Texas real estate license and CE requirements
What the Texas Real Estate Commission asks of licensees, with a link to the official source for every figure.
Last reviewed October 15, 2026. Next review due October 2027.
Texas asks sales agents and brokers for 18 hours of continuing education every two years, including 8 hours of TREC Legal Update I and II and 3 hours of contract-related coursework. Brokers, and sales agents their broker has delegated supervision to, also take the 6-hour Broker Responsibility course.
The first renewal in Texas is the steep one. New sales agents complete Sales Agent Apprentice Education: a 30-hour brokerage course, 60 hours of qualifying education and the legal update courses. Those hours cannot be deferred, and a $200 fee buys 60 extra days for regular CE only at later renewals.
Texas at a glance
| Licensing body | Texas Real Estate Commission |
|---|---|
| License levels | Sales agent and broker |
| Sales agent CE | 18 hours every 2 yearsRequired topics: TREC Legal Update I and II (8 hrs total), contract-related coursework (3 hrs), 7 hrs electives; sales agents made supervisors by their broker also take the 6-hr Broker Responsibility course within the 18 |
| Broker CE | 18 hours every 2 yearsRequired topics: TREC Legal Update I and II (8 hrs total), Broker Responsibility Course (6 hrs), contract-related coursework (3 hrs), 1 hr elective |
| Post-license education | Sales agents renewing for the first time must complete Sales Agent Apprentice Education (SAE): a 30-hour Real Estate Brokerage course, 60 hours of qualifying education (two 30-hour courses from the approved list), and 8 hours of TREC Legal Update I and II. |
| Renewal | Licenses renew every two years; active renewal without completed CE incurs a $200 CE deferral fee for 60 extra days, but deferral is not available at the first renewal. |
| Source | TREC official page, checked October 15, 2026 |
Rules change. The Texas Real Estate Commission is the only authority on what you need to renew; where this page and the official source disagree, the official source is right. Blank figures say "Check with the Texas Real Estate Commission" because we could not confirm them from an official source.
Optional professional development
Once your CE is done, these ACI designations go deeper on the same ground as parts of the Texas requirements. They are voluntary, they are not CE, and you never need them to keep your license.
Certified Transaction Coordination Specialist
Carry every deal from signed contract to closing without a missed deadline.
Texas's required topics touch contracts, financing or closing. The CTCS covers contract terms, deadlines and coordinating a deal from signed contract to closing.
Advanced Real Estate Negotiator
The negotiation playbook that protects your clients and your commission.
Optional depth beyond licensing topics: the AREN is a practical playbook for negotiating offers and counters.
Certified AI Real Estate Expert
Use AI and modern tools to write, market and serve clients in less time.
Optional depth beyond licensing topics: the CAIRE covers using AI tools responsibly in daily work.
Questions about Texas
How many CE hours does a Texas sales agent need?
18 hours every 2 years, according to the Texas Real Estate Commission (checked October 15, 2026). Required topics: TREC Legal Update I and II (8 hrs total), contract-related coursework (3 hrs), 7 hrs electives; sales agents made supervisors by their broker also take the 6-hr Broker Responsibility course within the 18.
How many CE hours does a Texas broker need?
18 hours every 2 years, according to the Texas Real Estate Commission (checked October 15, 2026). Required topics: TREC Legal Update I and II (8 hrs total), Broker Responsibility Course (6 hrs), contract-related coursework (3 hrs), 1 hr elective.
Is there post-license education in Texas?
Sales agents renewing for the first time must complete Sales Agent Apprentice Education (SAE): a 30-hour Real Estate Brokerage course, 60 hours of qualifying education (two 30-hour courses from the approved list), and 8 hours of TREC Legal Update I and II. Confirm the details with the Texas Real Estate Commission.
Do ACI designations count toward Texas CE?
No. Agent Certification Institute designations are voluntary professional credentials, not continuing-education credit. They are not approved by the Texas Real Estate Commission and do not satisfy any part of Texas's CE, post-license or renewal requirements.