What is the difference between an active and inactive license?

An active license means you work under a sponsoring broker. When you have an active real estate license, you can work as a real estate agent and perform real estate brokerage activities. If you do not have a sponsoring broker, you will be issued an inactive real estate license.

You will receive an inactive license after passing the state exam and completing all of the requirements of your license application. With an inactive license, you will technically be a licensed Texas real agent; however, you will not be able to perform any real estate related activities.

You will receive an inactive real estate license after you have completed the following: 1) Completed the 180-hour pre-license course. 2) Submitted a license application with TREC. 3) Had your fingerprints taken. 4) Passed the state exam.

Once you have fulfilled all of the requirements of your license application (completed the 180-hour pre-license course, and had your fingerprints taken), you will receive your inactive real estate license within 5-10 business days of passing the state exam.

​In order to get an active real estate license, you will have to complete a sponsorship request with the help of your sponsoring broker. This can be done online using TREC’s Online Licensing Service. Once your sponsoring broker accepts your request, TREC will issue you an active license.

Once you are issued an inactive real estate license, you must complete a sponsorship request in order to obtain an active real estate license. You will need the help of your sponsoring broker in order to complete this process. You can complete the sponsorship request online using TREC's Online Licensing Service.

You only need a sponsoring broker if you want to obtain an active real estate license. You can still obtain an inactive license if you do not have a sponsoring broker. However, you will not be able to work as a real estate agent with an inactive license.