Couple with a real estate agent in a home for sale

Real Estate

Certificate Technical Degree

Are you a “people person” with strong relationship skills? Consider a rewarding and exciting career in real estate. If negotiating deals and being in control over your success fits your personality and career dreams, then San Jacinto College’s real estate program may be the perfect place to jump start your career!

Program at a Glance

Career Opportunities

Studying real estate opens doors to many careers, including:

  • Real estate agent
  • Broker
  • Appraiser
  • Inspector
  • Leasing agent
  • Property manager
  • Loan officer
  • Commercial property specialist

Earning Potential

Real Estate Broker: $85,751
Real Estate Sales Agent: $62,273

For more salary information, check out Texas Wages.

Locations

Real Estate program Q&A

Answers to some of the most common questions about the San Jacinto College Real Estate program

There are many to choose from including real estate agent, broker, appraiser, inspector, leasing agent, property manager, loan officer, and commercial property specialist just to name a few.

Real estate agents are independent contractors and work under the supervision of a licensed broker. Agents earn money by commissions on the sales they make. If you don’t sell anything then you don’t make any money. If you sell a lot of homes, then you’ll make a lot of money. The amount of money you make is really up to you and how hard you want to work. The average first year real estate agent earns less than $20,000, however, the average experienced agent with at least five years of experience can earn more than $60,000 a year, with many agents earning more than $100,000 a year. The potential is there if you have a business plan and work hard at marketing yourself.

The sales agent license requires six courses that are required by the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC), which can be completed in one semester (16 weeks) if a student is attending full time. After completion of those six courses, students are eligible to take the TREC licensing exam. A broker license requires 900 clock hours (60 semester hours), which the Associate of Applied Science in Real Estate meets. Students can complete the Associate of Applied Science in Real Estate in two years if they attend full time.
Yes. There is a $205 application fee to TREC, and the state licensing exam costs $54. Once you have your license, you can expect another $500-$1,000 in membership fees to TREC and HAR. There will also be additional costs such as purchasing lockboxes, signs, flyer boxes, and other necessary items to operate your real estate business.
We offer real estate courses at the Central, North, and South Campuses each semester, including the summer. The six state-required courses are offered in the morning, evening, and online.

 

DEGREES & CERTIFICATES

Real Estate Advanced, Level 2 Certificate

Certificate
The Level 2 Certificate prepares you for the degree program, an entry-level career, or advancement in your current career. If you are interested in pursuing your broker’s license or pursuing real estate management opportunities, this certificate may be a good choice for you.
Length 1.5 Years
If you're studying full-time, you can complete the 45 credits for this certificate in three terms.

Real Estate, AAS

Technical Degree
The Associate of Applied Science degree prepares you for an entry-level career in real estate. It will also prepare you for earning your sales agent or broker license.
Length 2 Years
If you're studying full-time, you can complete the 60 credits for this program in four terms.

Real Estate, Certificate of Technology

Certificate
The Certificate of Technology prepares you for the degree program, an entry-level career, or advancement in your current career. This program builds on the Occupational Certificate by including the courses you’ll need for the annual renewal of your salesperson’s license.
Length 6 Months
If you're studying full-time, you can complete the 30 credits for this certificate in two terms.

Real Estate, Occupational Certificate

Certificate
The Occupational Certificate prepares you for the AAS degree or Certificate of Technology program or to advance in your current career. It will also help you gain the knowledge and credentials required to take the salesperson’s licensure examination.
Length 3 Months
If you're studying full-time, you can complete the 15 credits for this certificate in one term.
Real Estate Graduate Play Video

Learn about Licensing

Depending on what kind of real estate career you’re interested in, you may be required to have special licensing in order to work. Our programs can help you qualify for one of these licenses.

Sales Agent License 

A sales agent is a person who is licensed by the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) to act as an agent on behalf of a real estate broker and their clients. A sales agent must be sponsored by a licensed broker to perform any act of real estate services. They are also required to renew their license every two years.

