How to Get Your Texas Real Estate License

You may be surprised to find out how fast and convenient it can be to take classes to become a licensed Texas Real Estate Agent.

As housing prices continue to fall, the number of real estate investors is on the rise. If you don’t have the resources yourself to invest, obtaining your Texas Real Estate License may be an ideal way to get in the game and supplement your income. You may be surprised to find out how fast and convenient it can be to become a licensed Texas Real Estate Agent.

1. Successfully Complete the Education Requirements. The Texas Real Estate Commission requires you to have the equivalent of 210 classroom hours (seven 30-hour classes) before you are able to apply for a Texas Real Estate License. You will need to complete 60 hours of Principles of Real Estate courses, 30 hours of Law of Contracts, 30 hours of Law of Agency, and 30 hours of an additional core real estate courses. You must also complete another four semesters (60 classroom hours) in core courses or acceptable related courses. The Commission’s website has a full listing of these courses.

2. Submit Evaluation of Education Documents. Once you have completed all the Commission’s requirements, you will need to fill out the Evaluation of Education Document Form and send copies of your transcripts and certificates to the Texas Real Estate Commission. A fee of $30.00 is required for the evaluation of education documents for the purpose of determining if the requirements have been met. The evaluation process generally takes 10 business days, and you will receive an evaluation letter from the Commission confirming the satisfaction of all education requirements.

3. Get Fingerprinted. Beginning January 1, 2008, any person applying for a broker or salesperson license must have their fingerprints on file with the Department of Public Safety. Information on this is included with the Evaluation of Education Document Form. License applicants must get fingerprints taken within six months of the date the application.

4. File Your Application. Once the Commission notifies you that your education requirements have been met, you are ready to submit the real estate application and required fee (currently $104.50) to the Texas Real Estate Commission. You can file and pay online which will speed up the application process considerably. Once your application has been received, processed, and accepted, you will receive notification that you may obtain a copy of the Candidate Information Brochure (CIB). A copy of the CIB can be downloaded from the PSI exam web site (PSI is a testing service company). The CIB will provide instructions on how to register and reserve a spot to take the exam, and also includes study material and instructions about licensing. You should not attempt to register for the exam without first receiving notification from the Commission.

5. Study For and Pass the Exam. The State exam is divided into two parts, a theory portion (based on National practices) and a Texas-specific portion. As with any exam, it’s essential that you thoroughly prepare. There is a wealth of real estate training materials out there to help you from books to audio coaching series. The Texas Institute of Real Estate also offers live and correspondence courses that cover the material you will need to know for the State exam.

6. Obtain Sponsorship. Before you can practice as a licensed salesperson you must arrange for an active  Texas real estate broker to sponsor you. After you pass the exam, once a broker holding an active license has mailed a request to the Commission to act as your sponsor, you may begin to sell real estate.

If you think now may be the right time to get your Texas Real Estate License, it may not be as hard as you thought. The process is simple, and a small investment of your time and money could equal great rewards in the long run.