How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Texas

In this guide you’ll learn all the details you need to know to get your license and become a real estate agent in Texas.

You’ll learn the basic real estate licensing requirements in Texas, information about the exam including pass rates and test prep, reciprocity rules, county by county breakdowns of the most expensive real estate in Texas, and more.

Okay, grab a cup of coffee, and let’s start at the beginning.

Basic Texas Real Estate Licensing Requirements

Getting a real estate license in Texas is a little tougher compared to other states. You need a total of 180 classroom hours of commission-approved pre-licensing courses. In comparison, to get a license in Florida, real estate licenses require applicants to complete only 63 hours of courses. Here’s a quick breakdown of the real estate licensing requirements in Texas.

Pre-licensing Courses Required in Texas

In order to get a real estate license in Texas, you will need to complete 180 hours of real estate pre-licensing courses that will cover:

• Principles of Real Estate (60 hours)
• Law of Agency (30 hours)
• Law of Contracts (30 hours)
• Promulgated Contracts Forms (30 hours)
• Real Estate Finance (30 hours)

Texas Real Estate Exam Information

While the Texas Real Estate License exam has a higher passing rate (60 percent) than other states, you should still take studying for the test seriously.

If you’re looking for help in studying for the test, we recommend Real Estate Exam Scholar’s Exam prep course. They offer top-notch exam prep for an affordable price. Even better, they also offer a money back guarantee if you don’t pass on the first try.

Visit Real Estate Exam Scholar

Texas Pre Licensing Exam Questions

• Total of 110 multiple-choice questions (with a time limit of 150 minutes)
  • 80 questions on the national portion
  • 30 questions on the state (Texas) portion

What to Bring to the Exam

• 2 valid forms of identification with signatures. One ID must ideally be a government-issued Photo ID
• Confirmation number when the test reservation was made.
• Optional: A basic calculator and scrap paper.

Passing Score

You must earn a score of 70 to pass the Texas Real Estate Salesperson Exam (at least 56/80 on the national portion, and 21/30 on the Texas portion).

Pass Rate

60%

Age

Applicants must be at least 18 of age or older.

Residency

Applicants must be Texas residents.

Exemptions

Any active member of the Texas Bar who is in good standing and qualified under the real estate license law is exempt from taking the real estate salesperson course.

Processing Time

On average, it will take 3-4 months for your application to be processed and approved.

Online Real Estate Schools in Texas

While taking your real estate pre-licensing course in person can be helpful, online courses are typically less expensive and offer the same courses. Real Estate Express is a solid choice because its packages range from pre-licensing to continuing education, giving you the information you need no matter where you are in your real estate career. Click here to get started.

Visit Real Estate Express

Texas Real Estate License Reciprocity and Portability

If you plan on working in states besides Texas, then you need to know the real estate license reciprocity and portability laws for Texas.

• Reciprocity: Texas doesn’t have reciprocity with any other state.
• Portability: Physical Location

To learn more about real estate license portability in Texas, check out our guide on real estate license reciprocity and portability here.

How to Choose the Right Real Estate Company to Work For in Texas

Let’s face it. Choosing the right brokerage to work for in any state isn’t easy. In order to make your choice a little bit easier, check out our in-depth guide on choosing the right real estate company to work for.

Once you’ve finished reading the guide, check out our buyer’s guide comparing Keller Williams, RE/MAX, and Century 21 here.

If you’re curious about which Texas brokerages are the most successful, check out Real Trends list of the top real estate brokerages in Texas for 2017 below.

Dallas/Ft. Worth

Houston

*Data from Real Trends Market Leaders 2017

Texas Counties with Highest Average Listing Price and Highest Median Sales Price 2017

Let’s face it, higher listing prices mean higher commission checks! To get a sense of which counties offer the best opportunities for big bucks in Texas check out this sales data from Trulia’s Texas home price page below (week ending June 21):