How to Get a Real Estate License

The process of obtaining a real estate license can be long and complicated, but it is important for those in the market to understand what they need to do. This article will cover everything from getting started on this path to becoming an agent or broker.

The “How to Get a Real Estate License near Kansas City, MO” is how you can get a real estate license. You’ll need to pass the test and pay for your license.

A state-issued real estate license permits you to legally represent buyers and sellers in real estate transactions. Agents must fulfill state eligibility standards, complete authorized prelicensure programs, pass the agent test, and submit their application to the state real estate board for approval, as well as locate a sponsoring broker, in order to get a license.

1. Check the Requirements in Your State

While there are some similarities, the regulations for obtaining a real estate license vary greatly from state to state, and unlike a driver’s license, having a real estate license in one state does not guarantee that you would be able to work as a real estate agent in another. While most states require agents to be at least 18 years old and citizens of the United States, some additionally demand background checks and fingerprints. As a result, learning about the regulations in your state is the first step in becoming a real estate salesperson, agent, or broker.

To assist you, we’ve developed state-specific guides:

Real Estate Licensing Guides by State

Agents who are presently licensed in one state but desire to practice in another should check reciprocity rules to determine whether they need to reapply for their license. Reciprocity refers to a state-by-state agreement to accept an agent’s license from another state without the need to repeat the test or reapply for a license. Visit our page on real estate license reciprocity to learn more about state agreements.

To learn more about your state’s unique regulations, go to the website of your state’s real estate commission.

2. Complete all pre-licensing courses required by the state

Before applying to take the licensure test, all states require prospective residential or commercial real estate agents to complete a specific amount of prelicensing training. This requirement not only helps agents prepare for their licensing test, but it also helps them answer queries from potential clients. Fair housing legislation, different forms of property ownership, fiduciary obligations, titles, deeds, contracts, and other topics are covered in most courses.

While all real estate prelicensing courses include both state-specific and federal real estate legislation, the actual subjects covered and needed study hours vary greatly across states. Florida, for example, needs 63 hours of instruction, but Texas requires 180 hours.

State-by-State Examples of Real Estate Prelicensing Course Requirements

It might be challenging to fit real estate prelicensing education into a person’s schedule. Many states, fortunately, enable you to take these classes online. Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, Idaho, New Jersey, North Carolina, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Washington, D.C., on the other hand, do not, so prepare ahead.

The following are some of the best online prelicensing schools:

• Real Estate Express provides authorized online prelicensure and continuing education programs with a “Pass or Don’t Pay” guarantee. Use the code FSB25 to get a 25% discount on your courses.
• Kaplan: Kaplan offers a combination of live classroom and online courses, giving students the choice of a conventional education as well as a more convenient, digitally based education.
• Mbition – Learn Real Estate (formerly CareerWeb School) offers subject-specific lessons in areas such as appraisals and house inspections.

There are, however, a number of other excellent institutions to pick from. Take our quiz to see who would be the perfect match for you.

Which Real Estate School Should You Attend?

We’ll offer you a tailored product match once you answer a few questions about your company.

3. Study for the Real Estate Licensing Examination

Many aspiring agents are startled by how difficult the license test is to pass, and some jurisdictions restrict the number of times you may repeat it if you fail. As a result, it is a good idea to continue studying after the course ends until exam day.

Here are some helpful hints for passing your real estate licensing exam:

• Request assistance from agents: On LinkedIn, look for agents in your state, not in your competitive agricultural area. Make contact with them and get assistance on how to pass the test. This will not only assist you in passing the test, but it may also be the start of a long-term professional relationship.
• Find study groups: Many online real estate courses include portals or forums where you may find study groups. Make contact with other students and see if any in your region are ready to meet and study for the test together.
• Make your own flashcards: While it may seem to be a high school study strategy, flashcards are a powerful tool for learning new and significant information. Make a set for yourself that includes difficult real estate concepts and have people quiz you on it.
• Take a practice exam: Many online real estate courses provide practice exams to assist you prepare for the exam. If your real estate school does not provide practice exams, you may enroll in a separate real estate practice exam prep course to ensure that you are prepared for the final licensing exam.
• Establish a study schedule: This will guarantee that you devote time each week to learning real estate topics. Start by devoting an hour three times a week to studying the topics you’re having trouble with. Then set aside 30 minutes at the end of the week to go through everything.

