How to get a Texas real estate sales agent license

Texas licenses real estate sales agents through the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC). The order of steps matters, because you cannot book the exam until your education is on file. This walkthrough draws on the Texas Occupations Code chapter 1101, TREC rules and the Pearson VUE candidate handbook.

Eligibility

At the time you apply you must be at least 18, a U.S. citizen or lawfully admitted alien, and able to satisfy TREC on honesty, trustworthiness and integrity. Texas residency is not required. The application must disclose any felony conviction or plea of guilty or no contest, even if community supervision was granted. If you are unsure how your history will be treated, you can ask TREC for a fitness determination before applying.

Step 1: qualifying education

TREC rule requires 180 hours of qualifying courses:

• Principles of Real Estate I and II (60 hours together)
• Law of Agency (30)
• Law of Contracts (30)
• Promulgated Contract Forms (30)
• Real Estate Finance (30)

You may not take the exam until TREC has received evidence of all required education.

Step 2: application and fingerprints

Apply through TREC and pay the application fee. Every applicant submits fingerprints for a DPS and FBI criminal history check, and TREC must refuse a license to anyone who does not comply. An application ends if you do not meet the education, exam or fingerprint requirements within one year of filing.

Step 3: pass both exam portions

The exam is given by Pearson VUE. You need 70% on each portion: 56 of 80 scored on the national portion and 28 of 40 scored on the state portion. Each passed portion is valid for one year. Texas real estate exam: what's on it in 2026 covers the format, and how to study for the Texas real estate exam gives a plan. After three consecutive failures you need more qualifying education before you can retake: 30 hours if you failed one portion, 60 if you failed both.

Step 4: an inactive license, then a sponsor

After education and a passing exam, TREC issues an inactive sales agent license. You may not practice until an active Texas broker sponsors you. A sales agent is by definition someone sponsored by a licensed broker, and cannot do brokerage except for that broker. Choosing the broker matters, so it is worth interviewing several before you finish the exam.

Special cases

• A person licensed in Texas within the six months before applying does not need to repeat the education.
• TREC waives the exam for someone previously licensed in Texas who applies before the second anniversary of the license expiring.
• TREC may waive the national portion for an applicant with an active equivalent license in another state who passed a comparable national exam.
• Military service members, veterans and military spouses get expedited processing.

After you are licensed

The first renewal has extra education requirements. Texas real estate license renewal: SAE and continuing education explains them. You can also size your exam margin with the exam pass score calculator, run once at 80 questions and once at 40.

Encodr's free Texas real estate sales agent course covers both outlines, and the exam prep hub lists every course.