Proctored Exam Requirements for Texas Pre-License & SAE Courses

If you’re preparing to start or advance your real estate career in Texas, you may be wondering about the exam requirements for your courses.If you’re preparing to start or advance your real estate career in Texas, you may be wondering about the exam requirements for your courses. As of September 3, 2025, the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) has removed the proctoring requirement for final course exams in both Texas pre-license and Sales Apprentice Education (SAE) courses. This means students can complete their exams entirely online, without the need to schedule a proctor or travel to a testing site.

An important note: the state licensing exam administered by Pearson VUE remains proctored and closed book.

No Proctoring Required

Texas students taking pre-license or SAE courses can complete their course final exams in an open-book format. You are allowed to reference your course materials during the exam, making the process more convenient and flexible.

This means there are no logistical challenges of coordinating with a proctor while still ensuring students focus on mastering the material.

What About the State Licensing Exam?

It’s important to note that while your course final exams are open-book and not proctored, the Texas real estate licensing exam is a separate requirement. The licensing exam is administered by Pearson VUE, proctored, and is strictly closed-book.

Passing your course exams is a necessary step toward qualifying for the state licensing exam, but you’ll need to prepare for both.

How to Approach Open-Book Exams

Even though you can use your materials, treating the course exams like true assessments will better prepare you for the state exam and your future career. Here are a few tips:

• Study thoroughly in advance. Use your notes as a backup, not a primary resource during the test.
• Understand key concepts. Contracts, agency law, disclosure, and ethics are core topics every agent must know by heart.
• Practice exam conditions. Work through practice questions under timed conditions to build confidence.

Why This Matters for Students

This streamlined process makes real estate education more accessible and manageable. You’ll save time and reduce stress while still building the knowledge you need to succeed in your career. At the same time, it emphasizes the importance of learning for understanding—not just passing a test.

At License Classroom, our Texas pre-license and SAE courses are designed to go beyond test prep. We provide interactive, engaging content that helps you truly understand the material so you can confidently serve clients once licensed.

Final Thoughts

Proctoring is not part of the course final exam process for Texas pre-license and SAE courses, giving students more freedom to complete their education on their own schedule. While exams are open-book, success still comes from mastering the material—not just referencing it.

Once you’ve passed your courses, you’ll still need to tackle the proctored, closed-book state licensing exam with Pearson VUE. With the right preparation, you’ll be ready to succeed at every step of the journey.

If you’re ready to begin your path to becoming a licensed Texas real estate agent, explore our Texas pre-license courses and Texas SAE courses.