Managerial Accounting
Self-paced online Managerial Accounting course (Accounting 210). ACE and NCCRS recommend 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
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Do business courses count toward a Texas broker licence?
By the team. Checked 15 Nov 2026.
The short answer
Business courses for a Texas broker license can count toward the 630 related hours when they are completed for academic credit through a college and match TREC's listed topics, such as managerial accounting, business law, principles of finance, management or marketing. They do not replace the 270 qualifying hours. TREC decides, so ask in writing first.
Business topics on TREC's list
TREC's broker page lists acceptable college topics by area. The business-side ones are below; check the page for the full list, which also covers architecture, construction and real estate.
| Area | Topics TREC lists |
|---|---|
| Accounting | Principles/Intro, Bookkeeping, Income Tax, Managerial |
| Business | Intro to Business, Business Communications, Business Math, Business Principles, Business Writing, Business Ethics |
| Finance | Business, Corporation, Entrepreneurship, Financial Institutions, Money and Banking, Mortgage Lending |
| Law | Agency, Business, Commercial, Contracts, Legal Environment, Property and more |
| Management | Principles/Intro, Business Organizations, Office, Personnel, Public Administration |
| Marketing | Principles/Intro, Agricultural Marketing, Marketing Management |
What business courses cannot do
They cannot stand in for the 270 qualifying hours, which are TREC-approved real estate courses, or for the six-hour Broker Responsibility Course. They also do not reduce the four years of licensed experience. Their job is to fill part of the 630 related hours. Think of them as one tool among several: electives, a degree and extra experience points all compete for the same block, so choose the cheapest mix that fits your record.
Courses you may already have
Many agents took business courses at a community college or in an unfinished degree. Those may already count. Order official transcripts from each college and mark the courses that match TREC's topics before you take anything new.
- Principles of accounting or managerial accounting
- Business law or legal environment of business
- Principles of management or marketing
- Business communications or business math
A worked example
Take an agent with five years of licensed experience, 780 experience points and two years of community college with four business courses: managerial accounting, business law, principles of marketing and business communications. The extra 60 points can turn into 30 related hours. The four courses may count as related hours too, if TREC agrees they match its topics. Electives, the Broker Responsibility Course and perhaps one or two more business courses could fill the rest.
The numbers will differ for you. The point of the example is the order: count points, count old courses, ask TREC, and only then buy anything new.
What to ask TREC
Send TREC's education staff a short email with your transcripts attached. Ask three things: whether the listed courses count as related hours, how many classroom hours each course is worth, and, for any course you plan to take, whether credit posted on a college transcript after outside study will count. Keep the reply with your application.
Where UPI Study fits
UPI Study offers business law, principles of finance, principles of marketing, managerial accounting, principles of management and business communication, with ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended credit. These reach a transcript only when a college reviews and posts them; TESU, UoPeople and Newlane are partner colleges that consider such credit. UPI Study is not accredited and not a TREC provider, so TREC's written answer comes first.
What to ask in writing
Before you enrol
Ask TREC in writing whether a college course in a listed topic, posted on a college transcript after outside study, will count toward your related hours and how many hours it is worth, before you enrol.
UPI Study is not a college and is not accredited. ACE and NCCRS review our courses and recommend credit; a college decides whether to give that credit and records it on its own transcript.
ACE and NCCRS have over 2,100 cooperating colleges that will consider accepting credits; the final decision is with the universities.
Questions people ask
Does a business degree help with a Texas broker license?
Yes. A bachelor's or higher from an accredited college counts toward the related education. TREC's page says up to 300 hours; the rule text says a degree satisfies the related requirement. Ask TREC which applies.
Do community college business courses count for a Texas broker license?
They can, if they were completed for academic credit and match a topic on TREC's list, such as managerial accounting or principles of marketing. Send the transcript with your application and ask TREC how many hours each is worth.
Can I take business courses online for TREC related hours?
TREC's list refers to courses completed for academic credit through a college or university. Whether online or outside-study credit counts is TREC's decision. Ask TREC in writing before you enrol in any course.
Courses that fit
ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended courses, studied online at your own pace.
Principles of Management
Self-paced online Principles of Management course (Business 101). NCCRS recommends 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →
Business Communication
Self-paced online Business Communication course (Business 210). NCCRS recommends 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →Start when you have it in writing
Business, finance, law and marketing courses in one plan.
Sources
- TREC: Become an Individual Real Estate Broker (official)270 qualifying hours incl. 7 mandatory 30-hour courses; 630 related hours incl. the 6-hour Broker Responsibility Course; related topics list for courses completed for academic credit through a college or university; a bachelor's satisfies up to 300 hours of related education; 4 years' active experience and 720 points; experience points can substitute for up to 300 related hours. Checked on 15 Nov 2026.
- 22 Tex. Admin. Code 535.56, Education and Experience Requirements for a Broker License (Cornell LII copy)(a)(1) 270 qualifying hours + 630 classroom hours of related education; (a)(1)(B)(iii) courses taken for credit from an accredited college or university in the listed areas; (a)(2) a bachelor's or higher is deemed to satisfy the related education requirement. Amended eff. 10/1/2023. Checked on 15 Nov 2026.