Here's what you need to renew your Texas Real Estate license
The information below is a summary of the minimum requirements set forth by the Texas Real Estate Commission. For a more detailed requirements breakdown, please see the board's site.
If you hold Real Estate licenses in multiple states, please make sure to check each state's requirements.
Texas Real Estate: Sales Agent (Pre-Licensing)
Total Hours Required:
180
Mandatory Hours:
180
Elective Hours:
0
Online Info
- 1. Meet Texas Real Estate License requirements.
- You must be at least 18 years old, a citizen of the United States or a lawfully admitted alien, and meet TREC's qualifications for honesty, trustworthiness, and integrity in order to receive your real estate license in Texas.
- 2. Complete 180 hours in real estate qualifying education courses - Enroll Today
- Principles of Real Estate I (30 hours)
- Principles of Real Estate II (30 hours)
- Law of Agency (30 hours)
- Law of Contracts (30 hours)
- Promulgated Contract Forms (30 hours)
- Real Estate Finance (30 hours)
- 3. File and pay for the Inactive Sales Agent License application. You have one year from the date your application is filed to meet all license requirements.
- Apply and pay for your Inactive Sales Agent License either online or by mail using a paper application (subject to a $20 paper filing fee and longer processing time).
- Pay all fees when you submit your application. TREC accepts payment via one personal check, cashiers check or money order payable to the Texas Real Estate Commission. Do not send cash. Fees are nonrefundable.
- Original application fee: $205, required for all applicants.
- Real Estate Recovery fee: $10, due on initial applications for a license.
- Background check fee: $38.25, paid to IdentoGO ID if the applicant has not previously been fingerprinted for TREC.
- Scan and email your education documents to [email protected] or fax them to 512-936-3864 with a copy of your Online Payment Summary page.
- 4. Take and pass the license exam.
- License exams are administered by PearsonVUE. You will be sent a notice with instructions for scheduling the exam and obtaining a copy of the exam Candidate Handbook.
- If you fail the exam three times, additional education will be necessary.
- 5. Before you can practice as a Texas real estate agent, you must arrange for a Texas real estate broker holding an active license to sponsor you as a sales agent. Applicants and inactive sales agents are not authorized to act as a real estate license holder. Here are your two options:
- File the sponsorship request along with the application, OR
- File the application and arrange for sponsorship after TREC notifies you that you have been issued an inactive license.
Online Limitations
Courses contain security questions and must be answered correctly within 1 minute. Due to state regulation, we are unable to provide questions/answers. Please be sure to read carefully.
Final Exams are closed note/closed book and must be proctored. A proctor is a third-party who monitors while you take the exam.
Criminal History Evaluation
Please be advised that a criminal history may make an individual ineligible for an occupational license. Anyone concerned about the effect their criminal history may have on their ability to get an occupational license may request a criminal history evaluation prior to enrolling in courses or applying for a real estate, inspector or appraiser license. Please refer to the criminal history eligibility guidelines set out in Texas Occupations Code §53.025 and TREC Rule 541.1. Potential applicants may request a criminal history evaluation by submitting a completed Fitness Determination Form to TREC prior to applying for a license. This form is recommended for individuals with any criminal offenses, unpaid judgments, who have had discipline taken against a professional or occupational license, or who have performed unlicensed activity.
Once licensed, the Sales Agent must complete 98 hours of Sales Agent Apprentice Education (SAE), for a total of 278 hours of education prior to the end of their first license term. These hours must include: 4 hours of TREC's Legal Update I, 4 hours of TREC's Legal Update II, and 90 hours in elective qualifying real estate education courses. Elective qualifying education courses include: Property Management (30 hours), Real Estate Marketing (30 hours), Real Estate Math (30 hours), Real Estate Appraisal (30 hours), Real Estate Investment (30 hours), Real Estate Law (30 hours), and Residential Inspection for Real Estate Agents (30 hours). The 30-hour Real Estate Brokerage course (mandatory for a broker's license) is also an eligible qualifying real estate education course for SAE. Additionally, if you have been made a supervisor by your broker for six months or more, you need to take the 6-hour Broker Responsibility course to renew.
Final Exams are closed note/closed book and must be proctored. A proctor is a third-party who monitors while you take the exam.
