How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Texas: A Step-by-Step Guide

21 hours ago

6 min read

Are you interested in starting a career in real estate? Becoming a licensed real estate agent in Texas can open the door to an exciting career with opportunities in residential sales, commercial real estate, property investments, and more.

Whether you are changing careers, entering the workforce, or looking for a new professional opportunity, obtaining your Texas real estate license is the first step.

The good news is that the process is straightforward when you understand the requirements and complete each step in the proper order.

This guide explains how to become a licensed real estate sales agent in Texas, the education you need, the examination process, and how to get started with your new career.

Step 1: Meet the Basic Texas Real Estate License Requirements

Before beginning your real estate education, make sure you meet the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) eligibility requirements.

To qualify for a Texas sales agent license, you must:

Be at least 18 years old.
Be a United States citizen or lawfully admitted alien.
Meet TREC's standards for honesty, trustworthiness, and integrity.
Complete the required qualifying real estate education.
Satisfy the fingerprinting and background check requirements.
Pass the required Texas real estate licensing examinations.

If you have concerns about whether something in your background could affect your eligibility, TREC offers a Fitness Determination process that can help you obtain guidance before submitting your application.

Step 2: Register for a TREC REALM Portal Account

The next step is to establish an account through the Texas Real Estate Commission's REALM Portal.

REALM stands for Real Estate and Appraiser License Management.

If you do not already have a TREC license number, you can create an account to receive a pre-license education application number. You will provide this number to your approved real estate education provider when enrolling in your qualifying courses.

Important: Registering for a REALM account is not the same as submitting your sales agent license application. TREC instructs applicants to wait until all required pre-licensing education has been completed before submitting the actual license application.

You can access the portal through the official TREC website:

https://www.trec.texas.gov/

Step 3: Complete the Six Required Texas Real Estate Courses

One of the most important requirements for obtaining a Texas real estate license is completing 180 hours of qualifying real estate education.

TREC requires six qualifying courses, each consisting of 30 classroom hours.

The six required courses are:

1. Principles of Real Estate I (30 Hours)

Introduces students to the real estate profession, property ownership, legal descriptions, estates in land, and the fundamentals of real estate transactions.

2. Principles of Real Estate II (30 Hours)

Continues the study of real estate principles, including property valuation, real estate markets, investment considerations, and related industry concepts.

3. Law of Agency (30 Hours)

Explains the legal relationships between real estate agents, brokers, buyers, and sellers. Students learn about agency relationships, fiduciary duties, representation, and professional responsibilities.

4. Law of Contracts (30 Hours)

Introduces the legal foundations of contracts, including contract formation, enforceability, essential elements, and the legal responsibilities of parties involved in real estate transactions.

5. Promulgated Contract Forms (30 Hours)

Teaches students about the real estate contract forms promulgated by TREC, their proper use, and the importance of understanding the documents used in Texas real estate transactions.

6. Real Estate Finance (30 Hours)

Explores mortgage lending, financing options, interest rates, loan programs, and the financial principles involved in purchasing real property.

Upon successful completion of all six courses, students receive the required course completion documentation for their TREC application.

Where Can You Complete Your Real Estate Education?

Texas requires qualifying education to be completed through an approved education provider.

Students can explore different educational formats, including online and classroom-based instruction.

For students who prefer a traditional classroom environment, Lone Star Real Estate School offers in-person Texas qualifying real estate courses in El Paso.

Classroom instruction allows students to interact directly with instructors, ask questions, discuss real-world examples, and participate in a structured learning environment.

Step 4: Submit Your Texas Real Estate License Application

After completing all six qualifying courses, you can submit your Texas sales

agent license application through the TREC REALM Portal.

You will need to:

Complete the online sales agent application.
Pay the required application fees.
Upload your qualifying education completion documents.
Provide any additional documentation requested by TREC.

Do not submit your application before completing all required pre-licensing education.

TREC generally allows applicants up to one year from the application filing date to satisfy the remaining licensing requirements.

Step 5: Complete Fingerprinting and the Background Check

Texas requires real estate license applicants to submit fingerprints for a criminal background check through the Texas Department of Public Safety.

The fingerprinting requirement helps TREC evaluate whether applicants meet the honesty, trustworthiness, and integrity standards required for licensure.

