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How to Get A Texas Real Estate License in 2026

What is the Texas real estate licensing process? The Texas real estate licensing process is a five-step pathway regulated by TREC: complete 180 hours of pre-licensing educationTexas Real Estate License, apply through the REALM Portal, pass a background check, pass the real estate exam (125 questions, 70% to pass each section), and secure a sponsoring broker. Most applicants finish in three to six months.

Getting your Texas real estate license comes down to five steps: complete 180 hours of pre-licensing education, apply through TREC, prepare for the licensing exam, pass a background check, and pass the exam. Most people finish the process in three to six months. Here's exactly what each step involves.

Requirement Details
Education hours required 180 hours across 6 courses
Minimum age 18 years old
Degree required No
Licensing authority Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC)
Exam administrator Pearson VUE
Exam format 125 questions: 85 national + 40 state
Passing score 70% on each section
Typical timeline 3 to 6 months
Total estimated cost See our Texas real estate license cost guide
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Step 1: Complete the Required Pre-Licensing Courses

Before you can sit for the licensing exam, TREC requires you to complete 180 hours of approved pre-licensing education split across six 30-hour courses. You don't need a college degree — just a willingness to put in the time. The six required courses are:

You must pass the final exam for each course before moving on. All six can be completed entirely online through a TREC-approved provider — no classroom required. AceableAgent offers all 180 hours in one convenient package you can work through on your phone, tablet, or computer at your own pace. If you're wondering how long it takes to get your Texas real estate licenseTexas How Long To Get Texas Real Estate License Career Center, most students finish the coursework in four to twelve weeks depending on how much time they dedicate each week.

Step 2: Apply for Your License Through TREC

Once your coursework is complete, you'll apply for your sales agent license through the Texas Real Estate Commission. TREC now processes all applications through the REALM PortalTREC Default.aspx Aca Prod.accela.com, which launched in December 2025 and handles everything from application submission to license management in one place.

When setting up your account, make sure the name you use exactly matches your government-issued photo ID — your exam registration must match your application, and any discrepancy will delay the process. Once your account is set up, submit your Texas Real Estate Salesperson application along with the required application fee and your course completion certificates. Do this as soon as your coursework is done; TREC cannot issue your exam eligibility letter until your application and certificates have been processed.

It typically takes TREC 15 to 21 business days to process a new application and send your eligibility letter. Use that window to start preparing for the exam.

Step 3: Prepare for the Texas Real Estate Exam

The Texas real estate exam is administered by Pearson VUE and consists of two sections taken in the same appointment: an 85-question national section (150 minutes) and a 40-question state section (90 minutes). You need to score at least 70% on each section to pass. The sections are scored independently — if you pass one and fail the other, you only retake the section you didn't pass.

With a statewide first-attempt pass rate of 56% (16,824 passed / 29,980 taken), the exam rewards students who prepare. AceableAgent students pass at a rate of 66% (5,604 passed / 8,516 taken) as of November 30, 2025 in part because the coursework is built around what actually shows up on the exam. Practice testsTexas Real Estate Exam Prep are one of the most effective study tools available; they reinforce what you know, surface what you don't, and help you get comfortable with the question format before test day. See TREC's website for TREC Provider Exam Pass RatesEducation Provider Exam Passage Rates Sales Agents And Brokers Education.

AceableAgent also offers exam prep through PrepAgent, which includes thousands of practice questions, live and recorded webinars, and state-specific study tools. If you want to give yourself every advantage before you sit down at Pearson VUE, it's worth the investment.

Keep in mind: you only have three attempts to pass the exam. If you don't pass after three tries, TREC requires you to complete an additional 30 hours of education for each section you failed before you can test again.

Step 4: Complete Your Background Check

All Texas real estate license applicants are required to submit fingerprints for a criminal history background check through the Texas Department of Public Safety and the FBI. Once you receive your eligibility letter from TREC, it will include the information you need to schedule your fingerprinting appointment through IdentoGO, TREC's approved fingerprinting provider. You can schedule online at the IdentoGO website or by calling (888) 467-2080.

Having a criminal record doesn't automatically disqualify you. TREC evaluates each application individually based on honesty, trustworthiness, and integrity. If you have prior convictions and want to know where you stand before investing time and money in coursework, you can request a Fitness Determination from TRECFitness Determination Forms ahead of time. This is a formal review that tells you in advance whether your history is likely to be a barrier — and it's well worth doing early if you have any concerns.

For a full breakdown of how criminal history is evaluated, see our guide on getting a Texas real estate license with a criminal recordTexas Real Estate License With A Criminal Record Career Center.

Step 5: Pass the Exam and Activate Your License

Once TREC has processed your application and issued your TREC ID number, you're eligible to schedule your licensing exam. Visit the Pearson VUE Texas real estate pageTx Realestate Home.pearsonvue.com to create an account, pay the exam fee, and select a test date, time, and location. Testing centers are available across Texas, so finding one near you shouldn't be a problem.

You'll get your results immediately after finishing the exam. If you pass, congratulations — but you're not quite done yet. Passing the exam earns you a license, but you can't practice real estate in Texas until that license is activated by a sponsoring broker. TREC licenses sales agents to operate on behalf of licensed brokers, so you'll need a broker to sponsor you before you can work with clients.

Don't wait until after the exam to start your broker search. The time you spend waiting for your eligibility letter and preparing for the exam is the ideal window to research brokerages and reach out. If your sponsorship is in place when you pass, TREC can process your test score and sponsorship form at the same time — which means your license gets activated without any additional delay. AceableAgent offers a broker matching programTexas Real Estate LicenseTexas Real Estate License that can help you find a sponsoring broker before you even finish your courses.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get a Texas real estate license? Most people finish in three to six months. Coursework takes four to twelve weeks, TREC processing runs 15–21 business days, and scheduling and sitting for the exam adds another two to four weeks.

Do I need a college degree to get a Texas real estate license? No. You need to be at least 18, a U.S. citizen or lawfully admitted alien, and meet TREC's honesty, trustworthiness, and integrity standards. No degree required.

How much does a Texas real estate license cost? Main costs include pre-licensing courses, the $206 TREC application fee (effective December 15, 2025), a $37 fingerprinting fee, and a $43 Pearson VUE exam fee. See our full cost guide for a complete breakdown.

Can I get a Texas real estate license if I have a criminal record? Possibly. TREC reviews criminal history individually. You can request a Fitness Determination before starting the process to get a formal eligibility assessment before investing time and money.

What happens if I fail the Texas real estate exam? You only retake the section you failed. Wait 24 hours, pay the $43 fee again, and reschedule. Fail any section three times and TREC requires 30 additional education hours before you can test again.

Can I take the Texas real estate pre-licensing courses online? Yes. All 180 required hours can be completed online through a TREC-approved provider. The state licensing exam must be taken in person at a Pearson VUE testing center.

Ready to get started? See if AceableAgent's Texas real estate course is right for you.Texas Real Estate LicenseTexas Real Estate License