Texas Agent Continuing Education Requirements for 2025

Texas Real Estate Continuing Education (CE) Requirements: What Agents Need to Know

If you’re a licensed real estate agent or broker in Texas, keeping your license active means staying on top of your continuing education (CE) requirements. The Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) has structured CE in a way that ensures license holders stay current on laws, contracts, ethics, and industry best practices. Here’s a simple breakdown of what you need to know for your next renewal.

Standard 2-Year Renewal Requirements

Every two years, Texas real estate agents and brokers must complete 18 hours of continuing education. This includes:

• 4 hours – Legal Update I (laws, rules, and forms)

• 4 hours – Legal Update II (ethics, agency, and industry updates)

• 3 hours – Contracts course (TREC-approved)

• 7 hours – Elective CE courses of your choice

These electives can cover topics like marketing, negotiations, technology, lead generation, and more—as long as they’re TREC-approved.

Additional Requirements for Brokers and Supervisors

If you are a:

• Broker who sponsors agents,

• Designated broker for a business entity, or

• Sales agent or broker who has been delegated as a supervisor,

You must include a 6-hour Broker Responsibility course as part of your 18 hours.

First Renewal Requirements — Sales Apprentice Education (SAE)

If you’re renewing for the very first time after earning your license, the rules are different.

Texas requires:

• 270 hours of qualifying real estate coursework, which includes additional education beyond your initial pre-licensing classes.

• The same Legal Update I & II courses must still be completed during this cycle.

If you've been appointed as a supervisor, you must also take the Broker Responsibility course.

Inactive Renewal Option

If you’re not actively engaged in brokerage activity, you can renew your license on inactive status—in this case, CE is not required until you reactivate your license.

CE Deferral Option

If you attempt to renew but haven’t completed your CE hours, TREC allows you to pay a $200 CE deferral fee. This grants a 60-day extension to complete the required coursework while keeping your license active.

Important Fine Print

• You cannot repeat the same course for CE credit within the same renewal cycle.

• All courses must be TREC-approved.

• Online CE is fully allowed, making it easier to complete your hours on your schedule.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re a new agent going through your first renewal or a seasoned broker managing a team, staying compliant with Texas CE requirements is simple once you understand the structure. Knock out your Legal Updates early, plan out your electives, and stay ahead of your renewal deadline to avoid stress—and extra fees.