Criminal History Evaluation
Please be advised that a criminal history may make an individual ineligible for an occupational license. Anyone concerned about the effect their criminal history may have on their ability to get an occupational license may request a criminal history evaluation prior to enrolling in courses or applying for a real estate, inspector or appraiser license. Please refer to the criminal history eligibility guidelines set out in Texas Occupations Code §53.025 and TREC Rule 541.1. Potential applicants may request a criminal history evaluation by submitting a completed Fitness Determination Form to TREC prior to applying for a license. This form is recommended for individuals with any criminal offenses, unpaid judgments, who have had discipline taken against a professional or occupational license, or who have performed unlicensed activity.
Once licensed, the Sales Agent must complete 98 hours of Sales Agent Apprentice Education (SAE), for a total of 278 hours of education prior to the end of their first license term. These hours must include: 4 hours of TREC's Legal Update I, 4 hours of TREC's Legal Update II, and 90 hours in elective qualifying real estate education courses. Elective qualifying education courses include: Property Management (30 hours), Real Estate Marketing (30 hours), Real Estate Math (30 hours), Real Estate Appraisal (30 hours), Real Estate Investment (30 hours), Real Estate Law (30 hours), and Residential Inspection for Real Estate Agents (30 hours). The 30-hour Real Estate Brokerage course (mandatory for a broker's license) is also an eligible qualifying real estate education course for SAE. Additionally, if you have been made a supervisor by your broker for six months or more, you need to take the 6-hour Broker Responsibility course to renew.
Roster
Roster Required:
yes
Roster Process:
Rosters are sent electronically each business day.
Rosters are submitted for any CE course or Post/Pre course for licensed students only. Licensees are required to submit their certificates directly to the Commission for any QE courses longer than 30 hours.
Roster Sent:
Every 1 days
Governing Agency
Name:
Texas Real Estate Commission
Phone:
5129363000
Fax:
5129363863
Website:
https://www.trec.texas.gov/
Address:
1700 N. Congress Avenue, Suite 400 Stephen F. Austin Building Austin, 78701
Texas Real Estate: Sales Agent (Post Licensing)
Total Hours Required:
98
Mandatory Hours:
98
Elective Hours:
0
Online Info
Once licensed, the Sales Agent must complete 98 hours of Sales Agent Apprentice Education (SAE), for a total of 278 hours of education prior to the end of their first license term. These hours must include: 4 hours of TREC's Legal Update I, 4 hours of TREC's Legal Update II, and 90 hours in elective qualifying real estate education courses. Elective qualifying education courses include: Property Management (30 hours), Real Estate Marketing (30 hours), Real Estate Math (30 hours), Real Estate Appraisal (30 hours), Real Estate Investment (30 hours), Real Estate Law (30 hours), and Residential Inspection for Real Estate Agents (30 hours). The 30-hour Real Estate Brokerage course (mandatory for a broker's license) is also an eligible qualifying real estate education course for SAE. Additionally, if you have been made a supervisor by your broker for six months or more, you need to take the 6-hour Broker Responsibility course to renew.
Effective October 1, 2023, sales agents renewing their license for the first time for both active and inactive are required to complete and approved 30 hour Real Estate Brokerage course as part of their 90 hours.
Online Limitations
There is no limit on number of hours allowed to be taken online; all QE hours can be taken online.
Courses contain security questions and must be answered correctly within 1 minute. Due to state regulation, we are unable to provide questions/answers. Please be sure to read carefully.
Final Exams must be proctored. A proctor is a third-party who monitors while you take the exam.
Criminal History Evaluation
Please be advised that a criminal history may make an individual ineligible for an occupational license. Anyone concerned about the effect their criminal history may have on their ability to get an occupational license may request a criminal history evaluation prior to enrolling in courses or applying for a real estate, inspector or appraiser license. Please refer to the criminal history eligibility guidelines set out in Texas Occupations Code §53.025 and TREC Rule 541.1. Potential applicants may request a criminal history evaluation by submitting a completed Moral Character Determination Form to TREC prior to applying for a license. This form is recommended for individuals with any criminal offenses, unpaid judgments, who have had discipline taken against a professional or occupational license, or who have performed unlicensed activity.