Broker License

A licensed real estate broker is a person who provides real estate services to another person in exchange for a commission. Brokers can also sponsor and supervise real estate sales agents.

Steps to Become a Sales Agent

You’ll have one year from the date your applications are filed to meet all the license requirements below. Check the status of your applications using the Application Status Tracker.
  1. Review qualification requirements

    To apply for your license, you must meet the following qualifications:

    • Citizen of the United States or lawfully admitted alien*
    • 18 years of age or older
    • Meet TREC’s qualifications for honesty, trustworthiness, and integrity**
    * Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients do not qualify as a lawfully admitted alien

    ** Applicants may consider requesting a Fitness Determination form before applying for the license

  2. File the application online or by mail

    Submit the application and fee to become a Sales Agent using TREC's Online Services. If you do not already have a username and password for the Online Services, you should register online or apply for the Sales Agent license using TREC's paper application.

  3. Get fingerprints for a background check

    You are required by law to have fingerprints on file with the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) so a background check can be performed. Fingerprints on file for other agencies will not be accepted. A license will not be issued if the background check has not been passed. Expect a delay if you are notified of an investigation into your background history. 

  4. Submit qualifying education

    You must prove completion of a total of 180 classroom hours (30 classroom hours per course) of the following qualifying real estate courses:

    • Principles of Real Estate I
    • Principles of Real Estate II
    • Law of Agency
    • Law of Contracts
    • Promulgated Contract Forms
    • Real Estate Finance
    Submit course completion documents to TREC after applying online or with the paper application. After completing course work, you are welcome to submit a course and instructor evaluation. If you completed any of the above qualifying real estate courses through an accredited college/university for academic credit, submit a transcript for evaluation.

  5. Take the exam

    License exams are administered by PearsonVUE, a testing service company. You will be sent a notice with instructions for scheduling the exam and obtaining a copy of the exam Candidate Handbook. If you fail the exam three times, additional education will be necessary.

  6. Find a sponsor

    After meeting the above requirements, you will be issued an inactive license. You need to be sponsored by an active Texas licensed broker to work. You can complete a sponsorship request using TREC's online services. Once the broker has accepted the request, an active license will be issued, and you can work as a sales agent.

    Note: Educational Requirements for Texas Real Estate Licensure - Requirements for licensure are subject to change by TREC. Three semester credit hours (SCH) are the equivalent of 45 clock or classroom hours. A real estate salesperson is required to complete a total of 18 SCH (270 classroom hours) of education by the end of his or her first year of licensure. Courses acceptable toward sales educational requirements are also acceptable for broker educational requirements.

Sales Agent License Renewal Information

Once you become a sales agent, you will have to renew your license every two years. A renewal notice will be sent out about 90 days before the expiration date. Until you receive this notice of renewal, you cannot renew your licenses. As part of the renewal process, you must complete certain continuing education courses to help you deliver competent and quality real estate services. After completing course work, you are welcome to submit a course and instructor evaluation. 

You may renew your license up to six months after the expiration date. After six months and up to two years past the expiration date, you may apply for reinstatement of the license. After two years past the expiration date, you will have to reapply and pass the examination.

If you're renewing for the first time, active or inactive, you must have the following education requirements posted to your license record before you submit the renewal:

  • Total of 270 qualifying real estate course hours
  • 4 hours of TREC's Legal Update I
  • 4 hours of TREC's Legal Update II
  • If you have been made a supervisor by your broker, you must complete the 6-hour Broker Responsibility course to renew.

You may submit qualifying course completion documents to TREC at least 10 days before renewing your license. Qualifying credit will not be granted if you were previously given credit for a substantially similar qualifying course within a two year period. 

You may not defer SAE requirements. The license will not be renewed until you complete the required education.

 

Complete 18 hours of approved Continuing Education (CE) courses:

  • 8 hours of TREC Legal Update I and II
  • 3 hours of contract-related coursework
  • 7 hours of elective CE
  • If you have been made a supervisor by your broker, you must complete the 6-hour Broker Responsibility course as part of the 18 hours of CE.

