Membership FAQ's
New to the business or thinking about becoming a real estate agent? Then you most likely have a few questions. Below are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions we receive. If you don’t find the answers you’re looking for here, contact our Member Services Department at 972-618-3800.
The first step in getting a real estate license is to contact the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC). Visit the TREC website to find out more about the process.
Yes, you can join CCAR if you are currently sponsored by a Broker and have documents supporting proof of sponsorship. In addition, your sponsorship documents should have also been sent to TREC, or the TREC website should show you hold an active license with your sponsor.
The dues you pay are based on your level of membership with our Association–Designated REALTOR®, Non-Designated REALTOR® or Affiliate. Visit Join CCAR to determine what your specific dues will be.
Yearly membership renewals are due by December 1 for the next year.
New Member Orientation is for agents who have joined Collin County Area REALTORS®. To join CCAR, complete a Non-Designated REALTOR application at www.ccar.net/join. After you submit this online application, a Member Services Specialist will be in touch within a few days to discuss membership and new member orientation. We encourage you to contact CCAR at 972-618-3800 with any specific questions.
When you join CCAR, you have the opportunity to lease a Supra XpressKEY or eKEY. Please note that your Key lease with Supra is renewable on July 1 of each year. In addition to the Key, you can also purchase Supra iBoxes in the CCAR REALTOR® Store.
To have access to ZipForm, you must be a member of a local REALTOR® Association and pay Texas REALTORS® dues. Visit the Texas REALTORS® website at www.texasrealtors.com to access ZipForm.
We treasure our committee volunteers and we encourage you to get involved in any way possible. Please visit our Committees page to learn more about each committee and to fill out a form to become involved.
A Limited Function Referral Office (LFRO) is a separate entity that sponsors real estate licensees or appraisers whose sole function is to refer prospective clients to a particular Broker.
You can find your education history on file with TREC here.
As a Real Estate Sales Agent, you must renew your license every two years. You can read about the process here.
TRECs online license service allows you to quickly and conveniently apply for a license, renew your license, change your license status, or update your address. Learn how to set you your account here.
Fee amounts and payment instructions can be found here.
Texas REALTORS® has a helpful FAQ section with great SAE and CE information. To learn more, click here.
We know that sometimes you have questions regarding the courses you need, education requirements to maintain your license, costs to renew your license, and more. For personal assistance, please email education@ccar.net or call 972-618-3800 and ask to speak with the Professional Development Department.
Government Affairs is a term that is used to cover a broad range of subjects that affect you and your business. These topics include: Government, regulatory, legislative, public affairs, issues campaigns, grassroots support for TREPAC-supported candidates, and lobbying. CCAR’s Government Affairs Department has the pulse on real estate issues within Collin County. From participating in grassroots efforts, to interviewing candidates for City and County elections, CCAR’s Government Affairs team and committee work hard to protect private property rights and the real estate profession.
Texas Association of REALTORS® Political Action Committee (TREPAC) receives volunteer investments used to support political candidates and initiatives that strive to preserve homeownership and the vital real estate industry. TREPAC raises and disperses funds to candidates and elected officials in accord with the Government Affairs objectives of Texas REALTORS® and CCAR. In addition, TREPAC advocates for the protection of private property rights, as well as promotes home ownership and the real estate industry. TREPAC is your insurance against government. See how much TREPAC has saved you and your business: TREPAC Calculator
But for TREPAC, Government Affairs could not operate accordingly with elected officials, issues campaigns, and candidates for office. But for Government Affairs, TREPAC would not have the advocacy needed to protect the private property rights and homeownership issues at the local, state, and federal levels. By investing in TREPAC, you are ensuring that real estate interests have a seat at the table when policy and legislation is being considered. Government Affairs sits at the table and protects your business and your clients’ private property rights.
The following are issues that REALTORS® have advocated for and continue to do so. TREPAC-supported lawmakers have helped you by keeping their doors open to listen:
Local Government
Effective Tax Rate
Successfully advocated for the adoption of the effective tax rate by the Commissioners Court. Collin County has now adopted the "no new revenue rate," thereby not increasing property taxes on your clients and ensuring homeownership affordability.
Candidate Interviews and Local Elections
In 2018-2019, CCAR interviewed approximately 130 candidates in eight cities for mayor or city council, one congressional seat, two state senate seats, and six state representative seats. These interviews were all conducted by volunteer CCAR members. In these years, CCAR had a 90% win rate, including the $750 million transportation bond propositions (propositions A, B, and C).
Private Property Rights
CCAR protects private property rights of property owners, whether owner-occupied or as an investment. We are a strong advocate on behalf of owners whose rights to lease are being infringed upon by the HOA or local government. In CCAR's "Bury the Lines" campaign, we collected over 6,000 petitions and represented 682 homeowners in front of the State, ensuring that High Voltage Transmission Lines were undergrounded. This first-of-its-kind campaign in Texas, resulted in protecting neighboring property values, all without increasing taxes or fees on consumers.
