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After receiving your real estate license, the next step is to find a job. Whether you are looking for employment in real estate or not, there are many ways to get started on this path. Some companies may require that all new hires have their Texas Real Estate License before they can be employed with them.
In comparison to other states, obtaining a Texas real estate license is difficult. You must complete 180 prelicensing hours authorized by the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC), as well as fingerprints, a background check, and a passing test, although you are not required to do so alone. This article will walk you through the process of obtaining a real estate license in the Lone Star State.
1. Obtain your Texas real estate license by meeting the legal requirements.
Texas’ state criteria are straightforward: you must be at least 18 years old and either a United States citizen or a properly admitted foreigner. Texas does not have any education background requirements, unlike other states that need a high school certificate or GED.
If you have any criminal crimes, outstanding judgments, conducted unlicensed activity or had a professional or occupational license disciplined, you must reveal this information using a form called the Fitness Determination (FD). In addition, you’ll need to fill out a Background History Form. The TREC will utilize these forms to decide whether you fulfill their requirements for honesty, trustworthiness, and integrity and are eligible to get a real estate license. They are $50 per and may be addressed to the TREC.
What if I told you that In terms of mobility, Texas does not provide reciprocity with any other state and is a physical location state. This indicates that you are permitted to do business in another state, but you are not permitted to enter the state to conduct real estate business. An agent or broker from another state is required to do all out-of-state business over the internet and is not permitted to enter the state for showings, closings, or any other purpose.
2. Complete all pre-licensing courses that are required.
If you’ve fulfilled all of the state’s legal requirements, it’s time to start working on your prelicensing coursework. For a comprehensive package of online courses, accredited online real estate education in Texas for prelicensing may cost anywhere from $415 to $980.
Topics covered in the classes include:
- Real Estate Principles (60 hours)
- The Agency Law (30 hours)
- Contract Law is a branch of law that deals with contracts (30 hours)
- Forms for Promulgated Contracts (30 hours)
- Finance for Real Estate (30 hours)
What if I told you that If you are a licensed attorney in good standing with the Texas bar, you are excused from taking the real estate salesperson course, according to TREC guidelines. They cannot, however, endorse or serve as a broker for other real estate salesmen.
There are numerous online real estate colleges to choose from, but if you’re looking to have your prelicensing courses done as quickly as possible, Real Estate Express might be a good fit. That way, you may tailor your 180 hours to match your schedule.
3. Obtain a Texas Real Estate License
Once you’ve finished your prelicensing hours, you may apply for your license online or by mail via the TREC website. You will have one year from the date of your application to complete the remaining procedures necessary to become a Texas agent, after which your application will be closed. It’s also worth mentioning that the state will want fees as well as time in order to complete your application:
- Processing time: Processing and approval of your application might take up to four weeks on average.
- $185 for a real estate application in Texas (online, checks, money orders).
Your Texas real estate license will be considered inactive after your application has been approved until you pass the real estate test and locate a sponsoring brokerage. The state will only declare an applicant’s license as active after that. You’ll need the following to apply for your first license:
However, you may utilize the Sales Agent Sponsorship Form instead of the Application for Inactive Sales License if you have already found a brokerage to sponsor you prior to completing your test and being accepted by TREC.
4. Get Your Fingerprint & Background Check
TREC mandates that all candidates undergo a background check and have their fingerprints recorded. MorphoTrust, a third-party firm, does fingerprinting. If you’ve previously supplied fingerprints, they should be saved and you won’t need to do so again. If you don’t have fingerprints, you may schedule an appointment with MorphoTrust at a time and place that suits you. If you haven’t been fingerprinted for TREC before, the fee is $38.25, with an extra $10 for first-time license applicants.
5. Take the Real Estate Exam in Texas
You should be ready to schedule and pass your real estate test now that you’ve finished all of the paperwork and classes. The Texas real estate licensing test has a 60% success rate, and you will have three chances to pass the national and state components. After each try, you will get a scorecard detailing which portions you excelled at and which you failed, allowing you to prioritize your study.
You have 24 hours after your unsuccessful attempt to reschedule your test. If you fail one section of the test three times, you’ll have to complete another 30 hours of classes. If you fail both parts, you will be required to complete an extra 60 hours of instruction.
Details about the Texas Real Estate Exam
Make Your Exam Appointment
Exams are organized via PearsonVUE, a multinational testing business that also conducts Texas real estate exams. You will get a copy of the Candidate Handbook when you register, which will assist you in preparing for the test day. You may pay the $54 exam cost with a credit card, debit card, or voucher straight on the Pearson website.
We propose Real Estate Test Scholar’s prep course to help you improve your abilities before the exam. They provide excellent test preparation at a reasonable cost. Even better, if you don’t pass the first time, they will refund your money.
6. Decide the company you want to work for.
To keep your Texas real estate license valid, you’ll need to locate a sponsoring agency and fill out a Sales Agent Sponsorship Form.
7. Get Your Real Estate Career Started
You’re ready to begin your real estate career now that you’ve learned how to become a real estate agent in Texas.
