Real Estate Agent in Texas
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for TX
How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Texas
To become a licensed Real Estate Agent in Texas, individuals must complete 180 hours of approved pre-licensing education, pass the Texas Real Estate Sales Agent Exam, and submit an application to the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC). Applicants must be at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen or lawfully admitted alien, and pass a background check. Texas does not offer reciprocity with other states, meaning all applicants must fulfill the state's specific licensing requirements.
Real Estate Agent Requirements in Texas
| Detail | Texas |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) |
| State License Required | Yes |
| Education | 180-hour pre-licensing course |
| Exam | Texas Real Estate Sales Agent Exam (Pearson VUE) ($43) |
| Application Fee | $205 |
| Renewal | Every 2.0 years |
| Continuing Education | 18.0 hours per cycle |
| Notes | Applicants must be at least 18 years old and a U.S. citizen or lawfully admitted alien. A background check and fingerprints are required. A 90-hour Sales Agent Apprentice Education (SAE) course is required for the first renewal, in addition to 8 hours of Legal Update I & II. If designated as a supervisor, a 6-hour Broker Responsibility Course is also required for the first renewal. For subsequent renewals, 18 hours of CE are required, including 4 hours of Legal Update I, 4 hours of Legal Update II, and 3 hours of contract-related coursework. |
License Tiers
Texas offers multiple tiers of real estate agent licensing:
| Tier | Hours Required |
|---|---|
| Sales Agent | N/A |
| Broker | N/A |
Real Estate Agent Salary in Texas
The median real estate agent salary in Texas is $50,150 per year, which is 11.0% below the national median of $56,320.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $31,150 |
| 25th | $37,120 |
| 50th (median) | $50,150 |
| 75th | $84,040 |
| 90th (experienced) | $136,250 |
Texas employs approximately 21,270 real estate agents.
Real Estate Agent Job Outlook
AI Impact on Real Estate Agents
High AI Exposure (Score: 0.86/1.00)
Many tasks in this career are susceptible to AI automation. Long-term career planning should account for potential disruption.
Is Becoming a Real Estate Agent in Texas Worth It?
Factors to consider: Texas's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, moderate job growth, elevated AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.