Are you looking to start a career in real estate in Texas? Real estate can be a lucrative opportunity, but it is crucial to understand the steps associated with obtaining and maintaining a real estate license in Texas.

1. 1. Meet the Eligibility Requirements
2. 1. Submit Your Application and Pay the Fees
3. 1. Complete a Pre-Licensing Course
4. 1. Pass the Texas Real Estate License Exam
5. 1. Find a Texas Real Estate Brokerage
6. 1. Obtain Errors and Omissions (E&O) Insurance
7. 1. Maintain Your TX Real Estate License

1. Meet the Eligibility Requirements

In order to apply for a real estate license in Texas, you must be at least 18 years old, a Citizen of the United States or a lawfully admitted alien, and meet Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) qualifications for honesty, trustworthiness, and integrity.

2. Submit Your Application and Pay the Fees

Before you can take the exam, you must submit your application for a real estate license to TREC. The application process includes a background check and requires a fee. Please visit: https://www.trec.texas.gov/

3. Complete a Pre-Licensing Course

Before you can take the real estate license exam, you must complete a pre-licensing course that covers the principles and practices of real estate. The course must be approved by the TREC and consist of 180 hours of instruction.  The course required include Principles of Real Estate I (30 classroom hours), Principles of Real Estate II (30 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)

4. Pass the Texas Real Estate License Exam

After completing the pre-licensing course, you will need to pass the state of Texas's real estate license exam. The exam consists of two parts:

1. National portion

2. State portion

You must pass both parts in order to obtain your Texas real estate license.

5. Find a Texas Real Estate Brokerage

In order to practice real estate, you must work under the supervision of a licensed brokerage. You will need to find a brokerage that is willing to sponsor you and help you get started in your career. Most brokerages will generally provide some training, access to a document library, E&O insurance, compliance review, and more. However, as a new licensee, most brokerages will not provide all of the additional training, mentoring, detailed supervision, and marketing services that many newer agents need to start their careers. As a result, you may want to consider working with a team to help you learn and grow your real estate business. 

6. Obtain Errors and Omissions (E&O) Insurance

As a licensed real estate agent in Texas, it is important to protect yourself from potential legal issues. Obtaining errors and omissions insurance, also known as professional liability insurance, is a good way to do this. Most real estate brokerages in Texas will provide coverage as a part of their benefits and services upon affiliation.

7. Maintain Your TX Real Estate License

In order to keep your real estate license active, If you are renewing for the first time, active or inactive, you must have a total of 270 qualifying real estate course hours, 4 hours of TREC's Legal Update I, and 4 hours of TREC's Legal Update II posted to your license record prior to submitting your renewal.

Conclusion

Obtaining a real estate license in Texas and becoming a real estate agent can be a complex but rewarding process. By following these steps and working hard, you can start a successful career in real estate and help people buy or sell a Big Country home. If you or anyone you know would like to learn more about joining our Team or are looking to buy, sell, or invest in Abilene, TX, please don't hesitate to reach out to the Best Abilene Real Estate Agents!