Have you ever dreamed of becoming a real estate agent or broker? If so, you’re not alone. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 54,800 openings for real estate brokers and sales agents are projected each year, on average, over the decade and overall employment of real estate brokers and sales agents is projected to grow 5 percent from 2021 to 2031.
Real estate agents and brokers can enjoy flexible schedules, unlimited earning potential, and the satisfaction of helping people find their dream homes. But before you can start your career in real estate, you need to get a license. And that’s where things can get tricky. How long does it take to get a real estate license? The answer depends on several factors, such as where you live, what type of license you want, how you study, and how well you prepare for the exam. In this article, we’ll break down the steps involved in getting a real estate license and give you some tips on how to speed up the process.
How to Get a Real Estate License: The Basic Steps
Getting a real estate license involves completing some education, passing an exam, and applying for a license with your state’s real estate commission. Here are the basic steps:
- Complete a pre-licensing course: This is a mandatory course that covers the fundamentals of real estate law, practice, and ethics. The course can be taken online or in person at an approved school or institution. The length of the course varies by state but typically ranges from 60 to 135 hours.
- Pass the state licensing exam: This is a multiple-choice test that assesses your knowledge of national and state-specific real estate topics.
- Apply for a license: Once you pass the exam, you need to submit an application for your license with your state’s real estate commission. You may also need to provide additional documents such as fingerprints, background check results, proof of legal residency, etc.
- Affiliate with a broker: Your license is inactive until you join a brokerage firm that will sponsor and supervise your activities as an agent or broker. You can choose from different types of brokerages based on your preferences and goals. Some brokerages offer more training and support than others but may also charge higher fees or commissions.
- Keep your license current: To maintain your license, you need to complete continuing education courses every few years and renew your license before it expires. The requirements for continuing education and renewal vary by state but usually involve taking some hours of courses and paying a renewal fee.
Note: These are just the general steps for getting a real estate license. Each state has its own specific requirements that may differ from these steps. To find out more about your state’s requirements head here and select your state to get detailed information.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Real Estate License: Factors That Affect the Timeline
So then how long does it take to get a real estate license? The short answer is: It depends. There are many factors that can affect how long it takes for someone to get their license, such as where you are located, what license you want and, the effort you put into passing and more.
The State You Live In
Different states have different requirements for getting a real estate license; some states require more hours of pre-licensing education, have more stringent exam standards, and have faster or slower application processing times than others.
For example, in Florida, you must complete 63 hours of pre-licensing education, pass an exam with at least 75% correct answers, submit an application with electronic fingerprints and background check results, and pay an application fee. The process can take anywhere from 2 to 6 months, depending on how quickly you complete the course and pass the exam.
On the other hand, in New York, you must complete 75 hours of pre-licensing education, pass an exam with at least 70% correct answers, submit an application with proof of legal residency, and pay an application fee. The whole process can take 3 to 9 months, depending on how quickly you complete the course and pass the exam.
The Type of License You Want
- There are two main types of real estate licenses: salesperson (or agent) and broker.
- A salesperson license allows you to work under the supervision of a broker and represent buyers or sellers in real estate transactions.
- A broker license allows you to work independently or manage other agents and brokers under your brokerage firm.
- To get a broker license, you need more education and experience than a salesperson license.
For example, in California, you need 135 hours of pre-licensing education, pass an exam with at least 70% correct answers, submit an application with fingerprints, and pay an application fee to get a salesperson license.
To get a broker license, you need 360 hours of pre-licensing education, two years of full-time experience as a salesperson, pass an exam with at least 75% correct answers, submit an application with fingerprints, and pay an application fee.
The Course Format You Choose
- You can choose between online or in-person courses for your pre-licensing education.
- Online courses offer more flexibility and convenience than in-person courses.
- You can study at your own pace and schedule, access course materials anytime and anywhere, and save time and money on commuting and parking.
- However, online courses also require more self-discipline and motivation than in-person courses.
- You need to set aside time and avoid distractions to complete your assignments and quizzes on time.
Example:
For example, John chose an online course for his pre-licensing education in Texas. He needed 180 hours of coursework to qualify for his salesperson license. He was able to finish his course in three months by studying two hours per day on weekdays and four hours per day on weekends.
On the other hand, Mary chose an in-person course for her pre-licensing education in Texas. She also needed 180 hours of coursework to qualify for her salesperson license. She was able to finish her course in six months by attending classes twice per week for three hours each session.
The Time and Effort You Put Into Studying and Preparing for the Exam
- The licensing exam is one of the most challenging parts of getting your real estate license.
- The exam covers a lot of information that you need to memorize and understand.
