Texas Real Estate FAQs

Question 1

How do I get a Texas Real Estate license?

Accepted Answer

In order to attain a Real Estate Sales Agent license in the state of Texas, you must complete the educational requirements set forth by the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC), file a license application, and pass the state exam. The current educational requirement is 180 hours which is covered in six 30-hour courses.

Champions offers a convenient, all-inclusive package for $980 which includes everything you need in order to apply for a license and prepare for the state exam. For more information about the licensing process and the packages that we offer, please visit our How do I get a Texas Real Estate License? page.

Question 2

Does Champions offer a payment plan option?

Accepted Answer

No, Champions offers students the choice between purchasing the courses independently or together as a package. Regardless of which method you choose, tuition must be paid in full at the time of enrollment. The individual courses that make up the packages are offered individually and can be purchased one-at-a-time as you move through the program. Keep in mind that purchasing the courses together in a package will always save you a little bit of money in the long run.

Question 3

What are the different class delivery methods and how do they work?

Accepted Answer

Blended Classroom
A dynamic course composed of independent study and an instructor-led classroom lecture held over two days (or four evenings). Students must complete a proctored, closed-book exam to receive 30-hours of credit with the Texas Real Estate Commission. Learn More
Classroom
Instructor led classroom sessions that present all of the required hours for the course in the classroom. If required, course exams are administered on the last day of the class and are graded and reviewed by the instructor. Learn More
Online-Correspondence
Students study the course material (textbook or online PDF) at their own pace and then complete the necessary homework/quiz assignments followed by a proctored, closed-book exam. (Please Note that all Exams for Real Estate QE/SAE courses must be proctored via our Live Broadcast system or at a Campus) Learn More
ChampionsLive!® Broadcast
A fully interactive, real-time system, ChampionsLive! allows students to participate in an instructor-led class from their home or office using a webcam. Learn More
Correspondence
Students read through the provided textbook materials and complete the homework assignments at home before coming into a campus testing center to complete the proctored exam. Learn More
Online
Students work through the course material that is presented in a timed online format complete with videos, interactive games, and online exams. Learn More

Question 4

I have finished all of my classes. Now what?

Accepted Answer

Once you have completed the 6 required courses, you will need to submit your license application, application fee, and class completion certificates to the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC). You can file your license application directly from the TREC website and certificates can be emailed to documents@trec.texas.gov. Please visit our "Steps to a Texas Real Estate License" page for relevent links and additional information pertaining to this process.

Question 5

When can I schedule my state licensing exam?

Accepted Answer

Once you submitted your license application, application fee, and class certificates, it can take up to 15 days to receive an approval letter from the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC). Your approval letter will include a special code that you will use to schedule your licensing exam with Pearson Vue. You cannot schedule your state exam with Pearson Vue until you have received an approval code from TREC. Exams are administered at testing centers located throughout the state of Texas.

Question 6

Is Exam Prep required to attain my license?

Accepted Answer

Exam Prep is not a required course, but it is highly recommended for improving your chances of passing the state licensing exam on your first attempt! Our Exam Prep course is setup with both National and State sections, each with a set of timed mock exams to give you an accurate simulation of the experience that you will have when taking the real exam. In addition, you can retake the class (including the mock exams) as many times as you need for up to one year after enrollment! If taking the Prep course in the classroom, you can schedule a free retake by calling your local campus to speak with a counselor (Contact Us).

Question 7

If I have a criminal record, am I eligible to receive a Texas Real Estate License?

Accepted Answer

All license applicants are subject to a criminal background check before receiving application approval from the Texas Real Estate Commission. If you have any criminal offenses, unpaid judgements, disciplinary action taken against a professional license, or have performed unlicensed activity in the past, you should consider filing a "Fitness Determination" form with TREC before purchasing courses or applying for a license. TREC will use this form to determine whether your moral character meets their qualifications for honesty, trustworthiness, and integrity.

To learn more about this process and submit a "Fitness Determination" form, please visit TREC's website.

Question 8

Is Business Etiquette required to attain my license?

Accepted Answer

Business Etiquette is not required but it is a terrific course if you are new to the industry and working with clients. Our low stress, two-day program, molds emerging professionals into poised and polished executives ready to meet the challenges of the modern business world. The course covers topics such as public speaking, cultural mannerisms, and more! Learn More

Question 9

What are the SAE classes that are offered in the packages?

