To start a career as a real estate agent, you’re required to obtain a license from your state’s Real Estate Commission. While the steps may vary slightly based on your state, getting a real estate license generally includes completing prelicensing education, getting a background check, passing the real estate exam, finding a sponsoring brokerage, and submitting an application. Time frames, number of education hours, and fees vary across the country.
Use the interactive map below to get information about steps, requirements, and online real estate schools specific to your state.
State-by-State Map Links
If you live near the border of two states or move to a new state after working as a licensed agent, you should know the reciprocity and portability rules. Many states have reciprocity with other states, which means you can be licensed in more than one state or transfer your license to a new location.
1. Meet Your State’s Legal Requirements
Each state has specific prerequisites for real estate professionals, which usually include an age requirement and an educational requirement. The majority of states require aspiring agents to be 18 years old and have at least a high school diploma or GED (General Educational Development Test). However, there are exceptions for states like Montana, where candidates only need a 10th-grade education prior to licensure.
Here is a sampling of the basic requirements for five states:
State | Age Requirement | Education Requirement |
|---|---|---|
18 years or older | None | |
18 years or older | High school diploma or GED | |
18 years or older | High school diploma or GED | |
19 years or older | High school diploma, GED, or evidence of participation or enrollment in a home school program from the Department of Education | |
18 years or older | Must have received credit for completion of 2 years of full curriculum study at an accredited high school or equivalent |
In addition, applicants are required to disclose criminal offenses and include an explanation and all court documentation. Getting a real estate license is still possible if you have a criminal history, although it is decided on a case-by-case basis. Each state’s Real Estate Commission will review the documentation in order to determine if the applicant is eligible for licensure.
However, candidates with a felony conviction, especially one that relates directly to the functions of a real estate agent, like fraud or embezzlement, will have more challenges getting approval. It’s best to reach out directly to your state’s Real Estate Commission to review your application before moving forward with the process.
2. Complete Prelicensing Coursework
To get a real estate license in all 50 states, you must complete prelicensing courses. Each state requires a different number of hours, ranging from 40 hours in states like Michigan and New Hampshire to 180 hours in Texas. When learning how to get your real estate license, choosing the right prelicensing classes will set you up for success. It’s important to choose courses based on your learning needs, especially the learning format that helps you understand and maintain knowledge.
Prelicensing courses are usually offered in person at a local real estate school or through an accredited online real estate school. If you prefer more traditional learning methods, in-person courses or live streamed classes will be a great fit. On the other hand, if you have a busy schedule, a self-paced online program allows you to work through the material at your convenience. Plus, online courses often provide tools to help you succeed, like real estate flashcards, worksheets, e-books, textbooks, webinars, and discussions.
Purchasing prelicensing courses is a significant financial investment, and it’s only the first of many upfront costs when getting your real estate license. In addition to purchasing the required education, which can cost anywhere from $119 in Florida to $980 in Texas, you’ll also need to pay for the exam fee, application fee, insurance, office or brokerage fees, the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), branding and marketing materials, and potentially training or mentorship programs.
If you’re unsure of where to start, take our quiz to find out the best real estate school options and articles that can assist with your decision:
Which real estate school and program is right for you?
3. Get Fingerprints & Background Check
Getting fingerprints and running a background check are important steps to getting a real estate license for all states. There are about 15 states that do not require fingerprints but will run a background check based on the information provided in your application. Either way, this information goes hand-in-hand with your criminal record disclosure and is used to review your background to determine your eligibility for licensure.
Fingerprint card (Source: IndentoGO)
To get fingerprints, applicants must visit a local law enforcement agency or a livescan fingerprint provider like IdentoGO, based on your state’s preferred agency. The fee for fingerprinting varies per state but ranges from about $15 to $80. Fingerprints are run through the state and/or national databases, so there can be a full picture of your background, including any discretions.
4. Pass Your State Real Estate Exam
One of the most notable steps in learning how to get into real estate is taking the state real estate exam. The exam is primarily issued by PSI or Pearson VUE, which are national licensing exam providers. An exception to this includes California and New York, which conduct exams through their state’s real estate departments.
The exam covers all the national and state topics studied during the prelicensing coursework. The number of questions on the exam range from 75 to 200 questions, depending on your state. Others fall somewhere in the middle, like New Jersey with 110 questions and South Carolina with 120 questions.
