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How do you become a real estate broker?
Most states require broker license candidates to have experience working as a licensed real estate sales agent, with most requiring at least 2 years. Requirements vary by state beyond the experience threshold. Brokers fall into three categories: associate brokers, who work under another broker without supervisory duties; managing brokers, who oversee daily operations and staff; and principal brokers, who manage compliance for a brokerage.
To become a real estate broker in Alabama, you must complete a 60-hour broker prelicense course through an AREC-approved school and have held an active salesperson license in any state for at least 24 months of the 36-month period immediately preceding the application date. You must pass the broker licensing exam, administered by Pearson VUE, within 6 months of completing the prelicense course, and submit the completed application, fees, and background check to the Alabama Real Estate Commission within 90 days of the exam date. There is no post-license course requirement for brokers.
Sources: AREC — Become a Licensed Real Estate Professional; AREC — AL License Law Rule 790-X-1-.18 (Reciprocal License Requirements); Alabama Administrative Code, Rule 790-X-1-.06 (Alabama Real Estate Commission); AREC — License Application Instructions.
To become a licensed broker in Alaska, an applicant must complete 30 classroom hours of approved broker training, document 36 consecutive months of active and continuous experience as a real estate licensee within the last 60 months with real estate as their principal occupation, and pass the broker exam. The applicant must apply for licensure within 6 months of passing the exam, obtain and maintain E&O insurance, and either own a real estate business or work as the broker for a corporation or partnership. Broker applicants must also register their office with the Commission.
Sources: Alaska REC — Broker Licensing Requirements; Alaska Real Estate Commission — AS 08.88.171(c) via official Statutes and Regulations (September 2024).
Broker applicants must have at least three years of experience as a real estate licensee during the five years immediately preceding the application, documented on a Broker Candidate Experience Verification form. Required education includes a 90-hour Broker Pre-licensing Course (completed within 10 years of application) and 9 hours of Broker Management Clinic courses (three 3-hour sessions, completed within 2 years of application). Applicants must pass the broker exam administered by Pearson VUE, obtain a Fingerprint Clearance Card, submit proof of legal presence, and apply within one year of passing the exam.
Sources: ADRE — Salesperson License; ADRE — Education Division; Arizona Revised Statutes § 32-2130 and Arizona Administrative Code § R4-28-402; NAR 2024 Member Profile (national, new agents) and ASREB 2025 Alumni Survey (Arizona, full-time all-experience agents).
Broker applicants must be at least 18 years old, complete 60 hours of real estate education (of which 45 hours must be the Commission-developed Broker Pre-License Education course) within 36 months preceding the application date, and have been licensed as an active real estate salesperson or broker for at least 24 months within the previous 48-month period. Applicants must submit an application with fee, pass a background check, receive exam approval from AREC, pass the broker licensure examination, and submit forms and fees within 90 days of passing. The experience requirement may be waived upon written request for an applicant who has held an active broker license for at least 18 months.
Sources: AREC — New Applicant Licensing.
To become a California real estate broker, you must be at least 18 years old, complete eight statutorily required college-level courses (each a minimum of 45 hours), and satisfy an experience requirement of two years of full-time licensed salesperson experience within the last five years, two years of equivalent unlicensed experience, or a four-year degree with a major or minor in real estate. The eight required courses are Real Estate Practice, Legal Aspects of Real Estate, Real Estate Finance, Real Estate Appraisal, Real Estate Economics or Accounting, and three additional courses from a specified elective list. Members of the California State Bar are exempt from the course requirements but must still satisfy the experience requirement. After completing the education and experience requirements, you must qualify for and pass the broker examination, which consists of 200 multiple-choice questions in 4 hours with a 75% passing score.
Sources: CA DRE — Salesperson Requirements; CA DRE — Broker Requirements; CA DRE — Taking the Exam.
To become a real estate broker in Colorado, you must complete six steps: complete 168 hours of qualifying education (or hold a degree with a major in real estate from an accredited college or university), schedule and pass both the national and state portions of the Colorado Real Estate Broker's Exam through PSI, complete a fingerprint-based background check through the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, acquire Errors and Omissions (E&O) insurance, review the application instructions, and submit the online license application with the $83 broker application fee. You must be at least 18 years old and a legal U.S. citizen, and you must have an employing broker to receive an active license. New broker applications may take longer than the standard 10-business-day processing time because they depend on receipt of fingerprint background results.
Sources: Colorado DRE — Broker License Application Requirements; CO DRE — Broker Applications, Documents and Fees; Colorado Association of Realtors — State Licensing.
To become a Connecticut real estate broker, you must be at least 18 years old and have been actively engaged as a licensed salesperson under a Connecticut broker for at least 3 years, logging at least 1,500 hours of experience with no fewer than 4 closed real estate transactions during that period. Required education includes a 60-hour Real Estate Principles and Practices course, a 15-hour Brokerage Principles and Practices course, a 15-hour Legal Compliance course, and either two 15-hour elective courses, one 30-hour elective course, or evidence of 20 real estate transactions in the previous 5 years. After DCP approves the application, you must pass both portions of the PSI-administered exam within 1 year of eligibility, then pay the $1,150.00 license activation fee within 2 years of passing to activate the license.
