how to become a real estate agent in texas

How To Become A Real Estate Agent In Texas? [2023 Updated]

You will need a Texas real estate license if you want to work in the real estate market in Dallas, San Antonio, Houston, Austin, or El Paso. We are here to assist you in how to become a real estate agent in Texas.

December 29, 2021

You will be required to have a Texas real estate license if you want to work in the real estate market in Dallas, San Antonio, Houston, Austin, or El Paso. While most states have a similar procedure for becoming a registered real estate sales agent, each has its own set of stages and restrictions that must be followed. Obtaining your driver’s license may be difficult, but we are here to assist you how to become a real estate agent in Texas

How to get a real estate license in Texas?

how to become a real estate agent in texas

The steps to becoming a Texas real estate agent and being able to do your work legally, according to the Texas Real Estate Commission, the fastest way to get a real estate license in Texas is as follows:

Step 1: Meet the Pre-Requirements for a Texas Real Estate License

You must be a US citizen, at least 18 years old, and meet the Texas Real Estate Commission’s (TREC) criteria for trustworthiness, honesty, and integrity in order to apply for a sales agent license.

Step 2: Take at least 180 hours of real estate education classes

Everyone who wants to take the Texas Real Estate Commission’s licensing test must take at least 180 hours of TREC college-level real estate education courses.

  • Principles of Real Estate I
  • Principles of Real Estate II
  • Law of Agency
  • Law of Contracts
  • Promulgated Contract Forms
  • Real Estate Finance

When you fill out the application for the real estate commission, you must include the course completion documentation.

It is strongly advised that you get your background check and fingerprinting done while attending the State Prep course. Anyone seeking a sales agent or broker license in Texas must be fingerprinted and pass a background check, according to the Texas Real Estate License Act. Your license will not be issued if you schedule your fingerprints after taking the exam.

Read more>> How Much Does A Real Estate Agent Make In Texas?

Step 3: Submit Your Application

You have 365 days to complete and satisfy all conditions after submitting your real estate application.

  • By mail or on paper, you can apply for an Inactive Sales Agent License
  • When you apply, you must pay all fees. Personal cheques and credit cards are accepted forms of payment. There are no refunds on fees
  • Documents from your schooling should be scanned and sent.

Remember to bring copies of your certificates or credit transcripts as proof of completion. One copy should be kept for yourself.

Step 4: Take the Exam for a Driver’s License

The following step is to take and pass the real estate exam. In Austin, TX, Pearson VUE administers all license tests. After you’ve submitted your application, you’ll get an email with details on how to get a copy of the exam and schedule it.

If you fail three times, you’ll have to go back to school.

Step 5: Exam Preparation

If you don’t want any surprises on exam day, it’s critical that you prepare well. There are several Texas real estate practice exam and programs available to assist you in preparing for the next exam. If you don’t want to be one of those failing salespeople, invest in your education.

Step 6: Take the State Examination

The Texas Real Estate Commission will issue you an Inactive or Active Estate Salesperson License when you pass the Texas real estate exam.

Step 7: Select A Sponsoring Broker

You must be associated with an active Texas sponsoring broker in order to become a licensed real estate sales agent. Find the finest broker to work with since he or she will be your mentor and will assist you in beginning a career in Texas real estate.

Ask yourself the following questions while you search:

  • What are they searching for in terms of agents?
  • What is their reputation?
  • Is it true that they are technologically advanced?
  • What kind of training and assistance do they provide for its agents?
  • What type of commission system do they have?
  • Is there room for the brokerage to grow and prosper?

Let’s take a look at the cost of Texas real estate licensing now that you know how to acquire one.

how to become a real estate agent in texas

How much does it cost to obtain a Texas real estate license?

The bad news is that there will be several expenses. The good news is that the majority of them are reasonably priced. In fact, your first sale can cover all of your expenses.

Pre-License Training

Taking your pre-license classes is the first step to becoming a real estate sales agent. You have the option of taking any real estate course that has been approved by the TREC (Texas Real Estate Commission). Some real estate education courses differ in terms of student support, curriculum, and pricing, so take the time to compare courses to discover the best fit for you.

So, what should the price of your classes be?

The requisite real estate courses should set you back roughly $500. On-campus courses are more expensive than online ones.

Fees for testing, application, and processing

After you’ve completed your course, you’ll need to register for your real estate exam and obtain your sales agent license. You will have to pay a number of state fees at this point. The license application fee is the most expensive expenditure. The cost is roughly $200, plus you’ll have to pay for the following:

  • Background check fee ($27)
  • Fee for fingerprinting ($37)
  • Fee for a Certificate of Sponsorship ($20 if submitted online, $40 if completed on paper)
  • Fee for paper processing ($20)

You will have to pay to take the TREC exam in addition to pre-license classes, testing, application, and processing costs. The exam will set you back $54.

When all costs are included, you could anticipate paying between $800 and $1,000 for your license.

Is the real estate exam really hard?

how to become a real estate agent in texas

Given that just 57.09 % of real estate agents pass the exam on their first attempt, we can all agree that it is a difficult exam.

During the test, you will have 150 minutes to read and answer 110 questions. The test consists of two parts of multiple-choice questions:

  • Section I (National Section) – You will have 105 minutes to complete 80 questions
  • Section II (State Section) – You will have 45 minutes to complete 30 questions.

Read more>> Is The Real Estate Exam Hard

Answering the questions will take a bit longer. Each section is graded separately. You must score 70 percent or better on each part to pass the test.

The final exam will cover everything you learned in the pre-licensing classes. Law of Agency, Contracts, Real Estate Finance, Property Use, Forms of Ownership, Environmental Issues, Commission Duties and Powers, Community Property, Homeowners Associations, and other topics are among those discussed.

Expect a variety of questions about existing Texas state rules and regulations, as well as topics involving statistics and math.

Investing in education, which includes the Real Estate practice test and remembering material, is the greatest approach to preparing for the upcoming test. Pearson VUE, the Texas test administrator, provides a reference list guide that you may download. Because the content and subjects are drawn from the classes, it is a good tool for the Texas real estate exam.

Real estate is a fulfilling, interesting, and rewarding career. You’ll appreciate being your own boss and setting your own hours. The license is the starting point. Now that you know how to become a real estate agent in Texas. Go ahead and acquire your real estate license. The initial fees may be a deterrent, but the benefits will be well worth the effort.