Accepted Answer

Once you have earned your Real Estate license, you will need to renew every two years by completing additional Continuing Education classes and paying a renewal fee to the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC). Your first renewal is referred to as Sales Agent Apprentice Education (SAE) and consists of 98-hours of education. The 98-hours is comprised of three 30-hour elective courses and two 4-hour Legal Update courses. These required SAE courses are included in the 9-course and 11-course programs at a discounted rate. If you have been made a supervisor by your broker for 6 months or more, you will also need to take the 6-hour Broker Responsibility course to renew.

Question 10

What happens if I do not pass my homework or exam?

Accepted Answer

Homework / Quizzes - Quizzes are open-book and not timed. If you are completing the classes online, you will be able to pause your quiz, if needed, and resume later at your convenience. In the event that you do not pass a quiz, you can retake it at no additional charge.

Exams - All Real Estate QE/SAE course exams must be proctored and a $50 retake fee must be collected if an exam is failed twice. At that point, the course will be reset and the student must retake the course from the beginning and complete a different set of exams in order to pass. Exams are closed-book and may be proctored via our Live Broadcast system using a webcam or in any one of our campuses across Texas.

Question 11

Are the class materials included?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our online Qualifying Education (and some Continuing Education) courses include a PDF version of the textbook material. A physical copy of the book is also included in the cost of tuition for all courses. If you would like a hard copy, you can pick one up from your local Champions campus free of charge or we can ship it to you for $8.00 per book (Additional shipping options are available).

Question 12

I finished some of the required courses a while ago. Do I have to start my classes all over again?

Accepted Answer

Certificates do not expire; however, state requirements may have changed since you completed your courses. If you have finished a required class, you may still use that certificate for your application if that course is still required by the state. Simply purchase the remaining classes to ensure that you satisfy the current state requirements. If you would like to retake a class before taking the state exam, please speak with a Champions counselor about auditing a class. (Contact Us)

Question 13

I failed my state/national exam 3 times. What should I do?

Accepted Answer

In the event that you do not pass the state or national portion of your exam after three attempts, TREC requires that you repeat a 30-Hour Qualifying Education course before attempting the exam again. If you completed your QE classes with Champions, please contact a career counselor for pricing (Contact Us).

Question 14

Will my college degree count toward any of the required courses?

Accepted Answer

In some (rare) instances, TREC may accept an individual college course if it is a direct equivalent of one of the required Qualifying Education courses. If you think some of your college courses may count, you can submit your license application, application fee, and college transcripts to TREC for review. You will receive a response within 15 days that includes a full breakdown of the courses you must still complete to receive approval from the state. Keep in mind, a license application is valid for one year after submission. If you take longer than one year to complete everything, you will have to resubmit your application and pay a new application fee.

Question 15

Can I mix up the delivery methods for my courses?

Accepted Answer

Yes, You can choose any delivery method you want for each individual course.

Question 16

Do the classes have to be completed in any particular order?

Accepted Answer

None of the courses offered at Champions are pre-requisites to other courses so they do not have to be completed in any particular order.

Question 17

I would like to retake a class before I take the state exam. Is this possible?

Accepted Answer

Yes. If you have previously completed the course with Champions, you may audit a class for $25 per day (up to a max of $50 per class). To learn more, give us a call to speak with a career counselor about auditing a class (Contact Us).

Question 18

How does the online exam proctoring system work?

Accepted Answer

All Real Estate QE/SAE course exams must be proctored. Upon passing all of the required Topic Quizzes online, you will be able to select a Proctoring session for the exam. If you wish to take advantage of our online proctoring system and have the exam proctored from your home, select the "Live Remote" option (a webcam is required) from the first dropdown menu and then select a time slot from the second dropdown menu and click the "Submit" button.

Once a selection has been made, you will receive an automated email containing a link that can be used to access the proctoring session during your selected time. Once you are successfully logged into the proctoring session, the Proctor will verify your ID and then unlock the exam. You will then be able to access the exam via the start button the "Class Information" screen and you will have two hours to work on it. If you do not finish the exam during that time, your exam will be graded based upon the questions that have been answered. If you do not receive a passing grade, you will need to schedule a retake or pay the necessary course retake fee if you have failed the exam twice.

Question 19

How can I check the status of my TREC license application?

Accepted Answer

TREC has set up the following page to communicate the current TREC processing times to license applicants. If you have submitted an application and are wondering about the status, this page is a good place to start - TREC Processing Times.

If you have additional questions, they may be directed to TREC - Contact TREC.

