A sales agent is a person who is licensed by the Real Estate Commission to act as an agent on behalf of a real estate broker and their clients. A sales agent must be sponsored by a licensed Broker in order to perform any act of real estate services.

Qualifications

• Citizen of the United States or lawfully admitted alien
• 18 years of age or older
• Meet TREC’s qualifications for honesty, trustworthiness, and integrity
  • Consider requesting a Fitness Determination before applying for the license

Requirements

You have one year from the date your application is filed to meet all the license requirements below.

Take Qualifying Education Courses

A sales agent applicant must complete 180 classroom hours of the following qualifying real estate courses:

• Principles of Real Estate I (30 classroom hours)
• Principles of Real Estate II (30 classroom hours)
• Law of Agency (30 classroom hours)
• Law of Contracts (30 classroom hours)
• Promulgated Contract Forms (30 classroom hours)
• Real Estate Finance (30 classroom hours)

First, find a qualifying education provider. After completing your course work, you are welcome to submit a course and instructor evaluation. 

Once your courses are complete, you will receive a course completion certificate. You will need to upload your course completion documents when you apply online using the REALM Portal. 

If you completed any of the above qualifying real estate courses through an accredited college/university for academic credit, upload a transcript for evaluation. Please note that a college transcript generally will not satisfy qualifying real estate course requirements unless you have taken the specific courses outlined above.

For an efficient application process, wait to submit your application until all of your qualifying education is completed and your certificates are uploaded as PDF documents.

Submit Your Online Application

Apply Online

Submit your application and fee to become a Sales Agent using the REALM Portal. If you don’t already have a username and password for our REALM Portal, you must create an account first.

The Sales Agent Application is listed when you click "Create Application" in the REALM Portal. Please do not submit your application until all of your pre-licensing education is uploaded and the application is complete. You will not be able to make changes to your application when it is "Submitted" status.

Get Your Fingerprints Taken and Pass Your Background Check

You are required by law to have fingerprints on file with the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) so a background check can be performed. Fingerprints on file for other agencies will not be accepted.

You will receive an email to schedule your fingerprints after your application status changes from "Submitted" to "In Review." Please do not contact the agency requesting a fingerprint letter if your status is "Submitted."

Expect a delay if you are notified of an investigation into your background history. You will not receive a license if you do not pass the background check.

Pass the Exam

License exams are administered by PearsonVUE, a testing service company.

Once we have reviewed your education to ensure you have completed it, you will receive an email from no-reply@notices.trec.texas.gov with instructions for scheduling the state and/national exams.

If you fail either exam three times, you will be required to complete additional education before you can test again.

Find a Sponsor

After meeting the above requirements, you will be issued an inactive license. You must be sponsored by a broker to move to active status and be able to practice. brokerage activity. You or your sponsoring broker can complete a sponsorship request using the REALM Portal.