Managing your license with the Texas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board (TALCB) is getting 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.

What to Know About the REALM Portal Activation Email

The REALM Portal activation email started going out at 8:30 a.m. CT December 15. Because of the volume of email messages and the personalization of each, it will take some time for them to reach your inboxes. If you don't receive it by Tuesday, December 16, please reach out to us.

The activation email will come from no-reply@notices.trec.texas.gov and outline how to activate and create your new REALM Portal account. This important email will be delivered to your email address of record. 

Do You Have Multiple Licenses With TREC and TALCB?

If you maintain more than one license, registration, or application with TREC and/or TALCB, you may receive multiple activation emails when it’s time to access the REALM Portal. Each email will contain record-specific information.

To successfully link multiple records, you must use the State ID(s) or PIN Number(s) provided in each activation email. These identifiers allow you to connect all licenses, registrations, and applications into one REALM Portal account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are answers to common questions license holders have about the transition to the REALM Portal. The FAQs are organized by topic for easier reference.

Support

Why does it sound like my call isn’t going through when I contact TREC or TALCB?

You may hear an unusual tone when calling TREC or TALCB if all phone lines are in use. This does not mean the office is closed or that your call cannot be completed. Phone lines are open Monday–Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT. Call volume is highest between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. CT. If you hear an unusual signal, please try calling again later or check the FAQs at trec.texas.gov/lms or talcb.texas.gov/lms for updated information. We appreciate your patience as we assist a high volume of callers during the REALM Portal transition.

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 sites will 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.

Applications

Why does the REALM Portal ask for my employment history when I apply?

As part of the application process, the REALM Portal asks for employment history from the past five years. This information is used for background check purposes only and helps ensure applications are processed accurately. You may include self-employment, student status, and periods of unemployment.

If you were a student or unemployed during part of the past five years, simply list that time accordingly. You do not need to provide employment history beyond five years.

Will the REALM Portal update delay application processing or background checks?

Some applicants may experience temporary delays in application processing or background checks as TREC and TALCB continue working through system updates following the REALM Portal launch. Teams are actively reviewing workflows and implementing solutions to ensure applications continue moving forward. In some cases, applications may be processed manually while system improvements are completed.

We appreciate your patience during this transition and will continue providing updates as improvements are made.

PIN, Record Linking

Where can I find my license or application records in the REALM Portal?

After logging in to the REALM Portal, select the “Licenses” tab at the top of the page. If you see all of your licenses, registrations, or applications listed there, your account is fully set up and no further action is needed. If you do not see all of your records, you may need to link them using the PIN Number or State ID provided in your activation email. Most license holders will see their records automatically after registering with their email address of record.

What is a PIN and when will I need one?

A PIN is a unique identifier used to manually link a license or application if it does not automatically appear in your REALM Portal account.

Will everyone need a PIN?

No. Most license holders’ records will link automatically when they register using their email address of record.

What if I can’t find my PIN or Record ID?

If you cannot locate your PIN or Record ID, contact TREC or TALCB for assistance.

My license appeared automatically when I logged in. Do I need to do anything else?

No. If your license appears in the REALM Portal after you log in—and you do not expect to see any additional licenses or applications—your account is already linked, and no further action is required.

Most license holders’ records link automatically when they register using the same email address that is on file with TREC or TALCB.

The PIN and State ID options are only needed if your license or application does not appear automatically.

Why am I having trouble linking my license to my REALM Portal account?

Some license holders may experience delays or extra steps when linking their license due to high activity as accounts are activated.

If you have records already linked to your account, you may need to choose “None Applicable” from the dropdown menu that appears to add more records. Generally, if you are setting up your account for the first time, you will only need to proceed through the steps.

To link your license successfully, try selecting “PIN Link Records to Your Account.” Using your PIN links directly to your specific license. If you use a State ID, you may see additional records that do not require action.

If your records do not appear right away, please allow time and try again later. TREC and TALCB continue to monitor system performance and make improvements.

If you still need assistance, contact TREC or TALCB for support.

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

What if I don't receive my activation email?

The REALM Portal activation email started going out at 8:30 a.m. CT on Monday, December 15, 2025. Because of the volume of email messages and the personalization of each, it will take some time for them to reach your inboxes. If you don’t receive it by Tuesday, December 16, 2025, please reach out to us.

I can't register because the system is asking for an EIN with more digits than mine. What should I do?

Some business accounts—such as Appraisal Management Companies (AMCs) and Business Entity licenses (BENTs)—will be prompted to enter an EIN during registration.

While EINs are typically 9 digits, the REALM Portal requires a 11-digit entry for registration. To proceed, add two leading zeros (“00”) to the beginning of your 9-digit EIN when entering it into the system. Example: If your EIN is 123456789, enter it as 00123456789. This will allow you to continue the registration process.

If you continue to experience issues, contact TREC or TALCB for assistance.

I have multiple licenses. Do I need multiple REALM Portal accounts?

