Key Takeaways
- Texas sales agent applicants must complete 180 hours of qualifying education in six 30-hour courses
- Required courses: Principles I & II, Law of Agency, Law of Contracts, Promulgated Forms, and Real Estate Finance
- The exam has 110 questions (80 national + 30 state) with 150 minutes time limit and requires 70% to pass
- Total initial cost is approximately $286: $206 application + $43 exam + $37 fingerprinting
- Applicants must meet TREC standards for honesty, trustworthiness, and integrity
Texas License Requirements
Texas has specific requirements for sales agent and broker licenses. The requirements are set by TREC under the Texas Real Estate License Act.
Sales Agent License Requirements
1. Age and Legal Requirements
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Be a U.S. citizen or lawfully admitted alien
- Meet TREC's standards for honesty, trustworthiness, and integrity
2. Education Requirements
Complete 180 hours of qualifying real estate courses from a TREC-approved provider:
| Course | Hours | Required |
|---|---|---|
| Principles of Real Estate I | 30 | Yes |
| Principles of Real Estate II | 30 | Yes |
| Law of Agency | 30 | Yes |
| Law of Contracts | 30 | Yes |
| Promulgated Contract Forms | 30 | Yes |
| Real Estate Finance | 30 | Yes |
| Total | 180 |
Note: All six courses are mandatory—there are no elective options for initial licensing.
3. Examination
| Detail | Sales Agent Exam |
|---|---|
| Total Questions | 110 |
| National Portion | 80 questions |
| State Portion | 30 questions |
| Time Limit | 150 minutes (2.5 hours) |
| Passing Score | 70% on each portion |
| Exam Provider | Pearson VUE |
| Exam Fee | $43 |
4. Background Check
All applicants must submit fingerprints for a criminal background check:
- Fee: $37 (paid to IDEMIA)
- Submitted through TREC-approved vendor
- Results reviewed by TREC
Criminal History Considerations:
- Felony convictions may disqualify applicants
- TREC considers nature of offense, time elapsed, and rehabilitation
- Applicants can request a Fitness Determination before applying
Fees (Effective December 15, 2025)
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application Fee | $206 |
| Exam Fee | $43 |
| Fingerprint Fee | $37 |
| Total Initial Cost | $286 |
Application Fee Breakdown
The $206 application fee includes:
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Base fee | $150 |
| Texas Online Fee | $6 |
| Texas A&M Research Center | $40 |
| Real Estate Recovery Fee | $10 |
Broker License Requirements
To become a Texas real estate broker, you must meet additional requirements:
Experience Requirement
4 years of active experience as a licensed sales agent during the preceding 5 years, with at least 3,600 points of experience.
| Activity | Points |
|---|---|
| Each closed transaction | 450 points |
| Each listing taken | 225 points |
| Other qualifying activities | Varies |
Education Requirements
Complete 270 hours of qualifying education:
| Requirement | Hours |
|---|---|
| Original 180 hours (sales agent) | 180 |
| Additional broker courses | 90 |
| Total | 270 |
Broker Examination
| Detail | Broker Exam |
|---|---|
| Total Questions | 115 |
| Time Limit | 150 minutes |
| Passing Score | 70% on each portion |
| Exam Fee | $43 |
Application Process
- Complete education at TREC-approved school
- Submit application through REALM Portal
- Pay application fee ($206)
- Submit fingerprints through IDEMIA ($37)
- Receive examination eligibility
- Schedule and pass exam at Pearson VUE ($43)
- Find sponsoring broker (required to activate license)
- Activate license through sponsoring broker
How many hours of pre-license education are required for a Texas sales agent license?
What is the passing score for the Texas real estate sales agent exam?
Which of the following is NOT a required pre-license course in Texas?