License guide

How to get a Texas real estate license

Texas licenses real estate professionals through the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC). Here is the path in plain steps, checked against the official sources in October 2026.

Step by step

Meet the basics
You must be at least 18, a U.S. citizen or lawfully admitted alien, and meet TREC's standards for honesty, trustworthiness and integrity. If you have a background history, you can ask TREC for a Fitness Determination before you apply.
Take 180 hours of qualifying education
Complete six 30-hour courses with a TREC-approved provider: Principles of Real Estate I and II, Law of Agency, Law of Contracts, Promulgated Contract Forms and Real Estate Finance.
Apply online and get fingerprinted
Apply in the REALM Portal only after your courses are uploaded. You then schedule fingerprints with the Texas Department of Public Safety for a background check. The application expires one year after you file it, and fees are non-refundable.
Pass the exam
Pearson runs the exam. TREC emails you scheduling instructions after it reviews your education. If you fail either part three times, you need more education before you test again.
Get sponsored by a broker
Your license is issued inactive. A sponsoring broker makes it active, and you or the broker file the sponsorship request in REALM.

Keeping your license

18 hours of approved CE each renewal: 8 hours of TREC Legal Update I and II, 3 hours of contract-related coursework and 7 hours of electives.
If your broker made you a supervisor, the 6-hour Broker Responsibility course is part of your 18 hours.
Finish CE at least 10 days before expiration so it has time to post.

Renewal and CE rules

Questions

Do I need a website on day one?

No, but a simple page with your photo, brokerage and contact info helps clients find you. Property Landing Pages has a free plan with one listing page and an agent site.