Becoming a Licensed Realtor in Texas: Step by Step

July 6, 2009

US citizens or legally admitted aliens, at least 18 years old and legal Texas residents, may apply for a real estate salesperson license from the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC). The process begins with fingerprinting through a TREC-approved vendor. Completion of the remaining steps in the proper order will insure you reach your goal in the shortest time possible.

The TREC requires satisfactory completion of 210 classroom hours from a core real estate license education provider. Acceptable providers include colleges and universities with accredited real estate programs and Texas real estate schools such as Continuing Education for Licensing, Inc. (celi-edu.com). There are 3 required core courses: Principles of Real Estate (60 hours), Law of Agency (30 hours) and Law of Contracts (30 hours). An additional 90 hours is required, 30 of which must be an additional core real estate course, and 60 of which can be core or other TREC-approved courses.

Transcripts or certificates proving successful course completion must be submitted with a Request for Evaluation of Education Documents form and a$30 processing fee. This must be done PRIOR to submitting your license application. Upon receipt of your successful evaluation (allow 10 days), you may formally apply for your license.

The application for your Inactive Salesperson License can be completed online. A non-refundable fee of $107 ($97 for the application and $10 for the Recovery Trust Account) are payable online or by check or money order. The TREC notifies you when your application has been successfully processed. You may then schedule your exam.

The Candidate Information Brochure (CIB) provides you instructions on scheduling and preparing to take your real estate license exam. You have up to 6 months from the time your application is filed, to schedule and successfully complete the exam. Exams are conducted by PSI.

A background check may be performed. Your application is also an authorization for the TREC to conduct such an investigation at its discretion. Another verification is done is to determine if a prospective licensee is in default on student loans guaranteed by The Texas Guaranteed Student Loan Corporation (TG™). If you are in default, your application may be rejected.

Once you complete this process and successfully pass your real estate exam, you will receive a license which can then be sponsored by a TREC licensed broker. Once your license is sponsored you are ready to begin your career as a real estate salesperson.

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Filed Under real estate