If you want to work as a real estate agent, let’s get the obvious out of the way. You can’t practice real estate until you have your license. How to get a real estate license varies on a state to state basis, so unfortunately we can’t walk you through every exact step you need to take. But we can share some insight into what the process generally looks like and how you can ensure everything goes according to plan when preparing to get your license.
While the qualifications for becoming a real estate agent do vary by state, generally there aren’t strict qualifications you have to meet. Typically, you have to be at least 18 years of age and have a high school diploma. To get your state-specific license, you have to take and pass your state’s licensing exam. Stop by your state’s real estate regulatory office website for more details on how to become licensed in your state. You are also required to take the national portion of the real estate exam.
Generally, state’s have specific requirements regarding:
We have some exciting news for you — some states have reciprocal licensing agreements with other states. Meaning, certain states allow you to get your license in one state and use it in another state, without needing to take an additional license examination.
Taking a prelicensing course at an accredited real estate licensing school before taking your real estate license exam is required in every state. How many classes you need to take and how many hours you have to spend taking classes varies by state, but they do all require it.
Most states allow you to choose what format you want to take your prelicensing course in, whether that be online, in a community college class, or at a brick-and-mortar real estate school or at a four-year university.
It’s important to enroll in a high quality program that will adequately prepare you for the exam and your real estate career.
Alongside taking a prelicensing course, you’ll also need to put in a decent amount of study hours to prepare for getting your real estate license.
Tip #1 – Take notes
Taking notes may seem like a no-brainer when you’re sitting in a prelicensing course, but you should also take notes about key concepts or topics you’re struggling with when studying at home. It’s old news that writing things down is proven to improve recall, but it’s easy to forget this fun fact if you’ve been out of the classroom for a while. Take notes, make flashcards, or find some other way to put pen to paper.
Tip #2 – Get comfortable with the Candidate Handbook
All states provide a Candidate Handbook that will outline everything you need to know to prepare for your exam. This handbook is hefty, but it’s really important that you read it from cover to cover. There are abbreviated guides out there that you can buy to make studying for the exam easier, but you should still give the whole Candidate Handbook a read through.
Tip #3 – Practice, practice, practice
Before taking the real licensing exam, you’ll want to take multiple practice exams. Not only will taking the practice exams help you gauge how familiar you are with the material, but it will help you get comfortable with taking the exam.
Tip #4 – Take an exam prep course
On top of taking your prelicensing course, you should take an exam prep course (similar to the classes that help high school students prepare for taking the SATs) a week or two before you take your exam. These prep courses help you prepare for the actual test taking process and can make taking the exam a lot less stressful.
Tip #5 – Get your rest
If you’re juggling preparing for the exam while working or taking other classes, you may find yourself tempted to pull all-nighters in the days leading up to the exam. Don’t do this. Not getting enough sleep before your exam will decrease your chances of passing, even though you’re squeezing in extra study hours. Treat yourself well the week leading up to the exam. Get eight hours of sleep every night, take breaks to exercise, and trade the energy drinks for health foods and beverages.
Your prelicensing course instructor should break down how to schedule and register for your licensing exam, but you can always find this information through your state’s real estate commission website.
The licensing exam will involve two parts. One part will go over general real estate principles and practices that apply on a national level. The other part will focus on your specific state’s real estate laws. The exam will be multiple choice and each of the sections will be scored separately.
If you need to retake your exam, you’ll need to confirm how long you have to wait to retake it, how many times you are allowed to retake it, and what the deadline for completing any retakes is, as all states have different standards.
Once it’s time to actually take your exam, you need to take a deep breath and get organized. Exam day is not a day where you want to feel rushed or flustered, so keep these tips in mind when getting ready for the big day.
Tip #1 – Arrive early
You don’t need any extra stress on exam day. Arrive early so you can search for a parking spot, can locate the exam center, and can get settled without feeling like you’re running late.
Tip #2 – Bring the right supplies
Your Candidate Handbook will outline what you’re allowed to bring to your exam. For example, some states allow calculators and some don’t. The handbook will also tell you what you must bring, such as multiple forms of I.D., a credit card to pay for the exam, or proof of completing your pre-licensing course.
Tip #3 – Relax
Easier said than done, but try to relax before your exam. Go for a run or take a long hot shower, and don’t forget to eat a good meal. Keep calm and know that you’ve done the work you need to do to prepare for the exam and that you’ll do the best you can. Once you’re taking the exam, don’t let a tough question panic you. If you’re struggling with a question, skip it for the time being and come back to it. The question might make more sense once you’ve had time to process it and you’ll feel less rushed knowing you’ve answered all of the other questions.
Once you pass your licensing exam (congratulations!), you have to submit an application to your state’s real estate agency to activate your real estate license.
After your application is approved, your state’s real estate agency will mail you your official real estate license certificate. You can’t work as a real estate agent until your license is issued by the state’s real estate agency and you have to hang it at your brokerage.
The work doesn’t stop once you have your license in hand. Real estate agents have to pursue Continuing Education in order to retain their real estate licenses. There are state-specific Continuing Education requirements, so take note of what your state’s requirements are and any important deadlines.
Want to learn more about how to become a real estate agent and set yourself up for success? Our course Real Estate Essentials 101: Getting Started as an Agent will walk you through everything you need to know!
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