A Texas real estate license is a credential that allows individuals to legally engage in real estate activities, such as buying, selling, leasing, or managing properties, in the state of Texas. A Texas real estate license is issued by the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC), which regulates and oversees the real estate profession in Texas. There are different types of real estate licenses in Texas, such as sales agent, broker, or instructor, each with its own requirements and responsibilities. In this article, we will focus on the most common type of license, which is the sales agent license.
Requirements
To obtain a Texas real estate sales agent license, you must meet the following requirements:
- You must be at least 18 years old.
- You must have a high school diploma or equivalent.
- You must have a U.S. Social Security number.
- You must complete 180 hours of approved education, consisting of six 30-hour courses: Principles of Real Estate I and II, Law of Agency, Law of Contracts, Promulgated Contract Forms, and Real Estate Finance.
- You must submit an application to TREC with a fee of $205 and provide electronic fingerprints for a background check.
- You must pass the state exam administered by Pearson VUE with a score of at least 70%.
Process
The process of obtaining a Texas real estate sales agent license involves the following steps:
- Step 1: Complete the pre-license education. You can choose to take the courses online or in person at a real estate school or a Realtor association. The courses cover topics such as real estate laws, principles, practices, math, contracts, financing, and ethics. The courses cost vary from $500 to $1,000 depending on the provider and format. You must pass the final exam for each course with a score of at least 70% within two years of completing the course.
- Step 2: Apply for an inactive sales agent license. You must get your electronic fingerprints taken at least three days before submitting your application. You can find a list of fingerprint vendors on the TREC website. The fingerprint fee is typically $37 to $50. You must also provide your Social Security number and the ORI number TX920220Z on your fingerprint form. You can submit your application online or by mail with a check or money order. The application fee is $205. TREC will review your application and notify you by email when it is approved, which usually takes 10 to 30 days.
- Step 3: Take and pass the state exam. You must schedule your exam with Pearson VUE within one year of filing your application. You can find a list of exam locations and dates on the Pearson VUE website. The exam fee is $54 per attempt. You must bring your government-issued photo ID and your TREC ID number (which you will receive in your email from TREC) to the exam site. The exam consists of 110 multiple-choice questions (85 national and 25 state-specific) and lasts for two hours and thirty minutes. You must score at least 70% to pass the exam.
- Step 4: Find a sponsoring broker. Once you pass the state exam, you will receive your inactive sales agent license from TREC. However, you cannot practice real estate until you find a sponsoring broker who will supervise and mentor you. You can search for brokers on the TREC website or contact local Realtor associations for referrals. You must also complete an additional 90 hours of post-license education within two years of obtaining your license.
- Step 5: Activate your license. Once you find a sponsoring broker, you must activate your license online or by mail with a fee of $20. Your broker will also need to confirm your sponsorship online or by mail. Once your license is activated, you can start practicing real estate under your broker’s guidance.
Conclusion
A Texas real estate sales agent license is a credential that allows individuals to legally engage in real estate activities in Texas. To obtain this license, you must meet certain requirements, such as age, education, background check, application, and state exam. The process of obtaining this license involves five steps: completing the pre-license education, applying for an inactive sales agent license, taking and passing the state exam, finding a sponsoring broker, and activating your license. A Texas real estate sales agent license can open up many opportunities for you in the real estate industry and help you achieve your career goals.
