Complete your Texas Real Estate continuing education for Just $289 — 100% online at your own pace

Texas sales agents must complete 270 cumulative hours of qualifying education plus 8 hours of Legal Update I and II before their first license renewal. The first renewal requires 98 hours of new coursework: a 30-hour Real Estate Brokerage course, 60 hours of qualifying education (two 30-hour courses from an approved list), and 8 hours of Legal Update I and II. For subsequent renewals, 18 hours of continuing education are required every two-year cycle: 4 hours Legal Update I, 4 hours Legal Update II, 3 hours Contract-Related coursework, and 7 hours of elective CE. Brokers who sponsor one or more sales agents, or delegated supervisors, must also complete a 6-hour Broker Responsibility Course as part of the 18-hour requirement.

A Texas real estate sales agent license is valid for two years. TREC sends a renewal notice approximately 90 days before the expiration date. The licensee must complete required continuing education and pay the renewal fee to maintain active status.

Sales agents must renew their license every two years through the REALM Portal online, and TREC sends a renewal notice about 90 days before the expiration date. For subsequent renewals, 18 hours of approved continuing education are required: 4 hours Legal Update I, 4 hours Legal Update II, 3 hours Contract-Related coursework, and 7 hours of elective CE. First-time renewals require 270 total hours of qualifying education plus Legal Update I and II. If CE is not complete at the time of active renewal, a $200 CE deferral fee provides an additional 60 days to complete the requirement before the license is placed on inactive status.

Texas requires 18 hours of approved continuing education per two-year license period: 4 hours of Legal Update I, 4 hours of Legal Update II, 3 hours of Contract-Related coursework, and 7 hours of elective CE. A broker or designated broker who sponsors one or more sales agents, or a delegated supervisor, must also complete a 6-hour Broker Responsibility Course as part of the 18-hour requirement. If CE is not complete at the time of active renewal, a $200 deferral fee provides a 60-day extension to finish the coursework.

Can I renew my real estate license after it expires in Texas? TREC recommends that you submit your renewal application at least 10 days prior to your renewal date. However you may renew your license for up to 6 months after your renewal date. If you renew your license from 6 months to 2 years after your renewal date, you must apply to reinstate your license. You can do this by submitting a Reinstatement of Real Estate Sales Agent License or Broker License by Individual form and paying the required $190 renewal fee. Your license will be reinstated as an inactive license. If you wish to obtain an active license, you must complete a sponsorship request using TREC’s Online Services or by submitting a Sales Agent Sponsorship form. Prior to renewing your active real estate license, you must first complete the required SAE credits or CE credits (depending on if you are renewing for the first-time or not). You must also complete the 4-hour TREC Legal Update 1 and the 4-hour Legal Update 2 courses. If you have worked as a supervisor for at least 6 months, you also have to complete the 6-hour Broker Responsibility course. Once you have completed all of the education requirements, you can then apply to renew your license online or by mailing in a renewal application. You must also pay the required $110 renewal fee. If your license has been expired for two or more years, you must pass the State exam again and submit a new license application.

What can you do with an inactive license and how do you keep it active in Texas? An active license means you work under a sponsoring broker. When you have an active real estate license, you can work as a real estate agent and perform real estate brokerage activities. If you do not have a sponsoring broker, you will be issued an inactive real estate license. If you hold an inactive license, you cannot engage in any real estate brokerage activities. You will receive an inactive license after passing the state exam and completing all of the requirements of your license application. With an inactive license, you will technically be a licensed Texas real agent; however, you will not be able to perform any real estate related activities. An active real estate license is needed to sell or lease real property and earn a commission in the process. Once you are issued an inactive real estate license, you must complete a sponsorship request in order to obtain an active real estate license. You will need the help of your sponsoring broker in order to complete this process. TREC recommends that you complete the sponsorship request online using their Online Licensing Service. This is the most efficient way to get an active real estate license. You also have the option to mail in a Sales Agent Sponsorship Form-1. You must fill out section 1(B) of the form, while your sponsoring broker will complete section 2. Please note that all mailed applications are subject to a $30 paper filing fee.

You can complete your courses at your own pace with 6 months of access included after enrollment. If you need additional time you can obtain an extension for a small additional fee.

The TREC fee schedule effective December 15, 2025 lists the sales agent on-time renewal at $110 and the individual broker on-time renewal at $218. Sales agent late renewal within 90 days of expiration costs $143, and more than 90 days late costs $176. Broker late renewal within 90 days costs $254, and more than 90 days late costs $290. If CE requirements are not met at the time of active renewal, a $200 CE deferral fee provides a 60-day extension to complete the coursework while remaining active.