Texas Real Estate Continuing Education Courses

About

This broker responsibility curriculum was developed by the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) and the Texas Real Estate Research Center at Texas A&M University (the Center) with the assistance of a content writing group using information from publications, presentations, and general research.

The information is believed to be reliable, but it cannot be guaranteed for any particular individual or situation. Laws and rules discussed in the textbook may have been excerpted, summarized, or abbreviated. For a complete understanding and discussion, consult a full version of any pertinent law.

Information in this textbook can change periodically. The authors and instructors are not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional advice. Always seek the services of a professional with suitable expertise.

The authors, presenters, advisory committees, the Center, and TREC disclaim any liability, loss, or risk personal or otherwise, incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, from the use and application of any of the information contained in these materials or the teaching lectures and media presentations given in connection with these materials.

When using this textbook for the broker responsibility course, as required by TREC, the textbook must be reproduced and used in its entirety, without omission or alteration.

Topics Covered

This course covers the following chapters:

• Chapter 1: Broker Supervision and Structure
• Chapter 2: Policies and Procedures
• Chapter 3: Competency
• Chapter 4: Daily Business
• Chapter 5: TREC Enforcement

Learning Objectives

After this course, you will be able to:

• Describe the layers of supervision that exist within a brokerage and the education required to serve in those positions.
• Explain the requirements of TREC Rule 535.2(i)(5) as it relates to the coaching and assistance of sponsored sales agents.
• Design a brokerage structure based on the requirements in TREC Rule 535.2 regarding competency and experience.
• Articulate the importance of maintaining updated policies and procedures.
• Identify the types of records that TREC requires brokers to maintain.
• Describe the rules relating to trust accounts.
• Calculate when and distinguish what constitutes a response to sponsored sales agents, principals, other parties—including other brokers and sales agents—to a real estate transaction.
• Define the three forms of competency license holders are obligated to possess to practice real estate in Texas.
• Describe different ways to ensure sponsored sales agents are competent in the areas in which they practice.
• Understand advertising rules, including a broker’s responsibility for sponsored agents using social media for advertising.
• Recognize the benefits and risks of emerging AI technologies in real estate.
• Compare and contrast the differences between broker price opinions, comparative market analyses, and appraisals.
• Articulate how a sponsored sales agent’s license is affected if continuing education requirements are not satisfied timely.
• Describe the TREC complaint process from the perspective of the license holder and TREC.
• Identify enforcement trends.
• Provide examples of the types of complaints that would be addressed by the TREC advertising compliance program.

About

In conjunction with local and state REALTOR® boards and associations, we are proud to present this Ethics for REALTORS® course online. This course meets the NAR Ethics renewal requirements and may be reported by students to the local and/or state association upon completion.

For more information on Fair Housing, you can view articles in HUD's library by clicking here. You may also want to watch the video on this page.

Fair housing is a right—not a privilege. Fair housing is the law—not just an idea. Each of us is a member of several protected classes. Fair housing laws apply to and protect all of us!

Verify MLS rules in your area to determine what requirements may exist regarding input of listings. Fines may be imposed on those who fail to input a listing in a timely fashion.

A careful and detailed explanation of the terms of the contract which refer to the duties and obligations of the licensee is the basic risk reduction procedure. Asking for acknowledgement that the buyer or seller understands the contract language and answering all questions posed is good insurance against this type of charge.

Obviously, all licensees should advise the buyer or seller to consult an attorney before signing any real estate form, or do they?

This list of words may be incomplete. Fair Housing Laws were created to level the playing field and to punish those who have been found to discriminate.

Topics Covered

Lesson 1: The Code

Lesson 2: Scenarios

Lesson 3: Enforcement

Lesson 4: Additional Issues

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

• Learn the code of ethics along with the preamble.
• Go through the core basic duties to the clients & customers, duties to the public and duties to REALTORS®. with respective articles.
• Discuss various scenarios, case studies and examples in order to master the Ethics for REALTORS®.
• Learn various enforcements and obligations predefined to be followed along with additional issues and pathways to professionalism.

About

The 2026–2027 TREC Legal Update I course provides Texas real estate professionals with essential regulatory knowledge required for renewal under TREC Rule §535.92, forming a core part of Texas real estate continuing education requirements. This 2026–2027 version replaces the prior 2024–2025 TREC Legal Update I course. Developed directly from the Texas Real Estate Commission’s officially created curriculum, this non-elective course helps fulfill required continuing education for both sales agents and brokers. Under §535.92, all active Texas license holders must complete both Legal Update I and Legal Update II before renewing their license.

As one of the state’s primary Texas real estate continuing education courses, Legal Update I strengthens license holder competence through the study of recent legislative changes, updated TREC rules, and revisions to promulgated contract forms. The course also examines key topic areas such as water rights, fair housing obligations, and emerging regulatory issues affecting today’s practice.  

