Continuing education requirements for real estate agents

As a Real Estate Sales Agent, you must renew your license every two years. A renewal notice will be sent out about 90 days before your expiration date. Until you receive this notice of renewal, you cannot renew your license. As part of the renewal process, you must complete certain continuing education courses to help you deliver competent and quality real estate services. After completing your course work, you are welcome to submit a course and instructor evaluation. 

You may renew your license up to six months after the expiration date. After six months and up to two years past the expiration date, you may apply for reinstatement of your license. After two years past the expiration date, you will have to reapply and pass the examination.

Sales Apprentice Education (SAE) requirements for First Time Renewals

• If you are renewing for the first time, active or inactive, you must have a total of 270 qualifying real estate course hours, 4 hours of TREC's Legal Update I, and 4 hours of TREC's Legal Update II posted to your license record prior to submitting your renewal.
• If you have been made a supervisor by your broker, you must complete the 6-hour Broker Responsibility course to renew.
• Submit qualifying course completion certificates to TREC for courses completed prior to May 1, 2022,at least 10 days before renewing your license.
• Qualifying credit will not be granted if you were previously given credit for a substantially similar qualifying course within a two year period.
• You may not defer SAE requirements. Your license will not be renewed until you complete the required education.

Active sales agent license renewal requirements

• Complete 18 hours of approved Continuing Education (CE) courses
  • 8 hours of TREC Legal Update I and II
  • 3 hours of contract-related coursework
  • 7 hours of elective CE
• If you have been made a supervisor by your broker, you must complete the 6-hour Broker Responsibility course as part of your 18 hours of CE.
• If TREC records do not reflect completion of CE requirements at the time you submit your renewal application, you must pay a $200 CE Deferral Fee, or renew in inactive status. Payment of the CE Deferral Fee allows you to remain active for an additional 60 days from your expiration date to complete CE requirements. To receive the additional 60 days to complete any outstanding CE, the CE Deferral fee must be paid before the expiration date of your license. Deferral does not apply to sales agents renewing for the first time.
• If your license expires, you cannot renew until CE requirements are met and you have paid the CE Deferral Fee. If you complete CE more than 60 days after your license expiration date, you will be subject to an additional late reporting fee of $250.
• If you have not submitted your fingerprints for TREC with a previous renewal or application, you must be fingerprinted for a criminal background check.

Inactive sales agent license renewal requirements

You may renew your license on inactive status without completing CE. You cannot engage in real estate brokerage activity with an inactive license.

Renew Online:

1. Renew online using our Online Services. If you have not renewed online before, you may need to register first.
2. Complete your CE at least 10 days before your expiration date, to ensure time for processing.
3. Pay the renewal fee online using our Online Services no later than the expiration date of your license.

Renew by Mail:

1. Submit the Renewal Form for Real Estate Sales Agents and Brokers.
2. Complete your CE at least 10 days before your expiration date, to ensure time for processing.
3. Include payment of the renewal fee.