How to Look Up Your Texas Real Estate License Online

Whether you’re a real estate professional checking your credentials or a potential client verifying an agent’s license, knowing how to look up a Texas real estate license online is important. Fortunately, the process is quick and straightforward, thanks to the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC). Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you through the process.

1. Visit the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) Website

The first step is to go to the official website of the Texas Real Estate Commission. This is where all licensed real estate agents, brokers, and other professionals are listed. Open your browser and visit www.trec.texas.gov.

2. Navigate to the License Holder Search Tool

TREC provides a dedicated search tool to look up any real estate license. You can find this tool easily on their website.

• Look for the “License Holder Search” option, located under the “Public” tab
• Click on it to go directly to the search page.

3. Enter License Holder Information

Once you’ve arrived at the search page, you’ll need to input specific details to pull up the correct information. You can search using the following fields:

• First and Last Name: If you know the name of the agent or broker you’re searching for, enter it in the fields provided.
• License Number: If you have the individual’s license number, this will provide the most accurate results.
• City or County: For a more targeted search, you can enter the city or county where the agent is based.

4. Review the License Details

After entering the information, hit the “Search” button. The system will provide a list of results matching your search criteria. Click on the appropriate name to view more details.

Here’s the type of information you can expect:

• Name: The legal name of the license holder, along with alternative names such as nicknames or assumed business names.
• License Number: Their TREC assigned license number.
• License Status: Whether the license is active, inactive, or expired.
• License Type: Whether it’s a sales agent or broker license.
• Expiration Date: The current validity of the license.

5. Verifying License Expiration and Status

Ensuring that the real estate professional you’re working with has a valid, up-to-date license is crucial. If the license has expired or is inactive, that agent or broker may not legally represent clients in real estate transactions in Texas. Make sure to note the expiration date and license status. If you are a license holder, it is important to check this information to ensure your license status is as expected. Here’s the most common license status types and their meaning:

• Active: The license holder is legally allowed to engage in real estate activities.
• Inactive: The license holder cannot engage in real estate activities but still maintains the license. This typically occurs when an agent is not currently sponsored by a broker.
• Expired: The license is no longer valid due to failure to renew by the expiration date. In order for an agent to renew their license, they will need to complete their renewal courses. If the license holder is renewing their license for the first time, they need to complete 98 hours of TREC approved Sales Agent Apprentice Education (SAE) or if they have already renewed once they need to complete 18 hours of TREC approved Continuing Education (CE).
• Suspended: The license is temporarily invalid due to disciplinary action.
• Revoked: The license is permanently invalid due to severe disciplinary action.

In addition, you will be able to view a detailed record of any disciplinary actions on the license holder’s record.  This will help you determine if the agent has been in trouble with TREC.

6. Bookmark the Tool for Future Use

For professionals who need to check their status regularly or clients who want to verify agents before working with them, it’s a good idea to bookmark the TREC License Holder Search Tool for quick access.