Topics Covered

• Lesson 1: Rules, Updates, and Legislative Changes
• Lesson 2: Contract Form Basics
• Lesson 3: Water Rights
• Lesson 4: Fair Housing

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Describe TREC's advisory committees that examine different areas of the real estate industry.
• Explain the TREC rulemaking process.
• Identify recent TREC rule changes that affect license holders.
• Understand legislation passed by the 89th Texas Legislature relating to the practice of real estate.
• Know the makeup and purpose of the Texas Real Estate Broker-Lawyer Committee.
• Understand how forms are reviewed by the Texas Real Estate Broker-Lawyer Committee.
• Learn the difference between mandatory and voluntary TREC contract forms and to avoid the
• Unauthorized practice of law under TREC Rule 537.11.
• Identify which contract forms are used in different transaction types.
• Identify the types of water under state law.
• Understand the difference between groundwater and surface water.
• Recall the basics of water regulation in the state.
• Recognize a license holder’s role in real estate transactions involving water rights.
• Understand the impact of discrimination in real estate given the history of civil rights laws, current investigations, and trends.
• Identify federal, state, and local fair housing laws.
• Be familiar with the requirements of the Fair Housing Act, TREC Rule 531.19, and Section 1101.652(b)(32).
• Describe steering and strategies to avoid it. 

About

The 2026–2027 TREC Legal Update II course provides Texas real estate professionals with essential regulatory, ethical, and professional practice guidance required for renewal under TREC Rule §535.92, forming a core part of Texas real estate continuing education requirements. This 2026–2027 edition replaces the prior 2024–2025 TREC Legal Update II course. Developed directly from the Texas Real Estate Commission’s officially created curriculum, this non-elective course helps fulfill required continuing education for both sales agents and brokers. Under §535.92, all Texas license holders must complete both Legal Update I and Legal Update II before renewing their license.

As one of the state’s primary Texas real estate continuing education courses, Legal Update II enhances license holder competence through instruction on agency relationships, professional ethics, and TREC advertising rules. This edition also addresses emerging issues such as the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in real estate, support for military service members through VA and Texas Veterans Land Board loan programs, and the TREC complaint and enforcement process.

Topics Covered

• Lesson 1: Competency, Agency, and Advertising
• Lesson 2: The Future is Now: AI and Your Business
• Lesson 3: Representing Military Veterans and Service Members
• Lesson 4: Real Issues: Complaints and Enforcement

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Define the three Canons of Professional Ethics and Conduct under Chapter 531 of TREC rules.
• Explain how types of agency relationships are created in Texas.
• Understand legal requirements associated with written agreements to show property.
• Understand TREC advertising rules and what transaction coordinators and unlicensed assistants are allowed to do in Texas.
• Understand the basics of how Artificial Intelligence (AI) works.
• Describe how AI is being used in real estate.
• List the risks associated with using AI professionally.
• Identify benefits and issues with AI home staging.
• Understand the requirements of the VA loan program.
• Describe how VA loans are different than conventional home loans.
• Identify differences between the VA loan program and the Texas Veterans Land Board loan program.
• Understand the steps of the complaint investigation.
• Recall why TREC complaints cannot be anonymous.
• Identify the top TREC complaint categories.
• Know the expectations of reporting criminal history.

About

About

About

Welcome to Safety First!

As real estate professionals, personal safety is something we need to keep in mind in everything we do. It's essential to be conscious of safety concerns that are unique to the real estate profession. As licensees, we are also responsible for the potential risks we introduce to our clients—from the office to an Open House.

While real estate safety courses have often been the focus of REALTOR®-specific training resources, all licensees and their clients benefit from the preparation and it's imperative to simply take the time to learn about the risks.

We will cover three main topics with regard to licensees and their clients & customers:

1. Safety at Work
2. Safety in Public
3. Safety Online & at Home
   
   

There are plenty of pro-active steps one can take to help protect oneself, one's clients, property, and private information alike. Safety should "be on the front burner" in all things. So, let's get started!

Topics Covered

Lesson 1: Safety at Work

Lesson 2: Safety in Public

Lesson 3: Safety Online & At Home

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

• Identify strategies to ensure the well-being of you and your clients at the office
• Recognize legal risks for real estate licensees (and their effect on customers and clients)
• Outline strategies to ensure everyone's safety when showing properties and hosting Open Houses
• Identify potential dangers online and via social media and teach your clients how to stay safe on the internet

About

A Brief History

The Code of Ethics, or COE, is a living document. It is reviewed and updated every year. This course is designed to give all real estate professionals some "best practices" to follow when posting on not only social media but, in fact, anywhere online.

In 2007, NAR created the Pathways to Professionalism to address issues of courtesy and respect among REALTORS®. This program will work to highlight how each of these programs relates, what changes are made moving forward, and how the real estate professional, be they a REALTOR® or not, should handle certain situations and what guidelines we should follow. On the following pages, you will be guided through the following topics:

• Respect for the Public
• Respect for Property
• Respect for Peers

IMPORTANT: We need your license number!

Please confirm you have provided us with your NE license number. Without this, your completion reporting may be delayed.

To provide your license number, simply close the course and navigate to 'My Account-My Account Info.'

Web 2.0 refers to the second generation of web development and design that aimed to facilitate communication, information sharing, interoperability, and collaboration.

Since the early 2000's, it has evolved into web dependence for many people and businesses.

Web 2.0 refers to the second generation of web development and design that aimed to facilitate communication, information sharing, interoperability, and collaboration.

Since the early 2000's, it has evolved into web dependence for many people and businesses.

Summed up, she might easily be saying, "Just be ethical and good to others, everybody! You don't have an excuse not to be, regardless of your circumstances."

Topics Covered

This lesson focuses on the following topics:

• Etiquette for the Age of Engage
• Ethics
• Competence
• Our Duties to the Industry
• Etiquette

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

• Discuss the role of ethics in real estate and how a professional should behave.
• Summarize the role of a real estate professional as it relates to being a guardian of ethics and professionalism online.
• Identify key areas of ethics and state law that may be breached on social media, thus requiring action on the part of the real estate professional.