The Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) implemented updates aimed at improving transparency, strengthening broker qualifications, and modernizing license management processes. These changes—some from Senate Bill 1968—took effect January 1, 2026, and are now actively shaping how brokers qualify, operate, and maintain compliance.

The Broker Responsibility Advisory Committee (BRAC) met on October 15 and reviewed public comments and discussed concerns about transaction coordinators and how people fill out the Information About Brokerage Services form.

Whether you are applying for a new license, renewing your license, setting up a business entity registration, and more, the best and most secure way to pay Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) fees is through the agency’s online services portal. Plus, you can pay online whenever is convenient for you—the tool is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and 365 days a year.

The Texas Real Estate Broker Responsibility Advisory Committee (BRAC) met on July 16, 2025, for the first time post the regular legislative session. Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) staff briefed committee members on the passage of Senate Bill 1968. The remainder of the meeting was a review of potential changes to the education and experience requirements for a broker license.

SB 1968: TREC’s Housekeeping Bill

SB 1968 passed and is effective January 1, 2026. BRAC’s recommendations included in this bill are:

After reviewing public comments and feedback from Commissioners, the Broker Responsibility Advisory Committee (BRAC) met on April 8 to continue its discussion over the minimum experience points and education hours required to earn a broker’s license. Meeting highlights also include the group reminding brokers of the timeframe for removing TREC-registered team names.

The 88th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, began January 10, 2023, and ends May 29, 2023. This session opened with the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) and Texas Appraiser Licensing Board (TALCB) following 358 bills relevant to the administration of the agency.  A much smaller number will become law, one of relevance to Texas real estate license holders.

The Texas Real Estate Inspector Committee (TREIC) met April 18.

The Broker Responsibility Working Group (BRWG) met April 12. Members reviewed public comment submitted in response to a new proposed rule, 535.157 — Obligation to Respond Timely, and proposed changes to 535.2 — Broker Responsibility Rule. The group also continued discussion regarding the difference between a broker and a sponsoring broker, and whether there should be additional education requirements for sponsoring brokers.

This course will replace the two inspector non-elective CE courses, 4-hour Inspector Legal & Ethics, and 4-hour Standards of Practice Review course that will expire on August 31, 2021. 

On June 2, 2021, TREC inactivated broker business entity licenses in error.  Upon discovery of the error, staff worked to resolve the issue and all licenses were restored by Friday, June 4, 2021.  For purposes of full disclosure, we wanted our license holders to know the details of what occurred and what we are doing to avoid any similar incident in the future.