a Real Estate License For Sale sign" width="643" height="362" />Getting your real estate license doesn’t have to be hard. Let’s make it easy.
a Real Estate License For Sale sign" width="643" height="362" />
Get ready to pass the real estate license exam with a step-by-step guide to studying and an overview of what to expect on the test. These tips and tricks will make sure you are ready to pass the exam on your first attempt.
Real Estate Classes help you get professional training that meets your specific state’s requirements for real estate. Find the right real estate classes with our top recommendations here.
Whether you are changing careers after many years in another industry or beginning as a new real estate agent with only a small amount of professional experience, you can quickly become a real estate agent and grow a thriving real estate career.
If you’re considering a career in real estate, obtaining the right real estate license in your state is the first major step you’ll need to take. While specific requirements vary from state to state, the general process involves completing pre-licensing education, passing a licensing exam, and submitting an application.
This How to Get a Real Estate License article provides an overview of these essential steps — as well as others that are also often present — to ensure that you can confidently navigate the licensure process in your state regardless of where you’re based.
Recommended: Interested in getting started? We recommend The CE Shop’s online study packages, which come with a money-back guarantee and flexible pricing.
The CE Shop
Since real estate licensing is regulated at a state level in the US, the particular requirements you’ll need to satisfy in order to obtain a license will vary depending on the jurisdiction you’re based in.
Having said that, you’ll typically be required to complete the following steps:
We’ve explored each of these steps in greater detail in the sections below.
Almost all states will require prospective real estate professionals to meet certain specific requirements in order to even be eligible to apply for a real estate license.
In particular, this will typically involve meeting the following requirements:
While a small minority of states also require a clean criminal record to be able to apply for a real estate license (e.g., Delaware), in the vast majority of states, a past conviction won’t prevent you from applying in and of itself.
In fact, felons can apply for real estate licenses in most states, though regulatory agencies will weigh up a number of factors when deciding on their application — such as how long it’s been since the offense was committed, the nature of the offense, and whether the applicant has shown any signs of rehabilitation.
If you’re worried about the potential impact of a prior conviction or misdemeanor on your criminal record, a number of states will also allow you to undergo a preliminary Fitness Determination. This allows you to find out whether you’ll be eligible to practice real estate in your state before spending money on a course, background check, and licensing examination.
Note: For more state-specific information regarding these eligibility requirements, be sure to refer to your state’s regulatory body using the Association of Real Estate License Law Officials’s agency directory.
After confirming that you satisfy the basic eligibility requirements to apply for this license, you must complete the necessary pre-licensing education in order to become a real estate agent.
This is a mandatory minimum number of hours of study (typically between 63 and 180) on the essentials of the real estate industry that you must complete before getting licensed. In most states, this total time is split between a theory-based course on the Principles of Real Estate and a more hands-on course covering more practical topics.
However, some states will also require you to complete a specified number of hours of study in “elective topics” — which you’ll be able to choose from a list of in-person and online courses that have been approved by your jurisdiction.
Once you’ve finished all these mandatory requirements, you’ll typically be asked to take and pass a final exam prepared by your course provider. It’s important that you hold onto the Certificate of Completion you’ll receive after passing, as you typically need to present this to be able to take your state’s real estate exam.
In most cases, we recommend dedicating between four and six months to complete these education requirements, though the total you need may vary depending on your state’s hour requirement and how much free time you have to dedicate.
It’s worth noting that despite being a mandatory requirement, it’s vital that you don’t think of it as just another item on a checklist of things you must do for a real estate license. A reliable and high-quality pre-licensing education course will not only help you pass your state’s exam, it will help you to succeed in your career.
Recommended Real Estate Course
We recommend The CE Shop’s online study packages, which come with a money-back guarantee and flexible pricing.
The CE Shop
With your pre-licensing education finished, you’ll be ready to move on to the next part of the licensing process: the state real estate exam.
This is commonly structured as a computerized, multiple-choice exam that’s taken in person at a testing center and divided into two sections:
For example, the real estate licensing exam in Texas is broken down as follows:
2. State-Specific Exam Content Outline (40 questions, 90 minutes):
Depending on the state, this is typically administered by Pearson VUE or PSI. However, a small minority of states (e.g., New York) don’t outsource the administration of this exam to a third-party provider.
Regardless of how the real estate exam is administered in your state, it can cost anywhere from $37 to $130 per attempt, with some states even requiring you to pay a fee for each of the exam’s portions (e.g., Wyoming).
In most states, you’ll need to obtain a score of at least 70% to 75% in order to pass this exam. On top of this, it’s common for you to be required to pass the exam within a specific time period following the completion of your pre-licensing education (e.g., one year or so).
Note: To ensure you succeed on your first attempt, we recommend having a look at our guide on How to Pass the Real Estate Exam for helpful preparation and study tips.
While not present in all states, applicants in the vast majority will be required to submit their fingerprints and undergo state and national background checks as part of the real estate salesperson license application process.
In most states, the application form provides more specific information about how to submit your fingerprints and initiate these background checks. It’s common to use third-party companies (e.g., IdentoGO), though some states use local and state law enforcement agencies for fingerprinting.
It’s also worth mentioning that you may be required to complete this step earlier on in the process, depending on the state in which you’re planning to get licensed (e.g., Texas).
Additionally, since these background-checking agencies don’t share records with one another, you’ll most likely be required to submit your fingerprints for this application, even if they’re already on file for previous purposes (e.g., the military or a previous job).
