Understanding the Real Estate Licensing Process

10 March 2022

So, how does one become a real estate agent?

It’s important that you follow your state’s licensing process precisely.  The respective schools in your area may be able to help you if you have questions, but it is always better to go directly to your state’s website.  Most can be found by googling “Real Estate Commission in (insert state)”  There, you will learn all necessary requirements. 
 

Most states begin the licensing process with enrollment into a state certified pre-license course.  Depending on the state, the courses can run from 30-150 hours and most schools offer the courses in day, evening, weekend, and accelerated formats.  Courses are typically held in person, but could be online, or virtual with a live instructor.  The speed at which you will become licensed really depends on the pre-licensing program that you choose and how dedicated you are to pass.  KJMETHOD has had students pass their state licensing exam in as little as 22 days from beginning the pre-license course, a feat that was accomplished by the most dedicated students.  In other words, you can be licensed in several weeks or months.  It is up to you.
 

Pre-license Education Process

Once you are in your pre-license course, study hard so that you are able to pass your final exam.  This will be a prerequisite for registering for the state exam.  Most states will give you more than one opportunity to pass your final exam.  However, some states require you to take the entire course again if you do not pass the final exam on your second try.  A prep course such as the KJMETHOD can assist you with passing.  The multiple videos, practice test questions, flashcards, matching exercises, and math review are all designed to assist you in passing your class or state exam on the 1^st try.  Once you have passed the course final exam, you can move onto to the state licensing examination.
 

Eligibility requirements

The real estate salesperson’s license is state specific.  Thus, each state offers its own eligibility requirements depending on state law. 

The requirements could include items such as:

• Minimum residency requirements
• Minimum education requirements
• Background checks
• Fingerprinting
• On-the-job training
• Child support and student loan laws
• Minimum passing rates
• Employment with a sponsoring broker
• Errors and omissions insurance
• Criminal history report
• Reference letters
• Pass a state licensing examination

The real estate license exam

In most cases, a third party—not your real estate licensing school—will administer your licensing exam. Currently, PearsonVue, PSI, and AMP are the major test administrators, although some states use their own.  Your local real estate board should be able to direct you to the appropriate testing center.  All states require you to take a national and state portion of the examination.  The number of questions on each content area differs and some states require you to pass both the national and state portions of the exam to become licensed.  Other states only require a combined passing score.  Presently, the KJMETHOD prep course can only assist you in passing the NATIONAL PORTION of your state exam by reiterating concepts to you in a clear and precise manner, retesting you on topics that will be presented, assuring that you are proficient in vocabulary, content, and real estate math. 
 

The application process

Once you have passed your state licensing exam, you can begin applying for your salesperson’s license.  Many states have an application deadline.  Check your state commission to ensure compliance.  The application will generally minimally entail the broker sponsoring form, fees for licensure, proof that you have passed the class exam, and a background check.  Again, check your state commission to ensure that you have the correct documentation.
 

If you have taken the appropriate documentation to the licensing area, a salesperson’s license will be issued.  Some states will issue it directly to you.  Others will only issue it to your sponsoring broker.  In any event, you did it.

Welcome to real estate!!! Now, the real work begins.