How Often Do You Need to Renew a Texas Real Estate License?

As a real estate professional in Texas, keeping your license active is essential to maintaining your career. The Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) requires all real estate agents and brokers to renew their licenses periodically. In this article, we’ll cover the renewal timeline, the requirements, and tips to ensure your license stays current.

How Often Do You Need to Renew a Texas Real Estate License?

In Texas, real estate agents and brokers must renew their licenses every two years. This ensures that professionals stay up to date with the latest laws, regulations, and best practices in the real estate industry.

First-Time Renewal:

For new agents, the first renewal comes with a few extra steps including additional education requirements. Within your first two years as a licensed real estate agent, you’ll need to complete the following:

• 98 hours of Sales Agent Apprentice Education (SAE): This includes 90 hours of courses such as real estate appraisal, investment and brokerage.  Additionally, you must take 4 hours of each Legal Update I & II.

Second or Subsequent Renewal Requirements:

After your initial renewal, the requirements for subsequent renewals include:

• 18 hours of Continuing Education (CE): This includes 4 hours each of Legal Update I & II, which are mandatory for all agents and brokers.  The remaining 10 hours can be elective courses on topics that enhance your real estate knowledge or skills, such as marketing, contracts, or property management.

How to Renew Your License:

TREC offers a straightforward process for license renewal. Here are the steps:

1. Complete the Required CE Courses: Make sure all your courses are approved by TREC. Many real estate schools offer both in-person and online options.
2. Submit Your Renewal Application: You can submit the renewal application online via the TREC website. Make sure to renew before your expiration date to avoid penalties.

Read the full guide on renewing your Texas real estate license

Penalties for Late Renewal:

If you miss the renewal deadline, you have up to six months to renew your license, but there will be additional penalties:

• Late Renewal Fees: A late fee is added to the regular renewal fee, increasing the cost.
• Inactive License: If you don’t renew within six months, your license will become inactive, preventing you from practicing real estate until it’s reinstated.

Tips for Staying on Top of Renewals:

• Set Reminders: Use calendar alerts or set reminders for at least 90 days before your renewal date.
• Take CE Courses Throughout the Year: Instead of waiting until the last minute, complete your Texas CE courses regularly. This spreads out the workload and ensures you stay up to date.
• Use TREC’s Online Services: TREC offers many resources to help agents track their license status, renew, and find approved CE courses.

Conclusion:

Renewing your Texas real estate license every two years is crucial for staying compliant and maintaining your ability to serve clients. By staying organized, completing your CE requirements on time, and using TREC’s tools, you can keep your career moving forward smoothly. Don’t let an expired license hold you back!