Courses contain security questions and must be answered correctly within 1 minute. Due to state regulation, we are unable to provide questions/answers. Please be sure to read carefully.
Final Exams must be proctored. A proctor is a third-party who monitors while you take the exam.
Criminal History Evaluation
Please be advised that a criminal history may make an individual ineligible for an occupational license. Anyone concerned about the effect their criminal history may have on their ability to get an occupational license may request a criminal history evaluation prior to enrolling in courses or applying for a real estate, inspector or appraiser license. Please refer to the criminal history eligibility guidelines set out in Texas Occupations Code §53.025 and TREC Rule 541.1. Potential applicants may request a criminal history evaluation by submitting a completed Moral Character Determination Form to TREC prior to applying for a license. This form is recommended for individuals with any criminal offenses, unpaid judgments, who have had discipline taken against a professional or occupational license, or who have performed unlicensed activity.
Roster
Roster Required:
yes
Roster Process:
Rosters are sent electronically each business day.
Rosters are submitted for any CE course or Post/Pre course for licensed students only. Licensees are required to submit their certificates directly to the Commission for any QE courses longer than 30 hours.
Roster Sent:
Every 1 days
Governing Agency
Name:
Texas Real Estate Commission
Phone:
5129363000
Fax:
5129363863
Website:
https://www.trec.texas.gov/
Address:
1700 N. Congress Avenue, Suite 400 Stephen F. Austin Building Austin, 78701
Texas Real Estate: Sales Agent (Continuing Education)
Total Hours Required:
18
Mandatory Hours:
11
Elective Hours:
7
Renewal Cycle in Years:
2
Education Cycle in Months:
24
Online Info
Continuing Education and Renewal Date: Every 24 months on the last day of the original issuance month.
Hours Required by TREC: 18 hours.
•11 mandatory hours
o4-hour TREC Legal Update I
o4-hour TREC Legal Update II
o3 hours of contract-related coursework
•7 elective hours
If you have sponsored one or more sales agents, served as the designated broker for a business entity that sponsors sales agents, or have been made a supervisor of other license holders, you will need to take the 6-hour Broker Responsibility Course as part of your 18 hours of CE.
If TREC records do not reflect completion of CE requirements at the time you submit your renewal application, you must pay a $200 CE Deferral Fee, or renew in inactive status. Payment of the CE Deferral Fee allows you to remain active for an additional 60 days from your expiration date to complete CE requirements.
First Time Renewal Requirements: Sales Agents renewing for the first time must have a total of 270 qualifying real estate course hours, 4 hours of TREC's Legal Update I, and 4 hours of TREC's Legal Update II posted to their license record prior to submitting their renewal. Those which have been made a supervisor by their broker must complete the 6-hour Broker Responsibility course.
Course Security Questions: CE credit courses contain security questions which must be answered correctly within one minute. Each question is case sensitive. Per TREC regulation, course providers are unable to make available the security questions and answers to enrollees. Please be sure to read carefully.
Seat Time: The Texas Real Estate Commission requires a timing device for all distance education courses to ensure that courses cannot be completed in less time than the approved credit hours. Please note that your course will time out after several minutes of inactivity.
Final Exam: While students are required to demonstrate mastery of the content at certain levels of the course, there is no passing score requirement for the final exam.
Expiration Date of Course: Course expiration dates vary but are generally 6 months after enrollment date.
Certificate: With few exceptions, online course completion certificates are available for download at course conclusion and posted directly to your student dashboard.
Hours Required by TREC: 18 hours.
•11 mandatory hours
o4-hour TREC Legal Update I
o4-hour TREC Legal Update II
o3 hours of contract-related coursework
•7 elective hours
If you have sponsored one or more sales agents, served as the designated broker for a business entity that sponsors sales agents, or have been made a supervisor of other license holders, you will need to take the 6-hour Broker Responsibility Course as part of your 18 hours of CE.
If TREC records do not reflect completion of CE requirements at the time you submit your renewal application, you must pay a $200 CE Deferral Fee, or renew in inactive status. Payment of the CE Deferral Fee allows you to remain active for an additional 60 days from your expiration date to complete CE requirements.