No. You only need one REALM Portal account. Multiple licenses can be linked to a single account. You can set up more than one account to manage licenses separately if you would like.

If you maintain more than one license, registration, or application with TREC and/or TALCB, you may receive multiple activation emails. Each email will contain record-specific information.

To successfully link multiple records, you must use the State ID(s) or PIN Number(s) provided in each activation email. These identifiers allow you to connect all licenses, registrations, and applications into one REALM Portal account.

Is it okay if I wait to activate my REALM Portal account?

Yes. The REALM Portal will continue to be available, and you may activate your account when it’s convenient for you.

If you do not have an urgent license task—such as a renewal—it’s fine to wait. TREC and TALCB will continue monitoring the system and providing support after launch.

Will TREC-TALCB be shut down for two weeks?

No. There will be a transition period starting December 2 at 5 p.m. CT until December 15, 2025, when online license management services and the Posting System will be unavailable. The agency will be open for business as usual during this time.

How can I access the REALM Portal?

You will receive an email at your account of record with the agency with instructions on how to activate your REALM Portal account on December 15.

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.

What are the new suffixes that will be added to existing license numbers?

Beginning with the launch of the REALM Portal, all license numbers will include a license-type suffix. This suffix will appear after your license number (example: 123456-SA) and will also be printed on your license. These suffixes help clearly identify the type of license you hold in the new system. Below are the suffixes assigned to each license type.

TREC Real Estate License Types: 

• Sales Agent: -SA
• Broker: -B
• Business Entity Broker: -BE
• Business Broker (REO): -BB
• Easement or Right-of-Way Agent: -EA
• Easement or Right-of-Way Business: -EB
• Business Entity License: -BENT

TREC Inspectors ​

• Apprentice Inspector: -AI
• Real Estate Inspector: -RI
• Professional Inspector: -PI

TALCB License Types

• Appraiser Trainee: -T
• Certified General Appraiser: -CG 
• Appraisal Management Company: -AMC
• Certified Residential Appraiser: -CR
• Licensed Residential Appraiser: -LR
• Qualifying Education Provider: -AQP
• Continuing Education Provider: -ACEP

Will I receive a new license with the suffix added?

Yes. Your updated license, including the new license-type suffix, will be available for download directly within the REALM Portal once you activate your account. You can access and print your updated license at any time.

Education Providers

Will a separate course application need to be submitted for each delivery method?

No. Providers will submit a single course application for multiple delivery methods.

Are the fees changing for provider or course applications?

No, the application fees are not changing for providers and courses. However, a 3% Texas Online Fee will be assessed for all provider and course applications beginning December 15, 2025.

Payments and Fees

Will there be additional fees for online payments?

A 3% online fee required by the Department of Information Resources (DIR) applies to online transactions.

Can I mail in a check or pay in person after launch?

No. All payments must be made online through the REALM Portal.

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

Appraisal Management Companies (AMCs)

AMCs will use the REALM Portal to:

• Submit AMC registration applications.
• Renew your AMC registration.
• Review, approve, and manage your appraiser panel.
• Manage your AMC registration.
• Update business and contact information.
• Update primary contact and AMC contact.
• Submit annual ASC National Registry Reporting.

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. 

Before December 2 Checklist

The following reminders were previously shared with appraisers, AMCs, and applicants. 

For Appraisers

• Renew early if your license expires in November, December, or January 2026.
• Update your email address of record to ensure you receive the REALM Portal activation email.
• Make any account changes before 5 p.m. CT on December 2, or wait until the REALM Portal launches on December 15.
• Accept or decline any AMC panel invitations before December 2. Open invitations will not transfer to the REALM Portal.
• Manage supervisor–trainee relationships now. No changes can be made during the transition period.

For AMCs

• Renew early if your AMC registration expires in November, December, or January 2026.
• Confirm your email address of record so you receive your REALM Portal activation instructions.
• Review and resolve open panel invitations before December 2 — unaccepted invitations will not transfer.
• Note: You will not be able to add or remove panelists online between December 2 and December 15.
• Export your current list of panelists from Versa Online Services before December 2 for reference during the transition.

For Applicants

• Submit all documents to cure deficiencies by November 30. Anything received after this date will not be processed until after December 15.
• Verify your email address of record so you receive the REALM Portal activation notice.
• Make any needed account changes before December 2 or wait until after December 15.
• Supervisors and trainees: finalize any relationship changes before December 2 to avoid delays.

Updating Your Email Address of Record

These steps were previously provided and are summarized here again.

1. Log in to your current account.
2. From the Quick Start Menu, select “Change your license information and manage relationships.”
3. Choose Change/Verify Contact Information → Select.
4. Review and update your information → Next.
5. Confirm details on the Summary page → Submit.
6. On the Attestation page, select Yes to certify accuracy.

Key REALM Portal Dates 

December 2 at 5 p.m. CT until December 15: 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.

Last updated December 17, 2025. This page will continue to be updated with new information as TREC-TALCB staff prepares for the new licensing system’s rollout.