How it Works

REQUIREMENTS FOR A LICENSE

• Citizen of the United States or lawfully admitted alien
• 18 years of age or older
• Meet TREC’s qualifications for honesty, trustworthiness, and integrity

To File Online

Go to TREC’s website at: http://www.trec.state.tx.us/onlineservices_status.asp.

The information requested online is the same as on the paper application. You may either scan and send your education documents electronically to documents@trec.texas.gov or fax them to 512-936-3863 with a copy of your completed application. TREC has a new “Check Application Status” feature located on their home page (middle of page on left side).

To Mail Application

Texas Real Estate Commission, P.O. Box 12188, Austin, TX 78711-2188

NOTE: Filling the application out online will speed up the application process considerably.

Steps to getting a real estate license in Texas

Fitness Determination
If you have any criminal offenses, unpaid judgments, had discipline taken against a professional or occupational license, or have performed unlicensed activity you should consider requesting a Fitness Determination BEFORE applying for your license. The FD process is significantly less expensive (currently $52) than paying for an application, examination, and education necessary to receive a license.

Before you apply for a license, you can request that the Commission make a fitness determination to see if you meet TREC’s qualifications for honesty, trustworthiness, and integrity.

Find comprehensive details about the FD process on TREC’s website.

The following steps must be completed in order:

STEP 1: Take the six (6) TREC-required Pre-licensing courses (We offer this in a 7-Course package that includes the exam prep course)

STEP 2: Once you have completed your courses and received all six (6) Course Completion Certificates, submit the following to TREC:

1. Application for Inactive Salesperson License;
2. Salesperson Sponsorship Form.
   *Both Forms can be found on TREC’s website at: https://www.trec.texas.gov/licensing-forms
3. Copies of Certificates of Completion (DO NOT submit the originals) must be emailed to documents@trec.texas.gov. Keep originals for future reference. (The Real Estate Business School does not store certificates). TREC will send you a confirmation email within 1-2 business days of receiving your certificates.

STEP 3: Receive TREC eligibility letter which is emailed to you within 2-3 weeks of submitting your completed application. (This letter will have an ID number needed for Steps 4-6).

STEP 4: Get Fingerprinted

STEP 5: Get background check

STEP 6: Schedule state exam with PearsonVUE

STEP 7: Take state exam

STEP 8: Receive license in the mail

APPLYING FOR A REAL ESTATE SALESPERSON’S OR REAL ESTATE BROKER’S LICENSE

The Texas Real Estate Commission has established the requirements for qualification for a real estate salesperson or broker license. If you have filed an application and met TREC’s qualifications, you have one year from the date the application was filed to pass your examination.

Texas Residents

You must pass both the state and national portions of the Texas real estate exam. However, if you currently hold an active license in another state and passed the national portion of an exam that is ARELLO approved, the national portion of the exam may be waived.

FINGERPRINT AND CRIMINAL HISTORY REQUIREMENTS

Pursuant to §1101.3521 of the Texas Real Estate License Act, any person applying for a broker or salesperson license must be fingerprinted specifically for TREC and pass a background history check before a license will issue.

When you pass the examination, your license will not issue until TREC receives your criminal history report from the DPS and the FBI and clears your background history check. TREC encourages applicants to use the electronic fingerprinting process. Electronic fingerprinting is fast and accurate, and in most cases will avoid potential delays in the processing of applications.

All fingerprints taken for TREC at MorphoTrust locations are electronically transmitted to the DPS and the FBI for criminal history background checks. A fingerprint processing fee must be paid to MorphoTrust to cover the cost of the criminal history reports.

ELECTRONIC FINGERPRINTING

When you have received your exam eligibility letter form TREC you may schedule a fingerprint appointment through MorphoTrust. You will need the TREC ID number from the eligibility letter when making your appointment.

Candidates may call (888) 467-2080 (hours – Monday – Friday, 8 AM – 5 PM Central Time) to make a fingerprint reservation or by going online to TREC’s website at https://www.trec.texas.gov/fingerprint-requirements.

FINGERPRINTING FOR TEXAS NON-RESIDENTS

Applicants who reside outside of Texas may have an option to be fingerprinted in a location near them during the registration process through MorphoTrust. If this option is unavailable, applicants must print the waiver at the end of the online registration and contact TREC to request a TREC-specific Hard Card. This Hard Card contains coding that the DPS and FBI require. Fingerprints submitted on a generic card will be rejected because the generic card does not include TREC-specific information. The TREC-specific card is available at the TREC offices in Austin and through the mail upon request at information@trec.texas.gov.

WHO IS PEARSONVUE?

The Texas Real Estate Commission has established the requirements for qualification for a salesperson or broker license. Applicants should read the PearsonVUE Candidate Handbook, and any other information provided by the Texas Real Estate Commission before making a reservation for any licensing examination. Applicants must meet all education and experience requirements if applicable and receive an eligibility letter from TREC before they make an examination reservation.