Introduction
A career in real estate on your professional wishlist? If yes, then you are on the right path.
Real estate is a rewarding and satisfying career path with numerous opportunities for earnings and growth.
If you are a resident of Texas or planning to migrate there to be a part of one of the biggest real estate markets in the country, now is the time.
Thanks to the thriving economy, rising job opportunities and a diverse culture, Texas is quickly becoming a popular migration destination for working professionals and investors alike.
Be it an agent, broker or realtor, Texas’ real estate market can give wings to your dream of working independently, earning a handsome six figure salary and being your own boss.
To achieve this dream, you will need a real estate license in Texas.
With a state approved license, you can work anywhere in the state and take part in the sale, purchase, renting or appraising of commercial and residential properties.
A Texas state license will give you the opportunity to carve a successful career in the fast and dynamic world of real estate.
If you are interested in learning more about how to get a Texas salesperson license, we have put together a beginner’s guide for you.
In this guide, you will find detailed information about the licensing process, how it works and what you need to do in order to become a licensed real estate agent in Texas.
Importance of getting a real estate license in Texas
Many aspirants often face a common question before joining the real estate industry – is it necessary to obtain a license or can they work without having one?
The short answer is – no, it is not mandatory to get a real estate license before working in the industry.
The long answer is – yes, it is always recommended that you obtain a state issued license as it is the legal and authorized way to engage in a real estate transaction.
According to the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC), every active real estate professional must have an up-to-date state license to legally practice their profession in the state.
Getting a Texas real estate license will ensure that you are legally licensed to work with a real estate firm or open your own brokerage in the future.
Not getting a license means you will be limiting your potential to find job opportunities and earn money.
Steps to get a Texas real estate license
Now that we have discussed the importance of having a Texas agent license, let us go through the steps required to get one.
Step 1: Meet the eligibility requirements
To join the Texas real estate industry, you must first meet the basic eligibility requirements established by the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC).
As per the TREC guidelines, every applicant must be:
- At least 18 years older or above
- Resident of the state of Texas or a lawfully admitted alien
- Hold a high school diploma or equivalent
If you meet the above requirements, you can move to the next step .
Step 2: Complete the pre-licensing education
To become a licensed real estate agent in Texas, you must complete the minimum education requirements.
This is also known as the pre-licensing training and every applicant needs to complete 180 hours of coursework.
By completing the mandatory education, you will gain an understanding of the basic principles and key concepts of how the real estate industry works, its laws, rules and regulations.
You can choose to complete the pre-licensing education by enrolling in a state approved college or university.
Alternatively, you can join an online course provider like RealEstateU to complete the official pre licensing coursework from anywhere at your desired pace.
Completing this education is mandatory to be eligible for the state licensing exam.
Here’s a list of the courses you will cover during your 180 hours of training:
- Principles of Real Estate: 60 course hours
- Law of Agency: 30 course hours
- Law of Contracts: 30 course hours
- Real Estate Finance: 30 course hours
- Promulgated Contract Forms: 30 course hours
Once you are through with your education and coursework, you can move forward to the next step of your licensing journey.
Step 3: Pass the Texas licensing exam
After the education, comes the exam. As per the TREC, every applicant must take and clear the state licensing exam to obtain a license.
The licensing exam will test your knowledge and understanding of the courses you completed as part of your education.
To clear the exam, you must achieve the minimum passing score of 70% or above. You will face 85 questions in total with a mix of state and national specific portions.
You will have 150 minutes in total to complete the exam.
Note that you must choose a Pearson VUE approved test center in the presence of a proctor to take the licensing exam.
Step 4: Find a sponsoring broker
After successfully clearing the licensing test, you must find a sponsoring broker who holds an active Texas license.
Working under a senior and experienced broker is a mandatory step to launch your real estate career.