How To Get Your Real Estate License in Texas
Working in real estate can be a lucrative and rewarding career path, especially in a state like Texas where there are plenty of growth and earning opportunities for agents and brokers.
Texas real estate has been on a boom over the last few years, with a rise in the number of homes sold, strong population growth and a positive employment outlook.
The Lone Star state offers residents, tourists, retirees an eclectic mix of favorable climate, natural attractions, diverse culture, world-class amenities and no income tax.
Texas is one of the most appealing real estate markets in the country as it is witnessing a rise in demand for housing and residential real estate.
For aspiring real estate agents and brokers, working in TX real estate can be a professional dream come true as the real estate landscape offers exciting prospects for the future.
Starting a new career in TX real estate can be exciting and daunting at the same time, especially if you are a complete beginner.
As a real estate agent, you will serve clients who want to buy or sell properties and in exchange, you will earn commissions on every deal.
Real estate is a financially rewarding and emotionally fulfilling profession which can help you transform your life and take control of your career growth.
If you are planning to start working as a licensed real estate agent in TX, now is a good time to enter the industry and reap benefits of the present and future opportunities for growth.
However, to unlock the potential and benefits of working in real estate, you must first obtain a state approved license.
Getting a license is a mandatory federal requirement for working with clients and earning commissions through real estate deals.
Once you have secured your license, it will help open up new doors for professional growth and success for you.
To help you get started in the right direction, this article will cover all the key steps on how to get the real estate license in Texas in a step-by-step, easy to complete way.
If you are wondering what is the fastest way to get a real estate license and start working with clients, keep on reading to learn all the information you need in one place.
Understanding the real estate landscape of Texas
Being one of the largest states in the country land wise, Texas offers a fertile and diverse landscape for real estate agents, consumers and investors.
Be it San Antonio and Austin or Dallas and El Paso, there are numerous markets which have emerged as the most popular places to live, work and retire. Cities like San Antonio, Fort Worth, Frisco, Georgetown, New Braunfels and Leander are amongst the fastest growing.
Due to the sustained demand and strong growth in real estate transactions and property valuations, TX is a great place to start a career as an agent or a broker.
Due to Texas being a massive state area-wise, the market is highly varied and has something to offer to everyone.
When it comes to housing prices, in Austin, an emerging hub for tech companies, the median property prices can reach as high as $500,000for a single family home.
In addition to metro cities seeing growth, even smaller, less popular regions like Amarillo have a significantly lower median price of around $250,000 for a single family home.
In the last decade, Texas’ housing market has witnessed impressive growth and the average value of a Texas home has appreciated by around 150 percent since the last five years.
Texas continues to attract the interest and investment of buyers and real estate investors, making it a fertile opportunity ground for aspiring and upcoming real estate professionals.
The sales stats and data from property listings shows that Texas is witnessing growth and the demand for residential and commercial real estate is on a rise.
This means that Texas’ unique mix of economic, demographic and cultural advantages have led it to emerge one of the most popular states for skilled workers, home buyers and real estate investors.
Additionally, favorable government policies such as the lack of income tax is another significant factor attracting people to the Lone Star state.
The Lone Star state can offer rewarding opportunities for aspiring and experienced real estate agents and if you are keen to grow your career in this industry, you should start now.
You might be wondering how to get my real estate license in Texas and embark on a lucrative and fulfilling career journey.
To obtain a license, you must meet the Texas state license requirements and guidelines established by the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC).
Keep on reading to find out more about the process and journey involved in becoming a licensed real estate agent in TX.
However, before we give you the exact details and outline the step-by-step process, let us walk you through the importance and benefits of getting licensed.
What is a Real Estate License?
A real estate license is a state and federal authorized and approved proof which allows you to engage in a real estate transaction, assist clients and earn commission.
With a license, real estate agents and brokers can legally participate in the sale, purchase, rent, lease or appraisal of residential or commercial properties.
As per the state of Texas, every real estate agent, broker, realtor must have an active, state issued license to meet the license guidelines and federal regulations for professionals.
To protect the rights of consumers and withhold the highest standards of service, many states require aspiring agents and brokers to meet the state-specific license requirements.
The need for getting real estate licenses also arises from the fact that clients and consumers prefer working with licensed professionals as they are perceived as more trustworthy and skilled.
Whether you want to work as a part-time real estate agent or pursue a full-time career path, your career will require a state approved license to grow without restrictions or limitations.
Why Should You Get a Real Estate License in Texas?
According to the Texas Real Estate Commission, only a licensed real estate professional is legally allowed to represent themselves in buying, selling, leasing or renting real estate.
Let us understand why getting a real estate license is a must and how it can benefit your career growth.
More job opportunities:
When you have a real estate license, you will have more career opportunities and job offers waiting for you. Licensed professionals are highly employable and sought after from brokerage firms, clients and companies. As a licensed agent in TX, you are more likely to grab high-paying jobs easily and find clients easily as compared to someone who does not hold a license.
Be your own boss:
Getting your license will allow you to start working with clients in part-time or full-time capacity. This means you can choose to build the perfect side hustle or pursue a fulfilling career path in the long run. With enough experience, you can even choose to be your own boss and start your own real estate firm or agency.
Gain access to career benefits:
Only licensed real estate professionals in Texas get access to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) database. This database is an up-to-date record of all the property listings in an area. This means you can get access to relevant listings faster, and you can use this information to your advantage.
