Texas real estate exam day checklist, so a paperwork mistake never costs you the test.
The two IDs you must bring, the name-match rule, when to arrive, what is allowed, and what to expect during the 240-minute Pearson VUE exam.
Bring two forms of current signature ID (the primary must be government-issued with a photo and signature), make sure the name matches your registration exactly, and arrive 30 minutes early. Walk-ins are not available, the exam fee is $43, and you must reschedule at least 48 hours ahead to keep the fee.
Bring these, and confirm the name match.
Identification is the most common reason candidates are turned away. Get this part right before anything else.
Current, government-issued, photo-bearing, and signed. A driver license, passport, or state ID card is typical.
A second current ID that contains your signature. Pearson requires two forms of current signature identification.
The name on your IDs must match the name on your exam registration. A mismatch can mean denied admission and a forfeited fee.
Pearson says report to the test center 30 minutes before the appointment for check-in, ID, and a palm or photo scan.
Know your exam name, date, time, and test center. Walk-in exams are not available.
Pearson VUE recommends bringing a calculator, since the test center does not provide one. Acceptable calculators are hand-held, battery or solar-powered financial calculators used in real estate, finance, accounting, and business; they may have storage capabilities but must not contain alpha (letter) keys. Calculator rules can change, so confirm the current Pearson VUE Texas Real Estate Candidate Handbook before test day.
Lock in scheduling and deadlines.
Handle these the week before so nothing is a surprise at the test center.
Schedule at least 24 hours ahead
Walk-ins are not available. Make an online or phone reservation at least 24 hours before the date you want, after TREC marks you exam-eligible.
Know the fee
Pearson lists the sales examination fee as $43, paid at the time of reservation.
Reschedule deadline is 48 hours
Change or cancel at least 48 hours before the appointment to avoid forfeiting the exam fee.
Bring your TREC ID number
Your eligibility letter from TREC carries the TREC ID number Pearson needs to confirm your reservation and exam.
What the exam itself looks like.
Two separately-scored portions, a fixed time limit, and pretest items mixed in that you should still answer.
Candidates taking both portions have 240 minutes total: 150 for the national portion and 90 for the Texas state portion.
The outlines list 120 scored items (80 national and 40 state) plus 15 pretest items; Pearson's appointment table lists 125 combined. Pretest items are not identified, so answer every item.
You must pass both portions separately. The raw passing scores are reported on your score report.
You take the national and Texas state portions in the same 240-minute appointment, and you must pass each separately.
Unscored pretest items look exactly like scored items, so answer every question on the exam.
The test center provides scratch material or a note board. Do not bring your own notes into the exam room.
What you cannot bring into the exam
- Personal notes, study sheets, or scratch paper brought from outside.
- Phones, smart watches, and other electronic devices in the testing room.
- Bags, books, and outside food or drink at the workstation, unless an approved accommodation applies.
- Any name on your ID that does not match the exam registration.
After you finish
- You receive an official score report after the exam.
- If you pass both portions, TREC moves you toward an inactive license, which you activate with a sponsoring broker.
- If you fail a portion, use the diagnostic categories on the score report to target weak areas before you retest.
- Texas requires additional education after three failed attempts of a portion, so plan retakes carefully.
What do I need to bring to the Texas real estate exam?+
Bring two forms of current signature identification. The primary ID must be government-issued, photo-bearing, and signed. The name on both IDs must match the name on your Pearson VUE registration. Plan to arrive 30 minutes early.
What time should I arrive for the Texas real estate exam?+
Pearson VUE says to report to the test center 30 minutes before your appointment so there is time for check-in, identification, and the required security steps.
Can I use a calculator on the Texas real estate exam?+
Yes. Pearson VUE recommends bringing a calculator, since the test center does not provide one. Acceptable calculators are hand-held, battery or solar-powered financial calculators used in real estate, finance, accounting, and business; they may have storage capabilities but must not contain alpha (letter) keys. Calculator rules can change, so confirm the current Pearson VUE Texas Real Estate Candidate Handbook before test day.
How late can I reschedule the Texas real estate exam?+
Change or cancel your appointment at least 48 hours before the exam to avoid forfeiting the $43 fee. Walk-in exams are not available, and reservations must be made at least 24 hours ahead.
What happens if my ID does not match my registration?+
Candidates who do not present the required identification, or whose name does not match the registration, can be denied admission, considered absent, and forfeit the examination fee. Confirm the exact name match before exam day.