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As of 2018 there were around 120,353 REALTORS® in the state of Texas. Texas has the highest membership number in the NAR. This business is ever-expanding for both consumers and real estate professionals.
Before you become a part of the one of the nations largest real estate markets, you should start with the why. Why do you want to become a real estate agent? Whether it’s for financial freedom, having a less restrictive schedule, or just simply wanting to help others, find your why. It could be anything but once you find what drives you. Why is this your passion? when you find your why you can move forward knowing you’re starting a business with purpose and reason.
There are a few main points to getting your license. Some of these actions could be done interchangeably and others have to be done in order. This is pretty much the exact route that I took when getting my license.
TREC (TEXAS REAL ESTATE COMMISSION) is the governing agency that oversees real estate professionals in the state of Texas. They will have all the guidelines and specifications on their website. Look at TREC requirements under the “Become Licensed Tab”.
Search for qualifying education under the TREC website education tab. If you have taken some real estate courses in college it may count toward your education. You just need to submit a transcript to be sure.
File an application. This is recommended before you take your exam as the state of texas could take a while to process applications.
Texas requires a fingerprint background check must be preformed before you have an active license. Again this doesn’t have to be done in this order, but things could get backed up due to many applicants.
Once you have passed 180 hours of education you must submit it to the state
Take licensing exam the exam consists of two part the state and national exam. Find a local test administrator to take your exam.
Find a broker and brokerage research, research research before you join a brokerage. You may NOT perform any license activities without being active. An active broker must activate your license before you do anything.
Lastly your license should be active status now. If not contact TREC and your broker. It’s all easier said than done, but you are not alone in your journey. Remember everyone had to start somewhere.
Hidden costs to be aware of I was actually surprised by some of the costs in the process of getting my license. Make sure you have enough saved for all the fees such as the exam, new brokerage fees, class fees, background check fee, and if you join a board/MLS , you have to pay board dues. Becoming an agent is not cheap. Make sure to budget before you start your real estate journey.
