How much does it cost to get a real estate license?

Getting a real estate license involves several costs that vary by state, including pre-licensing education, exam fees, background checks, and study materials. Total licensing costs typically run several hundred dollars. After licensing, agents face additional expenses such as brokerage start-up fees, monthly operational costs for multiple listing service (MLS) access and board membership, and errors and omissions insurance.

Alabama real estate salesperson license applicants pay a $73 exam fee per attempt to Pearson VUE and a $210 temporary license application fee, comprising a $150 license fee, a $30 research and recovery fee, and a $30 recovery fund fee. Applicants must also complete a fingerprint-based background check through Fieldprint, with the fee paid directly through Fieldprint's website. Education costs vary by provider, but all applicants must complete a 60-hour prelicense course and a 30-hour post-license course from an AREC-approved school.

Alaska real estate salesperson licensing involves several required fees: a $100 exam fee paid to Pearson VUE, a $120 license fee, and a $50 recovery fund fee, with additional application fees set by regulation under 12 AAC 02.360. Pre-licensing course costs vary by provider. All licensees must maintain errors and omissions (E&O) insurance; a broker may comply with minimum coverage of $300,000 per wrongful act and $1,000,000 aggregate if all associated licensees are covered.

Fixed state fees total $202: $75 for the salesperson examination (application and exam fees combined), $60 for the original license ($50 license fee plus $10 Real Estate Recovery Fund), and $67 for the Fingerprint Clearance Card from Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS). The 90-hour pre-licensing course and 6-hour contract writing course together typically cost $350 to $900 or more depending on the school and format chosen. Total cost to obtain an Arizona salesperson license generally runs approximately $550 to $1,500 or more, driven primarily by the education package selected.

The fixed mandatory fees total $236.25: a $50 application fee paid to the Arkansas Real Estate Commission (AREC), a $36.25 background check fee paid to the Arkansas State Police, a $75 exam fee, a $50 license fee, and a $25 recovery fund fee. Course tuition is not regulated by AREC and varies by education provider. The total cost depends on the provider selected for the 60-hour pre-licensing course.

The total cost to obtain a California real estate salesperson license is approximately $598 to $1,400. Fixed California Department of Real Estate (DRE) fees total $499: the examination fee is $100, the original license fee is $350, and the fingerprint processing fee is $49, all effective July 1, 2024. The combined exam and license application (RE 435) costs $450, bundling the $100 exam fee and $350 license fee. Pre-licensing education costs vary by provider, ranging from approximately $99 to $900 for the three required 45-hour courses.

The Colorado Division of Real Estate charges an $83 broker application fee and a $44.95 broker examination fee for the first attempt, with retakes at $42.50 each; all application fees are non-refundable. Applicants must also complete a fingerprint-based background check through the Colorado Bureau of Investigation and maintain errors and omissions insurance before receiving an active license, both of which add to the total cost. Pre-licensing education costs vary by provider for the required 168 hours of qualifying education. Including all components, total out-of-pocket costs to become licensed typically range from approximately $1,000 to $1,800 depending on the education provider and insurance selections.

The state fees to obtain a Delaware salesperson license total $262, consisting of an $88 exam fee, a $149 initial application fee, and a $25 Guaranty Fund fee. Pre-licensing course tuition varies by approved provider. The DELPROS online application must be submitted within 6 months of starting it.

The DC Real Estate Commission charges a $65 application fee, a $130 salesperson license fee, and a $60 Real Estate Guaranty and Education Fund fee. Pre-licensing course tuition varies by provider and delivery format, with both classroom and distance education options available from DCREC-approved schools. PSI administers the licensing exam, and the exam fee is set per DC regulation. Additional costs may include a background check.

Total cost varies primarily because the 63-hour pre-licensing course price depends on the provider and format, with packages ranging from approximately $100 to $500. Fixed costs include the DBPR application fee of $83.75 ($14.75 application fee, $64 license fee, $5 unlicensed activity fee), the Pearson VUE exam fee of $36.75 per attempt, and fingerprinting that typically costs $50 to $80 through a Livescan vendor. Most people spend between $180 and $700 to get licensed, depending on course choice and whether exam prep materials are purchased.

The Hawaii real estate salesperson license application fee is $282 in even-numbered years or $382 in odd-numbered years, set under Hawaii Administrative Rules Chapter 53, effective October 10, 2016. The PSI licensing exam costs $61 per attempt, and a $25 non-refundable fee is retained if the application is not approved. Pre-licensing course costs vary by provider, format, and package tier. Hawaii does not require a separate fingerprinting or background check fee, and license fees are not prorated.

