How to become a real estate agent in Texas
Texas real estate agents are licensed by the Texas Real Estate Commission. Here is what it takes to work as a licensed real estate agent in Texas, from official sources checked November 4, 2026.
Who can become a real estate agent in Texas?
- U.S. citizen or lawfully admitted alien
- At least 18 years old
- Meet TREC's honesty, trustworthiness and integrity standards
- Fingerprints on file with Texas DPS for a background check
Texas real estate agent license requirements
| Licensed by | Texas Real Estate Commission |
|---|---|
| License name | Sales Agent |
| Education or training | 180 classroom hours: Principles of Real Estate I and II, Law of Agency, Law of Contracts, Promulgated Contract Forms, and Real Estate Finance (30 hours each) |
| Exam | Pearson administers the state and national exams; failing either exam three times requires more education. |
| Works under a broker | Yes. You are first issued an inactive license and must be sponsored by a licensed broker to go active. |
| License term | 2-year license period |
| Continuing education | Before the first renewal, sales agents must complete Sales Apprentice Education (270 total qualifying hours) plus Legal Update I and II; after that, 18 CE hours each two-year period. |
How much does it cost?
| Sales agent original application (total, fee schedule effective Sept. 1, 2026) | $206.00 |
|---|---|
| Sales agent renewal (total) | $110.00 |
Fees as listed by the state. Schools, courses, exam prep, insurance and equipment cost extra and vary by provider.
Steps to become a real estate agent in Texas
- Create a REALM Portal account to get a pre-license education number
- Complete the 180 hours of qualifying courses
- Apply online with your course documents and fee
- Get fingerprinted for the DPS background check
- Pass the exam with Pearson
- Have a broker sponsor you to activate the license
Apply on the official Texas site
How do you check a real estate agent's license in Texas?
- Search the name or license number on the official Texas real estate agent license lookup.
- Check that the status is active and the name matches the person or company you're hiring.
- Ask how long they've been licensed and whether any complaints or discipline are on record.