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Statutory Mappings · Legal Explanations

Texas Real Estate Rules & Regulations

The Texas licensing exam strongly evaluates your understanding of Texas-specific statutes, commission codes, and regulatory frameworks. Read clear, worked explanations alongside direct TREC rules and TRELA laws.

TRAP

Prominent Exam Focus: Permitted Activities of Unlicensed Assistants

BLUF: An unlicensed assistant in Texas can perform administrative support but cannot show properties or host open houses. Unlicensed assistants are strictly limited to clerical and administrative duties. They cannot negotiate, show properties, host open houses, or interpret contracts.

Contracts & Agreements

1 Rule Explanation
TREC Rule §535.146

Earnest Money Escrow Timelines

Earnest money and option fees must be delivered to the escrow agent by the third calendar day after contract execution.

Fair Housing, Ethics & Laws

1 Rule Explanation
Tex. Bus. & Com. Code §17.41

Deceptive Trade Practices Act (DTPA)

The Texas DTPA protects consumers against false, misleading, or deceptive business practices.

Promulgated Contract Forms

2 Rule Explanations
TREC Rule §537.11(b)

Unauthorized Practice of Law

Texas real estate agents are strictly prohibited from practicing law without a license.

TREC Rule §537.11

Use of Promulgated Contract Forms

Texas real estate license holders are legally required to use standardized forms promulgated by TREC.

Property Ownership & Rights

1 Rule Explanation
Texas Constitution Art. 16, Sec. 50

Texas Homestead Protections

Texas homestead laws protect a primary residence from forced sale by most general creditors.

Texas Law of Agency

4 Rule Explanations
TREC Rule §531.1

Fiduciary Duty of Fidelity

The fiduciary duty of fidelity requires an agent to place their client's interests above their own.

TREC Rule §535.558

IABS Form Delivery Methods

The IABS form must be provided in the body of an email or as a link, not solely as an attachment.

TRELA §1101.558

IABS Representation Disclosure

License holders must provide the Information About Brokerage Services (IABS) form at first substantive dialogue.

TRELA §1101.559

Intermediary Relationship Requirements

A Texas broker may act as an intermediary to facilitate a transaction between a buyer and seller they represent.

Texas License Law & TREC

7 Rule Explanations
TRELA §1101.351

Active vs. Inactive License Status

A real estate license holder may NOT perform any brokerage activities unless their license is on active status.

TREC Rule §535.2

Broker Responsibility under TREC

A sponsoring broker is fully responsible for all professional acts of their sponsored sales agents.

TREC Rule §535.4

Permitted Activities of Unlicensed Assistants

An unlicensed assistant in Texas can perform administrative support but cannot show properties or host open houses.

TREC Rule §535.4

Permitted Activities of Unlicensed Assistants

An unlicensed assistant in Texas can perform administrative support but cannot show properties or host open houses.

TREC Rule §535.4(d)

Prohibited Acts of Unlicensed Assistants

Unlicensed assistants in Texas cannot perform any acts that require a real estate license.

TREC Rule §535.147

Referral Fees to Unlicensed Persons

A Texas broker may NOT pay a referral fee, commission, or valuable consideration to an unlicensed person.

TRELA §1101.051

TREC Commission Composition

The Texas Real Estate Commission consists of nine members appointed by the Governor.

TRELA Statutory Code

1 Rule Explanation
TRELA §1101.652

TRELA Prohibited Broker Acts

TRELA specifies dozens of statutory offenses that result in license suspension or revocation.

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