South · Real Estate License
Texas
Sales Agent License Requirements
180
Pre-Licensing Hours
classroom or online
$276.25
Est. Total Cost
fees only (excl. education)
8–26 weeks
Timeline
start to license
2 years
Renewal Cycle
18 CE hours required
Step-by-Step Licensing Process
Complete Pre-Licensing Education
Complete all six 30-hour TREC-approved courses (180 hours total). Available online or in-person.
Estimated time: 4–18 weeks
Submit Application via REALM Portal
Create an account at trec.texas.gov, submit your application, and pay the $206 application fee.
Estimated time: 30 minutes
Complete Fingerprinting
Schedule an appointment with IdentoGO/IDEMIA and pay $38.25. Fingerprints are sent to TX DPS for background check.
Estimated time: 1–2 weeks for processing
Receive Approval from TREC
TREC processes your application and sends an approval letter with the Exam Candidate Handbook.
Estimated time: 5–10 business days
Schedule and Pass the Exam
Register with Pearson VUE, pay $43 exam fee, and pass both the national and state exam sections.
Estimated time: 1–4 weeks
Find a Sponsoring Broker
A licensed Texas real estate broker must agree to sponsor you.
Estimated time: 1–8 weeks
Broker Submits Sponsorship
Your sponsoring broker submits the sponsorship via the REALM Portal. TREC activates your license.
Estimated time: 1–3 business days
Pre-Licensing Education
Hours Required
VerifiedSix 30-hour TREC-approved courses. All sources unanimous.
Required Topics / Courses
- Principles of Real Estate I (30 hrs)
- Principles of Real Estate II (30 hrs)
- Law of Agency (30 hrs)
- Law of Contracts (30 hrs)
- Promulgated Contract Forms (30 hrs)
- Real Estate Finance (30 hrs)
Provider type: TREC-approved education providers (online or classroom)
View approved education providers →Find Approved Pre-Licensing Schools
Online education providers offering Texas-approved pre-licensing courses. Compare options to find the best fit for your schedule and learning style.
Aceable Agent
Mobile-friendly online courses with flexible self-paced learning and a pass guarantee.
Colibri Real Estate
One of the largest national providers with instructor-led and self-paced options in 40 states.
Kaplan Real Estate Education
Established education brand offering pre-licensing courses with live online and on-demand options.
The CE Shop
Nationally recognized online school offering courses in 47 states plus DC with interactive content.
LicenseMap may earn a commission when you enroll through links on this page. This does not affect our editorial independence — providers are listed alphabetically with no rankings or preferential placement.
Licensing Exam
Exam Provider
Pearson VUE
Format
Computer-based, multiple-choice, in-person at Pearson VUE test centers
| Section | Questions | Time | Passing Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| National | 85 | 150 min | 70% |
| State (Texas) | 40 | 90 min | 53% |
| Total | 125 | 240 min | — |
Retake policy: Unlimited retakes. After 3 failed attempts on a section, must complete additional 30 classroom hours. 5-7 day wait between attempts.
National section: 80 scored + 5 pretest items. State section: 40 scored + 10 pretest items. State passing score is 21/40 (52.5%), not 70% as some secondary sources claim. First-time pass rate ~56%.
Schedule your exam →Exam Prep Resources
Practice tests and study tools to help you pass the Texas real estate licensing exam on your first attempt.
CompuCram
Adaptive exam prep with vocabulary tools, practice tests, and simulated exams for real estate licensing.
PrepAgent
State-specific practice exams, audio lessons, and flashcards covering both national and state portions.
LicenseMap may earn a commission when you enroll through links on this page. This does not affect our editorial independence — providers are listed alphabetically with no rankings or preferential placement.
Fee Breakdown
| Fee | Amount | Paid To | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| TREC Application Fee Note: Fee appears to have increased to $206 as of the Dec 15, 2025 fee schedule. The $185 figure is the prior amount. (Alt: $185 per 360training (older source)) | $185.00 | TREC (via REALM Portal) | |
| Exam Fee | $43.00 | Pearson VUE | |
| Fingerprinting / Background Check | $38.25 | IdentoGO / IDEMIA (submitted to TX DPS) | |
| Recovery Trust Account | $10.00 | TREC | |
| Estimated Total | $276.25 | Excludes education costs |
Requirements
Minimum Age
18 years old
Citizenship
U.S. citizen or lawfully admitted alien
Education
No high school diploma or GED required
Only the 180 hours of TREC courses are required.
Residency
Not required
Must demonstrate geographic competency per TX Occupations Code 1101.652(a)(6).
Background Check
Required
Fingerprints submitted to TX DPS via IdentoGO/IDEMIA. TREC reviews for 'honesty, trustworthiness, and integrity'.
Sponsoring Broker
Required to activate license
License is initially issued as inactive. Sponsoring broker activates it through the REALM Portal.
Reciprocity
Texas does not have reciprocity
All applicants must complete the full Texas requirements regardless of existing credentials from other states.
Renewal & Continuing Education
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education Hours
18 hours per renewal cycle
Renewal Fee
$110.00
First Renewal Notes
First renewal requires 270 hours of Sales Agent Apprentice Education (SAE) courses, including a mandatory 30-hour Real Estate Brokerage course. SAE cannot be deferred. This is in addition to the original 180 pre-licensing hours.
Deadlines
Renewal available up to 6 months after expiration with late fees. After 2 years past expiration, must reapply as new applicant.
Find Continuing Education Courses
Texas requires 18 hours of continuing education every 2 years. These providers offer approved CE courses online.
Aceable Agent
Mobile-friendly CE courses with self-paced learning.
Colibri Real Estate
Comprehensive CE packages available in all 50 states plus DC, with live and on-demand options.
Kaplan Real Estate Education
Established provider with CE packages including live online and on-demand formats.
The CE Shop
Industry-leading CE courses available nationwide with interactive content.
LicenseMap may earn a commission when you enroll through links on this page. This does not affect our editorial independence — providers are listed alphabetically with no rankings or preferential placement.
Recent Changes
TREC implemented a new fee schedule effective December 15, 2025. Application fee appears to have increased from $185 to $206. A 3% Texas Online Fee (DIR) now applies to provider/course applications.
Effective: 2025-12-15 · Affects: fees
Sources
https://www.trec.texas.gov/become-licensed/sales-agent
Accessed: Feb 23, 2026
No publication date visible on page
https://www.trec.texas.gov/agency-information/fee-schedule
Updated: Dec 15, 2025
Accessed: Feb 23, 2026
Fee schedule effective date shown on page
https://www.trec.texas.gov/does-texas-have-reciprocity-any-other-state
Accessed: Feb 23, 2026
No publication date visible
https://www.pearsonvue.com/us/en/tx/realestate.html
Accessed: Feb 23, 2026
No publication date visible
https://www.aceableagent.com/career-center/texas/cost-of-texas-real-estate-license/
Accessed: Feb 23, 2026
No publication date visible
https://www.championsschool.com/real-estate/tx/license/
Accessed: Feb 23, 2026
No publication date visible