Managing your real estate license with the Texas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board (TALCB) and the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) is about to get even easier. The agency is developing a new license management system called the Real Estate and Appraiser License Management Portal, or REALM Portal. The REALM Portal will help prospective and current license holders go paperless and apply for or manage real estate licenses all online, 24/7. You'll also be able to:

• Save and return to your application when you're ready.
• Request a fitness determination online before applying for a license. 
• Upload your documents within the system (no more separate emails to TALCB).
• Make payments securely online.
• Track the status of your applications.
• Track your appraiser continuing education (ACE) hours. 
• File complaints, resulting in faster processing.

Key REALM Portal Dates

December 2 at 5 p.m. CT: Deadline to Use the Current License System

If you need to manage your real estate license, this is the deadline to do so in the current license management system. Submit all your materials, including paying any fees that are due, in the current system by 5 p.m. CT December 2. We will move that new information into the REALM Portal. Otherwise, you can wait to manage your license when the REALM Portal launches December 10.

December 3 through December 9: Transition Period

This is the transition period for moving license holder data from the current system into the REALM Portal. Online license management services will be unavailable. Staff will not have access to either database during this time and will not be able to enter data or make changes on a license holders' behalf.

What to Know About The Transition Period

• TALCB is open for business as usual, aside from our regular holiday schedule.
• You can reach us by phone or email.
• You'll still have access to contract forms, articles, FAQs, and more information at trec.texas.gov and talcb.texas.gov.
• The license holder search and disciplinary history search will still be online, just not updated while we move data from our old system into the REALM Portal.

December 10: REALM Portal Launches

If your email address is already in the current license management system, you will receive an activation email with instructions on how to link to your REALM Portal account.

 

How License Holders Should Prep for Launch

We'll handle carrying over your records. But there are a few things you can do as we pack up and get ready for the online move, like renew your license as soon as you get a renewal notice.

Why Should I Renew Early?

If you get a renewal notice and typically renew your license in the fall or winter, go ahead and renew in our current system that you’re familiar with. That way when the Portal launches, the stress of a looming renewal deadline is in the past and you can focus on getting to know our new online features. Plus, it gets checked off your to-do list. 

Video Hub

What License Holders Need To Know

The REALM Portal will serve as the new online home for all TREC-TALCB license management. Everyone will use the same system, but the tools you'll access depend on your license type. The following is an overview of what each group can do in the REALM Portal once it's live.

Appraisers

Appraisers will use the REALM Portal to:

• Renew or upgrade a license
• Submit continuing education (CE) and qualifying education (QE) coursework
• Track experience logs and pending applications
• Manage supervisory and trainee relationships
• Update personal and business contact information

Education Providers

TREC-TALCB-approved education providers will have access to the same features, including all provider and course applications being processed and managed online. This also means all documentation typically required with those applications will be submitted through the new online format. Education providers will also be able to:

• Paying fees online.
• Benefit from faster processing times, built-in timed outlines, and content outlines for course applications.
• Renew provider and course approvals
• Update provider and course information
• Track application status and approval history.

In preparation for the REALM Portal launch, course numbers will change. Education providers will receive new course numbers for all courses. The new numbers will be emailed to providers in early December. These numbers are necessary for updating course information online and within the CE posting system. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the questions license holders have about the REALM Portal transition. The list is organized by topic.

REALM Portal Basics

What is the REALM Portal?

It’s the Real Estate and Appraiser License Management (REALM) Portal—a modern online licensing system created to simplify the way TREC-TALCB real estate professionals manage their license.

Why is TREC-TALCB switching to a new system?

The REALM Portal offers a more secure, user-friendly experience with modern features that make managing your license faster and easier—from online renewals to updating personal information.

How will the REALM Portal benefit license holders?

In a nutshell, the REALM Portal will allow for fully digital license management. This includes an entirely online experience for license application and renewals. Supporting documents can also be uploaded in the REALM Portal and complaints can be filed, all in one place.

What can I do in the REALM Portal?

You can renew your license, update your contact information, track CE, manage your application, and view your license history—all in one place.

Access and Account Setup

How can I access the REALM Portal?

Hang tight! Staff is still working out the kinks. Once everything's ready, you’ll be the first to know.

Do I need to create a new account?

Yes. All users must create a new REALM Portal account once the system launches. Your existing login credentials will not carry over.

How do I create a new account?

If you are already in TREC-TALCB's current system, you will receive an email from the agency with a link to activate your REALM Portal account and instructions for linking your current license or application. If you are a new applicant or need to submit a complaint, please follow the instructions for how to create an account on the REALM Portal website once it launches.

Licenses and Numbers

Do I need to reapply or resubmit my information?

No. Your existing license information and application records will automatically transfer to the REALM Portal.

Will my license expiration date or renewal cycle change?

No. Your license expiration date and renewal schedule will remain the same.

Will my license number look different in the REALM Portal?

As part of the transition to the new REALM Portal, license numbers will include a short letter code after the existing number to identify the license type. For example, if your certified residential appraiser license number was 1234 in the old system, it will now appear as 1234-CR in the REALM Portal. These letters help quickly identify the type of license you hold and will be printed on your official license documents.
So, your original license number will remain the same—only the added letters are new.

I've been licensed for many years. Will all my license history be brought into the new system?

License holders' sponsorship, active status, and inactive status information dating from 2010 to current day will be added to the REALM Portal.

Support

Are there any tutorials or help guides?

Yes. Step-by-step video tutorials and quick-start guides are available on the TREC and TALCB websites and in the REALM Portal Video Hub. These websites will be continue to be updated with new helpful content.

Who do I contact if I have trouble accessing or using the REALM Portal?

Contact TREC's or TALCB's team for assistance.

Last updated October 30, 2025. This page will continue to be updated with new information as TREC-TALCB staff prepares for the new licensing system’s rollout.