Before you can sit for the Texas Real Estate Sales Agent Exam, you need to complete 180 hours of TREC-approved pre-licensing education. Choosing the right school is one of the most important decisions you will make on your path to getting licensed — the wrong course can leave you underprepared for exam day, while the right one sets you up to pass on your first try.
This guide breaks down the best Texas real estate pre-license courses available in 2026, what to look for when comparing schools, and how to match your choice to your schedule, budget, and learning style.
A+ Simulator Now Offers Direct Access to Texas Pre-License Courses
We are thrilled to announce that A+ Simulator has officially partnered with two of the most respected names in Texas real estate education — Colibri Real Estate and AceableAgent. You no longer have to search the web and compare schools on your own. We have done the research for you and brought everything together in one place.
From our Get Licensed page you can now compare both courses side by side, click straight through to enroll, and come back to A+ Simulator to practice for the actual exam — all without leaving our ecosystem. Start your pre-license education, complete your 180 hours, then use our 1,300+ TREC-aligned practice questions to make sure you are fully exam-ready before you sit for the Sales Agent Exam.
What Texas Requires Before You Can Take the Exam
Texas has one of the highest pre-licensing education requirements in the country. TREC requires 180 hours of approved coursework across six specific subject areas before you are eligible to sit for the Sales Agent Exam. Those six courses are Principles of Real Estate I and II, Law of Agency, Law of Contracts, Promulgated Contract Forms, and Real Estate Finance.
Every course must come from a TREC-approved provider. Once you complete all 180 hours, you receive a certificate of completion that you submit as part of your license application. Only then can you schedule your exam through Pearson VUE.
If you want a full step-by-step breakdown of the licensing process, see our guide on how to become a real estate agent in Texas.
What to Look for in a Texas Pre-License Course
Not all TREC-approved courses are equal. Here are the factors that matter most when choosing a school.
Online vs. Classroom
Most students today choose online courses because they offer flexibility to study on your own schedule. If you are working full time while preparing, online is almost always the better fit. Classroom courses can work well if you thrive in a structured environment with live instruction, but they require you to be available at set times and locations.
Self-Paced vs. Scheduled
Self-paced courses let you move as fast or as slow as you need. If you want to complete your 180 hours quickly, a self-paced format allows you to push through without waiting for a class schedule. If you need more structure and accountability, some schools offer scheduled cohort formats even online.
Exam Prep Tools
The pre-licensing course gets you eligible to take the exam — but it does not always prepare you to pass it. Look for schools that include practice questions, vocabulary review, and exam-specific preparation as part of their package. Better yet, pair your pre-license course with a dedicated exam simulator like A+ Simulator to make sure you are ready for the actual exam format.
Pass Guarantee
Some schools offer a pass guarantee — if you fail the exam, they provide additional resources or a refund. Read the fine print carefully, but a pass guarantee is a good sign that the school is confident in their curriculum.
Best Texas Real Estate Pre-License Courses in 2026
Colibri Real Estate
Colibri Real Estate is one of the most widely used online real estate schools in the country. Their Texas pre-licensing program is fully TREC-approved and covers all 180 required hours across the six mandatory courses. Courses are entirely self-paced and available online, which makes them a strong fit for students who are working or have variable schedules.
Colibri includes exam prep tools with most packages, and their student support team is available if you get stuck. Thousands of Texas students have completed their pre-licensing requirements through Colibri and gone on to pass the Sales Agent Exam.
- TREC-approved 180-hour Texas pre-licensing program
- Self-paced, fully online
- Exam prep tools included in most packages
- Available in all 50 states
- Certificate of completion provided
AceableAgent
AceableAgent is a mobile-first real estate school built for students who want to study on their phone or tablet. Their Texas pre-licensing courses are TREC-approved and designed around a modern, app-style interface that makes it easy to study in short sessions throughout the day — on your commute, during lunch, or whenever you have 20 minutes.
Aceable is a strong choice if you struggle to sit down at a desk for long study sessions. The bite-sized lesson format keeps you moving forward without feeling overwhelmed. They also offer a pass guarantee on select packages.
- TREC-approved 180-hour Texas pre-licensing course
- Mobile-first — study anywhere on your phone
- Engaging, app-style lesson format
- Pass guarantee available on select packages
- Self-paced and flexible
View AceableAgent Texas courses →
How Long Does It Take to Complete 180 Hours?
The answer depends entirely on how much time you can dedicate each day. If you study for two hours a day, completing 180 hours takes roughly three months. If you can push to four or five hours a day, you could finish in six to eight weeks.
Most Texas students complete their pre-licensing education in two to four months while balancing work or other commitments. For a full timeline breakdown from education through licensing, see our article on how long it takes to get your Texas real estate license.
Pre-License Course vs. Exam Prep — What Is the Difference?
This is one of the most common points of confusion for new students. Your pre-license course teaches you the content required by TREC. The exam tests whether you know that content well enough to pass — and those are two different things.
Many students complete their 180 hours and then struggle on the actual exam because they never practiced in exam format. The Texas Sales Agent Exam uses specific question styles, time pressure, and format conventions that feel different from reading a textbook or watching a video lesson.
That is why pairing your pre-license course with a dedicated exam simulator makes such a big difference. The A+ Simulator gives you 1,300+ TREC-aligned practice questions with instant explanations and category tracking so you know exactly where your weak spots are before exam day. You can even try 10 free questions right now without purchasing anything.
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Start Free Practice Quiz →How to Choose Between Colibri and AceableAgent
Both are strong choices and both are fully TREC-approved. The decision usually comes down to how you learn best.
Choose Colibri if you prefer a traditional online course format, want a school with a long national track record, or plan to study primarily on a desktop or laptop. Colibri's course structure is comprehensive and their support resources are solid.
Choose AceableAgent if you are constantly on the go and want to study in short bursts on your phone. Their mobile-first design makes it genuinely easier to fit studying into a busy day. If you have tried other courses and found it hard to stay consistent, Aceable's format may work better for your lifestyle.
Either way, once you complete your 180 hours and are ready to prepare for the exam itself, make sure you are using a TREC-specific practice simulator — not just re-reading your course notes. The exam rewards candidates who have practiced in exam conditions, not just those who have read the material.
View All Trusted Course Partners
We have put together a full page comparing our trusted pre-licensing course partners for Texas, including current offers and what each school does best. Visit our Get Licensed page to compare options and find the course that fits your timeline and budget.
Getting licensed in Texas takes time and commitment — but choosing the right pre-license course and the right exam prep tool puts you in the best possible position to pass on your first try and launch your real estate career without delay.