Getting Started
To learn more about joining Virginia Cook, Realtors, contact a Virginia Cook, Realtors office manager.
A career in real estate allows you to be the CEO of your own business where your income will reflect your effort. There are no limits on what astute, hard-working men and women can earn.
People who succeed in real estate are goal-oriented, self-motivated, ambitious and enjoy working with people from all walks of life. Successful Realtors are good communicators who have a strong work ethic and the ability to persevere.
The rewards of real estate sales include high earnings, an intellectual challenge, autonomy, time flexibility, and status in the industry. Equally satisfying is knowing that you are using your time and talents to make a positive difference in the lives of your clients and in the communities you serve.
Becoming a Realtor takes time and dedication. You will study and train to acquire the skills necessary to facilitate transactions legally and ethically. Real estate professionals must have a thorough knowledge of real estate law, local economics, current market conditions, fair housing laws, financing and the mortgage programs available.
Your expertise will save your clients time, stress and money as they buy or sell real estate at the most advantageous terms. Your market insight will also be valuable as you provide information about the communities and neighborhoods of North Texas.
WHERE DO I START…
…With Virginia Cook, Realtors!
You will need to choose a real estate brokerage to sponsor you once you have completed the education and licensing requirements. Virginia Cook, Realtors can help you through each step described below so that you can launch your new business as quickly as possible. Please contact an office manager now with any questions you have about the education and licensing process described below.
Education
You must complete a total of 210 classroom hours before submitting your application for a salesperson license to the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC).
 These hours should consist of:
- 150 Classroom hours in the following Core courses:
1. Principles and Practices of Real Estate (60 hours)
2. Real Estate Law and contracts (30 hours)
3. Real Estate Law of Agency (30 hours)
4. One additional Core Real Estate Course (30 hours)
- 60 Classroom hours in core related courses are acceptable to TREC – basic college courses may be acceptable for fulfilling this requirement
You can take courses online or in person. To obtain a full listing of education providers visit: http://www.trec.state.tx.us/education/providers_core.asp.
Application/Testing Process
- You must furnish the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) satisfactory evidence of successful completion of all the education requirements along with the required fees.
- TREC will notify you with an approval of your education requirements. This usually takes about two weeks.
- You will then submit the original Salesperson application along with all applicable fees (If you include a Sponsorship Request, your license will be issued Active upon passing the licensing exam).
- Upon completing an application for licensure, you will receive a letter of eligibility from TREC with an identification number and a Candidate Information Brochure will be mailed separately by the examination services provider.
- You can either call to make an appointment to sit for the exam or apply on-line – advance registration is required and no walk-in registrations or same-day retakes are allowed.
- Examinations will only be administered at TREC Examination Centers and two forms of identification will be required when you arrive. Test results will be made available to you immediately after taking the exams.
YOUR ASSOCIATION WITH A BROKER
- You must pass your exam within six months of filing your application with TREC.
- If you did not submit a Sponsorship Request with your application, your license will be issued Inactive.
- You must then submit a Sponsorship Request to become Active. We hope that request is for Virginia Cook, Realtors. Please contact an office manager now with any questions.
- You are not authorized to perform any act for which a real estate license is required until an ACTIVE Texas Real Estate commission license is in the possession of your sponsoring broker.
- 60 additional hours of core real estate education will be required in the first year you earn your license.
- Mandatory Continuing Education requirements are 15 hours of approved credit which include 6 hours of Ethics and Legal Topics.
- Formal education is available and encouraged while working in real estate. Virginia Cook, Realtors offers a comprehensive two-week training program for new associates, special seminars and weekly office meetings.
Additional information can be obtained at the TREC website www.trec.state.tx.us or Call 1-800-250-TREC.
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