First Time Renewal Requirements: Sales Agents renewing for the first time must have a total of 270 qualifying real estate course hours, 4 hours of TREC's Legal Update I, and 4 hours of TREC's Legal Update II posted to their license record prior to submitting their renewal. Those which have been made a supervisor by their broker must complete the 6-hour Broker Responsibility course.
Course Security Questions: CE credit courses contain security questions which must be answered correctly within one minute. Each question is case sensitive. Per TREC regulation, course providers are unable to make available the security questions and answers to enrollees. Please be sure to read carefully.
Seat Time: The Texas Real Estate Commission requires a timing device for all distance education courses to ensure that courses cannot be completed in less time than the approved credit hours. Please note that your course will time out after several minutes of inactivity.
Final Exam: While students are required to demonstrate mastery of the content at certain levels of the course, there is no passing score requirement for the final exam.
Expiration Date of Course: Course expiration dates vary but are generally 6 months after enrollment date.
Certificate: With few exceptions, online course completion certificates are available for download at course conclusion and posted directly to your student dashboard.
Online Limitations
There is no limit to the number of CE hours that may be completed online.
Roster
Roster Required:
yes
Roster Process:
Rosters are sent electronically each business day.
Rosters are submitted for any CE course or QE course of 15 hours or less. Licensees are required to submit their certificates directly to the Commission for any QE courses longer than 30 hours.
Roster Sent:
Every 1 days
Governing Agency
Name:
Texas Real Estate Commission
Phone:
5129363000
Fax:
5129363863
Website:
https://www.trec.texas.gov/
Address:
1700 N. Congress Avenue, Suite 400 Stephen F. Austin Building Austin, 78701
Texas Real Estate: Broker (Pre-Licensing)
Total Hours Required:
270
Mandatory Hours:
270
Elective Hours:
630
Online Info
Broker applicants are required to successfully complete 270 hours of qualifying education; which must include Real Estate Brokerage (30 hours), Principles of Real Estate (60 hours), Law of Agency (30 hours), Law of Contracts (30 hours), Promulgated Contracts Forms (30 hours), and Real Estate Finance (30 hours).
The remaining 630 elective hours must be in related courses acceptable to the Board.
A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college will satisfy the 630 hour requirement. Acceptable proof is a college transcript that includes the degree earned. A copy of a college diploma will not be accepted. Pre and post-licensing education will count toward the 270-hour qualifying education requirement.
The remaining 630 elective hours must be in related courses acceptable to the Board.
A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college will satisfy the 630 hour requirement. Acceptable proof is a college transcript that includes the degree earned. A copy of a college diploma will not be accepted. Pre and post-licensing education will count toward the 270-hour qualifying education requirement.
Online Limitations
Courses contain security questions and must be answered correctly within 1 minute. Due to state regulation, we are unable to provide questions/answers. Please be sure to read carefully.
Final Exams are closed note/closed book and must be proctored. A proctor is a third-party who monitors while you take the exam.
Criminal History Evaluation
Please be advised that a criminal history may make an individual ineligible for an occupational license. Anyone concerned about the effect their criminal history may have on their ability to get an occupational license may request a criminal history evaluation prior to enrolling in courses or applying for a real estate, inspector or appraiser license. Please refer to the criminal history eligibility guidelines set out in Texas Occupations Code §53.025 and TREC Rule 541.1. Potential applicants may request a criminal history evaluation by submitting a completed Fitness Determination Form to TREC prior to applying for a license. This form is recommended for individuals with any criminal offenses, unpaid judgments, who have had discipline taken against a professional or occupational license, or who have performed unlicensed activity.
Final Exams are closed note/closed book and must be proctored. A proctor is a third-party who monitors while you take the exam.
Criminal History Evaluation
Please be advised that a criminal history may make an individual ineligible for an occupational license. Anyone concerned about the effect their criminal history may have on their ability to get an occupational license may request a criminal history evaluation prior to enrolling in courses or applying for a real estate, inspector or appraiser license. Please refer to the criminal history eligibility guidelines set out in Texas Occupations Code §53.025 and TREC Rule 541.1. Potential applicants may request a criminal history evaluation by submitting a completed Fitness Determination Form to TREC prior to applying for a license. This form is recommended for individuals with any criminal offenses, unpaid judgments, who have had discipline taken against a professional or occupational license, or who have performed unlicensed activity.
