A real estate license is a credential that allows a person to legally perform real estate activities in Texas, such as buying, selling, leasing, or managing properties. A real estate license can be obtained by meeting the requirements set by the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC), which is the state agency that regulates the real estate industry. There are two types of real estate licenses in Texas: a sales agent license and a broker license. A sales agent license is the entry-level license that allows a person to work under the supervision of a broker. A broker license is the advanced license that allows a person to work independently or hire other agents. In this article, we will focus on how to get a sales agent license in Texas.
Meet the Basic Qualifications
The first step to get a real estate license in Texas is to meet the basic qualifications for applying for the license. According to TREC, the basic qualifications are:
- You must be a citizen of the United States or a lawfully admitted alien.
- You must be at least 18 years old.
- You must meet TREC’s qualifications for honesty, trustworthiness, and integrity.
If you have any criminal offenses, unpaid judgments, disciplinary actions, or other issues that may affect your eligibility for the license, you can request a fitness determination from TREC before applying for the license. A fitness determination is an optional and non-binding process that allows you to get an opinion from TREC on whether you meet the character requirements for the license. You can request a fitness determination by submitting an application form and paying a fee of $50.
Complete the Required Education
The second step to get a real estate license in Texas is to complete the required education for the license. According to TREC, you must complete 180 hours of approved real estate courses, which consist of:
- Principles of Real Estate I (30 hours)
- Principles of Real Estate II (30 hours)
- Law of Agency (30 hours)
- Law of Contracts (30 hours)
- Promulgated Contract Forms (30 hours)
- Real Estate Finance (30 hours)
You can take these courses online or in-person from any education provider that is approved by TREC. You can find a list of approved providers on TREC’s website. You must pass the final exam for each course with a score of at least 70%. You must also complete these courses within two years before applying for the license.
Submit Your Application and Fee
The third step to get a real estate license in Texas is to submit your application and fee to TREC. You can submit your application online through TREC’s website or by mail using an application form. You must also pay an application fee of $205. You must submit your application within one year after completing your education.
After submitting your application and fee, you will receive an email from TREC with instructions on how to create an online account and check the status of your application. You will also receive an email from Pearson VUE, which is the testing service provider for TREC, with instructions on how to schedule your exam and fingerprinting.
Get Your Fingerprints Taken and Pass Your Background Check
The fourth step to get a real estate license in Texas is to get your fingerprints taken and pass your background check. According to TREC, you must submit your fingerprints through IdentoGO, which is the fingerprinting service provider for TREC. You can schedule your fingerprinting appointment online through IdentoGO’s website or by phone at 888-467-2080. You must also pay a fingerprinting fee of $37.
You must use the service code provided by TREC when scheduling your fingerprinting appointment. You can find your service code in your application confirmation email or in your online account. You must also bring a valid government-issued photo ID and your TREC ID number to your fingerprinting appointment.
After submitting your fingerprints, you will undergo a background check by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). If you have any criminal history or other issues that may affect your eligibility for the license, you may receive a notice from TREC requesting additional information or documents. You must respond to this notice within 30 days or your application may be denied.
Take and Pass Your Exam
The fifth and final step to get a real estate license in Texas is to take and pass your exam. According to TREC, you must take and pass the Texas Real Estate Sales Agent Exam, which is administered by Pearson VUE at various testing centers across the state. You can schedule your exam online through Pearson VUE’s website or by phone at 800-997-1248. You must also pay an exam fee of $54.
You must take your exam within one year after submitting your application. You must also bring a valid government-issued photo ID and your TREC ID number to your exam appointment. The exam consists of two parts: a national part and a state part. The national part has 80 questions and the state part has 30 questions. You have 150 minutes to complete the exam. You must score at least 70% on each part to pass the exam.
You will receive your exam results immediately after completing the exam. If you pass the exam, you will receive a passing score report and a license application form. If you fail the exam, you will receive a failing score report and a retake application form. You can retake the exam as many times as you need within one year after submitting your application, but you must pay the exam fee each time.
Find a Sponsoring Broker
The last step to get a real estate license in Texas is to find a sponsoring broker who will supervise your work and activities as a sales agent. A sponsoring broker is a licensed broker who has at least two years of active experience in Texas and who agrees to mentor and train you as a new agent. You can find a sponsoring broker by networking with other agents, searching online directories, attending career fairs, or applying for jobs.
Once you find a sponsoring broker, you must submit a sponsorship request to TREC through your online account or by mail using a sponsorship form. Your sponsoring broker must also accept your request through their online account or by mail using the same form. Your license will not be active until your sponsorship request is approved by TREC.
Conclusion
Getting a real estate license in Texas is a rewarding and challenging process that requires meeting various requirements and completing several steps. To get a sales agent license in Texas, you must:
- Meet the basic qualifications
- Complete the required education
- Submit your application and fee
- Get your fingerprints taken and pass your background check
- Take and pass your exam
- Find a sponsoring broker
By following this step-by-step guide, you can get your real estate license in Texas and start your career as a sales agent.
