Last updated: February 19, 2026. Fees referenced from TREC fee schedule effective December 15, 2025 and Pearson VUE Texas handbook.
Texas Real Estate License Cost in 2026: Quick Numbers
If you want the hard-cost baseline first:
- Sales Agent Original Application (TREC total): $206
- Sales Agent Exam Fee (Pearson VUE): $43 per attempt
- Fingerprint Fee (IDEMIA via TREC schedule): $37
That is $286 in fixed state/testing costs before education and brokerage onboarding costs.
Itemized Fee Table (Official + Market Budget Lines)
| Cost Item | 2026 Amount/Range | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Sales Agent Original Application | $206 | One-time fixed (TREC) |
| Pearson VUE Sales Exam | $43 per attempt | One-time, repeatable if retaking |
| Fingerprinting | $37 | One-time fixed if required |
| 180-hour qualifying education | Usually variable by provider/package | One-time variable |
| Brokerage onboarding/desk/tech | Brokerage-dependent | Startup/recurring variable |
| Renewal (biennial total) | $110 | Recurring (TREC) |
One-Time vs Recurring Cost View
One-time launch costs
- Application + testing + fingerprint
- Education tuition
- Brokerage startup tools (if applicable)
Recurring costs
- Renewal fees
- CE and/or SAE obligations by renewal stage
- Ongoing brokerage technology/desk/association costs
Education Providers: How to Budget the 180 Hours
Texas requires education from a TREC-approved qualifying provider. The exact tuition varies by provider format and bundled prep.
| Provider Path | Typical Budget Behavior |
|---|---|
| Self-paced online | Lower upfront cash, more self-discipline required |
| Live online/classroom | Higher price, structured schedule |
| Premium exam-prep bundle | Higher cost, includes more practice/coach support |
Use TREC-approved provider directories and compare package inclusions before buying add-ons.
Retake Cost Scenarios
Because exam fee is charged per reservation/attempt, retakes add quickly.
| Scenario | Added Exam Cost |
|---|---|
| Pass first attempt | $43 |
| One retake | $86 total exam spend |
| Two retakes | $129 total exam spend |
If you are not consistently scoring in your target range on timed practice, delay exam booking to reduce retake spend.
Sponsorship and First-Year Operating Cost Considerations
TREC fees are only part of your first-year budget. Sponsoring broker models vary on:
- split vs cap structures
- desk/technology/admin charges
- marketing support vs self-funded prospecting
Your real first-year cost can differ significantly even with identical TREC/Pearson fees.
Monthly Budget Plan (First 6 Months)
| Month | Planned Spend Focus |
|---|---|
| Month 1 | Application, education enrollment, fingerprinting |
| Month 2 | Exam attempt + prep reinforcement |
| Month 3 | Sponsorship onboarding and activation costs |
| Month 4 | Core business stack (CRM, signage, marketing basics) |
| Month 5 | Lead generation budget calibration |
| Month 6 | Compliance check + runway reset |
ROI Timeline: When Can Costs Be Recovered?
Simple planning model:
- Add fixed launch costs + realistic variable setup.
- Estimate net commission per closing after split and transaction costs.
- Divide total startup spend by expected net-per-close.
Example framework:
- If startup spend is around $1,500 and average net per close is $3,000, break-even is roughly one closing.
- If startup spend is $3,000 and average net per close is $2,000, break-even is about 1.5 closes.
Use conservative assumptions to avoid cash-flow pressure.
Cost-Saving Tips That Actually Work
- Choose one solid education path once; avoid switching midstream.
- Use timed practice before paying Pearson VUE retake fees.
- Verify all upload documents before submission to avoid delay loops.
- Compare broker compensation models on total economics, not just split headline.
- Build a 90-day runway budget before going active.
Free Practice CTA
Before booking another paid exam attempt, benchmark for free: