We all know that real estate is one of the most popular jobs in the US and for good reason. However, you may not know the extent. Believe it or not, there are over 1.3 million active realtors in the US, making it one of the most popular jobs in the country.
It’s a great profession to enter, whether or not you have a degree or experience, and your options are open when it comes to obtaining a license. So, can I get my real estate license online in Texas? Glad you asked.
Can I Get My Real Estate License Online in Texas?
While you will have to leave your house at some point during the process, just about every step of the real estate licensure process in Texas can be done online, with the exception of examination and fingerprinting. However, when it comes to enrolling and participating in a course, you can do the entire process in the comfort of your own home.
Some courses, like the ones we offer, provide coursework for aspiring real estate agents at affordable rates, as well as financing options, to help you on your way to achieving licensure.
How Can I Get My Real Estate License Online?
There are courses you can take to qualify for your real estate license, both online and in person. This is a requirement before you fill out an application, so register for classes as soon as possible.
First, you must be a US citizen and be of at least 18 years of age or older. After you have taken your course, you may fill out an application with the state of Texas, get fingerprinted, and consent to a background check. Licensure will not be issued if you fail to have your fingerprints on file and your background check has passed.
Next, you will have to submit your qualifying education to the state, once you have completed it, along with your exam results. You may take the exam 3 times, and if it is failed a third time, additional education will be required before obtaining licensure.
Once licensure has been received, you can begin applying for jobs as a real estate agent, which is important, as they will act as your sponsor. You will first receive an inactive license until you find a licensed Texas real estate broker to work for. Then, your license will be activated and you will be able to begin your career.
How Can I Become Independent?
Some real estate agents don’t want to work for a company and would rather be independent. Well, this is a great career path for being able to do that early on in your career, but you will still need to gain the right experience in order to be licensed (as well as successful) on your own.
In order to become a licensed real estate broker in the state of Texas, you will have to complete 4 years of experience as a licensed agent or broker in the last 5 years before your application. This experience can take place in Texas or in another state, as long as you meet Texas’ requirements.
What Are The Benefits?
The benefits of having a real estate license are enormous. No matter where you live and no matter what happens to the economy, people will always need a place to live.
Real estate is a highly respected industry with a low barrier to entry and high earning potential. People working in the industry tend to make long-term careers out of their licenses and people well into their careers can easily be earning 6-figure salaries.
The other great benefit is that real estate agents tend to have high job satisfaction, which is one of the most important factors of both overall happiness and even life expectancy!
So, what are the benefits of taking online courses when it comes to earning your licensure? Well, no matter what, you will have to take a pre-license course before taking the exam and getting licensed, so the main benefit is the ability to do it at your own pace.
If you’re working full-time already, if you have children, or if you have an otherwise busy schedule, it’s a daunting idea to add a real estate course into your busy lifestyle. That’s why online courses are so great.
Not only do you get the same quality of education, but you get to do it on your own time without a long commute or having to take time off of work to get licensed. Once you’re done with the course, all you do is take the exam and follow the licensing procedure, and you’re ready for a new career!
How Long Does It Take?
Real estate courses take 180 hours to complete, which is why it’s so great to live in a world where continuing education can be done from home. Online learning has never been a more viable option, and freeing up your schedule while pursuing your real estate education is a major advantage.
This education is required to be broken into 30 hours across 6 different subjects, including:
- Principles of Real Estate I
- Principles of Real Estate II
- Law of Agency
- Law of Contracts
- Promulgated Contract Forms
- Real Estate Finance
Once completed by a licensed educational program, you may submit the proof of coursework to the state. Again, you can complete these courses at your own pace, but if you’re able to knock out 20 hours a week, you’ll be able to complete the necessary coursework within a little over 2 months.
If you are working full-time and you’re only able to participate in an hour of coursework 6 days a week, you’ll still get the course done in just over half a year, and that’s all you will need to enter a lifelong career.
After that, the application process is relatively quick, and assuming your background check passes, the process shouldn’t take more than a few weeks.
How Much Does It Cost?
Prices will vary from program to program, but you can rest assured that a real estate certificate course is a lot more affordable and attainable than a traditional degree. Not only that, but the average salaries are comparable to many careers that require a degree, and it can be completed in as little as 180 hours from the comfort of your own home.
The cost of getting your license, including the exam fee, application fee, fingerprinting, and everything else, will only require around $400. That’s not bad considering the average student debt in the US is over $32,000.
Do I Have To Take Courses To Renew My License?
In Texas, real estate licenses are up for renewal every 2 years, and a notice will be sent to you 90 days before expiration. For a first-time renewal, you must have a total of 270 hours of qualifying real estate course hours, as well as 4 hours of TREC legal update courses, both I and II, for a combined 8 hours, as well as 3 hours of contract-related coursework, and 7 hours of continuing education electives.
If you are promoted to a supervisory role by your employer, then you will be required to attend an additional 6-hour broker responsibility course. Sales apprentices will also have additional coursework to attend, including their initial 180 hours.
Once completed, you will have to submit the required proof of coursework within 10 days prior to the renewal of your license to avoid interruption. There will be late fees of $250 if your license is interrupted and needs to be reinstated, so it is important to do that ahead of time.
Is It Right For Me?
That’s a question that only you can answer, but now that you know a little more about the licensing requirements, it will be easier to make an informed decision based on your own interests and circumstances.
Most real estate agents well into their career will agree that, yes, it is absolutely worth it. $400 for your license, coursework that can be completed on your own time, and high earning potential are a recipe for a worthwhile investment in most people’s eyes. However, that’s for you to decide.
Get Started Today!
Now that we’ve answered the question “can I get my real estate license online in Texas”, you know what to do. If you want a safe, lucrative career that will last you a lifetime without going into crippling debt, then real estate is one of the best options out there. Stay up to date with our latest real estate news and feel free to contact us with any questions!
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