Before going into the details of getting a real estate license in Texas, let us take a quick look at the career options before you in this field in this state.
Once you get a real estate license, you can choose to specialize in different fields within the industry in Texas.
- Commercial real estate is where you deal in premium office spaces, retail, and industrial properties.
- Residential real estate is where you help buyers get their dream homes and sellers to dispose of their properties. Within this niche, you can also opt for luxury properties where the sales might be slow but you earn a massive commission once a deal goes through.
- Property management where you will look after rental properties on a turnkey basis. You will be responsible for liaising between the landlord and the tenant, collecting rent, and taking care of maintenance and repairs.
All these channels are high-paying options and you can make a rewarding career in whichever one you choose. However, to make your goals come true, your first step would be to get a real estate license in Texas. Without one, you cannot start your real estate practice in the state.
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Steps to Get A Real Estate License in Texas
# Meet basic eligibility norms
These norms are standard all over the USA. You must be at least 18 years old and a citizen of the US. Those who have been legally allowed to migrate to the USA and have been granted working rights can also apply for a real estate license in Texas. You are also required to complete high school or equivalent.
# Complete pre-licensing education
In Texas, it is mandatory to complete 180 hours of pre-licensing education. This is laid down by the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC), the body that controls the real estate industry in the state. The full pre-licensing coursework is broken down into 6 modules of 30 hours each. Subjects covered are as follows:
- Principles of Real Estate I
- Principles of Real Estate II
- Law of Agency
- Law of Contracts
- Promulgated Contracts
- Real Estate Finance
It is essential for aspiring real estate agents in the state to get knowledge and develop the skill sets required to be a successful real estate agent in Texas. This course is a way to meet this goal.
Several schools offer pre-licensing courses but only those that are approved by the TREC are counted towards being allowed to sit for the licensing exam. Hence, before selecting a course provider, visit the TREC portal to check the list of approved schools in Texas.
You can choose between an online course and a classroom setting depending on your preferred learning style.
Online courses are more flexible and convenient for candidates. Not only can you fix your study time based on your daily routine but you can also study any time from anywhere provided you have an Internet-enabled device with you. There are no fixed timing of a classroom and you need not spend hours commuting to and from a school.
One of the top pre-licensing course providers to get a real estate license in Texas is RealEstateU. Their courses are designed by leading real estate professionals and the instructions are downloadable so you can study on the go even without an Internet connection.
They also offer a study guide and test prep that replicate the format of the questions on test day. You therefore get to face the licensing exam with added confidence. Most importantly, their courses are very affordable and among the lowest priced in this niche.
# Fingerprint verification
Submit your fingerprints to the authorities for verification of any past criminal records. This is required since real estate agents must have good moral standards and trustworthiness. Failure to get a clearance will make you ineligible for a real estate license in Texas.
# Schedule your licensing exam
Schedule a date for the licensing exam through TREC by paying the required test fee. The exam is conducted online at designated centers in the state as decided by TREC. You must be physically present at a center to appear for the licensing exam.
# Appear for the licensing exam and pass it
The licensing exam consists of two parts – the national section that is common throughout the country and the state-specific section dealing with the real estate rules and regulations prevailing in Texas. The questions are in a multiple-choice format and you must score at least 75% to crack the exam.
Since the exam is held online, the results are declared in a pass/fail grade at the center itself soon after the exam is completed.
# Apply for a real estate license
After passing the real estate licensing exam, visit the TREC portal, pay the fee, and apply for a license. Download the application form, fill it out accurately, and attach proof of having completed all the eligibility norms. These include a certificate of going through a 180-hour state-approved course, a fingerprint fitness certificate, and proof of having passed the licensing exam.
You will now be awarded a real estate license in Texas by TREC but you have to wait to complete the last step before it is activated.
# Find a sponsoring broker
You must get a brokerage firm to sponsor and mentor you during the initial stages of your career. You will be offered office space and the necessary infrastructure to set up your practice including client referrals.
Your real estate license in Texas will now be activated and you can move forward to a successful career as a real estate professional in the state.