Applicants will receive instructions for scheduling fingerprinting as their application moves through the TREC review process.

Keep in mind that fingerprints submitted for another state agency or licensing purpose generally cannot be substituted for the fingerprints required by TREC.

Step 6: Pass the Texas Real Estate Licensing Examination

Once TREC has reviewed your application and education, you will receive instructions for scheduling your licensing examinations.

The Texas real estate sales agent examination is administered through Pearson VUE.

The examination consists of two portions:

National Portion

Covers general real estate knowledge, including:

Property ownership.
Land use controls.
Valuation and market analysis.
Real estate financing.
Agency relationships.
Property disclosures.
Contracts.
Real estate calculations.

Texas State Portion

Covers Texas-specific real estate laws, regulations, and licensing requirements, including:

Texas Real Estate License Act.
TREC rules and regulations.
Brokerage relationships.
Agency and representation.
Texas real estate contracts.
License holder responsibilities.

You must successfully pass both portions of the examination to satisfy the examination requirement.

If you do not pass, you can retake the examination subject to TREC's testing rules. Applicants who fail either portion three times must complete additional qualifying education before testing again.

Preparing for the examination is an important part of the licensing process. Reviewing your course materials, understanding the concepts, and practicing real estate examination questions can help you approach the test with greater confidence.

Step 7: Find a Sponsoring Real Estate Broker

After completing your education, application, background check, and examinations, TREC can issue your initial sales agent license.

However, your initial license will be issued on inactive status.

To begin practicing real estate, you must find an active Texas real estate broker willing to sponsor you.

A sponsoring broker provides the supervision and oversight required for sales agents to conduct real estate brokerage activities.

When selecting a broker, consider:

Training and mentorship opportunities.
Commission structures and fees.
Office support and resources.
Marketing assistance.
Technology and transaction management systems.
Company culture and professional development.

Once a broker sponsorship is approved through TREC, your license can become active, allowing you to begin your real estate career.

How Much Does It Cost to Become a Real Estate Agent in Texas?

The total cost depends on your education provider, examination fees, application fees, fingerprinting, and other expenses.

Here are some of the expenses to consider.

Pre-licensing education: Depends on the school and course pricing.
TREC sales agent application: The total listed fee is $206 under the fee schedule effective September 1, 2026.
Sales agent examination: $58 per examination appointment under the current published fee schedule.
Fingerprinting: Additional charges apply.
Other expenses: Study materials, association memberships, and brokerage-related costs may apply.

Students should verify current fees directly with TREC and the examination provider before budgeting for their license.

How Long Does It Take to Become a Real Estate Agent in Texas?

The amount of time varies depending on your schedule, availability, study habits, and examination preparation.

The required pre-licensing education consists of 180 hours.

Students attending scheduled classroom courses can complete their education through an organized course schedule. Others may choose a different pace depending on the education format they select.

After completing the education requirement, applicants must allow additional time for TREC application processing, fingerprinting, and examination scheduling.

Planning ahead and staying organized can help make the process easier.

Start Your Real Estate Career with Lone Star Real Estate School

If you are ready to begin working toward your Texas real estate license, choosing the right education provider is an important first step.

Lone Star Real Estate School provides Texas qualifying real estate education through in-person classroom instruction in El Paso, Texas.

Our goal is to help students understand the fundamentals of real estate, develop a strong educational foundation, and prepare for the next steps in their professional careers.

Why consider Lone Star Real Estate School?

TREC-approved qualifying real estate education.
Experienced professional instruction.
In-person classroom learning.
Daytime and evening class schedules.
Textbooks included with qualifying course tuition.
Convenient El Paso classroom location.

Whether you are beginning a new career or exploring opportunities in the Texas real estate industry, Lone Star Real Estate School can help you take the first step.

Enroll Today!

Lone Star Real Estate School

9440-B Viscount BlvdEl Paso, Texas

Phone: 915-209-2001

Email: lonestarschoolelpaso@gmail.com

Website: https://www.lonestarrealestateschool.com/

Your future in real estate starts with the right education. Contact Lone Star Real Estate School to learn about upcoming classes, enrollment, and how to begin completing your Texas real estate licensing requirements.