Printable cheat sheet

    Texas real estate state-law cheat sheet

    The Texas state-law portion on one page: the six areas (40 scored items), the agency and IABS rules, promulgated forms, TREC and TRELA, trust money, foreclosure, and the key Texas figures.

    Practice the state portion
    Agency / Brokerage11 items

    Intermediary, IABS, appointments, fiduciary duties.

    Standards of Conduct9 items

    Trust money, advertising, misrepresentation, discipline.

    Contracts & Forms9 items

    Promulgated forms, addenda, no unauthorized practice of law.

    Special Topics5 items

    Deeds of trust, foreclosure, homestead, community property.

    Commission Duties & Powers3 items

    TREC's role, TRELA, rulemaking, enforcement.

    Licensing3 items

    Education, sponsorship, renewal, license status.

    Agency & IABS

    1. Texas uses INTERMEDIARY, not dual agency, with the written consent of both parties.
    2. Appointments are optional; never the same license holder to both parties.
    3. IABS notice is given at the first substantive communication about a specific property.
    4. IABS exceptions: open house re: that property; party already represented; residential lease under 1 year with no sale.
    5. Fiduciary duties (OLD CAR) run to a CLIENT, not a customer.

    Standards of conduct

    1. Commingling = mixing trust money with the broker's funds. Conversion = using it (more serious).
    2. Keep trust money in a separate account; disburse only as authorized.
    3. A blind ad (no broker name) violates the TREC Rules, including social media.
    4. TREC enforces TRELA and adopts the Rules (22 TAC Ch. 535); the Legislature writes the statute.
    5. Contested cases may go to SOAH for a hearing.

    Contracts & promulgated forms

    1. License holders must use TREC promulgated forms (22 TAC §537).
    2. The Broker-Lawyer Committee drafts the forms; TREC adopts them.
    3. Fill in blanks and attach approved addenda only. Drafting language is unauthorized practice of law.
    4. Form 20 = One to Four Family Residential (Resale), the most common contract.

    Special topics (Texas law)

    1. Texas commonly uses a DEED OF TRUST (three parties incl. a trustee with power of sale).
    2. Foreclosure is usually NON-JUDICIAL; sales on the first Tuesday of the month.
    3. Texas is a COMMUNITY-PROPERTY state; both spouses sign for the homestead.
    4. Homestead is protected from most creditors (not purchase-money, taxes, or a valid home-equity lien).

    Key Texas figures

    1. 120 scored items: 80 National + 40 Texas State. Pass both separately (~70%).
    2. Property tax is stated PER $100 of appraised value.
    3. School-district homestead exemption: $140,000 ($150,000 age 65+/disabled), 2025.
    4. No statewide real estate transfer tax in Texas.
    5. Pre-license: 180 hours of qualifying education; a sponsoring active broker is required to practice.
    6. Fair housing protects 7 classes: race, color, religion, national origin, sex, familial status, disability.
    Drill the state portionPass Texas covers all 14 areas with Texas-specific questions.

    Use the practice questions, Trap Library, Math Coach, and the intermediary and forms guides at passtexasrealestate.com.

    Get Pass Texas

    Sources: TRELA (Texas Occupations Code Ch. 1101), the TREC Rules (22 TAC Ch. 535), the Texas Property and Tax Codes, the Fair Housing Act, and the Pearson VUE Texas content outline. The 2025 homestead figure reflects Proposition 13 / SB 4. For exam preparation, not legal advice. Reviewed June 2026.

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