A Texas real estate sales agent license runs on a two-year cycle, and the education you need to renew depends on whether it is your first renewal or a later one. Missing a requirement can mean extra fees, an inactive license, or a license that lapses. This guide for agents in Dallas, Fort Worth and the surrounding cities sums up what the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) says you need. Use it as a checklist, then confirm your own record on the TREC website before you renew.
How often a sales agent license renews
TREC says a real estate sales agent must renew the license every two years. You renew online through TREC's REALM portal, and TREC asks you to submit the renewal application and fee no later than your license expiration date to avoid additional fees. TREC also recommends finishing your coursework at least 10 days before your expiration date so it has time to process.
If TREC has never received your fingerprints with an earlier application or renewal, you must be fingerprinted for a criminal background check as part of renewal.
Your first renewal: Sales Agent Apprentice Education
Your first renewal works differently from every later one. Instead of regular continuing education, newly licensed sales agents must complete Sales Agent Apprentice Education (SAE). According to TREC, to renew for the first time you need:
- A total of 270 qualifying real estate course hours, which includes the hours you took to get licensed
- The 30-hour Real Estate Brokerage course
- 60 hours of qualifying education, which is two 30-hour courses chosen from Real Estate Finance, Real Estate Appraisal, Real Estate Law, Real Estate Marketing, Real Estate Math, Real Estate Investments, Residential Inspection for Real Estate Agents, or Residential Property Management, Advanced
- Eight hours of TREC Legal Update I and TREC Legal Update II
If your broker has made you a delegated supervisor, you must also complete the six-hour Broker Responsibility Course.
Two points about SAE trip up new agents. First, TREC says SAE hours cannot be deferred, so if they aren't complete in time for your renewal, your license expires. Second, SAE is required whether you renew active or inactive. TREC states plainly that your license will not renew until the required education is complete. TREC also notes that it won't give qualifying credit if you were already credited for a substantially similar qualifying course within a two-year period, so check before you sign up for a course that sounds like one you have already taken.
If you are still working toward your license, our guide to getting a Texas real estate license covers the steps before your first renewal.
Later renewals: 18 hours of continuing education
After your first renewal, renewing in active status requires 18 hours of TREC-approved continuing education (CE) in each two-year license period. TREC breaks the 18 hours down as follows:
- Eight hours of TREC Legal Update I and II (four hours of each)
- Three hours of contract-related coursework
- Seven hours of elective CE
If your broker has made you a supervisor, the six-hour Broker Responsibility course must be part of your 18 hours. For comparison, TREC's breakdown of the 18 hours for an active individual broker is eight hours of Legal Update I and II, the six-hour Broker Responsibility Course, three hours of contract-related coursework and one hour of elective CE.
If your CE isn't done by your expiration date
TREC gives sales agents a few options when CE runs late, each with trade-offs:
- Pay the CE Deferral Fee. If you renew active but haven't finished CE by your expiration date, TREC charges a $200 CE Deferral Fee. Paying it lets you stay active for an additional 60 days from your expiration date to finish the coursework.
- Renew inactive. You may renew on inactive status without completing CE. TREC is clear that you cannot engage in real estate brokerage activity with an inactive license.
- Late renewal. If you late renew, up to six months after your expiration date, TREC renews your license on inactive status, and you may not defer CE with a late renewal.
The deferral option applies to regular CE only. It doesn't apply to SAE at your first renewal, which can't be deferred.
A simple renewal checklist
- Look up your expiration date and the hours TREC has posted to your record with TREC's license holder search.
- Work out whether you are on SAE (first renewal) or regular 18-hour CE.
- Ask your broker whether you are a delegated supervisor. If you are, add the six-hour Broker Responsibility course.
- Pick approved courses and finish them at least 10 days before your expiration date.
- Make sure TREC has your fingerprints on file.
- Renew in the REALM portal by your expiration date.
How a brokerage can help
Your sponsoring broker can't take your courses for you, but a well-run brokerage can help you keep track of renewal dates and explain which courses fit the work you do. If you are a licensed sales agent, or about to become one, and want to talk about joining Texas DFW Real Estate, visit our join our team section. Requirements can change, so treat this article as general information and confirm the current rules for your license on TREC's website before you renew.
Frequently asked questions
How many CE hours does a Texas sales agent need to renew?
After the first renewal, TREC requires 18 hours of approved CE every two years to renew active: 8 hours of Legal Update I and II, 3 hours of contract-related coursework and 7 hours of electives.
What do I need for my first Texas sales agent renewal?
TREC requires Sales Agent Apprentice Education: 270 total qualifying hours, including the 30-hour Real Estate Brokerage course and two more 30-hour qualifying courses, plus 8 hours of Legal Update I and II. It can't be deferred.
What happens if I don't finish CE before my license expires?
If you renew active, TREC charges a $200 CE Deferral Fee, which gives you 60 more days from your expiration date to finish. You can also renew inactive, but you can't practice with an inactive license.