Texas Real Estate Agent License Verification Guide

Last updated: April 2026

This guide is written for consumers in Texas who want to verify a real estate agent's or broker's license. LicenseStatusVerify is a non-government utility. Always confirm details using the official regulator source.

Quick Checklist

Ask for the license number (best) and the exact name used on the license.
Verify the license status is not expired, suspended, revoked, or inactive.
Check the credential type (Sales Agent, Broker Individual, or Broker Company).
Confirm the person is licensed to represent you in your transaction.
Use the official TREC license verification tool for final confirmation.
Ask about continuing education (CE) compliance if applicable.

Why Verifying Your Agent's or Broker's License Matters

A licensed real estate agent or broker has met Texas education requirements and maintains compliance with the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) code of conduct. Unlicensed agents cannot legally represent you, and expired or suspended licenses indicate potential problems:

**Active licenses** mean the agent is currently authorized to conduct real estate transactions in Texas.
**Expired licenses** may indicate the agent failed to renew or maintain CE requirements.
**Suspended or revoked licenses** suggest disciplinary action by TREC.

Verifying before you engage an agent protects you from potential fraud, disputes, and transactions conducted by unauthorized practitioners.

How to Verify a Real Estate License in Texas

Step 1: Gather identification information

Ask your agent or broker for:

Their license number (the most reliable identifier),
Their full name as shown on the license,
Their license type (Sales Agent, Broker, or Broker Company).

Step 2: Search here or use the official TREC lookup

You can search LicenseStatusVerify by name or license number. For authoritative confirmation, visit the official TREC license verification tool at https://www.trec.texas.gov/public/verify-a-license.

Step 3: Verify the license type and status

**Sales Agent**: An individual licensed to represent buyers or sellers on behalf of a broker. Sales agents must work under a broker's sponsorship and cannot operate independently.
**Broker Individual**: An individual licensed to represent clients directly and to sponsor and supervise sales agents.
**Broker Company**: A business entity (corporation, partnership, LLC, etc.) licensed to operate a real estate brokerage.

Confirm that the agent's license type matches their role in your transaction. If you are buying or selling a home, your agent should be either a Sales Agent or an Individual Broker.

Step 4: Check the status

Common license statuses include:

**Active**: The license is current and the agent is authorized to conduct transactions.
**Inactive**: The agent has voluntarily placed their license on inactive status (often to pause practice temporarily).
**Expired**: The license has passed its expiration date. The agent cannot legally represent clients until they renew.
**Suspended**: TREC has temporarily suspended the license, usually due to disciplinary action or non-compliance.
**Revoked**: TREC has permanently revoked the license due to serious violations. The agent cannot represent clients.
**Probation (Active)**: The agent is licensed but under probationary conditions set by TREC.

Step 5: Use the official source link for final confirmation

If anything is unclear or if you have concerns about disciplinary history, use the official TREC verification tool. It provides complete details, complaint history, and disciplinary records.

License Types Explained

Sales Agent

A Sales Agent is an individual who represents buyers or sellers in real estate transactions. They must:

Work under the supervision and sponsorship of a licensed broker,
Cannot negotiate commissions directly with clients (the broker does),
Cannot operate an independent real estate office,
Must follow TREC's rules and the Texas Real Estate Commission Act.

If your agent is a Sales Agent, the broker in charge is ultimately responsible for the transaction.

Broker (Individual)

An Individual Broker (or Managing Broker) is licensed to:

Represent clients directly in real estate transactions,
Establish and manage a brokerage office,
Sponsor and supervise Sales Agents,
Negotiate commissions and fees with clients.

Individual Brokers have more authority and responsibility than Sales Agents.

Broker Company

A Broker Company is a business entity (LLC, corporation, partnership, etc.) licensed to:

Operate a real estate brokerage business,
Employ and supervise Sales Agents and Individual Brokers,
Represent clients in transactions under the company name.

The Broker Company must have a designated broker responsible for compliance and supervision.

Understanding License Status Categories

Active vs. Inactive vs. Expired

**Active**: License is current and valid. The agent can practice.
**Inactive**: Agent has voluntarily placed their license in an inactive state. They cannot practice until they reactivate it, often by completing CE requirements and paying fees.
**Expired**: License has expired. The agent must renew or apply for a new license to practice again. Renewal requires meeting CE obligations.

What "Active" Really Means

An "Active" status does not guarantee the agent is currently practicing or available. Some agents maintain active licenses but may not be actively taking clients. Always contact the agent directly to confirm their current availability and practice status.

Revoked and Suspended Licenses

**Suspended**: TREC has temporarily suspended the license, usually due to non-compliance with CE, unpaid fees, or ethics violations. The suspension period is finite; the agent can reapply after compliance.
**Revoked**: TREC has permanently revoked the license due to serious violations (fraud, misappropriation of client funds, criminal activity, etc.). A revoked license cannot be reinstated; the agent must apply for a new license (which TREC may deny).

Red Flags and What to Do

Red Flag: Unlicensed Agent

If an agent cannot produce a license number or their license is inactive or expired, do not proceed. Only licensed agents can legally represent you. Report unlicensed practitioners to TREC at https://www.trec.texas.gov.

Red Flag: Expired License

An expired license means the agent failed to renew, did not complete CE, or did not pay renewal fees. Do not allow an expired-license agent to represent you—any transaction they conduct is not legally authorized.

Red Flag: Suspended or Revoked License

If an agent's license is suspended or revoked, TREC has taken disciplinary action. Understand the reasons before proceeding. You can view the complaint history and disciplinary details on the TREC verification page.

Red Flag: Multiple Address Changes or Inconsistent Information

If an agent's broker information or address changes frequently or if the license record shows unusual activity, ask your agent to explain or verify the information directly with TREC.

Continuing Education (CE) and Renewal Requirements

Texas real estate licenses require continuing education to renew. Agents must complete CE courses before their license expires. While CE status may not be visible in all public records, you can ask your agent about their CE compliance:

Most Texas real estate licenses require 4 hours of TREC-approved CE per two-year renewal period.
Agents must include 1 hour of instruction in the Texas Real Estate Commission Act and TREC Rules.
Some agents may pursue additional specialized CE in areas like property management, commercial real estate, or ethics.

If an agent's license has expired, they likely did not complete their CE or did not renew on time. Renewal requirements are strict, so an expired license is a serious concern.

What Consumers Can Do If They Have a Complaint

If you believe a real estate agent or broker has engaged in unethical conduct, fraud, or misrepresentation, you can file a complaint with TREC:

1. Visit https://www.trec.texas.gov/apps/complaint/ 2. Provide details of the transaction, the agent's name or license number, and a description of the complaint. 3. TREC will investigate and may take disciplinary action if warranted.

Complaints are how TREC identifies agents who are not protecting consumer interests. Your report helps protect other consumers.

Useful Resources

**TREC License Verification Tool**: https://www.trec.texas.gov/public/verify-a-license
**File a Complaint with TREC**: https://www.trec.texas.gov/apps/complaint/
**Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC)**: https://www.trec.texas.gov
**TREC Consumer Information**: https://www.trec.texas.gov/consumer-information
**Frequently Asked Questions**: https://www.trec.texas.gov/faqs

Non-Government Notice

LicenseStatusVerify is a non-government utility. We mirror public data from TREC and provide timestamps and explanatory context. We do not issue, suspend, or reinstate licenses. TREC is the official source of truth for all license information.