Sources: CT DCP — RE Salesperson Initial Exam; CT DCP — RE Broker Initial/Exam.
To become a broker in Delaware, you must have been actively licensed as a salesperson and/or broker in Delaware or another jurisdiction for five continuous years immediately before filing, and have been actively practicing real estate for three years immediately before filing. You must complete a 99-hour Delaware broker pre-licensing course, pass both the national and Delaware law portions of the broker exam through Pearson VUE, and submit a Sales or Lease Transaction Listing form showing 30 transactions completed during the five years before application. The broker initial application fee is $248, plus a $25 Guaranty Fund fee, and all applications are submitted through the DELPROS online system within six months of starting.
Sources: Delaware DPR — Salesperson Licensure; Delaware Division of Professional Regulation — Real Estate Commission Fee Schedule; DE DPR — Real Estate Board Fees.
To become a real estate broker in the District of Columbia, you must complete 135 hours of pre-licensing education from a DC Real Estate Commission-approved provider and have two years of experience as a licensed salesperson with an active license immediately preceding the application date. You must pass both the national and state (DC) portions of the Broker exam and submit your license application with the required fees within 6 months of passing. The application fee is $65, the broker license fee is $170, and the Real Estate Guaranty and Education Fund fee is $60.
Sources: DC DLCP — Real Estate Commission.
To become a Florida real estate broker, an applicant must have been registered as an active sales associate for at least 24 months during the preceding 5 years, complete a 72-hour pre-licensing course based on the FREC II syllabus, and pass the state broker exam with a score of at least 75 out of 100 points. The broker application fee is $91.75, and applicants must submit fingerprints through an FDLE-registered Livescan provider. A 4-year degree or higher in real estate exempts the applicant from the pre-licensing education requirement, and the course completion is valid for 2 years from the date of completion.
Sources: FL DBPR — RE Education Requirements; FL DBPR — Broker Initial Application Checklist (Upgrade from Sales Associate to Broker); Florida Realtors — License Guide; Florida Realtors — How to Get Your Florida Real Estate Broker License; FL DBPR — FREC Education.
To become a Georgia real estate broker, an applicant must be at least 21 years old, hold a high school diploma or equivalent, and have maintained an active salesperson or community association manager license for at least 3 of the 5 years immediately preceding the application. The applicant must complete a 60-hour GREC-approved broker pre-license course, or an equivalent 15 quarter hours or 9 semester hours of real estate coursework from an accredited college, university, or law school, and pass the broker exam administered by PSI, which includes a national scenario-based portion and a state-specific supplement. The broker license must be activated within 12 months of passing the exam, or the applicant must retake the examination.
Sources: Atlanta REALTORS® — Broker Pre-License; GA Admin Code — GREC Rules 520-1 (Licensure and Brokerage); Georgia Administrative Code, Chapter 520-1, Rule 520-1-.04 (Obtaining a License) — Georgia Real Estate Commission.
To become a Hawaii real estate broker, a candidate must hold a Broker Experience Certificate showing at least 3 years of full-time (40 hours per week) experience as a Hawaii-licensed salesperson associated with a Hawaii-licensed broker within the 5-year period before applying. The candidate must obtain this certificate before registering for the exam, complete a prelicense course accredited by the Hawaii Real Estate Commission or obtain an education equivalency, and pass the broker examination with at least 75% on both the uniform and state sections. Out-of-state licensees with a current, unencumbered broker license in an ARELLO-recognized jurisdiction may qualify for equivalency to the experience requirement.
Sources: Hawaii REB — Examination & Licensing.
To become a real estate broker in Idaho, a salesperson must have at least 2 years of full-time active experience as a licensed salesperson within 5 years preceding application, with 15 completed sales or listings and at least $2 million in total volume. The applicant must complete 90 hours of broker pre-license education, including Brokerage Management (28 hours), Real Estate Law (30 hours), and two elective courses, then pass the broker licensing exam administered by Pearson VUE. Applicants seeking a Designated Broker or Branch Office Manager license must also complete the Business Conduct and Office Operations (BCOO) course within 3 years preceding application.
Sources: Idaho DOPL — REC FAQs & Consumer Info; Idaho DOPL — RE Education Applicants.
Illinois requires broker license applicants to be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or GED, and complete 75 hours of pre-license education from an IDFPR-approved provider: 60 hours of Real Estate Topics and 15 hours of Applied Real Estate Principles in an interactive format. After passing the licensing exam (100 national questions at 70% passing and 40 state questions at 75% passing, administered by PSI for $58 per attempt), the applicant must secure sponsorship from a licensed managing broker and submit a license application with the required fee to IDFPR. A passing exam score is valid for 1 year, and pre-license education is valid for 2 years from the date of completion.
