Texas Real Estate Continuing Education: TREC-Approved CE Courses

The Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) requires all real estate agents and brokers to complete 18 hours of approved continuing education (CE) every two years to renew an active license. 

Yes, the Legal Update courses are mandatory. Your 18 hours of CE must include 4 hours of Legal Update I and 4 hours of Legal Update II. These courses cover recent changes to real estate laws, regulations, and forms. 

You must complete all 18 hours of your CE before your license expiration date. Your expiration date is set for every two years from the date your license was first issued. You can verify your specific deadline by using the TREC license lookup portal. 

Yes, Texas allows you to complete all 18 hours of your CE through online courses, as long as they are provided by a TREC-approved education provider like McKissock. 

The time it takes to complete your courses depends on your personal pace and schedule. McKissock’s online format allows you to start and stop as needed, giving you the flexibility to complete your 18 hours at your convenience before your renewal deadline. 

If your CE isn’t complete by your renewal date, you have two options: pay a $200 CE Deferral Fee before your license expires to stay active while you finish the hours, or renew on inactive status (no real-estate activity allowed). The deferral fee buys you an extra 60 days from your expiration date to post the required 18 hours. 

Complete the hours within that 60-day window and you’re good. Miss it, and TREC hits you with a $250 late-reporting penalty (bringing your total to $450) and flips your license to inactive—no transactions until you clear the hours and fees. 

If your license already expired: 
• Up to 6 months past expiration: You can still renew, but only on inactive status. Additional late-renewal fees apply (increasing the longer you wait). 
• 6 months to 2 years past expiration: You’re in reinstatement territory—higher fees and more hoops to jump through. 
• After 2 years: Start from scratch—new application, new exam, the whole deal. 
Bottom line: Pay the $200 deferral fee before your expiration date if you need more time, or finish your CE early to avoid the cascade of fees, penalties, and inactive status. 

Yes. As a TREC-approved provider, McKissock will report your course completions to the Texas Real Estate Commission on your behalf. We typically report completions within one business day. 

Yes, you can complete your CE requirements through more than one approved provider. However, consolidating your education with a single provider like McKissock can help simplify tracking and ensure all completions are reported efficiently. 

Your certificate of completion will be available to download from your McKissock account immediately after you finish each course. 

If you are a broker who sponsors sales agents, a designated broker of a business entity, or a license holder who is a delegated supervisor of one or more license holders, you must complete the 6-hour Broker Responsibility course as part of your 18-hour CE requirement.