You’ll likely be required to pay a fee that ranges between $35 and $100 for fingerprinting and background check services in your state.
Note: Since background checks are only valid for a short period (often up to six months), it’s common for there to be a time limit on completing this step in most states. Be sure to refer to your specific state’s regulations regarding this.
In almost all states, applicants looking to become real estate agents are required to affiliate with a sponsoring broker before they can become fully licensed to market themselves and work with clients.
This is a licensed real estate professional who supervises and mentors you. They provide guidance, training, and resources, as well as ensure that you abide by all relevant legal and ethical industry standards.
Salespersons benefit from the broker’s experience, network, and support, although they must share a portion of their commission with the broker. This relationship is formalized through a contract, offering salespersons essential support for professional growth and success in the real estate market.
Some states require that you get sponsored by a licensed broker before you can submit your application for a real estate license. However, even if your state allows you to do so afterward, it’s always a good idea to start looking for your sponsoring broker as soon as possible.
For more information on this step, you can have a look at our in-depth article on How to Find the Right Real Estate Sponsoring Broker.
Tip
It is never too early to start talking to real estate brokers about sponsorship. If you already have an agreement or employment offer, they may even cover some of the costs of becoming a real estate agent, such as pre-licensing education or exam fees.
With all of the above requirements completed, you will be ready to begin submitting your application in most states at this point.
In most cases, you can do this quickly and easily from home using your state’s specific Online Portal. While some states still continue to offer paper applications that can be mailed in, these are increasingly being phased out in most jurisdictions as they’re more inefficient and cumbersome to process.
Regardless of whether you submit an application for your real estate license online or by mail, you’ll generally be required to provide the following documentation:
Be sure to refer to your state’s specific requirements, as the documents outlined above are just the most common — your specific jurisdiction may require additional ones. For example, applicants in Utah must also submit a Completed “Consent to Background Check Form” and “Certification of Legal Presence”.
During the application process, it’s also common to be asked a series of questions about your personal and professional background. Be sure to answer these honestly, even if it means disclosing punitive actions in your past, as failure can result in being immediately rejected. Note that you’ll almost always have the opportunity to provide an explanation or documentation about any relevant circumstances.
Some of the questions you can expect to see during your application include:
At the end of your application, you’ll be required to sign and confirm that you meet all of the statutory requirements set by your state to become a real estate agent. It’s worth noting that, depending on your state, this form may need to be notarized.
The real estate license application usually costs between $45 and $205.
Note: In a small minority of states (e.g., Texas), you have to apply much earlier in the process — even before taking the real estate license exam. Be sure to refer to your state to see their preferred order for you to complete these steps.
After submitting your application and ensuring that you meet all of the requirements listed above — plus any additional ones that may also apply in your state — all that’s left to do is wait!
It typically takes five to 14 business days for state licensing authorities to process these applications, though this can vary depending on the jurisdiction and time of year. If you applied online, you’ll typically be able to check the status of your application through your state’s portal.
Remember to check your state’s procedure for notifying successful applicants, as it’s possible to be contacted by email, mail, or just through a notification on your state’s online portal.
Note: For more information on what you’ll need to take you successfully get licensed, check out our Steps After Getting Your Real Estate License.
In order to keep your license valid — which is necessary in order to continue working as a real estate agent — you’ll be required to periodically submit a renewal application with your state’s licensing authority.
While renewal periods typically only last two years in most states, this can be shorter or longer depending on the jurisdiction in question.
Typically, this renewal application will also require you to complete a stipulated number of hours of continuing education (CE) to be able to renew. This is the ongoing training that real estate professionals must complete in order to stay updated on industry practices and ensure compliance with current laws and regulations.
In addition to these CE requirements, a small group of states (e.g., Washington State) also impose their own post-licensing requirements for newly qualified real estate professionals to complete immediately after obtaining their license.
Recommended: Interested in getting started? We recommend The CE Shop’s online post licensing education packages due to their high-quality study resources, money-back guarantee, and flexible pricing.
The CE Shop
If you’re interested in more information when it comes to license renewals, you can have a look at our state-specific Real Estate License Renewal article.
The cost of obtaining a real estate license varies by state but typically ranges from $300 to $700. This estimation includes the cost of pre-licensing real estate courses, real estate salesperson exam fees, application fees, and background checks.
However, the amount you end up paying could vary drastically from this estimation, depending on the state you’re based in and the education provider you choose.
Becoming a licensed real estate salesperson usually takes between four to six months. This timeframe includes completing the required pre-licensing courses, which can take 60 to 90 hours, passing the licensing exam, and completing the application process.
For more real estate agent essentials, check out our guide on How to Get a Real Estate License.
Beginner real estate agents typically earn between $45,000 and $60,000 per year, although this can vary widely based on the state in which you live, market conditions, and your specialism.
Income is often commission-based, so agents who are proactive in seeking clients and closing deals can earn significantly more.
For more information, check out our Real Estate Agent Salary article.
Being a real estate agent can be worth it for those who enjoy working independently, have strong interpersonal skills, and are motivated by the potential for high earnings. While the income can be variable, many agents find the flexibility and ability to offer real estate services rewarding.
For more information, see our How to Become a Real Estate Agent article.
For all of our real estate content, you can have a look at our Real Estate Licensing Resources page.
