Real Estate Agent Permit Requirements in Houston, TX

Complete permit and license guide for starting a real estate agent in Houston, Harris County, Texas.

$700 -- $1700 3–6 months to complete education, exam, and licensing 4 requirements

Not legal advice. Requirements may change — always verify with your local government authority before applying. Last verified: .

Houston / Harris County Requirements

1 requirement
1

City of Houston — No Additional Local License Required for Agents

Real estate sales agents in Houston are licensed at the state level through TREC. No additional Houston city-specific license is required for individual agents.

No additional fee for individual agentsN/A
Official government source

Texas State Requirements

2 requirements
1

Texas Real Estate Commission — Sales Agent License

Texas requires real estate sales agents to complete 180 hours of pre-licensing education from a TREC-approved provider, pass the Texas Real Estate Sales Agent Exam (administered by Pearson VUE), and submit an application to the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC). All sales agents must be sponsored by a licensed Texas real estate broker.

$54 (exam fee) + $185 (license application fee) + $400–$700 (pre-licensing education)3–6 months
Official government source
2

Errors & Omissions (E&O) Insurance

Most real estate brokerages require agents to carry Errors & Omissions (E&O) insurance, which protects against claims of negligent acts or omissions in real estate transactions. Some states mandate it; most brokerages require it. Coverage typically starts at $100,000 per occurrence.

$300–$800/year1–5 business days
Official government source

Federal Requirements

1 requirement
1

EIN (Employer Identification Number)

Required if you operate as an LLC, corporation, or have employees. Free from the IRS. Even sole proprietors may benefit from obtaining an EIN to keep business and personal finances separate.

FreeImmediate (online application)
Official government source

Official Sources

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