, you will have the flexibility and choice to complete your education.
If you are wondering, PRE-LICENSING education costs can range between $200 to $700 for a salesperson license in Texas.
The cost of education varies on many factors such as - the experience and pass rate of the course provider, your preferred medium of learning, the course package you choose, additional features and resources, the type of license you are applying for, and so forth.
You have the choice to join an in-person, classroom-based real estate school in TX or enroll in an online Texas real estate course to save the hassle of commuting to a specific location and complete your education remotely.
Most students prefer the flexibility of learning from anywhere on any device, which is why online PRE-LICENSE courses are growing in popularity.
The benefits of completing real estate education
Many individuals often wonder about the practical use of PRE-LICENSE real estate education and whether it has any benefits beyond fulfilling a mandatory license requirement.
The short answer is a resounding yes because having the required knowledge and training is the only way to grow in a competitive industry like real estate.
Knowledge will give you the skills, confidence, and acumen to attract clients, earn their trust, close deals, and make a profitable career path.
Most importantly, having a strong foundation of Texas state laws, federal laws, industry standards, real estate principles, consumer rights, and various legal regulations will prepare you to offer the best service quality to your clients.
Another important benefit of completing 180 hours of Texas PRE-LICENSE education is the fact that it will help you prepare for the Texas salesperson license exam.
As per the TREC, it is mandatory for every student to pass the exam by scoring at least 75 percent or above.
Passing the exam might seem like a daunting task, especially if you are a beginner, but if you are well-versed with the course curriculum and understand the topics clearly, it would not be challenging.
Since passing the state license exam is a mandatory requirement for getting your license, the more prepared and knowledgeable you are, the better your odds of passing the test on your first attempt.
After earning your license, you will be able to work for yourself and not have to rely on someone else to close a deal or make a commission.
A licensed professional is perceived as more skilled, trustworthy, and committed to their profession which will boost your credibility amongst clients.
Since real estate is considered a trust-driven profession, completing your education and getting your license will help you open up avenues for earnings and commissions.
This is why choosing the right education provider is crucial because it significantly impacts your level of preparation and confidence.
To boost your preparation and knowledge, you can opt for the best real estate courses online in Texas which provide specialized exam preparation training and resources.
As long as you are determined and committed to tackling the various courses and topics, completing 180 hours of PRE-LICENSE education will not be a difficult task.
In the next section, we will walk you through the steps you must complete after completing the Texas PRE-LICENSE course.
Passing the Texas salesperson licensing exam
After completing your education from a TREC-approved PRE-LICENSE course provider, you can apply for the Texas salesperson license exam and start preparing for it.
To schedule the test, you can visit the TREC website and schedule the licensing exam at any of the Pearson VUE centers in Texas depending on your preference.
Passing the exam is a mandatory requirement for getting your license and the TREC requires every student to take the test.
The Texas licensing exam for aspiring real estate agents is a closed book, multiple choice questions-based test.
The exam includes both state and national-specific portions covering general real estate topics taught in your pre-licensing education such as the state and federal laws, principles of real estate, industry regulations, guidelines and standards, consumer rights, and so forth.
The test consists of 125 multiple-choice questions and you will get a total of 240 minutes to complete the test. To pass the exam by scoring at least 75 percent or above.
The exam is challenging, especially if you are a beginner as it is formulated to test your knowledge of course topics and your overall preparation as a professional.
Passing the salesperson licensing exam might seem like a daunting task but if you take the help of PRE-LICENSE exam prep learning materials and resources, it will become easier.
Many of the best online courses for Texas real estate license offer exam training guidance, preparation resources, and on-demand learning support for students who want to clear their doubts or get answers to their queries while preparing for the exam.
This is why choosing the right education provider is a crucial decision that must be made after doing your research and understanding various factors.
Once you pass the salesperson licensing exam in Texas, you will be just a few steps away from becoming a licensed professional.
After clearing the exam, you will become eligible to submit your Texas salesperson license application for approval. Note that you will need to pay a processing fee of $200.
Completing background verification and criminal check
To obtain your license, you must also clear the federal criminal history and background verification check as it is a mandatory license requirement.
To meet the state eligibility criteria for working with clients, you need to pass the background check and meet the minimum standards for honesty, integrity, and truthfulness.
As per the TREC, you must prove that you hold a good moral character and have no history of felony, criminal activity, or any unlawful violation.
To complete your verification, you will need to submit an electronic copy of your digital fingerprints to the bureau for review and approval.
You can get your fingerprint scan from any of the TREC-approved live scan vendors and submit a digital copy of the same on the TREC website.
In the event that you have a history of any unlawful act, you must clearly mention the same or submit a certificate of clearance from your local sheriff’s station.
If you clear the background check, you will just be one step away from starting your career as a licensed real estate professional in Texas.
Find employer sponsorship in Texas
After clearing all the steps discussed above, you will receive your Texas salesperson license within a few weeks.
However, to activate your license, you must complete one additional step which is to find employer sponsorship.
As per the TREC, it is mandatory for all newly licensed agents to learn under the supervision of state-licensed brokerage firms or senior brokers and gain practical experience in working with clients.
Once you find a sponsoring employer, you must submit their details to the TREC to activate your license.