Texas Real Estate CE Requirements (2026): 18 Hours Every 2 Years
Requirements Overview
The Texas Real Estate Commission requires 18 hours of continuing education per biennial renewal cycle. Mandatory topics include Legal Update I (4 hours), Legal Update II (4 hours), and 3 hours of contract-related coursework. The remaining 7 hours are electives. Brokers who sponsor sales agents or serve as delegated supervisors must also complete a 6-hour Broker Responsibility Course, and starting January 1, 2026, this becomes mandatory for all broker renewals.
First-time sales agent renewals carry a substantially higher bar: 270 qualifying real estate course hours total, including the 30-hour Real Estate Brokerage course and both Legal Update courses. This Sales Agent Education (SAE) requirement cannot be deferred, and the license will not renew until it is complete.
Texas offers a CE deferral option for subsequent renewals at a $200 fee, granting 60 additional days to complete courses while maintaining active status. Course certificates should be uploaded at least 10 days before the renewal date. Late renewal beyond six months results in automatic inactive status, and licenses not renewed within two years require reapplication and retesting.
Mandatory Topics
| Topic | Hours | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legal Update I | 4 | Every renewal | Required TREC Legal Update I course. Required for both standard CE renewal and first-time SAE renewal. |
| Legal Update II | 4 | Every renewal | Required TREC Legal Update II course. Required for both standard CE renewal and first-time SAE renewal. |
| Contract-Related Coursework | 3 | Every renewal | 3 hours of contract-related CE coursework required each renewal. |
| Broker Responsibility | 6 | Every renewal | Required for brokers who sponsor sales agents and delegated supervisors. Starting January 1, 2026, required for all broker renewals. Counts toward the 18-hour total. |
Renewal Pathways
Exemptions
- Inactive Status — Inactive license renewal does not require CE. Licensee cannot engage in brokerage activity while inactive.Must complete CE to reactivate license
How You Can Complete Your CE
Texas CE Rules & Limits
Details specific to Texas that generic CE guides tend to miss:
- Carry-over — No carry-over provisions mentioned. CE must be completed during each 2-year license period.
- Texas uses a 2-year renewal cycle.
- First-time renewal requires 270 qualifying course hours (SAE) which cannot be deferred.
- CE deferral option: $200 fee for 60 additional days to complete CE while maintaining active status.
- Late renewal (6+ months after expiration) results in automatic inactive status.
- Reinstatement possible 6 months to 2 years past expiration. After 2 years, must reapply and retake exam.
- Starting January 1, 2026, all brokers must complete Broker Responsibility Course at each renewal.
- Course certificates must be uploaded 10 days prior to renewal.
- Fingerprinting required if not previously submitted.
Provider Requirements
TREC-approved CE providers. Courses must be approved by the Texas Real Estate Commission.
Tips for Texas Real Estate Agents
- Upload your course certificates at least 10 days before renewal — last-minute uploads may not process in time.
- The $200 CE deferral buys 60 extra days with active status if you are cutting it close on hours.
- Starting January 2026, all brokers must complete the 6-hour Broker Responsibility Course, not just sponsoring brokers.
- First-time sales agents cannot defer SAE requirements — build a study plan for the 270 hours early in your first license period.
Sources
Each figure on this page is taken directly from the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC)'s official rules and continuing-education sources and recorded with the exact source excerpt. Last verified Mar 2026. Read how we compile and verify this data.