Acquiring a Texas Real Estate License
The educational courses required by the TREC include 60 classroom hours of Principles of Real Estate, 30 classroom hours of Law of Agency, 30 classrooms hours of Law of Contracts as well as another 34 classroom hours of core real estate courses. Candidates must submit proof of completion to the TREC with a credit transcript or certificate along with $20. After the TREC receives the proper proof of completion, it then will present the candidate with a letter of satisfaction for educational requirements. This letter must be received before the candidate can apply for the Texas Real Estate License.
The application asks candidates their height, weight, sex and ethnic group. The application also asks if the candidate has ever been licensed in Texas or another state as a Real Estate salesperson. If the candidate answers yes to these questions, the application asks them to explain. The next thing the application covers is has the candidate ever had a professional or occupational licensed revoked, suspended, canceled or surrendered. If the answer to this question is yes, then they will need to explain the situation. The application goes on to ask if there are any disciplinary hearings or investigations pending against any professional or occupational licenses that the candidate may hold. If so, the candidate will need to submit copies of all orders, notices, disapprovals, investigative reports as well as a written explanation. The application continues to ask the candidate if they have any unpaid judgments or civil suits pending and if so, to submit copies of all petitions and judgments along with a written explanation. The application also asks if the candidate has ever been convicted of a criminal offense, which includes felonies and misdemeanors other than traffic tickets. The candidate is also asked if they have ever been on probation or community supervision or have any criminal charges pending. If the answer is yes to this question, then the candidate will need to submit copies of all indictments, information, judgments, orders and charges with a written explanation. The application goes on to cover aliases and work history for the past 5 years. The entire application must be filled out in ink or type written.
Filing this application authorizes the TREC to run a background check on the candidate. Information revealed in the background check can be used to disapprove the candidate’s application, even if all the other requirements are met. After the background check is complete and approved by the TREC, the candidate will receive notification as to whether the candidate has been approved or not. If approved, the candidate will receive a copy of the Candidate Information Brochure to register for the exam. After registering for the exam, the TREC will inform the candidate of the time and location of the exam. The candidate will need to forms of identification at the exam site. One form must be government issued such as a driver’s license and the other form must have a signature and preprinted name on it. The exam tests the candidate’s knowledge regarding the principles, practices statutes and regulations relating to real estate.
After the candidate has passed the exam, they are considered licensed real estate salespersons, but they must have a Texas Real Estate broker with an active license to sponsor them.