Roster
Roster Required:
yes
Roster Process:
Rosters are sent electronically each business day.
Rosters are submitted for any CE course or Post/Pre course for licensed students only. Licensees are required to submit their certificates directly to the Commission for any QE courses longer than 30 hours.
Roster Sent:
Every 1 days
Governing Agency
Name:
Texas Real Estate Commission
Phone:
5129363000
Fax:
5129363863
Website:
https://www.trec.texas.gov/
Address:
1700 N. Congress Avenue, Suite 400 Stephen F. Austin Building Austin, 78701
Texas Real Estate: Non-Supervising Broker (Continuing Education)
Total Hours Required:
18
Mandatory Hours:
11
Elective Hours:
7
Renewal Cycle in Years:
2
Education Cycle in Months:
24
Online Info
Continuing Education and Renewal Date: Every 24 months on the last day of the original issuance month.
Hours Required by TREC: 18 hours.
•11 mandatory hours
o4-hour TREC Legal Update I
o4-hour TREC Legal Update II
o3 hours of contract-related coursework
•7 elective hours
If you have sponsored one or more sales agents, served as the designated broker for a business entity that sponsors sales agents, or have been made a supervisor of other license holders, you will need to take the 6-hour Broker Responsibility Course as part of your 18 hours of CE.
If TREC records do not reflect completion of CE requirements at the time you submit your renewal application, you must pay a $200 CE Deferral Fee, or renew in inactive status. Payment of the CE Deferral Fee allows you to remain active for an additional 60 days from your expiration date to complete CE requirements.
Course Security Questions: CE credit courses contain security questions which must be answered correctly within one minute. Each question is case sensitive. Per TREC regulation, course providers are unable to make available the security questions and answers to enrollees. Please be sure to read carefully.
Seat Time: The Texas Real Estate Commission requires a timing device for all distance education courses to ensure that courses cannot be completed in less time than the approved credit hours. Please note that your course will time out after several minutes of inactivity.
Final Exam: While students are required to demonstrate mastery of the content at certain levels of the course, there is no passing score requirement for the final exam.
Expiration Date of Course: Course expiration dates vary but are generally 6 months after enrollment date.
Certificate: With few exceptions, online course completion certificates are available for download at course conclusion and posted directly to your student dashboard.
Hours Required by TREC: 18 hours.
•11 mandatory hours
o4-hour TREC Legal Update I
o4-hour TREC Legal Update II
o3 hours of contract-related coursework
•7 elective hours
If you have sponsored one or more sales agents, served as the designated broker for a business entity that sponsors sales agents, or have been made a supervisor of other license holders, you will need to take the 6-hour Broker Responsibility Course as part of your 18 hours of CE.
If TREC records do not reflect completion of CE requirements at the time you submit your renewal application, you must pay a $200 CE Deferral Fee, or renew in inactive status. Payment of the CE Deferral Fee allows you to remain active for an additional 60 days from your expiration date to complete CE requirements.
Course Security Questions: CE credit courses contain security questions which must be answered correctly within one minute. Each question is case sensitive. Per TREC regulation, course providers are unable to make available the security questions and answers to enrollees. Please be sure to read carefully.
Seat Time: The Texas Real Estate Commission requires a timing device for all distance education courses to ensure that courses cannot be completed in less time than the approved credit hours. Please note that your course will time out after several minutes of inactivity.
Final Exam: While students are required to demonstrate mastery of the content at certain levels of the course, there is no passing score requirement for the final exam.
Expiration Date of Course: Course expiration dates vary but are generally 6 months after enrollment date.
Certificate: With few exceptions, online course completion certificates are available for download at course conclusion and posted directly to your student dashboard.
Online Limitations
There is no limit to the number of CE hours that may be completed online.
Roster
Roster Required:
yes
Roster Process:
Rosters are sent electronically each business day.
Rosters are submitted for any CE course or QE course of 15 hours or less. Licensees are required to submit their certificates directly to the Commission for any QE courses longer than 30 hours.
