How to Become a Realtor in Texas (2026)

‹ Part of our national guide: How to Become a Realtor

Last updated: July 2026

Realtor vs. Real Estate Agent in Texas

All Texas Realtors are licensed real estate agents, but not all agents are Realtors. A Texas real estate agent (sales agent) is licensed by the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) to help people buy, sell, and lease property. A Realtor® is a TREC-licensed agent who has taken the extra step of joining the National Association of Realtors through a local board and Texas Realtors, and pledged to uphold the NAR Code of Ethics. “Realtor” is a registered trademark reserved for NAR members — not a generic word for any Texas agent.

How to Become a Realtor in Texas: 5 Steps

1. Complete 180 hours of TREC pre-license education. Six 30-hour qualifying courses: Principles of Real Estate I & II, Law of Agency, Law of Contracts, Promulgated Contract Forms, and Real Estate Finance — 100% online and self-paced with MLS Campus.
2. Apply to TREC and complete your background check. Submit your application and fingerprints so TREC can verify your honesty, trustworthiness, and integrity.
3. Pass the Texas sales agent exam. Sit and pass the national and state portions of the Texas real estate exam.
4. Activate your license with a sponsoring broker. A new Texas license must be sponsored by an active Texas broker before you can work.
5. Join a local Realtor association. Joining a local board enrolls you in Texas Realtors and NAR, and lets you use the Realtor® title after agreeing to the Code of Ethics.

Texas Real Estate License Requirements

To earn your Texas real estate license you must be at least 18 years old, be a U.S. citizen or lawfully admitted alien, meet TREC’s honesty and trustworthiness standards, complete the 180 hours of qualifying education, and pass the state exam. Your first renewal (within two years of licensing) requires 90 hours of Sales Apprentice Education (SAE) rather than standard continuing education — you can complete that with our Texas SAE courses. For the full step-by-step, see how to get your Texas real estate license.

Joining Texas Realtors & Your Local Association

Realtor membership in Texas is three-tiered. When you join a local Realtor association — such as the large Houston Association of Realtors (HAR), or boards in Austin, Dallas, San Antonio, and Fort Worth — you automatically become a member of Texas Realtors (the statewide association) and the National Association of Realtors. One application, three levels of membership, and access to the tools and MLS in your market.

Benefits of Becoming a Texas Realtor

Beyond the title, Realtor membership comes with practical advantages Texas agents rely on every day:

• MLS access. In most Texas markets, membership is your gateway to the local Multiple Listing Service — the database that powers nearly every sale.
• The Realtor® brand and consumer trust. The trademark signals to Texas buyers and sellers that you are held to a higher standard.
• Advocacy for Texas property rights. Texas Realtors is one of the state’s most active advocacy organizations, protecting private-property rights and shaping real estate policy in Austin.
• The Code of Ethics. A genuine differentiator with clients (see the ethics section below).
• Education, designations, and certifications. Credentials like ABR, GRI, and CRS help you specialize and earn more.
• Market data and research. Texas Realtors and NAR publish some of the most-cited housing data in the industry.
• Tools, discounts, and a referral network. Transaction tools, partner discounts, and a nationwide network of Realtors who send each other business.

Do Texas Realtors Earn More?

One of the most common questions is whether becoming a Realtor actually pays off. Here is what the data shows. According to NAR’s 2025 Member Profile, the median gross income of a Realtor was $58,100 — and Realtors with 16 or more years of experience earned a median of $78,900, while brand-new agents earned far less as they build their business. Industry data also suggests Realtors typically out-earn non-member agents, often by 15–25%, largely because membership brings MLS access, referral networks, and repeat business that drive more closed deals.

The honest picture: your income depends most on your experience, effort, and market — not the Realtor title itself. But the tools that come with membership are exactly what help agents close more and earn more. For Texas numbers, see how much Texas real estate agents make and real estate agent salaries by state.

The Training & Education Behind a Texas Realtor

Becoming a Realtor in Texas is a path of ongoing training — and it starts with your license:

• Pre-license education (180 hours): the six TREC qualifying courses, completed 100% online with our Texas pre-license course.
• First-renewal training (90-hour SAE): required within your first two years — our Texas SAE courses keep your license active.
• Continuing education (18 hours every 2 years): including TREC Legal Update I & II and a contracts course — see our Texas CE.
• Realtor-only education: once you are a member, Texas Realtors and NAR offer designations and certifications (ABR, GRI, CRS, SRS) plus Code of Ethics training every three years.

Together, that is a steady stream of training that keeps Texas Realtors sharp, compliant, and competitive.

Higher Ethical Standards: TREC Law vs. the Realtor Code of Ethics

Getting a Texas license and becoming a Realtor are two different bars. A license is the state minimum: every Texas agent must follow TREC law and the fiduciary duties they owe clients — often remembered as OLD CAR (Obedience, Loyalty, Disclosure, Confidentiality, Accounting, and Reasonable care), enforced by TREC. Realtor® status adds a higher, voluntary standard: the NAR Code of Ethics, first adopted in 1913, with 17 Articles covering duties to clients, the public, and other Realtors — enforced by local associations, with real consequences for violations, plus ethics training every three years.

Want the detail on the agency duties every licensee owes? See our guide to real estate fiduciary duties (the OLD CAR acronym).

Texas Realtor Dues & Costs

Realtors in Texas pay national NAR dues ($156 per year plus a $45 Consumer Advertising assessment for 2026), Texas Realtors state dues, and local association dues, which vary by board. These are on top of your TREC license fees and continuing-education costs — and in return you get the MLS, the brand, advocacy, education, and referral network described above.

How Many Realtors Are in Texas? (2026)

Figures from Texas Realtors and NAR (2024–2026 Member Profile).

Frequently Asked Questions

Ready to start? Enroll in the Texas pre-license course, or see how to get your Texas real estate license and how to become a Realtor nationwide.