StateLicensed

Real Estate Agent License Requirements in Texas

Verified · July 2026
Training hours
180 hrs
Upfront cost
$249
Exam
Real Estate Sales Agent Examination (national and state portions)
Renewal cycle
Every 2 years
Issuing board
Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC)

How to get licensed

  1. 1

    Meet the prerequisites

    Be at least 18 years old, pass a criminal background check. Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or lawfully admitted alien, at least 18 years old, and meet TREC's qualifications for honesty, trustworthiness, and integrity. Fingerprints must be on file with the Texas Department of Public Safety for a criminal background check; fingerprints on file for other agencies are not accepted. A sales agent license is issued inactive and must be sponsored by a licensed broker before the agent may perform any act of real estate brokerage. [1]

  2. 2

    Complete approved training

    Complete 180 hours of training at a state-approved program. 180 classroom hours across six 30-hour qualifying courses: Principles of Real Estate I, Principles of Real Estate II, Law of Agency, Law of Contracts, Promulgated Contract Forms, and Real Estate Finance, taken through a TREC-approved qualifying education provider. [1]

  3. 3

    Real Estate Sales Agent Examination (national and state portions)

    Pass the Real Estate Sales Agent Examination (national and state portions) (fee: $43). The $43 exam fee is paid directly to Pearson VUE at the time of scheduling. Failing either the national or state portion three times requires additional education before retesting. [1]

  4. 4

    Submit your application

    Submit your application to Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC). [2]

  5. 5

    Receive your license

    Once your application is approved, Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) issues your Real Estate Sales Agent for Texas.

Fees

Fee Amount
Application fee [2] None specified
License fee [2] $206
Renewal fee [2] $110
Real Estate Sales Agent Examination (national and state portions) [1] $43
Real Estate Sales Examination Fee (paid to Pearson VUE) [2] $43
Fingerprint fee (paid to IDEMIA, if not previously fingerprinted for TREC) [2] $37

TREC does not charge a separate application fee; the $206 Original Application total (as of the fee schedule effective December 15, 2025) covers the $150 TREC application fee, $6 Texas Online fee, $40 Texas A&M Real Estate Research Center fee, and $10 Real Estate Recovery Trust Account fee. The $110 active renewal total (every 2 years) covers a $66 TREC fee, $4 Texas Online fee, and $40 Texas A&M Real Estate Research Center fee.

Renewal & continuing education

Renew every 2 years. 18 continuing education hours required per cycle.

Active license renewal requires 18 hours of approved Continuing Education: 8 hours of TREC Legal Update I and II, 3 hours of contract-related coursework, and 7 hours of elective CE. Sales agents renewing for the first time must instead complete SAE (Sales Apprentice Education) requirements: a 30-hour Real Estate Brokerage course, 60 hours of qualifying elective coursework, and the 8 hours of Legal Update I/II. Inactive licenses may renew without completing CE.

Reciprocity

No reciprocity or endorsement route was found.

TREC's own FAQ states: "No. Texas does not have reciprocity with any state. To become licensed, you must satisfy all current Texas licensing requirements." Out-of-state licensees must complete the full Texas qualifying education, exam, and application process like any other applicant.

9 state-approved training providers in Texas — browse programs and compare schools on tradecolleges.org.

Cost calculator

  • $206
  • $43
Total$249

Frequently asked questions

Does Texas have reciprocity with any other state?

No. Texas does not have reciprocity with any state. To become licensed, you must satisfy all current Texas licensing requirements, including the 180 hours of qualifying education and the state exam.

How many hours of qualifying education do I need to become a sales agent?

180 classroom hours across six required 30-hour courses: Principles of Real Estate I and II, Law of Agency, Law of Contracts, Promulgated Contract Forms, and Real Estate Finance, completed through a TREC-approved qualifying education provider.

Can I practice real estate as soon as I'm licensed?

No. A new sales agent license is issued on inactive status. You must be sponsored by a licensed broker, who submits a sponsorship request through the REALM Portal, before you can perform any act of real estate brokerage.

Who administers the licensing exam and what does it cost?

Pearson VUE administers the Texas Real Estate Sales Agent Examination, which includes a national and a state-specific portion. The exam fee is $43, paid directly to Pearson VUE when scheduling.

What continuing education do I need to renew my license?

Active licensees renew every 2 years and must complete 18 hours of approved CE, including 8 hours of TREC Legal Update I and II and 3 hours of contract-related coursework. Agents renewing for the first time must instead complete SAE requirements (a 30-hour Real Estate Brokerage course, 60 hours of qualifying electives, and the 8 hours of Legal Update I/II).

Sources

  1. [1] trec.texas.gov/become-licensed/sales-agent — accessed 2026-07-12
  2. [2] trec.texas.gov/agency-information/fee-schedule — accessed 2026-07-12
  3. [3] trec.texas.gov/renew-license/real-estate-sales-agent — accessed 2026-07-12
  4. [4] trec.texas.gov/does-texas-have-reciprocity-any-other-state — accessed 2026-07-12