The fixed regulatory costs for an Illinois broker license are the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) application fee and the $58 per-attempt examination fee paid to PSI. Fingerprinting and criminal background check costs vary by the vendor licensed by IDFPR. Pre-licensing education (75 hours from an IDFPR-approved provider) is the largest variable expense, with costs depending on the provider, course format, and package features. Total out-of-pocket costs vary widely based on these factors.

The regulated fees for initial licensure in Indiana include a $60 broker license application fee, a $55 exam fee per attempt through Pearson VUE, and a $38.20 criminal background check fee. Pre-licensing course tuition varies widely by provider, format, and included features, making the 90-hour course the largest education-related expense. New brokers must also complete a 30-hour post-licensing course within the first two years after license issuance, and the cost of that course also varies by provider. The total initial licensing cost depends primarily on the chosen education provider and course package.

The fixed state-controlled costs include a $95 exam fee paid to PSI, a $125 salesperson license application fee, and a $51 criminal background check fee. Pre-licensing education consists of 96 hours total (a 60-hour pre-license course plus three 12-hour live courses), with costs varying by approved provider and course format. Errors and omissions insurance is also required before practicing, with premiums varying by coverage level. All applications must be submitted electronically through the "My Iowa PLB" portal.

Salesperson applicants pay $210 to the Kansas Real Estate Commission, broken down as a $15 application fee, a $70 background/fingerprint fee, and a $125 license fee. The licensing exam costs $70 when both portions are scheduled together, paid directly to Pearson VUE. Broker applicants pay $295 to the Commission ($50 application fee, $70 background fee, and $175 license fee), plus the same $70 exam fee, and an additional $100 if they open a new company or branch office. Pre-license course costs vary by education provider. Effective July 1, 2025, all fees related to original licensure and renewal are waived for qualifying military spouses under 2025 HB 2280.

Kentucky Real Estate Commission (KREC) charges $100 for the licensing exam and $130 for an initial active sales associate license application, or $120 for inactive status. Active licensees must purchase errors and omissions insurance before the license is issued, and a criminal background check is required before scheduling the exam. Pre-licensing course tuition varies by approved education provider, so the total cost to get licensed depends on the provider, insurance, and background check method selected.

The initial salesperson license fee is $45 per Louisiana statute RS 37:1443, plus a $25 processing fee. The combination licensing exam administered by Pearson VUE costs $78 for the first attempt. The fingerprint-based background check through IdentoGO costs $60.75, and the Louisiana Real Estate Commission (LREC) group errors and omissions insurance policy costs $149 for a full year, prorated if purchased later in the year. Pre-licensing course tuition varies by provider and is the largest variable cost.

The required fees to obtain a Maine Sales Agent license include a $100 application and license fee and a $21 criminal records check fee. The Sales Agent exam administered by Pearson VUE costs $88 per attempt. Pre-licensing course costs vary by provider, and the 55-hour Sales Agent Course is available from multiple Commission-approved schools in online and in-person formats. The total cost depends on the course provider selected.

The fixed regulatory costs to obtain a Maryland salesperson license are a $44 exam fee paid to PSI and a $98 original license fee, which includes a $20 Guaranty Fund payment, effective April 27, 2026. Pre-licensing course tuition varies by provider and delivery format, with online self-paced courses generally costing less than in-person or community college programs. Including course tuition, the total cost depends on the education provider chosen.

The salesperson exam fee is $85, and the initial license fee ranges from $103 to $150, prorated based on the licensee's birthday. Pre-licensing course costs are set by individual Board-approved schools and vary widely depending on the provider and package. Including coursework, the total out-of-pocket cost generally ranges from several hundred dollars to about one thousand dollars.

The salesperson application fee is $88, which includes both the application processing fee and the 3-year license fee. The broker application fee is $143, also a combined total for the application and 3-year license. The PSI exam fee is $79 per attempt for both the salesperson and broker exams. Prelicensing course costs vary by provider and format, with salesperson courses generally costing less than broker courses, which require 90 hours of education. After licensure, salesperson renewal costs $78 per 3-year cycle and broker renewal costs $108 per 3-year cycle.

The total cost to obtain a Minnesota real estate salesperson license includes three main fees. The combined state and national licensing exam costs $68 through PSI Services, or $45 for a single section. The initial salesperson license fee is $110, which consists of a $70 base fee, a $30 real estate education, research, and recovery fund charge, and a $10 technology surcharge. Pre-licensing course tuition varies by education provider, and Minnesota requires three 30-hour courses totaling 90 hours of instruction.

The salesperson license application fee paid to Mississippi Real Estate Commission (MREC) is $100, and the PSI exam fee is $75 for both the national and state portions. Pre-licensing course tuition varies by approved provider. A fingerprint-based background check is required, and errors and omissions (E&O) insurance is mandatory for active licensees, with the group policy premium at or below the statutory cap of $250 per 12-month period. After licensure, a 30-hour post-license course must be completed within 12 months, and course tuition for that requirement also varies by provider.