Question 20

Does Champions report my completed classes to TREC?

Accepted Answer

All 30-Hour courses (Real Estate QE/SAE) will need to be submitted to TREC by the student via email (send your completion certificates to documents@trec.texas.gov). Be sure to include your full name and TREC Application ID number or your license number (if you are licensed and under SAE requiredments) in the email.

Champions will electronically report all Real Estate CE courses under 30-hours on the student's behalf. For this reason, it is imperative that you provide Champions with the correct license number when prompted. Providing the wrong license number may result in a delay of the reporting process or even the expiration of your license if the error is not caught in time.

Question 21

How is my credit reported to the Texas Real Estate Commission?

Accepted Answer

Champions will report your credit within 24 business hours of completing the course. Once the credit has been reported, it typically posts to your online TREC profile immediately but can take up to 24 hours to post. If you recently completed a CE course and it has not posted, take the following steps:

Log into your ChampionsSchool.com account, re-access the course, and check to see if you successfully signed the "Distance Education Reporting (DER) Form" (Under the "Forms" section). If there is a "Continue" button, then you must take additional steps to complete the course before the credit can be reported.

If the DER Form has been completed and your credit has not posted after 24-hours, please contact a campus to speak to a counselor.

Question 22

What is the renewal fee?

Accepted Answer

The following timely renewal fees apply:

Sales Agent - $110.00
Individual Broker - $217.00

To learn more about additional fees, including late renewal fees, please visit TREC's fee schedule page and the article "TREC Eliminates Certain Fees for License Holders".

Question 23

What happens if my classes are not posted in time?

Accepted Answer

If your classes are not completed and posted to TREC by 11:59pm on your expiration date, you are considered late. It is HIGHLY recommended that you complete, and submit (if applicable), your classes no later than 10 days before your expiration date. Champions is not responsible for any late or penalty fees assessed by TREC.

**Please Note - If you attempt to file for renewal via TREC's online system before all of your CE credit has posted, TREC will charge a $200 deferral fee unless you 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.

Question 24

Do I need to take SAE or CE to renew my license?

Accepted Answer

As a licensed agent or broker in Texas, you are required to take additional courses to renew your license every two years. There are two types of renewals you must be aware of: Sales Agent Apprentice Education (SAE) and Continuing Education (CE).

If you are a licensed Sales Agent and are renewing your license for the very first time, you must complete 98-hours of SAE by the end of your second year of licensure. This includes 8-hours of Legal Update credit and three (3) 30-hour elective courses. If you have been made a supervisor by your broker for 6 months or more you must also take the 6-hour Broker Responsibility course to renew.

If this is NOT your first renewal, you must complete 18-hours of CE credit every two years. Of these 18-hours, 8-hours must consist of Legal Update credit. If you have been made a supervisor by your broker for 6 months or more you must also take the 6-hour Broker Responsibility course as part of your 18 hours to renew.

Question 25

What is required for SAE?

Accepted Answer

Sales Agent Apprentice Education (SAE) is your first renewal as a licensed Real Estate Sales Agent. You are required to complete (3) 30-Hour SAE electives, Legal Update 1, and Legal Update 2. This amounts to a total of 98 credit hours.

Question 26

What is required for Sales Agent CE?

Accepted Answer

Continuing Education (CE) is required for all active agents for their second renewal, forward. You are required to complete 10 hours of CE electives plus Legal Update 1 (4-Hours), and Legal Update 2 (4-Hours). If you have been made a supervisor by your broker for 6 months or more you must also take the 6-hour Broker Responsibility course which can be used as part of the 10 hours of CE electives.

Question 27

What is required for Broker CE?

Accepted Answer

18-Hours of Broker Continuing Education (CE) is required for all active Brokers who sponsor agents. As a Broker, you are required to complete a 6-hour Broker Responsibility course, 4-hours of CE electives, and 8-hours of Legal Update.

Question 28

If I enroll at 10:00 PM on the day before my license expires and then complete the homework and final exam by 11:59PM, will my license be considered renewed on time?

Accepted Answer

No. Please note that SAE classes have a 48 hour wait time on the exams and the appropriate amount of time must pass between enrollment and completion of multiple courses . Champions will report all CE classes to TREC within 24 business hours of completion (Please Note - SAE must be reported to TREC by the student). Champions is not responsible for any late or penalty fees assessed by TREC.

Question 29

Does an inactive Real Estate Licensee have to comply with renewal requirements?

