Your Expert Guide on How To Become A Real Estate Agent in Texas

Everything is bigger in Texas – including real estate opportunities!

In order to take advantage of those opportunities, you must first obtain a Texas real estate license. Not sure how to become a real estate agent in Texas? We are here to show you everything you need to know.

Whether you have an extensive knowledge of the real estate industry or you are just beginning, this article will help prepare you for everything from the pre-licensing exams to the final application. With so many varied requirements in each state, the process can feel daunting, but this article will break it down for you.

There are many steps involved in becoming a Texas real estate agent, so follow along to find out exactly what to expect from each one.

How to become a real estate agent in Texas checklist infographic

The Real Estate Market in Texas

For the past several years, the Texas housing market has been one of the best in the country. Between its strong economy, population growth, and affordable housing, there are many reasons that the real estate business in Texas is thriving. Housing inventory in Texas, while still plentiful, is at a current low, meaning the competitive nature of the market as a whole could be increasing.

With all that said, to be truly successful in the competitive Texas real estate market, you have got to be hard-working, self-motivated, honest, and enjoy helping people. If you check all of those boxes, then it may be time to follow the steps below and start your Texas real estate journey.

Benefits of getting into Texas Real Estate

The first benefit is clear — the income. A Texas real estate agent averages $41,000 to $53,000 per year, according to salary.com. These numbers will fluctuate based on commission percentage, number of homes sold, the split with your broker, if you have any caps, and the value of the homes.

For further insight, the average price for a home in Texas is around $359,739, which means when a real estate agent makes a sale, they have a hefty commission — often 5% or $17,986.

Aside from gaining a good amount of income, becoming a real estate agent has many other benefits, including:

  • Flexibility in your work
  • Constantly varying environments and tasks
  • Helping people
  • YOU are the boss
  • Gaining knowledge and insight about people, your community, and your area

Now that you have an idea of what you are walking into, let’s get into the actionable steps that will have you on your way to thriving in the Texas real estate market.

Do I Prequalify?

There are a couple of things to check on before you can start the process of becoming a real estate agent in Texas. The overall requirements of obtaining a Texas real estate license include the following:

  • You must be at least 18 years of age.
  • You must be either a U.S. citizen or a lawfully admitted alien.
  • You must meet the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC)’s qualifications for honesty, trustworthiness, and integrity.

Once you have those boxes checked, you are ready to begin the journey of becoming a Texas real estate agent!

1. Complete 180 Hours of Pre-License Education

There are a lot of registered real estate schools to choose from across Texas. Pick whichever one calls to your heart, and complete 180 hours of real estate courses. There are both in person and online options available for you.

The required courses are:

  • Real Estate Principles 1
  • Real Estate Principles 2
  • Law of Agency
  • Law of Contracts
  • Promulgated Contract Forms
  • Real Estate Finance

2. Take and Pass the Course Final Exam

Congratulations! You have made it through your online or in-person classes and are now ready to show your knowledge. There is a final exam for each individual course. In order to pass each exam and earn your certificate, you must receive a passing score of at least 70% for each course.

Each final must be taken with a proctor present, which you can schedule in advance with whichever real estate school you take classes through.

3. Submit Your License Application

Your next step is to complete and submit your Texas real estate license application.

You have two options in regard to applying:

  • Apply online
    • You can submit your application, along with the $205 application fee, on the TREC website using their online portal.
  • Apply by mail
    • If you prefer, you can mail in your application and your fees with a money order, cashiers check, or personal check made payable to Texas Real Estate Commission.

Once your license application is approved, you will receive an eligibility letter with an ID number you can use to make an exam reservation (step 5).

4. Complete a Background Check

In order for your application to be approved and to take the Texas real estate exam, you must complete a background check and have fingerprints on file with the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS).

You can schedule an appointment to get your fingerprints taken through MorphoTrust. The fee for getting fingerprinted is $38.25.

5. Take and Pass the Texas Real Estate Exam

You heard us, another exam. Don’t worry, we are here to prepare you so you know exactly what to expect.

The Texas Real Estate Salesperson Examination is administered by Pearson VUE, an outside agency. Once you receive your eligibility ID (mentioned in step 3), you can schedule your exam through Pearson VUE’s website. There are test centers across Texas for you to choose from.

The exam fee is $43, and must be paid when you make the reservation.

On the day of your Texas real estate exam, bring the following:

  • Two (2) forms of identification

Once inside the exam site, you’ll be asked to place all electronic devices, bulky clothing, and other personal items in a secure location, and you will be asked to sit in front of a computer to take the test.

You will have 4 hours total to complete the exam. The exam is split into two sections: an 85-question national portion which you have 150 minutes to answer and a 40-question state portion which you have 90 minutes to answer.

The test is pass/fail, and your score will immediately be given to you once you complete the exam. In order to pass the exam, you need to answer at least 21 questions correctly on the state portion and 60 questions correctly on the national portion.

For more information on the Texas Real Estate Exam, check out the Pearson VUE Candidate Handbook.

6. Choose a Sponsoring Broker

In order to be a licensed and active practicing real estate agent in the beautiful state of Texas, you are required to be associated with a registered real estate brokerage firm or broker. Working with the right broker is an important decision and a key factor in your growing real estate career.

Here are some things to consider when selecting a sponsoring real estate broker:

  • What is their local and national reputation?
  • What systems do they use?
  • What types of agents are they looking for?
  • Do they provide education and training for agents?
  • Do they provide marketing materials and potential leads?
  • What benefits do they have?
  • What is their commission structure?
  • Is there opportunity for growth?

Want to Become a REALTOR® in Texas?

Every Realtor is a real estate agent, but not every real estate agent is a Realtor. Want to take your business a step further, have great networking opportunities, and be part of an evolving real estate community?

Here are your steps to becoming a REALTOR®:

  • Obtain your state real estate license
  • Join your local REALTORS® Association — The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) has over 1,400 associations across the U.S. You can find one closest to you with their “find an association” tool.
  • Pay the one-time application fee — The amount varies in each association.
  • Upkeep NAR membership dues — Once you are a REALTOR®, you must pay the annual association fee of $150 per year.

how to become a real estate agent in Texas

There you have it! Everything you need to know about getting your real estate license in Texas.

Now that we have taken you this far, we would love to provide you with more resources and information to help you thrive in this new venture. Get the ball rolling and be the best agent you can be with our Showcase IDX Grow Your Real Estate Business Academy courses.

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