Clearly, the advantages of becoming licensed are immense and hence, it is well worth putting the required time, effort and cost to obtain a Texas license.
To work in real estate, you can apply for two licenses - one is the salesperson license and the other is the broker’s license.
To start your career, you must apply for a salesperson license in TX and as you grow and gain experience, you can complete additional requirements to obtain a broker’s license.
Are you wondering how do you get your real estate license in Texas in an easy and simple way? Keep on reading to find out.
How to obtain a Texas real estate agent license
If you are ready to complete the journey of getting a Texas salesperson license, you must first understand the different steps and requirements involved.
Like any other state, Texas also has its own set of licensing requirements and guidelines that must be fulfilled by applicants. Let’s find out more about them in detail below.
Basic Eligibility Requirements
If you are thinking about how do you get a real estate license in Texas, you must meet the following basic requirements established by the state real estate commission. These are:
- Your age must be 18 years or above
- You must be a legal resident of the US or a lawfully admitted alien
- You must have a high school diploma or GED equivalent
If you meet the above basic eligibility criteria, you can move to the next steps of the license process which are discussed in detail below.
Education requirements for salesperson license
The most crucial aspect of getting your license is completing the mandatory pre licensing coursework and meeting the qualifying education guidelines of the state of Texas.
The TREC requires all individuals to complete 180 hours of state approved course credits to meet the qualifying education requirements.
Note that the TREC requires applicants to choose only a state approved education provider. You can visit the TREC website to find a list of approved colleges, schools and courses.
Here’s a list of the courses you will cover during your 180 hours of pre license education:
- Principles of Real Estate: 60 hours
- Law of Agency: 30 hours
- Law of Contracts: 30 hours
- Real Estate Finance: 30 hours
- Promulgated Contract Forms: 30 hours
Pre license courses will give you an understanding of the foundational principles of real estate, including its laws, principles and best practices.
From the state and federal laws to industry guidelines and regulations, you will learn about the key principles and general real estate topics as part of your courses.
You will also learn about the industry terminology, terms and definitions and the course curriculum will help you prepare for the Texas real estate licensing exam.
You can choose to complete the pre-licensing education in your preferred format of learning i.e. either by joining an in-person, physical classroom based environment or enrolling in an online real estate pre license course.
Preparing for the Texas salesperson license test
As per the TREC license requirements, you must take the salesperson licensing exam to obtain their real estate license.
The purpose of the license exam is to test your knowledge and preparation and it will ask you questions based on the courses you have completed in your pre license education.
You will have 150 minutes in total to complete all the questions. To pass the exam, you must achieve the minimum passing score of 75% or above.
You can schedule the real estate license exam at any of the Pearson VUE centers in Texas based on your preferred day and location.
Note that the exam fees will be $43 for each attempt you take at the exam and if you are unable to pass the test in three attempts, you will have to complete your education again.
Make use of study resources
Before deciding on a real estate education provider, you must consider some key aspects to ensure you are spending your time and money in the right way.
Firstly, you must check whether your school or course provider of choice offers in-depth, up-to-date study material and resources.
Getting access to in-depth, exam prep resources can help you boost your knowledge and preparation.
By enrolling in a state approved real estate school or online course, you can be sure of the latest curriculum guidelines, rules and regulations.
Additionally, many education providers offer advanced exam prep and study resources for students who want to practice using sample questions and mock tests.
Review Courses
Your Texas real estate licensing exam preparation is incomplete without review courses and mock preparation tests.
To boost your preparation, you must take smart notes, update and review them periodically and make use of them during your practice sessions.
Courses consist of many topics and you must carefully go through them to understand better and manage the vast curriculum easily.
To get familiar with the type of questions, you can study with the help of review courses as many students do to prepare better for the test.
Exam Tips and Strategies
To obtain your salesperson license in TX, you must pass the test and if you fail to do so on your first attempt, you will be asked to re-appear for the exam.
One of the important exam preparation tips is to manage your schedule well and give enough time to different topics and subjects.
The key to acing the license exam is to focus on the fundamentals and make sure you go through prep materials such as mock tests and previous years’ questions to prepare better.
Pass the federal background check
Even after completing all the above steps, you might think how do I get my real estate license in Texas and start working with clients.
If you have made it this far, you are just a few steps away from becoming a licensed professional and the next step is to clear the federal background verification check.
As per the TREC license regulations, you must pass the mandatory background verification and criminal history check.
The purpose of background check is to ensure that only trusted, honest and qualified individuals can join the industry.
If you are applying for a salesperson license, you must complete mandatory background verification and criminal history check.
To complete this step, you must submit an electronic copy of your fingerprints taken at a TREC approved live scan vendor in TX.
Note that you might be required to submit any documents, legal proofs and jurisdiction paperwork along with your fingerprint scan for verification.
Note that you must complete and submit the requirement documents for background check and verification process within 60 days of submitting your salesperson licensing application.
A criminal background check helps to reveal the background of an applicant, including their criminal history such as - any incidents of fraud, felony and other convictions. If there have been any pending criminal cases or misdemeanors, a background check will bring that up.
Now if you have a history of felony or any other criminal activity, you should not lose all hope as the Texas law might still give you a chance at getting a license.
If you have any history of felony or unlawful criminal activity, you must submit a background clearance application which can be obtained from the local sheriff station.