State Government
Texas REALTORS® heads-up the state legislative and government affairs programs.
Property Tax and School Finance Reform
REALTORS® ensured that Texas homeowners are given more information and a voice regarding how property tax rates are set, thereby ensuring that property taxes will not continually increase. Because of this, cities' and counties' rollback rates dropped from 8% to 3.5% and now require voter approval on the ballot. Combined with school finance, property tax transparency lessens the burden on property owners and increases investments to educators and students.
Ended Forced Annexation
TREPAC advocated and helped pass protections against forced annexation. Now, a municipality seeking to annex an area into its limits must hold an election for the affected residents to decide whether they wish to be annexed.
Transfer Tax/Homestead Increase
Helped pass a constitutional ban on any tax on real estate transfers and a $10,000 increase of the homestead exemption.
Transfer Fees
Eliminated most private transfer fees on real estate transactions.
Tax on Services
Defeated attempts to extend sales tax to real estate services. If passed, your commission would be taxed at 8.25%.
Federal Government
The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) heads-up the federal legislative and government affairs programs.
TREPAC only supports local and state candidates and lawmakers, however, CCAR interviews candidates at the federal level for RPAC support (NAR's PAC). At the federal level, we advocate for: State and local property tax deductions, capital gains exemptions, like kind exchanges, EB5 investments, Opportunity Zones, and other tax incentives for real estate.
Generally, the Government Affairs and TREPAC meetings are held the second Tuesday of every month. TREPAC meets at 2 p.m. and Government Affairs meets at 3 p.m. in the CCAR Banquet Room. However, we encourage you to visit this website's calendar to ensure specific meetings dates/times.
The TREPAC Fair Share is your minimum voluntary investment of $35, however, less can be given. The $35 investment appears on your annual CCAR dues billing and is an opt-out voluntary investment. Your TREPAC Fair Share funds government affairs issues and activities, and is an "investment" in your profession, private property rights, and homeownership.
You can login to your Texas REALTORS® member profile and look at your dashboard for your investment.
Click here for relevant voting information.
You can find your elected officials by following these links: Local Officials, County Officials, and State Officials.
Getting involved can benefit you in many ways – from networking to the feel-good aspect of volunteering, to developing lasting personal and professional relationships. Getting involved and putting your thoughts and ideas into action helps shape the future of our industry. There are several opportunities available; find your passion, and serve on one of our committees, volunteer for an event, or serve on the CCAR Board of Directors. Regardless of your objective, becoming involved in your association is about fostering meaningful relationships from which you will learn and grow your business.
We treasure our committee volunteers and we encourage you to get involved in any way possible. When you serve on one or more of CCAR’s committees, you provide an invaluable service to your association, the real estate community, and yourself.
Please visit our Committees page to learn more about each committee and to fill out a form to become involved.
Once you submit the volunteer form, a CCAR staff member will contact you on the dates and times of upcoming committee meetings.
The benefits of being an Affiliate member have never been better! Becoming a member is easy, and we provide you with the tools and opportunities you need to successfully market and provide services to area REALTORS® and their clients. You can apply online today and a CCAR Member Services Specialist will contact you with the next steps to join.
Once you join, you will start receiving notifications about upcoming CCAR meetings and events, along with several other benefits, including getting involved with the Affiliate Committee and attending the area Business Development Meetings to further connect.
Whether you're a real estate professional looking to meet people and get involved, someone who wants to volunteer for charitable opportunities, or someone who wants to network and build your leadership skills, we have something for you. Through our events, programs, meetings and partner organizations, we help you find key connections to build on your success.
The North Texas Young Professionals Network (NTPYN) is a fun way for members who are new to the real estate industry to meet other real estate professionals in the area and build a referral network. NTYPN is a member-driven organization that helps all real estate professionals excel in their careers by giving them the tools and encouragement to get involved, and help them succeed in their business.
NTYPN is chartered and approved by the National Association of REALTORS® and is sponsored by CCAR.
To find out more about NTYPN and its events, click here.
To learn more about the Young Professionals Network on the national level, click here.
The Texas REALTORS® Leadership Program (TRLP) cultivates leaders from all segments of the community. Through educating, developing, and encouraging selected participants to undertake leadership roles, TRLP provides them with the means and resources to begin their involvement, and instructs them on how to utilize assets to effect change and make a difference in their respective professional, personal, and civic areas of interest.
TRLP offers participants and graduates an ongoing opportunity to meet other motivated leaders and to share an intensive learning experience that focuses on community issues and leadership skills. The program provides participants with lectures, seminars, guest speakers, group discussions, and leadership exercises that address vital issues affecting Texas REALTORS®. To find out more about CCAR’s program, and how to apply click here.