# How to Become a Property Tax Consultant in Texas (2026): 40 Hours and the Exam

> Source: PermitPulled, https://permitpulled.com/get-licensed/property-tax-consultant-license-texas
> Compiled from the public TDLR license file. Published under CC BY 4.0; attribution to PermitPulled required.
> For an individual license record, use the official TDLR search: https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/LicenseSearch/

[Texas license lookup](</>) / [Get licensed](</get-licensed>) / Property tax consultant

# How to become a property tax consultant in Texas

Property tax consultants protest valuations and represent owners before appraisal districts. Texas requires registration once consulting takes up at least half your working time or income.

Reviewed 8 October 2026 against TDLR's application page

## At a glance

Who must register| Anyone consulting for pay as at least half their time or income. Texas attorneys and CPAs are exempt  
---|---  
Education| 40 classroom hours: 8 law and rules, 16 appraisal, 8 consulting, 8 ethics  
Sponsor| A Senior Property Tax Consultant  
Exam| 50 questions, 90 minutes, 70% to pass, via PSI  
Fee| $50 ($25 registration + $25 application)  
  
[Official TDLR application page](<https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/ptc/ptcfaq.htm>) [Exam guide and pass rates](</exams/property-tax-consultant-exam-texas>)

## Step by step

  1. **Check whether you must register.** Real estate brokers, salespersons and certified appraisers are exempt if they only handle farms, ranches or single-family homes. If they go beyond that, they take a 4-hour course on Texas property tax consulting law instead of the 40 hours.
  2. **Complete the 40 hours.** From TDLR's pre-license education list.
  3. **Find a sponsor.** A Senior Property Tax Consultant sponsors your registration.
  4. **Apply and pay \$50.** You must be 18 or older with a high school diploma or equivalent.
  5. **Pass the exam within a year.** Exam fees go to PSI and are not refunded if you fail. There is no limit on retakes.

## The senior level

A **Senior Property Tax Consultant** needs 25 credits, four of the last seven years in property tax consulting as the main occupation, $115 in fees and a 100-question senior exam, or a CMI designation from the Institute for Professionals in Taxation. Seniors can sponsor others.

## Renewal

The first registration lasts one year; renewals run two years, need 24 hours of continuing education and cost $135. That is why the license file shows these registrations on a two-year cycle.

## How many people hold this license

The public TDLR license file dated 20 September 2026 shows **2,338 active property tax consultant licenses** , of which 1,236 come up for renewal in the next twelve months.

Where they are: Harris County (539), Dallas County (452), Travis County (283), Tarrant County (141), Bexar County (141).

[See the full county breakdown and renewal calendar](</trade/property-tax-consultant>)

## After you are licensed

  * **Renewal:** every two years, judging by the expiration dates in the license file.
  * **Continuing education:** 24 hours: 8 Texas law and rules, 4 ethics, 6 appraisal, 6 property tax consulting. [TDLR CE rules](<https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/ptc/ptcce.htm>)

## Before you apply

  * **Criminal history.** TDLR runs a background check on every applicant. With any conviction other than a minor traffic offence, or a guilty or no-contest plea with deferred adjudication, include the Criminal History Questionnaire. Reviews take one to six weeks. You can ask TDLR in advance whether a conviction would bar you, through a [criminal history evaluation letter](<https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/crimHistoryEval.htm>).
  * **Lawful presence.** TDLR may ask for proof of lawful presence in the United States. Send documents only if it asks. [What TDLR accepts](<https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/lawful-presence.htm>).
  * **Military.** Service members, veterans and spouses may qualify for [fee waivers and other provisions](<https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/military/>).

## Questions

### Do you need a license to be a property tax consultant in Texas?

Yes, a TDLR registration, if consulting is at least half your time or income. Texas attorneys and CPAs are exempt.

### How long is the Texas property tax consultant exam?

50 questions in 90 minutes, with 70% needed to pass.

### How many people hold this license in Texas?

The public TDLR license file dated 20 September 2026 shows 2,338 active property tax consultant licenses.

## Related licenses

  * [How to get an auctioneer license in Texas](</get-licensed/auctioneer-license-texas>)
  * [How to get a water well driller or pump installer license in Texas](</get-licensed/water-well-driller-license-texas>)
  * [All license guides](</get-licensed>)

## Sources

[TDLR: Property tax consultants FAQ](<https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/ptc/ptcfaq.htm>); [TDLR: PTC continuing education](<https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/ptc/ptcce.htm>). License counts compiled from the public [TDLR license file](<https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/licensesearch/licfile.asp>) dated 20 September 2026.

Reviewed 8 October 2026. Written by an independent site; not an official TDLR publication and not legal advice. Fees and requirements change: confirm them on the TDLR page before you apply.

**Cite this page**

PermitPulled (2026). _How to become a property tax consultant in Texas._ Retrieved from `https://permitpulled.com/get-licensed/property-tax-consultant-license-texas`

Figures compiled from the public TDLR license file and published under [CC BY 4.0](<https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/>). Attribution required.