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Texas broker licence: what the 'related' education hours are
By the team. Checked 15 Nov 2026.
The short answer
Texas broker related education hours are the 630 hours on top of the 270 qualifying hours. They must include the six-hour Broker Responsibility Course; the rest can come from TREC-approved elective real estate courses, college courses in listed subjects, a bachelor's degree, or extra experience points, under 22 TAC 535.56.
Four ways to fill the 630
TREC's broker page describes several sources for related hours. Most applicants mix them.
| Source | How it counts | Limit |
|---|---|---|
| TREC-approved elective courses | Real estate electives such as Appraisal, Investments or Property Management | Within the 630 |
| College courses | Listed topics, completed for academic credit through a college | Within the 630 |
| Bachelor's degree | Up to 300 hours (TREC page); the rule text says it satisfies the related requirement | Ask TREC |
| Experience points above 720 | Two points = one related hour | Up to 300 hours |
The one course everyone must take
The 630 hours must include the six-hour Broker Responsibility Course. No degree or college course replaces it. TREC's continuing education page also ties this course to brokers and delegated supervisors after licensing, so you will meet it again.
Elective real estate courses
TREC lists approved elective qualifying courses including Real Estate Appraisal, Real Estate Law, Real Estate Marketing, Real Estate Math, Residential Property Management, Real Estate Investments and Residential Inspections for Real Estate Agents. These come from TREC-approved real estate schools and are often the simplest way to top up hours. They also teach skills you will use as a broker, which college business courses may not cover in a real estate setting. Many applicants combine a few electives with a degree or old college courses.
College courses and a degree
For college study, TREC lists acceptable topics in accounting, advertising, architecture, business, construction, finance, investments, law, management, marketing and real estate, completed for academic credit through a college or university. A bachelor's degree counts too. The broker page says up to 300 hours; the rule text says a degree satisfies the related requirement. Ask TREC which applies before you plan around either figure.
- Pull every old transcript
- Mark courses in listed topics
- Ask TREC how many hours each is worth
Experience points as hours
If you have more than the minimum 720 experience points, TREC gives one related classroom hour for every two points above 720, up to 300 hours. A busy agent with a long record may cover a large share of the related block this way. Check your points in your TREC account before buying any course. Points depend on the transactions you have closed and recorded, so an accurate record now saves money later. If your points already cover 300 hours and you hold a degree, the remaining gap may be small.
Where UPI Study fits
UPI Study courses in business law, finance, marketing, managerial accounting and management carry ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended credit and reach a transcript only when a college posts them. Partner colleges TESU, UoPeople and Newlane consider such credit. TREC then decides whether a transcript course counts. UPI Study is not accredited and is not a TREC provider. Ask TREC in writing 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
Is the Broker Responsibility Course part of the 630 hours?
Yes. TREC's page says the 630 related hours must include the six-hour Broker Responsibility Course, so plan it into the related block rather than on top of it. Take it from a TREC-approved provider and keep the completion record for your application.
How many experience points do I need for a Texas broker license?
At least 720 points, from at least four years of active experience as a licensed sales agent or broker. Points above 720 can turn into related hours at two points per hour, up to 300 hours.
Do real estate electives count as related hours?
Yes. TREC lists approved elective qualifying courses such as Real Estate Appraisal, Real Estate Investments and Residential Property Management. Check that the school and course are TREC-approved before you pay.
Courses that fit
ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended courses, studied online at your own pace.
Principles of Finance
Self-paced online Principles of Finance course (Finance 201). ACE and NCCRS recommend 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →
Principles of Marketing
Self-paced online Principles of Marketing course (Marketing 102). ACE and NCCRS recommend 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.