Last updated: February 19, 2026. Based on TREC licensing pages/forms and Pearson VUE Texas exam documents.
Sales Agent vs Broker in Texas: Fast Decision
- Choose Sales Agent if you are entering the industry and want the fastest licensed path.
- Choose Broker if you already have qualifying experience and want independent authority, team sponsorship, and brokerage control.
Side-by-Side Requirement Comparison (2026)
| Category | Texas Sales Agent | Texas Individual Broker |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum age | 18 | 18 |
| Initial education | 180 classroom hours | 270 classroom hours (includes Real Estate Brokerage) |
| Additional education | N/A at application stage | Additional 630 classroom hours in related qualifying/approved CE categories |
| Experience requirement | None beyond base eligibility | At least 720 points over minimum 4 years during the 5 years before filing |
| Exam fee | $43 (sales exam) | $39 (broker exam) |
| Original application total | $206 | $308 |
| Sponsorship needed to practice | Yes, required | No (brokers may operate/sponsor) |
1) Role Differences
Sales Agent
- Works under a sponsoring broker.
- Cannot practice independently.
- Typical entry license for new Texas agents.
Broker
- May run an independent brokerage.
- May sponsor sales agents.
- Bears higher compliance and supervision responsibilities.
2) Education Requirements by Path
Sales Agent education (180 hours)
- Principles I and II
- Law of Agency
- Law of Contracts
- Promulgated Contract Forms
- Real Estate Finance
Broker education (higher bar)
- 270 qualifying classroom hours, including Real Estate Brokerage
- 630 additional related classroom hours/approved CE categories
- Includes Broker Responsibility coursework requirement
3) Experience Requirements for Broker Applicants
TREC broker qualification forms (2026 version) require broker-experience evidence:
- minimum 720 points
- minimum 4 years experience period
- experience within the 5 years preceding application filing
This is the biggest practical barrier between sales agent and broker routes.
4) Exam Differences
From Pearson VUE Texas content outlines/handbook:
| Exam Component | Sales Agent | Broker |
|---|---|---|
| National portion | 80 scored (+5 pretest) | 80 scored (+5 pretest) |
| State law portion | 40 scored (+10 pretest) | 50 scored (+5-10 pretest) |
| Case studies on state section | No | Yes (10 case studies) |
| Total test time | 240 minutes | 240 minutes |
5) Fees by Path (TREC + Pearson)
| Fee Item | Sales Agent | Broker |
|---|---|---|
| Original application total | $206 | $308 |
| Exam fee paid to provider | $43 | $39 |
| Fingerprint fee (if needed) | $37 | $37 |
6) Sponsorship and Career Control Implications
- Sales agents need sponsorship to activate and remain working status.
- Brokers can structure their own operations and sponsor agents.
- Moving from sales to broker is usually a business-model decision, not only a licensing decision.
7) Timeline Comparison
| Stage | Sales Agent Track | Broker Track |
|---|---|---|
| Education completion | Usually faster | Longer (more hours) |
| Experience prerequisite | None | Multi-year documented activity |
| Time to active earning status | Faster for new entrants | Slower unless already qualified |
8) Salary Context (Practical)
Brokers often have higher upside due to:
- brokerage overrides and team economics
- control of business systems and lead channels
- ability to scale through sponsored agents
Sales agents can still earn strongly, but income is more tied to personal production and split terms.
9) Path Decision Matrix
| If this describes you... | Better Path |
|---|---|
| New entrant with no transaction history | Sales Agent first |
| Want to start earning quickly under mentorship | Sales Agent first |
| Already have qualifying points/experience | Broker path |
| Want independent brokerage authority | Broker path |
| Not ready for supervision/compliance overhead | Sales Agent first |
10) Best Next Step CTA
If you are deciding between paths, start by benchmarking exam readiness first: