Composition of the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC)

The Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) is the governing body that administers license law, establishes rules, and protects consumers in Texas real estate transactions. Its structure is explicitly defined under Section 1101.051 of the Texas Real Estate License Act (TRELA).

Why This Rule Exists

The 6-to-3 division between industry professionals and public members ensures that the commission has the technical expertise to regulate the real estate market while maintaining substantial public oversight, preventing the industry from self-serving regulation.

The Exam Trap

A common trap is confusing TREC with the Texas Real Estate Broker-Lawyer Committee:

• TREC has 9 members (6 brokers, 3 public members) appointed by the Governor. They adopt and enforce rules and contract forms.
• The Broker-Lawyer Committee has 13 members (6 brokers appointed by TREC, 6 lawyers appointed by the State Bar, 1 public member appointed by the Governor). They draft contract forms but have no power to pass rules or enforce them.

Worked Texas Example

Scenario: A new contract form needs to be created to handle residential transactions. The Governor wants to bypass the standard review process. Outcome: The Broker-Lawyer Committee (13 members) must first draft the contract form. The draft is then submitted to TREC (9 members), who will vote to officially adopt (promulgate) the form for public use.