If your license is inactive and you are ready to return to active status, you must complete the required continuing education (CE) and submit a request to return your license to active status through the Real Estate and Appraiser License Management (REALM) Portal.
Before You Begin
Before requesting active status, make sure you:
- Have completed the required CE.
- Have your CE posted to your TREC record (use the License Holder Search to review education TREC has on file).
- Are prepared to pay the applicable fee.
- Have not performed activity requiring a license while your license was inactive.
TREC does not allow license holders to perform real estate brokerage activities while their license is inactive.
How TREC Calculates CE When You Return To Active Status
CE is counted backward two years from the date you apply to return to active status. This applies to both sales agents and brokers.
The CE you complete to return to active status is not considered "extra" CE. It can count toward your next renewal.
Sales Agents Returning To Active Status
To return an inactive sales agent license to active status, you must complete 18 hours of approved CE. The CE must include:
- Legal Update I: Four hours.
- Legal Update II: Four hours.
- Contract-related coursework: Three hours.
- Elective CE: Seven hours.
If you are a delegated supervisor, your 18 hours must include the six-hour Broker Responsibility Course. In that case, you must complete one hour of elective CE instead of seven hours.
Brokers Returning To Active Status
Brokers must complete this CE to return to active status:
- Legal Update I and II: Eight hours.
- Contracts: Three hours.
- Broker Responsibility Course: Six hours.
- Elective: One hour.
Once your required education is on file, you can submit your request to return to active status through the REALM Portal.
How To Request Active Status in the REALM Portal
Once your required CE is complete and posted to your record:
- Log in to the REALM Portal.
- Select My Records.
- Locate your license and select Amendment in the Action column.
- Select Return to Active Status from the Type of Change Request menu.
- Select Continue Application.
- Review the certification and check the box to agree.
- Select Continue Application.
- Review the fee and select Continue Application.
- Submit the fee and your request.
Allow time for processing after submitting your request.
After Your License Is Returned To Active Status
Sales Agents
You must have an active sponsorship relationship with a Texas broker before you can conduct activities that require a real estate license.
Brokers
If your sponsorship or designated broker relationships were terminated when your license became inactive, you must re-establish those relationships after your license is returned to active status.
Important: You Cannot Practice While Inactive
An inactive license does not authorize you to perform activities that require an active real estate license. Conducting brokerage activity while inactive is considered unlicensed activity and may result in disciplinary action.
Customer Survey
Rules and Laws
Contract Forms