Getting a real estate license and embarking on a career in real estate can be a very exciting adventure. The process is really quite simple and can be accomplished in a relatively short amount of time. Here are 6 steps that will walk you through the process.
Step 1. Determine if you meet the qualifications.
In order to have a Texas real estate license you must meet the following:
- Be a citizen of the United States or a lawfully admitted alien.
- Are 18 years of age or older.
- Meet TREC’s qualifications for honesty, trustworthiness, and integrity.
Step 2. Obtain the required education.
Once you have determined that you meet the qualifications above, you will need to successfully complete 180 hours of education approved by the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC). The courses required by TREC are:
- Real Estate Principles I and II (60 classroom hours)
- Law of Agency (30 classroom hours)
- Law of Contracts (30 classroom hours)
- Promulgated Contract Forms (30 classroom hours)
- Real Estate Finance (30 classroom hours)
All coursework can be completed through Pioneer School of Real Estate. Our online catalog can be found at https://pioneerschool.pdx.catalog.canvaslms.com/
Step 3. File your application with TREC.
Applications to take the real estate exam, along with the application fee, can be submitted either online or by mail. Applications can be found on the TREC website at https://www.trec.texas.gov/
Step 4. Get fingerprints and a background check.
You will be required to have fingerprints on file as well as undergoing a background check. Fingerprints from other agencies are not acceptable by TREC. Also, if you feel that a background check may cause you to be ineligible to obtain a real estate license, you may want to submit a Fitness Determination form to TREC before registering to take your 180 hour qualifying courses. You can find this form on the TREC website. https://www.trec.texas.gov/forms/fitness-determination
Step 5. Take the exam.
You’re almost done! Once you have completed steps 1 through 4, and TREC has given you the go ahead, you are ready to take the exam. The real estate exams are conducted by a testing service company, PearsonVUE. TREC will give you instructions on how to register to take the exam after your application has been approved. If you don’t pass the exam after 3 attempts, additional education will be required. We are confident here at Pioneer School of Real Estate that if you have studied your course content and taken the review through our exam prep course, you will have a high probability of passing the exam on the first attempt.
Step 6. Find a sponsoring broker.
If you have found yourself at step 6 then congratulations are in order because you have passed your exam! Your final step is to find a sponsoring broker to hold your real estate license. Be sure and stay tuned for our next blog “How To Choose Your Sponsoring Broker”.