The exam fee is $52 per attempt, the fingerprinting and background check fee is $40.50, and the salesperson license application fee is $100 ($150 for a broker license). Pre-licensing course costs vary by education provider; Missouri requires 72 hours of approved education for a salesperson license. All license application fees are nonrefundable.

The salesperson application fee is $80 and the broker application fee is $90, both paid to the Montana Board of Realty Regulation. The licensing exam costs $95 per portion (national and state), administered by Pearson VUE, and pre-licensing course costs vary by provider. Applicants must also maintain errors and omissions insurance, with a group policy available for enrollment through the Board.

The Nevada Real Estate Division charges a $140 salesperson license application fee. Pre-licensing education for the required 120 hours varies by school and delivery format, with online options generally costing less than classroom instruction. Fingerprinting through an approved vendor adds a separate cost that varies by provider. NRED's Form 502 lists approved schools, and individual course providers determine their own schedules and prices.

The New Hampshire salesperson license application fee is $99, and the broker application fee is $121, both paid through the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC) online portal. The salesperson licensing exam costs $66 for both portions combined, and the broker exam costs $70, both paid directly to PSI, the state's testing vendor. Pre-licensing course costs vary by education provider, and applicants must also complete a background check.

The initial salesperson license fee is $160, and the fingerprint-based background check costs $66.05. Pre-licensing course tuition varies by provider and format, and the state licensing exam requires a separate fee paid to PSI at the time of scheduling. Applicants may also need to budget for exam retakes if they do not pass on the first attempt.

The nonrefundable license application fee is $270, and the broker exam fee is $95 per attempt, paid to the exam provider. A $30 recovery fee applies to both initial and renewal applications. Fingerprinting through the approved vendor costs $59. Prelicensing coursework and errors and omissions insurance costs vary by provider.

The fixed state fees total $80, comprising a $15 written exam fee and a $65 initial salesperson application fee. The 77-hour pre-licensing course cost varies by provider, bringing the total cost for most students to approximately $400 to $900. The application fee and exam fee are both nonrefundable, and a $20 fee applies to any check returned by the bank.

The regulatory fees to obtain a North Carolina real estate broker license include a $105 application fee paid to the North Carolina Real Estate Commission and a $63 exam fee paid to Pearson for the comprehensive two-part exam, or $53 for a single section. A criminal record report from CriminalRecordCheck.com (CRC) is also required, with costs that vary based on the number of states, counties, and names searched. The 75-hour Broker Prelicensing Course fee varies by education provider and is not set by the Commission.

Regulatory fees for a North Dakota salesperson license include a $150 application fee and an $11.25 credit history fee, totaling $161.25 paid online to NDREC, plus a $40 fingerprinting analysis fee paid to the ND Attorney General and a $20 one-time payment to the Real Estate Education, Research and Recovery Fund. The licensing exam costs $134 per attempt, paid to PSI Services LLC. Active licensees must carry E&O insurance, which costs $187 per calendar year through the NDREC-negotiated group rate with Rice Insurance. Pre-licensure course fees are set by the school and vary by provider and format.

The salesperson exam application fee is $81, and the exam registration fee paid to PSI is $63 for both the state and national portions. Background check costs vary by WebCheck provider, typically ranging from approximately $50 to $100. Pre-licensing education (100 hours) costs vary by provider and format, with online options generally less expensive than classroom or hybrid formats. A 20-hour post-licensing course is also required within 12 months of licensure at additional cost.

Regulated fees for a new Provisional Sales Associate license, effective November 1, 2024, include a $35 application processing fee payable to OREC, a $60 background check fee payable to IdentoGO, a $75 exam fee for both the state and national portions when scheduled together on the same order, and a $110 license issuance fee for an active license. Pre-licensing education tuition is set by individual schools and varies by provider. A 45-hour post-license course is also required before the Provisional Sales Associate license expires, and its cost varies by provider.

The fixed regulatory fees include a $300 nonrefundable application fee paid through eLicense, a $75 exam fee per attempt paid to PSI, and a $56.25 fingerprinting fee paid at the PSI test center. Pre-license education tuition varies by provider and format, and all providers must be approved by the Oregon Real Estate Agency. Candidates who retake either exam section pay an additional $75 per attempt.

The Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission requires a $97.00 initial fee for a salesperson license, comprising a $72.00 licensure fee and a $25.00 application fee. Pre-licensing education consists of 75 hours (5 credits) from an approved education provider, and course costs vary by provider. Applicants must also submit a Criminal History Records Check from every state where they have lived, worked, or studied for the past 5 years, with reports dated within 180 days of application submission. The licensing exam, administered by Pearson VUE, requires a separate fee per attempt.