If TREC records do not reflect completion of CE requirements at the time you submit the renewal application, you must pay a $200 CE Deferral Fee, or renew in inactive status. Payment of the CE Deferral Fee allows you to remain active for an additional 60 days from the expiration date to complete CE requirements. To receive the additional 60 days to complete any outstanding CE, the CE Deferral fee must be paid before the expiration date of the license. Deferral does not apply to sales agents renewing for the first time.

If your license expires, you cannot renew until CE requirements are met and you have paid the CE Deferral Fee. If you complete CE more than 60 days after the license expiration date, you will be subject to an additional late reporting fee of $250.

If you have not submitted fingerprints for TREC with a previous renewal or application, you must be fingerprinted for a criminal background check.

 

You may renew the license on inactive status without completing CE. You cannot engage in real estate brokerage activity with an inactive license.

 

How to renew online:

  1. Renew online using TREC's Online Services. If you have not renewed online before, you may need to register first.
  2. Complete CE at least 10 days before the expiration date, to ensure time for processing.
  3. Pay the renewal fee online using TREC's Online Services no later than the expiration date of the license

How to renew by mail:

  1. Submit the Renewal Form for Real Estate Sales Agents and Brokers.
  2. Complete CE at least 10 days before the expiration date, to ensure time for processing.
  3. Include payment of the renewal fee.

 

Get Your Broker License

You’ll have one year from the date your application is filed to meet all license requirements below:

To apply for your license, you must meet the following qualifications:

  • Citizen of the United States or lawfully admitted alien*
  • 18 years of age or older
  • Meet TREC’s qualifications for honesty, trustworthiness, and integrity**

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients do not qualify as a lawfully admitted alien
** Applicants may consider requesting a Fitness Determination form before applying for the license. 

 

You must prove completion of a total of 270 classroom hours (30 classroom hours per course), including the following mandatory real estate courses:

  • Principles of Real Estate I
  • Principles of Real Estate II
  • Law of Agency
  • Law of Contracts
  • Promulgated Contract Forms
  • Real Estate Finance
  • Real Estate Brokerage (must be completed no longer than two years before the application date)

An additional 630 classroom hours in related qualifying courses acceptable to TREC or approved Continuing Education (CE) courses are also required.

A bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university satisfies all of the related education requirements for a broker license. A copy of the college transcript awarding the degree must be submitted as evidence of completion of the degree.

You may submit course completion documents to TREC after applying online or with a paper application. After completing course work, you are welcome to submit a course and instructor evaluation.

 

You must also meet the following experience requirements:

  • Have at least four years’ active experience as a licensed real estate sales agent or broker during the 60-month period preceding the filing of the application.
  • Experience must total 3600 points and be reported on the Qualifying Experience Report for a Broker License
  • You must also include a transaction identification list for each transaction claimed on the experience report.

 

Submit the application and fee to become a Sales Agent using TREC's Online Services. If you do not already have a username and password for the Online Services, either register online or apply for the Sales Agent license using TREC's paper application.

 

You are required by law to have fingerprints on file with the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) so a background check can be performed. Fingerprints on file for other agencies will not be accepted. A license will not be issued if the background check has not been passed. Expect a delay if you are notified of an investigation into your background history.

 

License exams are administered by PearsonVUE, a testing service company. You will be sent a notice with instructions for scheduling the exam and obtaining a copy of the exam Candidate Handbook. If you fail the exam three times, additional education will be necessary.

Contact Us

Got questions? Reach out to program coordinators via phone or email and we’ll help make sure you’re choosing the right program for you.
Kay Richardson
DC, Cons/Prof Svcs/Auto Tech
Phone
(281) 991-2608
Mary Lindsay
DC, Consumer/Busi Tech Svcs
Phone
(281) 998-6150x3587
Tiffany Burton
Dean, Business and Technology
Phone
(281) 459-7106