- The exam also has different formats depending on your state, such as multiple-choice questions, fill-in-the-blank questions, or simulations.
- To pass the exam, you need to study hard and practice often.
- You can use various resources to help you prepare for the exam, such as textbooks, flashcards, online courses, practice tests, etc.
- You also need to manage your time and stress levels during the exam.
- You should arrive early, bring the required materials, read the instructions carefully, and pace yourself.
Example:
For example, Lisa studied for her licensing exam in Georgia for two months before taking it. She used a combination of textbooks, flashcards, and online practice tests to review the material and test her knowledge. She also took a mock exam at a testing center to familiarize herself with the format and environment of the exam. She passed the exam on her first try with a score of 85%.
On the other hand, Mark studied for his licensing exam in Georgia for two weeks before taking it. He only used a textbook to review the material and did not take any practice tests or mock exams. He was not prepared for the format and environment of the exam. He failed the exam on his first try with a score of 65%.
How to Speed Up the Process of Getting a Real Estate License: Tips and Tricks
If you want to get your license as fast as possible, here are some tips and tricks that can help you speed up the process:
Choose an Online Course
- Online courses offer more flexibility and convenience than in-person courses.
- You can study at your own pace and schedule, access course materials anytime and anywhere, and save time and money on commuting and parking.
- However, online courses also require more self-discipline and motivation than in-person courses.
- You need to set aside time and avoid distractions to complete your assignments and quizzes on time.
Example:
“I chose an online course for my pre-licensing education in Colorado. I needed 168 hours of coursework to qualify for my broker license. I was able to finish my course in four months by studying four hours per day on weekdays and eight hours per day on weekends. I liked that I could study whenever and wherever I wanted, and that I didn’t have to waste time and money on driving to a classroom. The online course also had interactive features like videos, quizzes, and forums that made learning more fun and engaging.” – Sarah, Colorado
Use Multiple Resources to Study for the Exam
- The licensing exam is one of the most challenging parts of getting your real estate license.
- The exam covers a lot of information that you need to memorize and understand.
- The exam also has different formats depending on your state, such as multiple-choice questions, fill-in-the-blank questions, or simulations.
- To pass the exam, you need to study hard and practice often.
- You can use various resources to help you prepare for the exam, such as textbooks, flashcards, online courses, practice tests, etc.
Example:
“I used multiple resources to study for my licensing exam in Illinois. I needed to pass an exam with 150 multiple-choice questions and a score of at least 75%. I used a textbook, flashcards, an online course, and practice tests to review the material and test my knowledge. I also joined a study group with other students from my online course. We met once a week online and discussed the topics and questions we had trouble with. We also quizzed each other and gave each other feedback. This helped me improve my understanding and confidence. I passed the exam on my first try with a score of 90%.” – David, Illinois
Apply for Your License as Soon as You Pass the Exam
- Once you pass the exam, you need to submit an application for your license with your state’s real estate commission.
- You may also need to provide additional documents such as fingerprints, background check results, proof of legal residency, etc.
- The application fee can range from $50 to $200 depending on your state.
- The application processing time can vary from days to weeks depending on your state and how busy they are.
“I applied for my license as soon as I passed the exam in Arizona. I needed to submit an application with fingerprints, proof of legal residency, proof of completion of pre-licensing education, proof of passing the exam, and an application fee of $60. I submitted everything online through the state’s website. It took about two weeks for them to process my application and issue my license. I was glad that I didn’t wait too long because I heard that some people had to wait longer because they applied during peak times or had missing or incorrect documents.” – Maria, Arizona
Conclusion
Getting a real estate license is not a quick or easy process. It involves completing some education, passing an exam, applying for a license, affiliating with a broker, and keeping your license current. How long does it take to get a real estate license? The answer depends on several factors that can vary widely among individuals, such as the state you live in, the type of license you want, the course format you choose, and how much time and effort you put into studying and preparing for the exam. However, there are some tips and tricks that can help you speed up the process without compromising the quality of education and preparation. These include choosing an online course, using multiple resources to study for the exam, and applying for your license as soon as you pass the exam.
Getting a real estate license is worth it if you’re passionate about helping people buy or sell property and making money doing what you love. A real estate license can open up many opportunities for you in this exciting and rewarding industry. Whether you want to work as an agent or broker, full-time or part-time, residential or commercial, you need a license to get started.
If you’re ready to take the next step in your real estate career, don’t wait any longer. Enroll in one of our online courses today and get your real estate license faster than ever. We’ll provide you with everything you need to succeed, from high-quality content to expert instructors to unlimited support.
