Your guide to earning your Texas salesperson license easily
Becoming a real estate agent is a rewarding and lucrative career that requires its share of knowledge, skills, and experience.
Working in real estate will give you the opportunity to help buyers and sellers close deals and make sound investment decisions.
If you are interested in a high-paying career where you can work independently and be your own boss, then working as a real estate agent in Texas can be a great step.
Texas’ real estate is brimming with opportunities for real estate agents and brokers and if you are keen on building a prosperous career where you can earn a six-figure income and enjoy helping people.
Be it the booming job market, vibrant cultural scene, diverse community, or steady economic outlook, Texas is known for offering a lot to skilled workers, retirees, and homebuyers, making it a prime destination for residential and commercial real estate.
Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Austin, Fort Worth, and Fresco are some of the fastest-growing real estate markets in the country.
Texas offers a fertile landscape for aspiring and experienced real estate agents, brokers, and realtors. The market is growing steadily and creating opportunities for exciting income and commission prospects.
If you are on the fence about starting a career in Texas, now is a good time to get started and move toward your dream of becoming a real estate agent in Texas.
Working as a real estate agent can be a great way to enter the industry and get the opportunity to work with clients and close deals. The more deals you help close, the more money you can make as there’s practically no cap on how much you can earn as an agent.
However, to achieve this professional goal, you must first fulfill a set of licensing requirements and obtain your Texas salesperson license.
Getting a license might seem cumbersome or overwhelming, especially for beginners, but that is why we have put together this helpful guide to get you started.
In this article, we are going to outline all the important steps in starting a career as a real estate agent and what it takes to become a licensed professional.
Pre-requisites for obtaining a real estate license
Like most states, Texas also follows its state-specific set of licensing requirements and guidelines which must be fulfilled by all aspiring professionals.
Whether you are a complete beginner looking at your first career or someone interested in switching careers, you must meet the eligibility requirements established by the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC).
The TREC is the state’s official authority for issuing and renewing licenses to real estate agents, brokers, and realtors.
To qualify 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 have a valid social security number
- You must be a legal resident or a lawfully residing alien
- You must have a high school diploma in education or a GED equivalent
- You must not have any history of any felony, criminal activity, or unlawful behavior
If you are unsure about any of the above, you can submit a fitness determination application to ensure that you are likely to qualify for the salesperson license or not.
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 safely proceed to complete for the next set Texas real estate license requirements.
Education requirements for getting a Texas salesperson license
Like any other profession, real estate also requires you to have a fundamental understanding of the various laws, regulations, and guidelines.
To work in the industry, you must obtain the minimum level of qualifying education and equip yourself with knowledge of the industry principles and processes.
The TREC requires all individuals to complete 180 hours of coursework, also known as pre-licensing education, to become eligible for a salesperson license in Texas.
Irrespective of where you are located or what your background is, you must complete pre-licensing coursework to prove your eligibility for becoming a licensed salesperson.
The 180-hour coursework is divided into six fundamental courses worth 30 hours each and the purpose of these courses is to give you the core knowledge of state and federal laws, industry terms, job responsibilities, and other important concepts. The courses are:
- Principles of Real Estate 1 and 2 (60 hours)
- Law of Agency (30 hours)
- Law of Contracts (30 hours)
- Real Estate Finance (30 hours)
- Promulgated Contract Forms
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.
TREC allows individuals to complete the pre-licensing education in their preferred learning medium.
This means you can choose to join a classroom-based, physical real estate college or enroll in an online Texas real estate license course based on your preference.
Irrespective of your preferred mode of learning, it is important that you choose a TREC-approved education provider for your education.
Many students prefer online real estate prep courses as they are more flexible and convenient compared to in-person classes.
You can choose from a range of real estate salesperson course packages in Texas and take advantage of numerous value-added benefits such as on-demand instructor support, exam test preparation packages, and online proctoring service.
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 of the real estate Industry.
It is rightly said that knowledge is power and having a strong foundation of the state and federal laws, industry principles, state-specific regulations, and best practices will pay off in the long run.
Thus, you must take your pre-licensing coursework seriously and ensure that you are attentive and sincere while completing the courses.
Enrolling in a Texas real estate license course online can help you enjoy a self-paced learning structure that can give you the time and resources to extract the maximum value from your course package of choice.
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 is a closed book, multiple choice questions test that covers the topics general real estate topics covered in your pre-licensing education.
The exam is challenging and is designed to test your preparation and training 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.
Luckily for students, many education providers offer a pass or don’t pay guarantee as well which might be beneficial and boost your confidence.
Is getting a Texas salesperson license worth it
First and foremost, having a state-approved valid license is mandatory for all active professionals as per state and federal law
As per the Texas Real Estate Commission, without a state-approved valid license, you cannot participate in a real estate transaction or work with clients.
With a valid license, you can engage in real estate transactions without any state or federal limitations or restrictions.
Failure to comply with the Texas state law could lead to serious legal and financial consequences and stall your career progress.
Becoming a licensed salesperson has many advantages in your career, especially when it comes to how much money you can make as an agent.
One significant reason why you must put in the effort to get your license is the fact that licensed professionals do not have to rely on someone else to close a deal.
Another key benefit of getting licensed is the fact that it adds authenticity and credibility to your profession and makes you trustworthy in the eyes of clients.
Since real estate is considered a trust-based, network-driven profession, having a valid license will open avenues for earnings and growth in your career.
When clients trust your credentials, they are more likely to trust your advice for making the right decision in a real estate deal.
Building trust with your clients is the base for nurturing a lasting relationship which can reap dividends and help you get more referral opportunities.
Last but not least, having a state-approved salesperson license will also open doors to the exciting perks and members-only benefits of real estate communities and groups.
Licensed agents and brokers get access to the MLS (Multiple Listing Service) which is an updated database of property listings in a locality, neighborhood, or state.
With access to MLS, you can save time in scouting for clients, finding relevant leads, and closing deals faster, resulting in a less stressful and more enjoyable career as an agent.
To summarize, having a license will not only give you a legitimate stamp of approval from the TREC, but it will also help you generate more income opportunities and build a thriving professional network.
A licensed real estate agent can easily work with a sponsoring broker or brokerage firm to learn the ropes and gain real-world industry experience.
Since you must find employer sponsorship to activate your license, it is all going to be worth the effort and investment.
Ready to kickstart your real estate career
Now that you have learned about what it takes to become a licensed salesperson in Texas and why getting a license is worth it, it’s time to get into action and move toward your goal.
Texas is a great opportunity for salespersons, brokers, and realtors and if you are someone who wants to make the most of the opportunities, you must start sooner.
A career in Texas real estate will give you an exciting and rewarding journey with its own set of learnings, challenges, and experiences.
As long as you are licensed and prepared to tackle what comes your way, you can truly build the career of your dreams and escape the nine-to-five job rut.
The best part is that you can choose to work either part-time or full-time, based on your needs and career objectives. No matter what path you choose, working in Texas real estate is going to be a great ride!