2026 Houston Real Estate CE: New Rules & Free Classes

For Houston-area real estate professionals, 2026 has been a year of significant change. From new leadership at the Houston Association of Realtors to major TREC rule updates and free CE opportunities, here’s what every agent needs to know.

Quick Summary

• New HAR CEO: René Galvan took over as CEO in February 2026
  
• TREC met in Houston on May 4, 2026, to discuss proposed rule changes
  
• Broker Responsibility course is now mandatory for all brokers starting Jan 1, 2026
  
• 2026-2027 Legal Updates are now required — previous cycle courses no longer count
  
• Form changes took effect July 1, 2026
  
• October 1 deadline: Expired licenses go inactive immediately
  
• Free CE classes available in Houston for Legal Update I and Contract courses

New Leadership at Houston Association of Realtors

In February 2026, the Houston Association of Realtors (HAR) announced the appointment of René Galvan as its new CEO and president. Galvan succeeded Bob Hale, who retired after 37 years as CEO and a total of 53 years with the association.

Galvan has been part of HAR's leadership team since 1996 and has served as executive vice president since 1998. He worked with Hale to shape the original concept of HAR.com, which launched in 1997. Under his leadership as EVP, Galvan expanded member services without raising dues for 23 years.

Galvan takes the helm at a time when many local Realtor associations and MLSs are reevaluating their roles in the industry. He has stated that his priority is to "continue strengthening our services, tools and support that our 50,000 members rely on in this rapidly changing real estate environment."

TREC Meets in Houston: Key Rule Changes

The Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) traveled to Houston for its May 4, 2026 meeting, continuing its initiative to host meetings across the state to increase transparency and accessibility.

Major topics discussed:

Broker Responsibility Now Mandatory for All Brokers

Effective January 1, 2026, every renewing broker must complete the Broker Responsibility course — regardless of whether they sponsor agents. Previously, this was only required for brokers who sponsor. If you're a broker, this is an additional 6-hour requirement on top of your 18 hours of CE.

A 6-hour TREC CE Broker Responsibility course was offered in Houston on June 17, 2026, focused on supervision, compliance, and brokerage risk management.

2026-2027 Legal Updates Released

TREC has released new versions of Legal Update I and Legal Update II for the 2026-2027 cycle. These cover the latest legislative changes, updated contract forms, and new enforcement priorities. The 2024-2025 versions no longer satisfy the requirement — you must take the current cycle's courses.

Contract Form Changes Effective July 1, 2026

TREC officially adopted updates to their contract forms along with two new forms that became mandatory on July 1, 2026. Agents need to understand the new TREC 1-4 Contract, new addenda, and proper use of addenda and disclosures.

Key changes include:

• TREC 1-4 Contract updates effective July 1, 2026
  
• Buyer Representation changes from Texas REALTORS®
  
• New forms now mandatory for use as of January 1, 2026

REALM Portal Progress

The Commission also provided an update on the continued rollout of the Real Estate and Appraiser License Management (REALM) Portal.

October 1 Inactive License Deadline

Starting October 1, 2026, expired licenses are immediately set to inactive and all broker affiliations are terminated. This is not a soft deadline — if your license expires without completed CE, you cannot legally practice real estate until you complete your requirements and renew. Late fees and additional reinstatement requirements may apply.

Free CE Classes in Houston

Houston-area agents have had access to several free CE opportunities in 2026:

Legal Update I — FREE CE for REALTORS®

A 4-hour Legal Update I class was offered, covering the fundamentals of Texas real estate law, license holder responsibilities, and ethical standards. The course teaches agents how legal duties apply to everyday transactions and how to stay compliant from listing to closing. Course #10330-RENE.

Understanding the 1-4 Contract — 3 HRS FREE CE CLASS

A 3-hour contract class offered FREE to REALTORS® covered updates on the TREC 1-4 Contract effective July 1, 2026. Course #35743-RECE. Topics included:

• Notices to consumers
  
• Updates on the TREC 1-4 Contract effective July 1, 2026
  
• Standards of Practice with the 1-4 Contract
  
• New Addenda, Proper Use of Addenda and Disclosures

Both classes were held at 3334 Richmond Ave. ste 210 in Houston. Legal Update I & II (8-Hr CE) classes were also offered in the Houston Heights area.

If you missed these, keep an eye out for similar events — many providers offer free CE throughout the year as a service to members.

What Houston Agents Need to Know for 2026 CE Renewal

The basics haven't changed: Texas real estate agents still need 18 hours of TREC-approved CE every two years.

The breakdown:

• Legal Update I (2026-2027): 4 hours — mandatory, new version
  
• Legal Update II (2026-2027): 4 hours — mandatory, new version
  
• Contract courses: 3 hours — mandatory
  
• Electives: 7 hours — your choiceTotal: 18 hours

Who needs CE in 2026?

• Sales agents: 18 hours of CE (Legal Updates + contracts + electives)
  
• Brokers who sponsor agents: 18 hours of CE + Broker Responsibility course
  
• Brokers who do NOT sponsor agents: 18 hours of CE + Broker Responsibility course (new for 2026)
  
• First-time renewals: same 18-hour requirement — no exemption

Important: The Broker Responsibility requirement applies to ALL renewing brokers starting January 1, 2026. If you're a broker who hasn't been taking this course because you don't sponsor agents, that exemption no longer exists. Add it to your CE plan now.

The Bottom Line

2026 is a year of significant change for Houston real estate professionals:

• New leadership at HAR is focused on member services and industry evolution
  
• Broker Responsibility is now mandatory for ALL brokers — no exceptions
  
• Legal Updates for 2026-2027 are new — previous versions don't count
  
• Contract forms changed July 1, 2026 — make sure you're using the right ones
  
• October 1 is the deadline for inactive licenses
  
• Free CE opportunities are available in Houston — take advantage of them

Staying current on these changes is essential for compliance and for building trust with clients.

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Time2Renew offers TREC-approved CE courses for the 2026-2027 cycle — Legal Updates I and II, contract courses, and electives — all online and self-paced.

👉 Start your Texas real estate CE with Time2Renew

About Time2Renew: We help Texas real estate professionals complete CE requirements quickly and without stress. TREC-approved. Online, self-paced, and built for busy agents. Start today.