Texas Real Estate Broker Standards to Rise

Texas Real Estate Commission Seal

While Texas already has some of the highest standards for a Real Estate Broker License, it’s about to become a bit more difficult. Senate Bill 747, also known as the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) Housekeeping Bill, passed and was signed into law. One of the major changes affects those people seeking a Real Estate Broker License.

Currently a person seeking a broker license must complete 900 hours of education, have two years of experience as a real estate salesperson, and achieve a passing score on the broker examination.

Effective January 1 2012, Texas will raise the experience requirement to 4 years. It goes one step further. “The commission by rule shall establish what constitutes active experience for the purposes of this section…” Basically, TREC can establish rules that outline what can be counted towards “active” experience.

TREC has formed a working group of brokers, lawyers, and members of the public to create those rules and related forms.

If you’ve been thinking about getting your Texas Broker License, now may be the best time as the old rules remain in-place until the end of 2011.

Tom Branch, Broker, CDPE, SFR