Imagine making six figures in annual income within a few years of experience while enjoying a stable work-life balance and professional autonomy.
Sounds like a professional dream come true? If yes, then we have put together this detailed guide to help you become a licensed real estate agent in Texas.
All you need to get started in the industry is a Texas real estate license and you will be on your way to working with clients and earning commissions for your services.
To obtain your license, you must complete mandatory pre license education and this is where RealEstateU can help you with their certified online courses for Texas salesperson.
Since a license is a mandatory requirement, as per the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC), you must prepare to fulfill a set of pre license requirements in the process.
Texas’ real estate landscape is offering a fertile opportunity ground for real estate agents who have the skill, knowledge and desire to help people buy and sell real estate.
The appeal of a career in real estate is strong, especially in a state like Texas where the demand for housing is growing steadily.
If you are looking for a career path where you can earn a six figure income and enjoy a flexible schedule, working as a real estate agent can be a good choice.
Real estate agents work with buyers and sellers to help them achieve their goals and get the best value for their money.
The top real estate professionals in TX can earn as much as $150K in a year and enjoy additional job perks and benefits.
The best part about working in real estate is that there is no upper ceiling on how much money you can make – the more deals you help close, the more commissions you earn.
As a beginner, starting a new career might be overwhelming, but if you follow the steps outlined in this post, it will be easier than it seems.
Step 1: Meet the basic eligibility requirements
As per the TREC, every aspiring real estate professional must meet the basic statutory requirements to prove their eligibility:
- You must be at least 18 years of age (or older),
- You must have a proof of residency in the state of Texas.
- You must have a high school diploma or GED equivalent in education
You can also determine if you meet the eligibility requirements by completing a fitness determination test before committing to the licensing process.
Step 2: Complete Texas pre-license education
Like most states, Texas also requires applicants to complete a minimum level of qualifying education to become eligible for a salesperson license.
As per the TREC license laws and guidelines, you are required to complete 180 hours of state approved pre license education.
The 180 hours of coursework is divided into 6 courses worth 30 hours each including:
- Principles of Real Estate 1
- Principles of Real Estate 2
- Law of Agency
- Promulgated Contract Forms
- Real Estate Finance
- Law of Contracts
Note that it is recommended to check with the TREC website for the most recent and up to date curriculum guidelines and list of courses.
As a student, you have the flexibility to choose between joining a physical, classroom based real estate college in Texas or complete your education online through a self-paced or instructor-led pre-license course.
The important aspect to keep in consideration is that you must learn from a TREC approved education provider only as it is one of the crucial requirements.
Step 3: Pass the Texas license exam
After completing your education, the next step is to prove your knowledge and competence by taking the Texas salesperson license exam.
In Texas, it is mandatory to pass the state real estate license exam to obtain a salesperson or a broker’s license.
You can schedule the license exam at any Pearson Vue center in Texas as per your preferred day and date.
The license exam consists of 110 multiple choice questions covering both state and national specific portions.
You will get a total of 2.5 hours to attempt all the questions and to pass the test, you must score at least 75 percent or above.
Step 4: Clear the background verification test
After completing the pre-licensing education and passing the Texas salesperson license exam, the next step is to clear the federal background verification and criminal history check.
The TREC requires aspiring real estate professionals to meet the standards of honesty, integrity and good moral conduct to work with clients.
To complete this step, you need to submit an electronic scan of your fingerprints for review and verification. You can get fingerprints scanned at any of the live scan vendors in Texas.
Step 5: Find employer sponsorship
After completing all the above steps, you can submit your salesperson license application to the TREC for review and approval.
Once your application is reviewed, you will be issued your salesperson license within a few weeks.
However, you need to activate your license to work with clients. To do so, you must find a broker or brokerage firm in TX who will be willing to sponsor you as an employer.