4. Schedule & Take the Exam

To arrange your licensure test, go to the website of your state’s real estate commission and look for the “Get a License” option. Fill out the online registration form completely. You will be instantly scheduled for the test after you submit your application, and you should get confirmation on-screen or by email.

However, keep in mind that most states require you to take the test within a specified number of days after finishing your prelicensing coursework. The sooner you plan your test after you finish your education, the better.

Stay cool, drink lots of water, and make sure you’re well-rested on exam day. Because the exam is timed, you will need to respond quickly to questions. Skip any questions for which you have no idea what the answer is, and narrow down the potential responses to any questions about which you are unsure. When the test is over, you will be notified if you passed or failed the exam.

5. Take the Exam Again (If Necessary)

If you fail the test, you may retake it up to three times in a year if you register within 24 hours of your failure. To complete this registration, go to the website of your state’s real estate commission. Also, a firm like Real Estate Express may provide extra preparation materials. Exam Prep Master provides you with additional study resources and practice tests to help you prepare for the exam.

6. Contact & Interview Sponsoring Real Estate Brokers

New agents must first locate a sponsoring brokerage before applying for their license. This sponsorship gives the essential education and experience for real estate career. Review local brokerages to discover the perfect sponsor, then contact five to set up sponsorship interviews. Inquire about their training, commission splits, desk fees, and corporate culture during the interview. Choose the sponsor that best meets your requirements based on your interviews.

Finding a broker to sponsor you is not difficult since you will be paid only on commission. However, do your homework before associating your license with a broker. The initial few months of your career are critical to your success. To decide between a national franchise, a boutique brokerage, or a virtual brokerage, follow these guidelines.

How to Prepare & Conduct Sponsoring Broker Interviews

Asking the appropriate questions during a broker interview might help you avoid a lot of problems later on. It might be difficult for new or prelicensed agents to know what questions to ask during their broker interview and sponsorship conversation. Create a list of questions on training, commissions, fees, and business culture based on the criteria below to guide your interviews. Then, with your top five brokerages, schedule and perform an interview.

When speaking with a possible sponsored broker, keep the following points in mind:

• Training: Since you’re just getting started, excellent training is critical. Inquire about your broker’s training program.
• Commission splits: For new agents, most brokers will pay a 50/50 share. This implies that you will get 50% of all commissions earned, with the remaining 50% going to the broker. This should be confirmed with each brokerage you meet with.
• Desk fees are paid to the broker to cover costs such as lead generation, rent, and office supplies. Inquire with the brokerages you’re considering if they are needed of sponsored agents and how much they cost.
• Lead generation: Some agencies may give you with leads. Others need you to pay for lead generating on your own. During the interview, be sure to ask about the brokerage policy.
• Marketing efforts: A sponsored broker may have marketing strategies in place for agents who visit their office, or they may prohibit you from establishing your own brand, so be sure you are aware of their restrictions.
• Observe the workplace setting and speak with other agents to learn about the company culture. Inquire about shadowing a broker or an agent to get a sense of what it’s like to work there.

What to Look for When Choosing Sponsoring Brokerages

Pick your top three sponsored brokerages when you’ve finished your interviews. To see whether they’d be willing to sponsor you as a new agent, contact the interview contact at each. Be ready to be rejected at this stage; you may not be able to work for your top brokerage.

Consider the others on your list if none of your top three options agree to sponsor you. You may also connect with brokers in your region by reaching out to real estate organizations on LinkedIn and via the National Association of Realtors (NAR).

Obtain the relevant papers to prove this sponsorship after receiving a sponsorship agreement from a brokerage. This will be included in your application.

7. Submit an application for a real estate license.

You must submit a license application to your state’s real estate board and pay any needed application costs after securing a sponsor. Applicants for real estate licenses in several states must also submit fingerprints for a criminal background check. To submit your real estate application, go to the website of your state’s real estate commission. When you choose the licensing option from the menu, the website will guide you through the process of obtaining your real estate license.

The cost of obtaining a real estate license varies from state to state. Expect to spend $25 on average for application processing and $50 on average for a background check (if applicable). Depending on the state, an application evaluation might take anywhere from two to six weeks. You will be contacted via email and sent a letter after the evaluation is completed.

8. Maintain & Renew Your Real Estate License

Your real estate license must be renewed every two to four years in most states. You must finish mandatory continuing education (CE) real estate courses in order to renew your license. Learn the criteria for keeping your real estate license by visiting your state’s real estate commission website or using our state-by-state renewal requirements guidelines, and then investigate continuing education institutions to help you satisfy those needs.

