How Long Does it Take to Get a Texas Real Estate License?

Becoming a licensed real estate agent in Texas can open doors to a rewarding and flexible career. If you’re considering this path, one of your main questions might be, “How long does it take to get a Texas real estate license?” In this article, we’ll break down the steps involved and provide a realistic timeline from start to finish.

Total Time to Get Your Texas Real Estate License:

In general, it takes 3 to 6 months from the time you begin your pre-license education to when you’re officially licensed. Here’s a summary of the estimated time for each step:

• Pre-License Education: 4-10 weeks
• Application Submission: 1-2 weeks
• Fingerprinting and Background Check: 1-2 weeks
• Exam Preparation and Completion: 1-4 weeks
• Finding a Sponsoring Broker: 1-4 weeks
• License Activation: 1-2 weeks

Important Note About License Eligibility

Before starting the licensing process, it is important to understand whether you are eligible to receive a Texas real estate license.  As an overview, you must be at least 18 years old, be a U.S. citizen or lawful resident and meet the Texas Real Estate Commission’s (TREC) standards for honestly, trustworthiness, and integratory (which means you need to pass a background check). If you’re concerned about the background check, consider taking a Fitness Determination testto confirm your eligibility before starting the process.

Step 1: Complete the Required Pre-License Education (4-10 weeks)

Texas requires you to complete 180 hours of pre-license education through a TREC-approved real estate school such as License Classroom. The coursework is divided into six courses:

• Principles of Real Estate I (30 hours)
• Principles of Real Estate II (30 hours)
• Law of Agency (30 hours)
• Law of Contracts (30 hours)
• Promulgated Contract Forms (30 hours)
• Real Estate Finance (30 hours)

The time it takes to complete these courses depends on your schedule. If you’re studying full-time, you could finish in as little as 4 weeks. For those balancing work or other commitments, it could take up to 10 weeks or more. Online courses offer more flexibility and often allow you to complete coursework at your own pace.

Step 2: Submit Your License Application (1-2 weeks)

Once you’ve completed your education, you’ll need to submit an application to TREC, along with the necessary documentation and application fees. This process typically takes 1 to 2 weeks, but it may vary depending on how quickly you gather your materials and how long it takes TREC to process your application.

Step 3: Get Fingerprinted and Pass a Background Check (1-2 weeks)

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) needs your fingerprints on file to conduct a background check. It’s a fast and easy process to sign up for an appointment on TREC’s website. The background check process usually takes 1 to 2 weeks.

Step 4: Prepare for and Pass the Texas Real Estate Exam (1-4 weeks)

After TREC approves your application, you’ll be eligible to take the Texas real estate exam. The exam covers both national and state-specific real estate laws and practices. To increase your chances of passing on the first try, most applicants spend 1 to 4 weeks preparing. It is highly recommended to take an exam prep course to prepare.

Once you feel ready, you can schedule your exam through Pearson VUE, the official exam provider. If you pass the exam, you can move on to the final step!

Step 5: Find a Sponsoring Broker (1-4 weeks)

In Texas, you must be sponsored by a licensed broker to activate your real estate license. You can start searching for a sponsoring broker while preparing for your exam. The time this takes depends on your networking efforts and finding the right fit for your career goals. In general, it takes most agents 1 to 4 weeks to find a broker.

Step 6: Activate Your License (1-2 weeks)

Once you’ve passed your exam and secured a sponsoring broker, TREC will activate your license. This step typically takes 1 to 2 weeks, after which you’ll officially be licensed to practice real estate in Texas.

Conclusion

While the process can take anywhere from a few months to half a year, the timeline is largely up to you. By staying organized, dedicating time to study, and finding the right sponsoring broker, you can efficiently work through the steps to get your Texas real estate license and start your new career.