getting a real estate license: How Do You Get Your Real Estate License

How Do You Get Your Real Estate License

Being a real estate agent is a lucrative job, although still a very challenging one. Many real estate brokers and sellers did not start out as such. They usually have prior careers and occupations. For many people, it became an alternative source of income, giving them some free time to be with their family. Although your reason for considering real estate as your next career may be different from the rest, the question among yours and everyone's minds is, "How do I get a real estate license?"

Requirements

If you're considering a career move and eyeing a job in real estate, there are several requirements you have to accomplish. Maybe you're thinking that getting a real estate license is simple.

If someone asks you, "how do I get my real estate license?" Your answer should be that it depends on the location where you want to practice being a real estate broker or agent. Each state in the U.S. has its own regulation for the real estate licensing procedure and these regulations may vary slightly. However, there are some requirements that are consistent, wherever you are located.

How do you get your real estate license?

To be eligible as a salesperson for real estate you must meet these basic requirements:

Legal resident of the U.S.
At least 18 or 19 years old (age depends on the specific state)
Completion of required pre-license education (number of hours dependent on state requirements)
Successfully pass the real estate licensure exam

Note: There is also a national real estate licensing exam

The pre-license education must be college level courses that include Real Estate Principles, Real Estate Practice and any one of the following courses:

Property Management
Real Estate Appraisal
Real Estate Economics
Legal Aspects of Real Estate
Real Estate Finance
General Accounting
Escrows
Business Law
Computer Applications in Real Estate
Real Estate Office Administration
Mortgage Loan Brokering and Lending
Common Interest Developments

The real estate pre-licensing course is offered usually at real estate schools, technical schools, universities, and realty firms. You can also check online courses. Choose the best option and see to it that the school is accredited as a real estate licensing school and has a good reputation. The course topics and the required number of hours may also vary depending on your state. After course completion, get your official transcripts and/or certificate of completion. These are needed when you apply for a license.

Real Estate License Schedule

Check with your state on the schedule of the real estate agent exam. It is best if you can sit for it right after you've completed your course. Again, the process is state-specific. There's a fee to be paid. State regulations may include a background check and submission of fingerprints. It takes several weeks for this procedure to be processed and should be done prior to the exam schedule.

Find out if there is a real estate test prep program available. It is not mandatory but this will greatly help you to practice for the exams and study the correct materials. This is where Real Estate Study Buddy test preparation comes in, just click to link to learn more, click here.

Becoming a Real Estate Saleperson

Once you have passed the real estate licensing exam, find employment with a real estate broker. You cannot set out on your own because you don't have a license yet. The real estate broker and you need to complete the final paperwork. Again this can vary. If the form is accepted by your state, you will be issued your license. This allows you to be a real estate agent under your broker's sponsorship.

Some state requires that you take a post-licensing education that will move your status from probationary to full licensure.

Your best course of action if you think that being a real estate agent is for you is to check all the requirements from the Real Estate Commission of your state.