To keep your license current, all states require you to take continuing education (CE) classes. CE courses are available via online real estate schools such as Real Estate Express or the NAR’s Center for Realtor Development.

Websites of State Real Estate Commissions

Consult the following list of real estate licensing commissioners for all 50 states for the most up-to-date information on real estate licensing requirements in your state. Examine your state’s regulations and procedures thoroughly to guarantee that your application is approved quickly.

After you’ve familiarized yourself with your state’s real estate commission website, you may want to seek for a more detailed instruction on how to achieve your objectives. You can learn all you need to know about selecting the proper brokerage, creating a business strategy, implementing the correct technology, and more in order to succeed in real estate by reading this article.

The Benefits of Having a Real Estate License

While most licensees work as home sales agents, there are a variety of additional reasons to get a real estate license. Here are a few examples of how you may put your license to use:

• Commercial real estate agents assist in the purchase, sale, and leasing of commercial properties such as office spaces, hospitals, apartment complexes, and more.
• Real estate broker: As a broker, you may either manage your own business or work for a huge corporation. You may still engage in property purchases and sales, although you may want to supervise agents alone.
• Administration of brokerage offices: In certain jurisdictions, all brokerage personnel must hold a real estate license. Real estate investor: To rent or repair properties, you do not need a real estate license. Being able to avoid costs and negotiate your own deals, on the other hand, will be critical to your success.
• Property manager: Most property managers must obtain a real estate license in order to deal with landlords of single houses or big apartment complexes.
• A corporate real estate manager is someone who manages all elements of real estate transactions for a company. If you don’t want to be a salesperson, there are a range of corporate real estate positions available.

Even if you aren’t sure which professional path you want to take, obtaining a real estate license might lead to chances you were previously unaware of. Real estate success may be achieved in a variety of ways.

Most Commonly Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the cost of obtaining a real estate license?

While the cost of prelicensing education, exam registration, and the licensing application varies by state, prospective agents will need to pay for prelicensing education, exam registration, and the licensing application. Prelicensing expenses often vary from less than $200 to more than $700; exam registration fees typically range from $25 to $75; and licensing application fees typically range from $75 to $150.

Optional or state-specific resources, such as background checks or fingerprints, exam practice guides, and test prep programs, may entail extra charges. Real estate colleges often provide a la carte exam prep seminars and resources that cost between $5 and $50 apiece. Fees for supplementary application documents, such as background checks, vary by state; check with your local real estate board to find out what these fees are.

When you pass your test, how long does it take to acquire your license?

You’ll need to locate a sponsoring broker and submit a full application to your state’s real estate commission after passing the licensure test. The application is processed in two to six weeks on average, while certain jurisdictions have a lengthier evaluation time.

While most states will offer an unofficial email confirmation of application acceptance to accelerate the process, most states will issue an official email confirmation of application approval to expedite the process.

What does a real estate agent earn?

The typical novice agent earns roughly $40,000 per year, according to Real Estate Express, while seasoned agents earn over $75,000 per year. However, an agent’s pay is determined by his or her region, property market, and business expertise. You can learn more about the differences in real estate agent wages by clicking here.

Is there a difference between a license for a Realtor & a real estate agent?

An agent is a person who has completed the requirements for state license and passed the real estate examination. A Realtor is a certified designation for real estate professionals who have passed the National Association of Realtors’ Code of Standards (NAR). A state-issued real estate agent, salesperson, or broker license is required to work as a Realtor.

What is the difference between prelicense courses & exam prep courses?

Your state may need prelicense courses before you may sit for the real estate licensing test. Exam prep programs give additional resources and practice tests to aid with exam preparation.

Conclusion

The prerequisites for obtaining a real estate license vary by state. Begin by familiarizing yourself with your state’s licensing standards, then take the needed prelicensing seminars, pass your test, locate a sponsoring broker, and submit your application. After you’ve obtained your license, make sure you take the required continuing education programs to keep it current.

Real Estate Express offers verified prelicensing courses in 27 states and test Prep Master workshops in 39 jurisdictions to assist future agents with the stress of studying and preparing for their real estate exam. Visit the Real Estate Express website to learn more about their “Pass or Don’t Pay” promise.

Real Estate Express is a website dedicated to real estate.

The “real estate license online” is a process that can take many years and has many requirements. However, there are ways to speed up the process by taking courses, networking with people in the industry, and finding out what your options are.

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