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How Long Does It Take to Become a Real Estate Agent in Texas?

Like all states, Texas requires that their real estate agents have a license. A license helps ensure that license holders have the knowledge and skills necessary to guide buyers and sellers through real estate transactions. The process of getting a Texas real estate sales agent license could be as quick as a few weeks or could span over a few months.  This all depends on the amount of time you are able to devote to the program.  Of course, the hours you put in will be well worth it. Once you have satisfied TREC’s (Texas Real Estate Commission) educational requirements and meet the license qualifications, it’s all downhill from there!

house model in hands of businessman

Pre-License Educational Timeline

Texas does not have any degree requirements for becoming a real estate sales agent.  The state does, however require the completion of a 180-hour real estate curriculum.  The curriculum is broken down into six, 30-hour courses.  According to TREC guidelines, students cannot complete more than 12 hours per day in the coursework instruction.  Under this requirement, the 180-hour program should take a minimum of 18 days to complete.  We realize many students may have work and/or family commitments which may prevent them completing this quickly.  Our convenient program allows students up to 120 days to complete. We do encourage students to complete the courses as soon as they possibly can though.  This is so that they will retain all of the information they have learned in order to be successful on the state licensing exam.

compiling paperwork

Inactive License Application Timeline

Once you have complete all six courses, you are eligible to complete your application to take the state licensing exam.  Ensure that you have included all course certificates as well as application fees. As long as you meet all licensing requirements, the time from submission of application and approval by TREC can be between 2-3 weeks. It could be longer if you submit by mail.   You are able to check the processing status on on TREC’s website under the Application Status Tracker.

If you have not done so, now is the time for you to register for and complete our online or textbook based exam prep. This period of time is the best time for you to review any subject areas you may have experienced difficulty in.  One of the best reasons to choose our program is that you have textbooks to refer back to while preparing for the exam!

fingerprinting process

Fingerprinting and Background Check Timeline

After TREC has approved your application, you will receive notification.  This notification will include your unique TREC ID number which you will use to make your exam/fingerprinting appointment.   You should plan on scheduling your fingerprinting appointment quickly to avoid any delays.

taking an exam

Texas Real Estate License Exam Timeline

You will need your TREC ID, to schedule an appointment for your licensing exam. Instructions on scheduling your licensing exam are provided to you in the notification you received from TREC.   For your convenience, the exam is offered at various testing locations throughout Texas.  Once you are ready, you will select the location that is most convenient and schedule your preferred date and time.  Available dates book up quickly, and you don’t want to forget everything you have learned, so we encourage you to register as soon as possible.

The licensing exam will be completed by you on a computer, and will be timed. You will actually complete two separate exams – one covering the National content and one covering the State content.  The National portion will have a time limit of 150 minutes and will contain 85 questions.  The State portion will have a time limit of 90 minutes and will contain 40 questions.  Once you have completed both portions, the exam monitor will print out your results and provide them to you.  You will know immediately if you have passed one or both portions of the exam.

If you pass both the state and national portion of the exam and meet all requirements, TREC will email you an inactive license, typically within 24 business hours. Should you not be successful in passing one or both portions, you will only have to retake the portion that you did not pass.  You will receive information for rescheduling your exam.  If you happen to fail the exam a third time, TREC will require you to complete an additional 30-hour course before you can retake it again.

Timeline to Obtain Sponsorship

You are required to have the sponsorship of a real estate broker in order to have an active sales agent license.  Your license will become active immediately upon passing if the sponsorship application has been submitted. Then you can start your career as a real estate professional. Otherwise, you will have to submit the sponsorship form later, once you have selected your sponsoring broker.

Conclusion

The entire process of completing the education to completing the licensing exam can take anywhere from 1 to 4 months.   Students who are able to complete the courses quickly can be on their way to an exciting career in approximately 1 month.  The amount of time it takes is stricly up to you!!  You will have one year from the time you submit the application with TREC to pass the licensing exam.

We have been an approved educational provider for the Texas Real Estate Commission for over 20 years!  We pride ourself on providing you with professional course materials and student support.  Contact us to learn more about being a Texas real estate sales agent and/or to register for our licensing program.

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