How many hours of education are required to get a real estate license in Texas?

Texas requires the highest number of pre-licensing education hours among these states, totaling 180 hours of mandatory courses.

Does California offer reciprocity for real estate agents licensed in other US states?

No, California does not have reciprocity with any other state. Agents must complete the 135 hours of pre-licensing education and pass the state exam.

What is the post-licensing education requirement in Florida?

Florida requires sales associates to complete a mandatory 45-hour Post-Licensing Course before their first license renewal (typically within 18-24 months).

Is post-licensing education required in California?

No, California does not require a post-licensing course, only standard continuing education (CE) for subsequent renewals.

What is the biggest difference between getting a real estate license in California and Texas?

The main difference is the education hours: California requires 135 hours, whereas Texas requires 180 hours. Additionally, California has no reciprocity with any other US state.

Real Estate License Requirements: California, Florida, Texas Guide

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How to Get a Real Estate License in the US: A Detailed Guide for California, Florida, and Texas

Homenly 🏡 News Nov 19, 2025

The American real estate market is one of the most lucrative and regulated in the world. However, a real estate license is state-specific. This means that the requirements for education, examinations, and application procedures vary significantly depending on whether you want to work in California, Florida, or Texas.

This SEO-optimized article provides a comprehensive guide, comparing the essential requirements for obtaining a real estate license (Sales Agent/Sales Associate) in three of the largest and most dynamic US states.

🇺🇸 Real Estate Licensing: Key Requirements (California, Florida, Texas)

While each state has its unique rules, there are common prerequisites mandatory for all:

Age: The candidate must be at least 18 years old.
Character: The candidate must meet standards of honesty, trustworthiness, and integrity. Criminal convictions may be grounds for denial (often requiring a preliminary Fitness Determination review).
Education: A high school diploma or its equivalent (GED) is required.

1. 🏖️ California: High Education Requirements

California (California Department of Real Estate, DRE) is known for having some of the strictest education requirements in the country.

Requirement	Details
Education Hours	135 hours of mandatory pre-licensing education.
Mandatory Courses	Three 45-hour college-level courses: Real Estate Principles, Real Estate Practice, and one elective course (e.g., Real Estate Appraisal or Finance).
Exam	Must successfully pass the state exam, scoring 70% or higher.
Background Check	Mandatory submission of fingerprints for a criminal background check.
Residency Requirements	Residency is not mandatory, but non-residents must file a form Consent to Service of Process (RE 234).
Reciprocity	California has no reciprocity with any other state. You must meet all California educational requirements.

2. ☀️ Florida: Emphasis on Post-Licensing

Florida (Florida Real Estate Commission, FREC) has relatively lower initial education requirements but strict rules regarding the first license renewal.

Requirement	Details
Education Hours	63 hours of pre-licensing education (Sales Associate Pre-License Course).
Exam	Must successfully pass the state exam (Pearson Vue), scoring 75% or more.
Background Check	Mandatory submission of electronic fingerprints for a background check (via DBPR).
Post-Licensing Education	Crucial: Before the first license renewal (the first 18-24 months), a 45-hour Post-Licensing Course is required. Failure to complete this results in license nullification.
Reciprocity	Florida has Mutual Recognition with many states (e.g., Georgia, Arkansas, Kentucky, Nebraska). Candidates from these states may be exempt from the pre-licensing course but must pass a Florida-specific law exam.

3. 🤠 Texas: The Highest Number of Hours

Texas (Texas Real Estate Commission, TREC) requires the highest number of pre-licensing education hours among these three states.

Requirement	Details
Education Hours	180 hours of mandatory pre-licensing education.
Mandatory Courses	Six 30-hour courses: Principles of Real Estate I & II, Law of Agency, Law of Contracts, Promulgated Contract Forms, and Real Estate Finance.
Exam	Must successfully pass the state exam for a Sales Agent license.
Background Check	Mandatory submission of fingerprints and completion of a TREC background check for honesty and trustworthiness standards.
Sponsorship	The candidate must find a Sponsoring Broker to activate the license. Without an active sponsor, the license remains inactive.
Reciprocity	Texas does not have full reciprocity but has Cooperative Licensing Agreements with certain states, which may simplify the process for brokers. For Sales Agents, full compliance with requirements is generally needed.

🔄 License Requirements Comparison (Table)

To clearly compare the path to licensing in these three states, use the table below:

Criterion	California (CA)	Florida (FL)	Texas (TX)
Minimum Age	18	18	18
Pre-License Education	135 hours	63 hours	180 hours
Post-Licensing Education	None (only CE)	45 hours (mandatory for 1st renewal)	90 hours SAE (for 1st renewal)
Reciprocity/Recognition	No Reciprocity	Mutual Recognition with some states	Limited Reciprocity/Agreements (for Brokers)
Mandatory Sponsorship	Yes, for activation	Yes, for activation	Yes, for activation

💡 Tips for Non-Residents and Multiple Licensing

Start with the Base: It is usually wisest to obtain your first license in your state of residence.
Check Reciprocity: If you already hold a license, check if your state has a mutual recognition agreement with Florida. This can significantly reduce your educational requirements.
Note California: Because California has no reciprocity, even licensed agents from other states will need to complete the 135 hours of pre-licensing education and pass the California exam.
Sponsorship: Remember that in all three states, your Sales Agent/Sales Associate license must be active under the supervision of a licensed Broker.

Obtaining a license is just the first step to a successful real estate career, but careful adherence to state requirements is absolutely essential for legal practice.

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