Roster Sent:
Every 1 days
Governing Agency
Name:
Texas Real Estate Commission
Phone:
5129363000
Fax:
5129363863
Website:
https://www.trec.texas.gov/
Address:
1700 N. Congress Avenue, Suite 400 Stephen F. Austin Building Austin, 78701
Texas Real Estate: Supervising Licensee (Continuing Education)
Total Hours Required:
18
Mandatory Hours:
17
Elective Hours:
1
Renewal Cycle in Years:
2
Education Cycle in Months:
24
Online Info
Continuing Education and Renewal Date: Every 24 months on the last day of the original issuance month.
Hours Required by TREC: 18 hours.
•17 mandatory hours
o4-hour TREC Legal Update I
o4-hour TREC Legal Update II
o3 hours of contract-related coursework
o6-hour Broker Responsibility Course
•1 elective hour
If you have sponsored one or more sales agents, served as the designated broker for a business entity that sponsors sales agents, or have been made a supervisor of other license holders, you will need to take the 6-hour Broker Responsibility Course as part of your 18 hours of CE.
If TREC records do not reflect completion of CE requirements at the time you submit your renewal application, you must pay a $200 CE Deferral Fee, or renew in inactive status. Payment of the CE Deferral Fee allows you to remain active for an additional 60 days from your expiration date to complete CE requirements.
Course Security Questions: CE credit courses contain security questions which must be answered correctly within one minute. Each question is case sensitive. Per TREC regulation, course providers are unable to make available the security questions and answers to enrollees. Please be sure to read carefully.
Seat Time: The Texas Real Estate Commission requires a timing device for all distance education courses to ensure that courses cannot be completed in less time than the approved credit hours. Please note that your course will time out after several minutes of inactivity.
Final Exam: While students are required to demonstrate mastery of the content at certain levels of the course, there is no passing score requirement for the final exam.
Expiration Date of Course: Course expiration dates vary but are generally 6 months after enrollment date.
Certificate: With few exceptions, online course completion certificates are available for download at course conclusion and posted directly to your student dashboard.
Hours Required by TREC: 18 hours.
•17 mandatory hours
o4-hour TREC Legal Update I
o4-hour TREC Legal Update II
o3 hours of contract-related coursework
o6-hour Broker Responsibility Course
•1 elective hour
If you have sponsored one or more sales agents, served as the designated broker for a business entity that sponsors sales agents, or have been made a supervisor of other license holders, you will need to take the 6-hour Broker Responsibility Course as part of your 18 hours of CE.
If TREC records do not reflect completion of CE requirements at the time you submit your renewal application, you must pay a $200 CE Deferral Fee, or renew in inactive status. Payment of the CE Deferral Fee allows you to remain active for an additional 60 days from your expiration date to complete CE requirements.
Course Security Questions: CE credit courses contain security questions which must be answered correctly within one minute. Each question is case sensitive. Per TREC regulation, course providers are unable to make available the security questions and answers to enrollees. Please be sure to read carefully.
Seat Time: The Texas Real Estate Commission requires a timing device for all distance education courses to ensure that courses cannot be completed in less time than the approved credit hours. Please note that your course will time out after several minutes of inactivity.
Final Exam: While students are required to demonstrate mastery of the content at certain levels of the course, there is no passing score requirement for the final exam.
Expiration Date of Course: Course expiration dates vary but are generally 6 months after enrollment date.
Certificate: With few exceptions, online course completion certificates are available for download at course conclusion and posted directly to your student dashboard.
Online Limitations
There is no limit to the number of CE hours that may be completed online.
Roster
Roster Required:
yes
Roster Process:
Rosters are sent electronically each business day.
Rosters are submitted for any CE course or QE course of 15 hours or less. Licensees are required to submit their certificates directly to the Commission for any QE courses longer than 30 hours.
Roster Sent:
Every 1 days
Governing Agency
Name:
Texas Real Estate Commission
Phone:
5129363000
Fax:
5129363863
Website:
https://www.trec.texas.gov/
Address:
1700 N. Congress Avenue, Suite 400 Stephen F. Austin Building Austin, 78701
Good to know
Other facts and insights about completing your CE
Note: This license renewal information is provided as a convenience only and is subject to change at any time. It's ultimately the responsibility of the licensee to be sure that he or she is meeting all requirements for each license and corresponding renewal period.