Real Estate License
Offered by State real estate commissions (exam often via PSI or Pearson VUE)
A real estate salesperson (or broker) license is issued by the state, not by a national board. Typical steps are: complete state-required prelicensing education, pass a two-part exam (national uniform content plus a state-specific portion), submit fingerprints/background check, and affiliate with a licensed broker before you can practice.
EXAM AT A GLANCE
Testing time
4
hours
Sections
5
Passing score
Varies
Cost
$50–$150
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What the exam covers
Property ownership, land use, and transfer
Valuation and market analysis
Financing
Agency, contracts, and disclosures
State licensing law, trust accounts, and agency rules
About the Real Estate License
The National Association of Realtors (NAR) "Realtor" trademark is membership, not the license. Exam vendor, question counts, passing scores, and course hours differ by state — always use your state commission's candidate handbook.
Who it’s for
People seeking a state license to list, sell, or lease real property for compensation.
- Format
- Usually two multiple-choice portions: a national/uniform section and a state-law section (often combined in one appointment). Exact item counts are set by the state.
- Testing time
- Typically 2–4 hours depending on the state (national + state portions)
- Delivery
- PSI, Pearson VUE, or another state-contracted vendor at a test center (some states offer remote)
- Passing score
- Set by the state — commonly around 70–75% on each portion. You may be allowed to retake only the failed portion.
- Cost
- Exam fees are often about $50–$150 per attempt, plus prelicensing tuition, application, and fingerprint fees. Confirm with your state commission.
- Validity
- License renewal is set by the state (often 1–2 years) with continuing education. The exam itself may expire if you do not apply within a stated window.
- Prerequisites
- Age, background check, and prelicensing hours set by the state (often 40–180+ hours for salesperson; more for broker)
Official exam page· Details verified August 2026
Exam details can change. Always confirm current requirements, fees, and exam policies with the certification provider before registering.
How to prepare
01
Read your state real estate commission's candidate handbook before you enroll in a course.
02
Complete the required prelicensing hours with an approved school.
03
Drill the national topics (agency, contracts, finance, valuation) and a separate state-law deck.
04
Sit vendor practice tests that match your state's item counts.
05
After you pass, file the license application and join a broker before taking clients.
FAQ
Is there a national real estate license?
No. Every U.S. jurisdiction licenses its own salespersons and brokers. National exam content is similar, but state law, hours, and scores differ.
Is a Realtor the same as a licensed agent?
No. A license comes from the state. Realtor is a NAR membership trademark with its own code of ethics. You can be licensed without being a Realtor.
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