Step 1: Meet Basic Eligibility Requirements
To obtain a Real Estate Sales Agent license in Texas, you must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be a U.S. citizen or lawfully admitted alien
- Meet TREC fitness requirements (honesty, trustworthiness, integrity)
Step 2: Complete Required Pre-Licensing Education
You must complete 180 hours of Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC)–approved education, including:
- Principles of Real Estate I (60 hours)
- Principles of Real Estate II (30 hours)
- Law of Agency (30 hours)
- Law of Contracts (30 hours)
- Promulgated Contract Forms (30 hours)
Step 3: Submit Your License Application
Apply online through TREC. This includes your application, fee, and fitness/background questions. You may apply before or during coursework.
Step 4: Complete Fingerprinting & Background Check
You must complete fingerprinting through IdentoGO for Texas and FBI background checks.
Step 5: Pass the Texas Real Estate Exam
After education and application approval, you must pass the Texas Sales Agent Exam, which includes:
- National portion
- State-specific portion
The exam is administered by Pearson VUE.
Step 6: Find a Sponsoring Broker
You must be sponsored by a licensed Texas real estate broker. The broker submits sponsorship to TREC.
Step 7: Receive Your License
Once TREC has your passing exam results, background clearance, and broker sponsorship, your Texas Sales Agent license will be issued.
Step 8: Complete Sales Agent Apprentice Education (SAE)
Within your first 2 years, you must complete 98 hours of SAE, including:
- Legal Update I (38 hours)
- Legal Update II (38 hours)
- Additional TREC-approved courses
Step 9: Maintain Your License with Continuing Education
- Licenses are renewed every two years
- Ongoing continuing education is required to remain active