Accepted Answer

All licensed agents are required to complete their SAE classes for their first renewal, regardless of active or inactive status. If you are in your CE renewal period, and are in inactive status, you are not required to complete your CE classes until you want to move to active status. However, you are still required to pay your renewal fees on time to maintain inactive status. Failing to pay the renewal fee will result in the expiration of your license.

Question 30

How often must a license holder renew their license?

Accepted Answer

A licensee must renew their license every two years.

1st Renewal - 98-Hours of SAE (Included 8-hours of Legal Update). The 6-hour Broker Responsibility course is also required if an agent has been made a supervisor by the broker for 6 months or more.
2nd Renewal, forward - 18-Hours of CE (Including 8-hours of Legal Update). The 6-hour Broker Responsibility course is also required if an agent has been made a supervisor by the broker for 6 months or more.

Question 31

Can CE hours be taken at anytime?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Continuing Education hours can be completed at any time during the renewal period. Please note that you cannot repeat a class within a two-year period.

Question 32

How soon can I pay my renewal fees?

Accepted Answer

TREC will send a notice of renewal 90 days before your license expires. You may pay your renewal fee upon receipt of this letter. As a license holder you are responsible for remembering your license expiration date and must renew timely even if you do not receive a notice of renewal.

**Please Note - If you file for renewal before your CE credit has been reported and posted to your license, TREC will charge a $200 deferral fee.

Question 33

Why is there a wait period for my class exam?

Accepted Answer

Once enrolled, you will have immediate access to your online textbook (if applicable) and homework quizzes but per TREC requirements, a student must spend the full clock hours of time, for which credit is awarded, enrolled in a class before being allowed to take the exam. For this reason, you may have to wait until additional time has passed (after enrollment) before you can access the exam.

Question 34

What will it cost me to ship the class textbook?

Accepted Answer

We charge $8 per book for standard shipping (3-5 Days) or $19 per book for FedEX Overnight.

**Please Note - FedEx shipments that are ordered after 3:00pm on Fridays will be shipped on the following Monday for delivery on Tuesday.

Question 35

Can I just download the textbook(s)?

Accepted Answer

All of our Real Estate QE most of our CE classes have a downloadable PDF version of the book available. Courses that feature downloadable textbooks will be grouped together in sections labeled "Online Textbook Available" and other courses will be grouped together in sections labeled "Shipping / Pickup Required."

Question 36

Can I renew my expired license?

Accepted Answer

Any license that is not renewed at the end of the license period will be considered late and may be moved to expired status. The license may subsequently be renewed up to 6 months after the expiration date by completing the requirements and paying the the fees specified by the Texas Real Estate Commission. After 6 months and up to two years after the expiration date, you may apply for reinstatement of your license. After two years have passed, you will be required to re-apply for a license and pass the state exam again.

Question 37

What are the requirements to become a Real Estate Broker in Texas?

Accepted Answer

There are three main requirements that applicants must satisfy to become a Texas Real Estate Broker:

3600 Experience Points in 4 of the last 5 years
- 300 Points for each closed purchase or sale of a Single Family home
- 450 points for each closed purchase or sale of an apartment complex (commercial) with 5 or more units
900 Total Education Hours (Meet current license requirements and Real Estate Brokerage within the last 2 years)
Be an active Sales Agent for the last 4 years.

To learn more about the process, please visit our Steps to a Texas Broker License page.

Question 38

How much is the application fee?

Accepted Answer

The application fee for an Individual Broker license is $305.00.

Question 39

What classes count toward my Broker license?

Accepted Answer

All classes taken for credit will count toward the 900-hour credit requirement for a Broker license. If you have a Bachelor degree or higher, TREC will award you 630 credit hours towards that requirement. You can start planning today by requesting a "Broker Plan of Attack".

Question 40

Why should I get my Broker license?

Accepted Answer

Real Estate Broker is the only designation that the general public, your customer, recognizes.

Question 41

Are there any special requirements for CE if I am a Broker?

Accepted Answer

Yes, if you are a sponsoring broker or served as the designated broker for a business entity broker that sponsors sales agents, or have been made a supervisor of other license holders, you must complete a 6-Hour Broker Responsibility course as part of your regular 18-hour renewal every two years.

Question 42

Will Champions report my Broker CE to TREC?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Champions reports all CE, under 30 hours, to TREC within 24 hours of completion. Once the credits have posted to your license, you will need to pay your renewal fee with TREC.

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