Waco is one of the top ten emerging real estate markets in the U.S., meaning now is a good time to get your real estate license in this metro area. Read on to learn everything you need to know to get licensed to buy and sell real estate in the Lone Star State.
7 Steps to Getting Your Real Estate License in Waco
Getting your real estate license in Texas isn't rocket science, but you'll have to study for the exam and complete a few other requirements.
Make sure you are eligible. You must be at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen or lawfully admitted alien (a DACA recipient does not qualify), and an honest, trustworthy person of integrity in order to become a Texas real estate agent.
File your application with the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) and pay the $185 fee. You have one year from the filing date to complete all the steps listed here.
Pay $38.25 to get your fingerprints taken at the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). The state will run a background check to see if you're as honest and trustworthy as you claimed in step #1.
Take 180 hours of pre-licensing real estate courses. The courses must be approved by TREC.
Submit proof that you completed the coursework to TREC.
Take the real estate license exam, administered by Pearson VUE. If you fail the exam three times, you'll need to do an extra 30 hours of pre-licensing coursework. The current fee to take the exam is $43 per try.
Find a Texas broker who is willing to sponsor you. You won't become a registered agent until a broker agrees to take you under their wing.
Real Estate Exam Testing Sites in the Waco Metro Area
As mentioned above, Pearson VUE administers Texas real estate license tests. Here are the current testing center locations for Waco, Temple, Killeen, and College Station.
Testing Centers in Waco
Pearson Professional Centers-Waco TX: 1105 Wooded Acres Dr, Suite 560, Wells Fargo Bank Building, Waco, Texas 76710 Phone: (254) 218-3001
Texas State Technical College: 3801 Campus Dr., Student Services Center, Waco, Texas 76705 (800) 792-8784
Sylvan Learning Center - Waco, TX: 15150 Badger Ranch Blvd, Ste. 202, Waco, Texas 76712 Phone: (254) 230-0190
Testing Centers in Temple
Temple College: Student Success Center, 2600 South First Street, Temple, Texas 76504 Phone: (245) 298-8282
Learning Research Center: 3411 Market Loop, Suite 107, Temple, Texas 76502 Phone (254) 314-2066
Testing Centers in Killeen
Centex Technologies: 501 N 4th Street, Killeen, Texas 76541 Phone (254) 213-4740
Central Texas College District: 6200 W. Central Texas Expressway, Building 215, Room 233, Killeen, Texas 76549 Phone: (254) 526-7161
Testing Centers in College Station
Avinext: 1400 University Drive East, College Station, Texas 77840 Phone: (979) 846-9727
Realtor Associations in the Waco Metro Area
Once you're a real estate agent, you may want to take the additional step of joining your local Texas Realtor Association (sometimes called a Board of Realtors). Realtors must abide by the National Association of Realtors' Code of Ethics, and membership could give you more clout working with local and state officials.
There are local Realtor Associations in Waco, Bryan-College Station, and Temple-Belton.
Ready to Get Your Texas Real Estate License?
Aceable Agent has TREC-approved Texas pre-licensing courses that let you study for the real estate license exam at your own pace, from the comfort of home. Our Basic package has everything you need to ace the exam, but if you want more guidance, we offer Deluxe and Premium packages that come with supplemental videos, more test prep, and private tutoring.