Planning To Start a Career in Texas Real Estate? Start by Reading this.
Are you considering working in a fast-moving, high-growth profession where you can be your own boss and live a life of success and financial stability?
Texas’s diverse real estate market is brimming with exciting and rewarding opportunities, especially for those who are willing to put in the hours and work hard.
If you are interested in starting a part-time income stream or choosing real estate as a full-time career path, you would need more than just hope to achieve your goal.
The housing market in TX continues to grow year-on-year, and the demand for commercial estate is also showing strong numbers.
Industry reports and market research suggest that 2025 is going to be positive for real estate agents and brokers in Texas, due to sustained demand from homebuyers and investors.
While the number of homebuyers is expected to grow, the interest rates in Texas are expected to drop, which will further boost the appeal of buying real estate.
As the market grows and demand soars, the job opportunities for real estate agents also grow, which means it becomes easier for you to enter the industry.
However, to work with clients and earn commissions, you will have to complete a set of steps and fulfill certain requirements to earn a license.
Getting a real estate license in Texas is a mandatory step to work as a professional and assist clients in buying and selling properties in the state.
Without a valid license, your career prospects will be limited, and you will not be able to reap the rewards and opportunities in Texas real estate.
Becoming a real estate agent in Texas is easier when you understand the steps and requirements involved in the process.
If you are wondering, how do I get a real estate license in Texas and start a new career journey, keep on reading this article because you will get answers to all your questions.
From the basic eligibility requirements to state-specific guidelines, we will walk you through what it takes to start a career in Texas real estate from scratch.
The need for a real estate license in Texas
Many beginners and first-time applicants often wonder about the need for a license and whether getting one has any practical career benefits or not?
Here are some important reasons why getting a TX real estate license is an essential milestone in your career journey:
Industry knowledge
Real estate is a highly regulated industry and is based upon an intricate set of laws, rules, and guidelines at the state and federal levels.
To become a successful professional, you must learn about the industry fundamentals and key principles.
As real estate is a dynamic, fast-moving industry, it is constantly shifting and evolving to meet the needs and trends of consumers.
To stay relevant, you must apply for and obtain a Texas real estate license, which will help you stay on top of the latest laws, developments, and standards.
By completing pre-license education and courses, you can learn about the foundational principles of real estate, and as you advance in your career, you can complete continuing education to become a broker in Texas real estate.
By completing pre- and post-license educational courses, you can boost your knowledge, grow your skills, and expand your horizons.
In a competitive industry like real estate, investing in knowledge and training is a must to grow as a professional.
Regulatory compliance
In the state of Texas, it is mandatory to obtain a valid state-issued license to work with clients.
By obtaining a license, you can maintain regulatory compliance with the industry laws, standards, and guidelines enforced by the Texas Real Estate Commission.
Without a real estate license Texas, you will not be legally allowed to earn commissions or participate in a real estate deal.
As per the state and federal law, you must complete a set of pre-established license requirements and prove that you are eligible to work as a professional.
If you do not hold a valid salesperson license, you will be on the wrong side of the law and might face charges or a fine if found guilty.
By ensuring compliance, you will be perceived as more trustworthy and credible by potential clients.
It will help you foster transparency with your clients and assure them of quality services and assistance in matters of real estate.
More Credibility:
One of the most important benefits of obtaining a Texas salesperson license is becoming more credible as a professional.
When you invest the time, effort, and resources required to complete education and fulfill the license requirements, you demonstrate your commitment to your career.
This credibility and dedication are positively reflected in your professional trajectory and help you attract potential job and business opportunities.
Since real estate works on the foundation of trust, clients are more likely to trust a knowledgeable, well-read, and confident professional.
Credible agents and brokers are also more likely to gain referrals and repeat clients owing to their high trust factor and advanced skills.
Now that you have learned about the practical advantages and career benefits of getting licensed, you might be wondering how can I get my real estate license in Texas quickly?
We have outlined and described the step-by-step process and requirements in detail to give you complete clarity on how to complete your licensing journey.
Steps to obtain a Texas salesperson license
Step 1: Meet the basic eligibility requirements
Before embarking on a journey to get licensed, it is important that you are clear about what is expected of you.
The TREC requires all applicants to meet the basic statutory requirements to prove their eligibility for a career in real estate.
To join the Texas real estate industry, you must first meet the following requirements:
- You must be at least 18 years of age or older
- You must have a valid proof of residency in the state of Texas
- You must have a high school diploma or GED equivalent in education
If you are not sure whether you meet the eligibility requirements, you can take a fitness determination test.
Step 2: Complete the pre-licensing education
Like most professions, you must complete a minimum qualifying education to become eligible for a Texas salesperson license.
As per the Texas state law, completing pre license coursework is a mandatory requirement for aspiring real estate agents.
The TREC requires all individuals to complete 180 hours of state-approved course credits to fulfill the salesperson pre-license education requirements.
The purpose of pre-licensing education and training is to gain the required knowledge and training to work with clients and help them buy and sell properties in Texas.
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
When it comes to starting a successful career, completing pre-licensing education is an essential step, irrespective of whether you want to work part-time or full-time.
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.
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.
As a student, you have the flexibility to complete your courses as per your preferred medium of learning and convenience.
This means you can choose to join a physical, in-class based real estate college in TX or enroll in an online pre-license course to complete your course credits.
Step 3: Pass the Texas licensing exam
After you have completed your pre-licensing education, the next challenge is to pass the licensing test and prove your competence.
To get your license, you must pass the Texas salesperson licensing exam by passing at least 70 percent or above.
The purpose of the exam is to test your knowledge and preparation, and you will have to attempt 85 national-specific questions and 40 state-specific questions. You will have 150 minutes in total to complete the test.
You can schedule your exam at any of the Pearson VUE centers in Texas based on your preferred day and date. To take the test, it will cost $43 for the exam fees.
Note that if you are unable to clear the test on your first attempt, you can re-attempt it by paying the exam fee again.
Step 4: Find employer sponsorship
After successfully completing all the steps described above, you will receive your salesperson license in Texas within a few weeks.
However, to activate your license, you must find a sponsoring broker with an active Texas real estate license and send your sponsorship details to the TREC for review and approval.
Like most states, Texas also requires newly licensed agents to work under the supervision of senior, more experienced brokers and gain real-world industry experience.
It is one of the mandatory Texas real estate license requirements, and without doing so, your license will not be activated, and you will be unable to work with clients.
Choosing a Texas pre-license course or college
When it comes to choosing a pre-license course provider in TX, you have plenty of options and choices to choose from.
Although there are many pre-licensing education providers, you must choose a TREC-approved real estate college or course to ensure that you are learning from an accurate, up-to-date source.
You can visit the official website of the TREC and find out the full list of state-accredited and approved education providers to choose from.
Here are the two types of learning options you can choose from:
- In-person classes: This is a traditional, physical learning environment where students are expected to be present in a classroom at the same location and on a fixed schedule.
- Online classes: This is a more flexible learning medium that utilizes technology and online lectures, and recorded tutorials. In this medium, students can take the classes from anywhere at their own pace without having to commute to class.
Note that many education providers in Texas provide specialized exam preparation resources and training assistance.
To boost your odds of passing the test on the first attempt, you should take the Texas real estate practice exam and become familiar with the type of questions and exam format.
Based on what suits you the best, it is recommended that you reach out to different education providers and learn about the course packages, features, and details.