How to Become a Real Estate Agent (Complete Guide)
How to Become a Real Estate Agent
Unlike many other industries, where getting a license can take a long time and be a very challenging process, becoming a real estate agent is quick and easy. It just takes three steps!
The first thing you will need to do is sign up for and pass your pre-licensing classes (more information on this below).
1️⃣
2️⃣
Pre-licensing Classes
State and National Exams
After passing your pre-licensing classes, the next thing you will need to do is sign up and pass your state and national exams (more information on this below).
3️⃣
Join a Brokerage
Lastly, after passing your state and national exams, you must join a brokerage to start selling.
Real Estate License Guide
Each state has its own requirements for getting a real estate license. Below are the general requirements you will need to get your license. If you want information on how to get a license in your state, please visit my New Agent Resources page.
You must be 18 or older.
Have a GED or high school diploma (some states require college-level courses).
Have a GED or high school diploma (some states require college-level courses in a specific subject)
✅
Basics
The number of hours required ranges from as few as 40 hours to as many as 168. On average, most states require about 80 hours of classes. Most, if not all, can be done online.
✅
Pre-licensing
The number of test questions ranges from 77 to 180. On average, most state exams have 125 questions and require a 70% or higher score to pass.
✅
State and National Exams
Real Estate Career Steps
After the first few steps, a real estate agent’s career path can vary depending on what they choose to do. Below are the career steps of agents who have ambitions to build a large business.
1️⃣
Pass all of your pre-licensing classes.
Covered above.
Pass your state and national exams.
2️⃣
Covered above.
3️⃣
Join a Brokerage
Joining a brokerage is one of the most important decisions you will make. Take your time to interview at many and find the one that is the best fit for you!
When your business gets too large for you to handle, you will need to decide whether to start a team to continue growing or stay where you are.
4️⃣
Start a Team (Group)
At some point, you may want to step back from running your team to enjoy the rest of your life. This means either selling it or hiring someone else to run it.
5️⃣
Step Away
Cost to Become an Agent
The cost to become a real estate agent will vary depending on many factors. Below are the main ones to be aware of. If you wanted a more detailed view of a real estate agent’s expenses, please visit my New Agent Resources page.
💵
Pre-licensing + Exams
💵
Cost: ~$300 - $1,000
Local Real Estate Association Fees
Cost: ~$500 - $2,000
This can vary depending on the brokerage, but the majority of the fee oftentimes is for the Errors and Omissions Insurance (E&O) they are required to have for each agent.
💵
Cost: ~$1,000 - $2,000
This typically includes access to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS)
Brokerage Fees
How Long Does it Take to Become an Agent
Many industries require people to wait months if not years, before they are finally able to get their license. Not real estate! It typically takes one to three months to get a real estate license. How long it will take you depends on how quickly you get through your pre-licensing classes.
Become an Agent With No Experience
Most people who become real estate agents have no prior experience in real estate. I didn’t when I started! But, for anyone serious about making a career out of being an agent, there are resources available to help! If you want to learn how I can help you build a real estate business in just two weeks, please check out my License to Legend program for new real estate agents!