How To Get Your Real Estate License
Are you interested in jumping into the lucrative world of real estate?
Achieving your real estate license is essential in setting yourself up for success. With proper training and education, there are endless opportunities to make a living as a successful real estate professional.
However, navigating the process of getting your real estate license can seem daunting at first – but it doesn’t have to be!
In this blog post, I’ll explain exactly how to get your real estate license in easy steps so you can take advantage of all this great industry has to offer.
Steps to Get Your License and Become a Real Estate Agent
Step 1. Choose and enroll in real estate school.
Attending real estate school is the first step for prospective agents on their path to success. With so many different courses and programs available, it can take time to determine which school best meets your requirements. Finding an approved real estate school to be a licensed real estate agent would be best.
Many schools now offer online real estate classes, which allow students to learn at their own pace while eliminating commutes. Many reputable schools provide real estate instruction in person for those interested in more traditional classroom learning environments.
Finding a suitable class is an essential step in properly preparing for a career in the field of real estate.
Step 2. Complete the required materials.
Once you have chosen your school, it is time to learn the basics of the real estate industry, which is required to apply for a real estate license.
You must complete your pre-licensing courses to pass the state exam and become a real estate agent. Pre-licensing systems offer intensive insights into the ins and outs of the profession.
From learning about contracts and agreements, property laws, and other necessary knowledge, these courses provide an essential resource for future agents.
Investing time in thoughtful preparation will be helpful when you’re ready for the final exams.
Step 3. Apply for State Exam Date
Now that you have finished your real estate licensing exam pre-licensing course, it is time to move on to Step 3: Apply for the State Exam Date and pay the required fee.
The exact fee amount depends from state to state, so you must check with your local regulating agency to ensure you have paid the correct sum. Once that is taken care of, you will be one step closer to joining the ranks of your real estate colleagues in helping people buy and sell their property.
Step 4. Submit Forms to DRE
Now that you have completed the real estate licensing exam and taken your required real estate courses, it is time to move on to Step 4: Submit forms to the Department of Real Estate (DRE).
The DRE requires that documentation such as fingerprints and proof of all completion materials be submitted for review.
Step 5. Prepare for State Exam
Once you have completed your pre-licensing education, it’s time to prepare for the state real estate license exam. Real estate schools provide students with questions to help them prepare for the test. Numerous YouTube tutorials, podcasts, and websites devoted to preparing for the real estate license exam offer helpful resources for passing the real estate exam.
If you plan and allocate a set amount of time each week to studying and familiarizing yourself with questions from past exams, you’ll increase your chances of success on the test day.
Proper preparation is vital to success on the state real estate license exam – equipped with relevant knowledge and a clear understanding of real estate principles, concepts, laws, and regulations, you will be ready to ace your exam.
Step 6. Pass the Real Estate Sales License Exam
Becoming a real estate agent and obtaining your real estate license is not for the faint of heart. It involves taking the Real Estate Sales License Exam, which can vary from state to state. In California, this exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions where you must score at least 70% or higher to pass. With thorough preparation and dedication to the cause, this type of test can become a breeze, and you’ll be on your way to becoming an official real estate agent!
Step 7. Join the Team
Joining a real estate brokerage firm is an exciting step toward your journey as a real estate agent. It allows you to make money, and more importantly, it enables you to connect with like-minded professionals who share the same goals and ambitions.
With your real estate license, you’re ready for this crucial next step. You’ll gain access to valuable resources, hone your craft through peer learning and support networks, and, most importantly, tap into a team of experts that can help get the job done.
It’s time to jump into this new world of real estate and start your successful career.
The Three Types of Brokerages
National Franchises
Large and well-established national franchise brokerages operate in multiple locations nationwide or worldwide. They provide brand recognition, standardized training, resources, technology, and marketing tools. Some examples of such brokerages are Keller Williams Realty, RE/MAX LLC, and Coldwell Banker.
Small Independent Brokerages
Small Independent refers to smaller, independent firms that offer a more personalized service to their clients. They may specialize in specific types of properties or particular neighborhoods, such as luxury homes or commercial real estate.
Additionally, they provide a more supportive and collaborative work environment for their agents. Examples of Small Independent include The Agency, Sereno Group, and Hilton & Hyland.
Virtual Brokerages
Virtual brokerages operate solely online and leverage technology to match agents with clients and help with transactions. They provide benefits such as flexibility, reduced overhead costs, and potentially higher commission splits.
Additionally, they may grant access to tools and resources, such as transaction management software and marketing materials. Some examples of virtual brokerages are eXp Realty, Redfin, and Real.
FAQ’s
What’s the difference between a real estate agent and a realtor?
A real estate agent is a licensed professional who helps clients buy, sell or rent properties. A realtor is a real estate agent and member of the National Association of Realtors (NAR), a professional organization. It’s worth noting that not all real estate agents are realtors, but any realtor is a real estate agent.
Real estate agents must follow the NAR’s Code of Ethics, which mandates them to offer their clients honesty, integrity, and professionalism in all their work. Besides, real estate agents also get access to particular resources, training programs, legal support, and networking opportunities provided by the NAR.
How long does one need to obtain a real estate license?
The exact time to earn a real estate license depends on several factors. These include the state you live in and your preferred pace.
Generally, online courses for real estate can be completed at one’s own pace, giving individuals the flexibility to work through the coursework as fast or slow as they desire.
To obtain a real estate license online, individuals must complete the coursework within a specified timeframe, typically six months to a year. After completing coursework, they must pass a licensing exam, which varies in scheduling and completion time.
Depending on your state’s requirements, how quickly you study, and the availability of exams, the process can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months.
Can You Get a Real Estate License Online in CA?
Getting your real estate license in CA is more attainable now than ever. Many exam prep programs are available online through approved education providers to help you complete your pre-licensing education requirements and prepare for the real estate exam.
After completing your online course, be sure to have the required documents and information ready when you take the exam in person at a testing center approved by the California Department of Real Estate.
With great study habits and dedication to achieving professional goals, obtaining your real estate license can be within reach of anyone who puts forth the time and effort required to achieve such a goal.
How much does getting your real estate license in the US cost?
The cost of getting your real estate license in the US will vary from state to state and depend on several factors, such as pre-licensing education requirements, application fees for the permit itself, and additional testing or fingerprinting fees.
For example, many states require you to complete a certain number of hours of coursework before being eligible to take the real estate license exam. The cost of pre-licensing courses can range anywhere from $100-$1000, depending on your location and the type of course you choose.
Additionally, some states may require a background check or fingerprinting to obtain a real estate license. This can come with additional fees to be considered when budgeting for a real estate license.
Can you take the South Carolina real estate exam online?
You cannot take the South Carolina real estate exam online. The South Carolina Real Estate Commission mandates that applicants take the exam in person at a designated testing center. The examination consists of two sections: the national and state-specific portions.
To obtain a license in South Carolina, applicants must pass both sections with a minimum score of 70%.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You made it to the end of the blog post, and I hope you now better understand what is needed to obtain your real estate license.
It can be a long process, but with the right guidance and resources, you can be open for business and join the many people that have been successful in this field. Before you know it, you will know your local markets like the back of your hand and fly through transactions easily. Real estate offers a liberating lifestyle where you can set your own hours and make as much money as you put effort into it.
So don’t hesitate to take action! Get educated on the licensing requirements, find the right school or program, and work hard towards your goal.
Then get out there, take a deep breath–and finally get your real estate license to be your own boss!
