How to Become a Real Estate Broker in Texas: Helpful Tips

Are you a Texas resident looking to take your real estate career to the next level? Then this informational guide is for you. As the real estate market in Texas keeps getting bigger, starting your own brokerage sounds like a great idea. And, a lucrative one at that. If you have the experience and drive to lead your career and help others with theirs, here are some useful tips for you on how to become a real estate broker in Texas.

Who is a real estate broker? What do they do?

A real estate broker is someone who helps people buy, sell, or rent properties. These could be single-family homes, condominiums, or apartments. They’re like experts in the real estate world. Their job profile includes finding properties for clients, showing them around, hosting open houses for prospective homebuyers, negotiating real estate deals, and handling paperwork. Sometimes, they may also manage properties for owners.

Overall, they’re responsible for making sure property transactions go smoothly for everyone. Keep in mind that a real estate broker is at a higher level than an agent. That’s because they undergo extra training to get a separate license as a real estate broker.

What’s the difference between a real estate agent and a broker in Texas?

While both agents and brokers can facilitate real estate transactions, brokers have more autonomy and authority in the process. The reason is that a broker has more experience, education, and credentials than an agent. They can either work independently or hire real estate agents to work for their firm. Moreover, brokers may oversee the work of other agents within their real estate brokerage. An agent, on the other hand, can’t work independently and must operate under the umbrella of a licensed brokerage firm.

Why is it lucrative to become a real estate broker in Texas?

Becoming a real estate broker in Texas can be a financially smart move because of the state’s thriving real estate market and higher-than-average incomes.

In Texas, the average annual salary for a real estate broker is approximately $72,500. This figure is notably 21% higher than the average salary of brokers across the entire United States.

Moreover, Texas offers lower living costs, giving brokers more financial freedom. Plus, brokers have the flexibility to work independently and control their work schedules. With diverse opportunities in various property types, Texas provides plenty of chances for brokers to succeed.

What are the prerequisites to qualify as a Texas broker?

Before you can take the broker’s license exam in Texas, you need to meet certain criteria. The most important one is that you must be a citizen of the United States. And, be at least 18 years old. If you’re not a Texas resident, you may still qualify in certain situations. For example, if you were licensed in Texas as a sales agent or broker within the last two years. Or, if you are already a licensed broker in another state. Furthermore, you must meet the Texas Real Estate Commission’s (TREC) standards. These involve requirements of honesty, trustworthiness, and integrity. It’s important to ensure you meet these requirements before applying for the license.

How to become a real estate broker in Texas?

Getting a real estate broker license in Texas requires a combination of education, years of active experience, and successful completion of examinations beyond meeting basic requirements.

Below, we have mentioned the steps you’ll need to take to embark on a rewarding career as a licensed real estate broker in the Lone Star State.

Complete 270 hours of required pre-license education

Before you can apply for a broker’s license, you must fulfill pre-license education requirements set by TREC. This entails completing a total of 270 credit hours of coursework covering various aspects of real estate, including principles, law, real estate finance, brokerage, and more. These courses are essential to equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in the real estate industry.

They encompass 30 classroom hours for each of the topics such as Principles of Real Estate, Law of Agency, Contracts, Real Estate Appraisal, Finance, Brokerage, Marketing, and Property Management. Additionally, you may need to complete other qualifying education courses to meet the required credit hours.

If you hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited institution, you may be exempt from some educational requirements, provided you submit the necessary documentation.

Meet all experience requirements

Before you can apply for a broker’s license, you must have worked as a licensed real estate agent or broker for at least four years within the last five years. This active experience must amount to 3600 points. Moreover, it should be documented in a Qualifying Experience Report along with a transaction identification list.

Apply for the broker license

Once you’ve completed the required education and gained the necessary experience, you can apply for the Texas real estate broker license. You can submit your application online through the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) website or by mail, along with the required fee. Ensure you follow the provided instructions carefully during the application process.

Clear a background check

The licensing process demands that you undergo a thorough background check. It could mean filing your fingerprints with the Texas Department of Public Safety and/or adhering to other investigation measures.

Pass the broker exam

The final step towards obtaining your broker license is passing the Texas Real Estate Broker Exam. This exam assesses your knowledge of real estate laws, practices, and principles. You’ll need to study diligently and prepare thoroughly for the exam, as you’ll have only three attempts to pass. Failure to pass after three attempts may require additional education. Once your exam is scheduled, you’ll receive instructions on the exam process and how to obtain the exam candidate handbook.

How difficult is the Texas real estate broker exam process?

The difficulty of the Texas real estate broker exam varies from person to person. Remember that it covers a wide range of topics related to real estate laws, practices, and principles. Preparation and studying are essential to pass the exam. With diligent effort, many aspiring brokers successfully pass on their first attempt.

Keep in mind that becoming a Texas broker typically takes several months to a year, depending on various factors such as completing the required education, gaining the necessary experience, and passing the licensing exam.

Last thoughts

Once you’ve passed your exam and got your Texas real estate broker license, you can begin your real estate journey. You have the choice to work independently or hire sales agents to grow your business in Texas’ thriving real estate market.

It’s important to understand that as a broker, you’re responsible for all transactions and legal aspects, even if you delegate client dealings to agents while managing the administrative side. While you’ll earn substantial commissions, you’ll also need to share a portion with your agents. However, brokers typically receive a larger share of the sales proceeds and hold more authority in the business compared to agents.

Info guide on how to become a real estate broker in Texas was last modified: August 5th, 2025 by Ramona Sinha

Written by Ramona Sinha. March 31, 2024

Ramona is the Senior Content Writer for Kukun. This experienced blogger uses simple and succinct words to decipher the complex phenomenon called life. She has written articles covering a broad range of topics, such as real estate, lending and mortgage, finance, business, taxation, home designs, home improvement projects, decor concepts, and more. An avid traveler, she’s a digital nomad at heart and an animal lover from the depth of her soul.