Texas Real Estate CE 2026-2027: What License Holders Need to Know
The 2026-2027 continuing education cycle is underway, and if you hold an active Texas real estate license, the clock is already ticking. TREC has released new Legal Update courses, contract forms have changed, and the rules around how you maintain your license have shifted.
Here is what you need to know to stay compliant this cycle.
Quick Summary
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18 total CE hours required every two years
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8 mandatory hours: Legal Update I (4 hrs) + Legal Update II (4 hrs)
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3 hours of contract-related coursework
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7 elective hours — your choice from TREC-approved courses
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Brokers: Must also complete the 6-hour Broker Responsibility course starting January 1, 2026
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Legal Update deadline: 11:59 PM CT on December 31, 2027
- No course carryover — every 2-year period requires fresh hours
The 18-Hour Breakdown
Every active Texas real estate license holder — sales agent or broker — must complete 18 hours of continuing education every two years. The 18 hours break down like this:
| Requirement | Hours |
|---|---|
| Legal Update I | 4 |
| Legal Update II | 4 |
| Contract-related coursework | 3 |
| Electives | 7 |
| Total | 18 |
Legal Update I covers recent TREC rule changes, legislative updates from the 89th Texas Legislature, contract form revisions, water rights disclosure, and fair housing laws.
Legal Update II focuses on agency relationships, ethics, professional conduct, advertising rules, emerging technologies including AI, and enforcement priorities.
The 3-hour contract course covers essential elements of a sales contract, financing, contingencies, amendments, addenda, defaults, and common contract mistakes.
The 7 elective hours are your choice from any TREC-approved elective offering. Choose courses that actually help your business — not just filler.
What’s New for Brokers in 2026
This is the biggest change for the 2026-2027 cycle. Under Senate Bill 1968, effective January 1, 2026, all licensed Texas brokers must complete the 6-hour Broker Responsibility course — regardless of whether they supervise or sponsor agents.
Previously, this course was only mandatory for brokers who sponsored sales agents. That exemption no longer exists.
For brokers, the 18-hour breakdown is now:
| Requirement | Hours |
|---|---|
| Legal Update I | 4 |
| Legal Update II | 4 |
| Contract-related coursework | 3 |
| Broker Responsibility | 6 |
| Electives | 1 |
| Total | 18 |
That leaves brokers with only 1 hour of true elective choice. There is no room for extra courses beyond the required categories.
For sales agents designated as supervisors: If your broker has made you a delegated supervisor of one or more licensees, you must also complete the 6-hour Broker Responsibility course as part of your 18 hours. Sales agents who are not supervisors do not need this course.
Legal Update Courses Are New for 2026-2027
TREC releases new Legal Update content every two years. The 2026-2027 versions are new — if you took Legal Updates in the 2024-2025 cycle, those courses do not count toward this renewal.
Legal Update I (2026-2027) includes essential updates on TREC rules, legislative changes, contract form revisions effective July 1, 2026, water rights disclosure requirements under TREC 61-0, and fair housing laws.
Legal Update II (2026-2027) covers agency relationships, ethics, professional conduct, advertising, emerging technologies, and enforcement actions.
The 2026-2027 Legal Update I and II courses must be completed by 11:59 PM Central Time on December 31, 2027.
Important: TREC does not allow CE hour carryover. Every two-year renewal period requires a fresh 18 hours. Excess hours from a previous cycle do not roll over.
Contract Form Changes Effective July 1, 2026
TREC adopted updated versions of several standard contracts and addenda that became mandatory on July 1, 2026. These changes are covered in the Legal Update and contract courses.
Key changes across all major contracts:
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Generators added to Paragraph 2B (Improvements)
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Legal Holiday defined in Paragraph 5A(2)
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Option fee, earnest money, and contract now in lowercase
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Water rights paragraph added (Paragraph 7I)
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FinCEN compliance language added to Paragraph 20B
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Notices clarified in Paragraph 21
- Addenda reorganized in Paragraph 22
New and updated forms include:
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Water Rights Disclosure (TREC 61-0) — NEW, mandatory
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Amendment to Contract (TREC 39-11) — updated for broker compensation rules
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Seller‘s Disclosure Notice (TREC 55-1) — new sections on insurance, private roads, storage tanks, and conservation easements
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Back-Up Contract Addendum (TREC 11-9) — changes effective date to when seller delivers termination notice
- POA Addendum (TREC 36-11) — clarifies buyer obligations for subdivision information
These form changes are also reflected in the state exam. New agents will see questions about the updated forms.
The CE Deferral Option
If you cannot complete your CE by your expiration date, TREC offers a CE Deferral option:
- Pay the $200 deferral fee before your expiration date
- Renew your license in Active Status
- Get 60 extra days to complete your education
This is a safety net, not a strategy. Don’t rely on it unless you absolutely have to.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Waiting until the last week. Providers get backed up. TREC’s system slows down during peak renewal periods. If your CE isn‘t posted to your license record when you submit your renewal, you must pay the $200 deferral fee or renew in inactive status.
Taking the wrong Legal Update version. The 2026-2027 versions are new. Older courses don’t count.
Forgetting the Broker Responsibility course. All brokers must now complete it — regardless of whether they sponsor agents.
Not checking your transcript. Providers report CE to TREC, but mistakes happen. Check your TREC profile after completing each course — not the night before renewal.
Assuming CE hours carry over. TREC does not allow carryover. Every renewal period requires fresh hours.
The Bottom Line
The 2026-2027 CE cycle brings significant changes — especially for brokers. Whether you‘re a sales agent or a broker, the key steps are the same: know your requirements, take the current cycle’s Legal Updates, complete your Broker Responsibility course if applicable, and verify your transcript before submitting your renewal.
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.
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