While every state’s test differs slightly on the topics they include, there are a few common items covered:
- Property ownership and land use controls and regulations
- Laws of agency and fiduciary duties
- Property valuation and financial analysis
- Financing
- Transfer of property
- Practice of real estate and disclosures
- Contracts
- Real estate calculations
To get specifics on which items will be included on your state’s exam, plus the number of questions that will be included for each topic, review your state’s Real Estate Candidate Handbook. For example, the Ohio Real Estate Candidate Handbook outlines how to schedule your test, what is needed at the testing center, and what is included in the test. Check out the handbook by clicking your state’s “How to” guide on the state-by-state map and review the section on scheduling your exam.
You can get your real estate license with either a 70% or 75% score, depending on your state. The exception is Vermont, which bases its score on the amount of knowledge a minimally competent practitioner (MCP) should have to operate as a real estate professional. However, if you do not pass the exam on the first attempt, you are able to retake the exam.
Most states allow an unlimited number of retakes, although you have to pay the exam fee each time. However, there are a few states that limit the number of times you can retake an exam or require you to retake some or all of the prelicensing coursework if you fail the exam. For instance, Georgia, Tennessee, and West Virginia require you to pass the exam within 90 days or two attempts, whichever comes first.
Sample exam prep video (Source: PrepAgent)
If you’re looking for the best real estate exam preparation tools to build your confidence before exam day, check out PrepAgent. It offers affordable, comprehensive exam preparation education for all 50 states with tools and features to encourage retention. It includes video and audio lessons as well as flashcards, real estate practice exam questions, and even a pass guarantee.
5. Pick a Sponsoring Brokerage
The next step of becoming a real estate agent is choosing a brokerage to work under. It’s important to make a decision on your sponsoring brokerage based on your business preferences and what type of real estate you want to specialize in. Make sure to review the following items before making a decision:
- Decide which type of brokerage to target
- Decide between going solo or joining a real estate team
- Compare commission splits
- Examine the reputation of each real estate company
- Consider their mentoring and training resources
6. Acquire Errors & Omissions Insurance
When learning how to get a real estate license, many professionals are surprised that about 30 of the 50 states require agents to acquire errors and omissions insurance (E&O) to be considered active. E&O insurance protects real estate businesses from mistakes made during professional service.
Some brokerages may provide their brokers with E&O. Otherwise, you’ll have to purchase it yourself and submit a certificate of independent coverage with your application documents. Many Real Estate Commissions work closely with Rice Insurance Services, LLC to provide affordable options. Check with your state coverage requirements before making a purchase.
Real estate licensee E&O insurance details (Source: RISC)
7. Apply for Your Real Estate License
The last step in getting a real estate license is submitting an application to your state’s Real Estate Commission. The application form consists of basic information like your name, address, date of birth, and background history, as well as information regarding your real estate education and sponsoring brokerage. Most states give applicants the ability to apply online through an online portal; if not, you’ll need to submit a paper application.
Rhode Island real estate application (Source: RIDBR)
Along with your application document, you’re required to submit an application fee, certificate of completion from your real estate school, fingerprints and background check, proof of a passing exam score, and explanations of any criminal record (if applicable). The application fee can range from $45 in Colorado to $245 in California.
When applying for your real estate license, visit your state’s “how to” article using the state-by-state map above to ensure you have all the correct materials and links.
Bottom Line
People who ask, “How do you get a real estate license?” usually want to determine if becoming a real estate agent is the right career choice for their needs. Figuring out how to get a real estate license can be confusing, so use our guide to get a general idea of the licensing process. After you understand the general steps, review your state’s specific article for the most actionable steps to start the process of getting a real estate license.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The cost of getting a real estate license depends on the state in which you intend to practice, the required number of prelicensing hours, the type of education you choose, exam fees, and application fees. You can expect to pay anywhere from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars to earn a real estate license. Keep in mind there are often additional costs to start your business, like real estate marketing materials and access to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS).
Although each state has different requirements, there are many similarities to getting a real estate license in all 50 states. Most states require the applicant to be 18 years old or older, have a high school diploma, complete prelicensing education, pass a real estate exam and a background check, get E&O insurance, and successfully submit an application.
The time it takes to get a real estate license will depend on your state’s required number of prelicensing courses, the type of education you choose, and how quickly you can study and pass the licensing exam. For example, New Hampshire requires 40 hours of prelicensing education, while Texas requires 180 hours, which will undoubtedly take much longer to complete. However, some states and education programs have intensive course schedules that allow you to complete all the required education within a few weeks.
