Real estate sales agent and broker license
Granted by state real estate licensing commissions, not by a national exam alone. A high school diploma or equivalent and the state's prelicensing real estate courses; the hours differ by state.
How to get licensed
A high school diploma or equivalent and the state's prelicensing real estate courses; the hours differ by state.
- Be at least 18, with a high school diploma or equivalent
- State-approved prelicensing courses
- State licensing exam (and a background check in some states)Exam
- Sales agent license, often active only under a sponsoring brokerLicense
- Continuing education to renew every 2 to 4 years
- Optional: at least 2 years as an agent, broker courses and exam, broker's licenseOptional
The exams
National bodies write the exams; the state board decides who is licensed.
- State real estate salesperson examEvery state gives its own licensing exam after the prelicensing courses; some states also require a background check (BLS). Texas schedules state and national exam portions through Pearson VUE; Florida needs a grade of at least 75.
BLS
Real Estate Brokers and Sales Agents — How to Become OneU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OOH)- Checked
- 20 Oct 2026
State rules and other states
Every state requires real estate brokers and sales agents to be licensed. Licenses typically are not transferable between states, though some states have reciprocity agreements; renewal is typically every 2 to 4 years with continuing education in most states (BLS).
What 6 state boards publish
| State | What the board asks for | Exam | Fee | Renewal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) | U.S. citizen or lawfully admitted alien, 18 or older. 180 classroom hours: Principles of Real Estate I and II, Law of Agency, Law of Contracts, Promulgated Contract Forms and Real Estate Finance (30 hours each). Apply in the REALM Portal, fingerprints with Texas DPS, then the exam through Pearson VUE; three failures mean more education. The license stays inactive until a broker sponsors you. One year from filing to meet everything. TRECBecome a Real Estate Sales AgentTexas Real Estate Commission (TREC)
trec.texas.gov does not answer from India (connection timed out); read from the Internet Archive capture of 17 Sep 2026. View source | |||
| California Department of Real Estate (DRE) | Three college-level courses before the salesperson exam: Real Estate Principles, Real Estate Practice (with implicit bias and fair housing since 2024) and one course from a list such as finance, appraisal or legal aspects. Each approved course is at least 45 hours. Pass the exam first, then apply for the license; 18 or older to be issued one. Without a responsible broker a salesperson may not do licensed acts. California DRERequirements to Apply for a Real Estate Salesperson LicenseCalifornia Department of Real Estate (DRE)
| |||
| New York Department of State, Division of Licensing Services | 18 or older, 77 hours of approved qualifying education, the NYS Real Estate Salesperson exam, sponsorship by a NYS-licensed broker and a current NYS photo driver's license or non-driver ID. NY DOSBecome a Real Estate SalespersonNew York Department of State, Division of Licensing Services
dos.ny.gov answers automated reads with 403; read from the Internet Archive capture of 12 Jul 2026. View source | |||
| Florida Florida Real Estate Commission (DBPR) | Sales associate: a 63-hour FREC-approved prelicensing course (valid 2 years), application with electronic fingerprints, the state exam with at least 75, then a 45-hour post-licensing course before the first license expires. Broker: 24 months of experience in the last 5 years, a 72-hour course, the broker exam with at least 75 and a 60-hour post-licensing course. Florida DBPRReal Estate Associate Requirements for licensure in the State of FloridaFlorida Department of Business and Professional Regulation — Florida Real Estate Commission
myfloridalicense.com answers automated reads with 403; read from the Internet Archive capture of 5 May 2025. View sourceFlorida DBPRReal Estate Broker Requirements for licensure in the State of FloridaFlorida Department of Business and Professional Regulation — Florida Real Estate Commission
myfloridalicense.com answers automated reads with 403; read from the Internet Archive capture of 5 May 2025. View source | |||
| North Carolina North Carolina Real Estate Commission | Complete the 75-hour Broker Prelicensing Course, apply with the fee and documents; the Commission confirms exam eligibility and, after the exam, character. NCRECApply for a Broker LicenseNorth Carolina Real Estate Commission
| State broker licensing exam (scheduled with the testing service) | — | — |
| Pennsylvania State Real Estate Commission (Department of State) | At least 18, high school graduate or equivalent, and 75 hours (5 credits) of basic real estate courses; no experience needed. PA DOSReal Estate Salesperson Licensure Requirements SnapshotPennsylvania Department of State, State Real Estate Commission
| Salesperson exam, national and Pennsylvania parts, passed within 3 years before applying | Initial $97 ($72 license, $25 application) | $96 every 2 years; 14 hours of continuing education |
Each row is copied from that board's own page and cites it. A dash means the board page we read did not state it. Other states have their own rules: check the board where you will work, or open the state pages.