Becoming a Real Estate agent in the United States requires you to take a real estate exam for the state or area where you want to sell real estate. Each state will have some slightly different real estate laws.
Most states require that you show that you have taken and completed a certain number of classes before you are allowed to sit for the exam. Each state has different requirements for what is required for you to sit the real estate exam and obtain your license. Some states may give exemptions to the class work, but to see if you qualify for an exemption, it is best to speak directly to your state board, who will be administering the exam.
Table of Contents
- Real Estate Exam Requirements Vary By State
- Basis Real Estate Exam And License Requirements
- Related Questions
Real Estate Exam Requirements Vary By State
In the United States, the real estate license and exam will vary from state to state. Almost all states require a prescribed number of classroom hours of study before you can take the real estate exam and obtain your real estate license.
The best way to find out what your state requires is to call your state Real Estate Licensing board and determine their requirements for you to take the Real Estate Exam and become licensed in your state.
There are also exceptions to this, so if you are looking for an exception, the best people to talk to would be those who are administering the test to see if your exemptions qualify,
In New York, a real estate salesperson must complete 75 hours of coursework; to become a broker, it is 120 hours. So, each state has very different requirements, exemptions, and requirements for its state.
One reason is so hard to list per state is that many states have different requirements. Some require course hours, and others have a particular course you must take.
Other states may require you to take the classes within a particular time, or you may need to take them and start over. This is why obtaining a real estate license requires commitment and time.
Basis Real Estate Exam And License Requirements
Even though there are variations between the states for the number of hours of classwork you take for your license, there are basic requirements that many states have, as follows:
Complete Hours Of Required Education
Almost all states require that you show that you have completed the required hours of education for the Real Estate license exam. Today, many of these states allow you to obtain your education online, and you do not need to go into a physical classroom.
For example, for the State of Utah, there are 100% free online courses that you can take to qualify to take your real estate exam.
The education part of the exam is essential as different states will have different requirements, so even if you have taken the Real Estate exam in another state and passed it, it does not mean you can pass it in another state.
The state real estate exam will have some questions that are specific to the state and then general real estate questions. That is why you must get all the required education and hours that you need so you are sure to pass the state exam.
Some states may exempt professionals from the education hours rule as they feel they have the education. For example, in Georgia, lawyers may sit the exam without taking any additional classes as their law classes are considered for counting as real estate courses.
Despite the classroom requirements, we feel if you are interested in real estate in your state, then you should do the required coursework to ensure you can pass the exam the first time.
Be At Least 18 To 19 Years Old
Most states have an age limit of 18 to 19 years old for you to be able even to take the Real Estate Exam and obtain a license. You must be able to show a state-issued ID before you can take the exam.
Most states require that you be at least 18 years old, but some states require that you be 19. It depends on the actual state and what they have as their age requirements.
Basic Educational Requirements
Some states need you to show that you have a high school diploma or equivalent to be able to sit for the real estate exam. Many of these states also require that you bring proof to show your education as a diploma, transcripts, etc.
As the name implies, the real estate license is only a license. It is not a college degree, nor is it meant to replace a college degree. Many Real Estate agents will get a business management degree; some colleges offer degrees with a real estate focus.
Some Universities even offer Real Estate graduate programs. These programs are not the same as the Real Estate license and would be much more in-depth than the Real Estate licensing program.
Proof Of Citizenship Or Residency
Many states require that you show proof of US citizenship or that you are a legal US resident if you were not born in the United States. For some of the requirements, like for the state of Alabama, you must prove that you are considered a bona fide resident of any state in the United States.
Usually, you could show a valid driver’s license if your state requires proof of citizenship before obtaining it. Other documents, such as a US passport, green card, or social security number, show a legal status to live and work in the United States.
Some states may take this a step further, and you may need to show them you have an address in their state or a residential address before you can even take the exam.
Proof Of No Criminal Record
To obtain a Real Estate license, many states will require that you show you do not have a criminal record or have been convicted of a crime of moral turpitude. A crime of moral turpitude is a crime you did recklessly and with intent.
Crimes of moral turpitude include all crimes considered immoral or sinful by society. Indeed, a crime like murder or armed robbery would fall under that category.
Other crimes like fraud, dishonesty, deceit, misrepresentation, and deliberate violence. Moral turpitude is anything against justice, honesty, principle, or good morals.
Most people do not realize that becoming and remaining a licensed real estate agent will take an educational commitment. Once you get your license, you will get it for a specific time, and to renew it, most states require that you show additional educational hours before you can renew it.
Becoming licensed in real estate is not just about completing the educational requirements once; you will need to continue taking courses to keep your license current. Becoming a real estate professional is a long-term commitment for you to earn and keep your license yearly.
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Related Questions
What Is A Life Estate? Real Estate Explained
A life estate is when a person is granted the right to use the property for the term of their life. Once the life estate holder dies, the property is passed on to the owner. The individual who holds the life estate does have rights to the property and can usually still get income from the property for the term of their life.
By clicking here, you can read more about What Is A Life Estate? Real Estate Explained
Why Is Real Estate Called ‘Real Estate’?
The word Real Estate comes from the Latin word realis, but it refers ideally to the physical and economic characteristics of real estate or real property. The word Real Estate can date back to the 17th Century. Today, Real Estate is a legal term used in many English-speaking jurisdictions worldwide.
By clicking here, you can read more about Why Is Real Estate Called ‘Real Estate’?.