The total cost to get a Rhode Island real estate salesperson license includes a $140 application fee payable to the RI General Treasurer plus a $25 Real Estate Recovery Account fee, totaling $165, as stated on the DBR application. The licensing exam consists of two parts (National and State) administered by Pearson VUE, each costing $50, for a total of $100. Pre-licensing course tuition varies by provider and is not set by the state, though courses typically cost several hundred dollars depending on format and school. The DBR processes applications within 7-10 business days.

The total cost to obtain a South Carolina real estate license varies based on the education provider chosen. Pre-licensing education is the largest variable cost, with 90-hour packages (Unit I and Unit II) varying in price by provider and format. Fixed costs include a $63 exam fee paid to PSI upon registration, fingerprinting and background check fees, and application and licensure fees paid to the Commission. Commission-approved providers and courses are listed under Document 140 on the Commission's Pre-Licensing page.

The broker associate application fee is $225, and the fingerprint-based background check fee is $50 payable to the Division of Criminal Investigation. Pre-licensing course costs vary by provider and format. Active licensees must carry errors and omissions insurance, available through a group policy administered by Rice Insurance Services Company (RISC). The commission's fee schedule lists the exam fee as $294, while its exam information page states $105 at registration.

Fixed fees include the $91 initial affiliate broker application fee paid to Tennessee Real Estate Commission (TREC) and the $63 PSI exam fee for the full affiliate broker exam, which covers both the $37 national section and the $26 state section. Pre-licensing course costs vary by provider, as do fingerprinting fees through IdentoGO and errors and omissions insurance premiums. The total cost to get licensed depends on the chosen education provider and insurance carrier.

The Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) fee schedule effective December 15, 2025 lists three fixed regulatory costs: the Sales Agent Original Application at $206, the sales examination fee at $58 paid to the exam provider, and the fingerprint fee at $37 paid to IDEMIA. Pre-licensing education costs vary by provider and delivery format, and TREC maintains a searchable database of approved qualifying education providers where applicants can compare options. The total cost depends primarily on the education provider chosen, since the regulatory fees are fixed.

The required state fees to obtain a Utah sales agent license include a $69 exam fee paid to Pearson VUE and a $154 new application fee paid to the Utah Division of Real Estate, which covers the application, recovery fund, fingerprint processing, and FBI RAP Back enrollment. Pre-licensing course tuition varies by provider for the required 120-hour course, with some schools offering free options and others charging several hundred dollars or more depending on package tier and format. Beyond these required fees, first-year costs such as association membership, MLS access, and business expenses add to the total investment.

The application fee for a Vermont real estate salesperson license is $100, and the national examination fee administered by PSI is $110 per attempt. Pre-licensing course costs vary by education provider and package tier; approved providers can be found through the Vermont Office of Professional Regulation's online course search. The state exam is administered within the online application at no separate fee. New salespersons must also complete 8 hours of post-licensure education within 90 days of licensure, which carries an additional cost that varies by provider.

The required regulatory costs to obtain a Virginia salesperson license include a $60 exam fee paid directly to PSI, a $244.50 license application fee as of July 1, 2026 (including the Technology Fee mandated by House Bill 30), and fingerprinting and background check costs of approximately $52. Pre-licensing course tuition varies by provider and package tier, typically ranging from a few hundred to several hundred dollars. All Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) fees are non-refundable.

Government-set fees to obtain a Washington broker license include $210 for the exam and $233 for the original broker license, which includes a mandatory $20 research fee. A fingerprint-based background check is also required, with fees set by the vendor and not specified on the DOL real estate fees page. Pre-licensing education costs vary by provider. The Washington State Department of Licensing maintains an approved course search portal where students can find state-approved pre-licensing courses.

The West Virginia Real Estate Commission charges a $25 exam application fee and a $75 salesperson license fee. Pearson VUE charges $59 per exam section, and the salesperson exam has two sections (national and state) totaling $118 in exam fees. The WV.gov online application portal adds a $5 transaction fee per application. Pre-licensing course costs vary by provider and are not set by the commission.

The Wisconsin salesperson licensing exam costs $65 per attempt, and the initial license credentialing fee is $60, submitted through the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) LicensE online portal. The required 72-hour pre-license course cost varies by provider and format. Optional costs include a $68 predetermination fee for applicants with criminal convictions who want an eligibility determination before investing in education, and Pearson VUE practice tests at $19.95 covering general real estate topics.

The total cost to get licensed in Wyoming generally runs $1,200 to $1,500, covering pre-licensing education, exam fees, fingerprinting, the license application, and errors and omissions insurance. The exam costs $141 per portion, and applicants must submit two fingerprint cards for a background check. Errors and omissions insurance is required before an active license can be issued. Pre-licensing education is the most variable cost, depending on the provider and delivery format chosen.