Can you get a Texas real estate license with a criminal record?

A criminal record doesn't automatically disqualify you. TREC's eligibility standard is that you meet its "qualifications for honesty, trustworthiness, and integrity," a record triggers a more detailed review, not an automatic denial.

TREC evaluates each applicant's full history individually rather than applying a blanket rule that any conviction, or any specific type of conviction, is disqualifying on its own.

See more common questions on our full FAQ page.

What actually gets disclosed and reviewed

This isn't an informal judgment call, it's grounded in Texas Occupations Code Section 1101.353, the statute TREC applies when it evaluates an applicant's honesty, trustworthiness, and integrity.

TREC's own application asks you to disclose every criminal conviction, all felonies and all misdemeanors other than minor traffic tickets, not just serious or violent offenses. Don't assume something is too old or too minor to mention: if you answer "yes" to any criminal-history question, you'll complete a Background History Form alongside your application so TREC can review the specifics rather than deny you outright for failing to disclose it.

Find out before you spend a dollar

If you have any concerns about your criminal or disciplinary history, you can request a Fitness Determination directly from TREC before you enroll in any coursework or pay any fees. It tells you whether your history is likely to keep you from getting a license, for a $52 total fee (paid online only), so you're not guessing before you commit.

Separately, everyone applying for a license is required by law to have fingerprints on file with the Texas Department of Public Safety so a background check can be performed, regardless of whether you've requested a Fitness Determination.