Sources: Illinois General Assembly — 225 ILCS 454/5-27(a)(1), Real Estate License Act of 2000; Illinois Compiled Statutes 225 ILCS 454/5-27(a)(5) (Real Estate License Act of 2000), as amended by P.A. 101-357 (eff. 8-9-2019); IDFPR – Real Estate Broker 75-Hour Pre-License Curriculum (Official Document); PSI — IL Candidate Bulletin; Justia — IL Real Estate Act Art. 5 (225 ILCS 454/5-27).
In Indiana, all new real estate licensees are licensed as brokers. To become a broker, you must be at least 18 years old, hold a high school diploma or equivalent, complete a 90-hour pre-licensing course from a commission-approved provider, and pass the Pearson VUE broker exam with a scaled score of 75. After passing, you submit a $60 application to the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency with your course completion certificate and Pearson VUE score report, complete a criminal background check, and affiliate with a managing broker to activate your license. New brokers must also complete 30 hours of post-licensing education within the first two years after the license is issued.
Sources: Indiana Code § 25-34.1-3-4.1 (via Justia); Pearson VUE — Indiana Real Estate Candidate Handbook (March 2025); Indiana Professional Licensing Agency — Broker Application Form (State Form 44176, R16/4-23), citing 876 IAC 5-3-1; Indiana PLA — Real Estate Licensing Information.
To become a broker in Iowa, you must have been a licensed salesperson actively engaged in real estate for at least 24 months before applying. You must complete 60 hours of Commission-approved broker pre-license education, consisting of nine courses, within the 24 months prior to taking the broker examination. After passing both the national and state portions of the broker exam (fee $95 per attempt), you must submit your license application with the $170 fee, proof of E&O insurance, and education certificates no later than the last business day of the sixth month following your exam date. You must also pass a criminal background check and submit your application electronically through your "My Iowa PLB" account.
Sources: Iowa DIAL — Real Estate Salesperson and Brokers License by Exam.
To become a Kansas real estate broker, you must be at least 18 years old with a high school diploma or equivalent, and have been licensed as a salesperson and actively engaged in real estate activities for at least two of the last three years. In-state applicants must complete 60 hours of pre-license education (a 30-hour Broker Fundamentals Course and a 30-hour Broker Management Course), pass both the national and state broker exams, and submit fingerprints. The total cost to the Kansas Real Estate Commission is $295, comprising a $50 application fee, $70 background fee, and $175 license fee, with an additional $100 fee if you open a new company or branch office. An original license cannot be issued on inactive status, so you must affiliate with an existing company or open your own.
Sources: KREC — Broker Requirements; KREC — Kansas Real Estate Commission FAQ; Kansas Administrative Regulations, Agency 86, Article 1, KAR 86-1-5 (Kansas Real Estate Commission).
To become a Kentucky real estate broker, you must first be licensed as a sales associate and have 2 years of experience averaging at least 20 hours per week immediately preceding your application. You must complete 21 academic credit hours (336 classroom hours) of qualifying education, including 3 credit hours (48 classroom hours) in Brokerage Management from a Commission-approved provider. You must complete an FBI criminal background check, pass the broker licensing exam through PSI, and submit your application within 60 days of passing both portions. KREC recommends submitting a request for an education review before scheduling the broker exam to verify completed hours.
Sources: RISC (Rice Insurance Services Company) — official KREC group E&O program administrator; KREC — Licensing Overview; KREC — Education Overview; KREC — New Application Overview.
To apply for a broker license, you must have been licensed as an active real estate licensee for four years, with two of those years occurring immediately before you submit your application. You must also hold a high school diploma or GED, complete 150 hours of LREC-approved pre-licensing education (including a mandatory 30-hour broker responsibility course), pass the broker licensing examination, and provide proof of errors and omissions insurance before the license is issued.
Sources: LREC — Become a Broker; LREC — Broker Pre-Licensing Education.
To become a Broker/Designated Broker in Maine, you must have been licensed as an associate broker affiliated with a real estate brokerage agency for 2 years within the 5 years immediately preceding your application. You must also complete the Designated Broker Course with a minimum final grade of 75% and apply within one calendar year of completing the course. The application fee is $100 plus a $21 criminal records check fee, and no separate licensing exam is required for the standard broker pathway. The license term is 2 years and is renewable.
Sources: Maine RE Commission — Individual Licenses (Reciprocal Licensing Section).
To qualify for a Maryland broker license, an applicant must have held an active real estate salesperson license for at least 3 consecutive years immediately prior to applying, with no breaks in licensure such as inactive status, late-renewal reinstatements, or suspensions. The applicant must complete a 135-hour broker pre-licensing course from an MREC-approved provider (including a 3-hour ethics course) and pass the broker exam administered by PSI with at least 70% on each portion. Attorneys qualified to practice law in Maryland may have the education and experience requirements waived by the Commission, though they must still pass the broker exam. The original broker license fee is $211, which includes a $20 Guaranty Fund payment, effective April 27, 2026.
Sources: MREC — Licensing FAQs; Maryland OneStop — Salesperson License; MD MREC — Forms and Fees (Affiliated Licensees).
To become a real estate broker in Massachusetts, you must be at least 18, currently hold a Massachusetts salesperson license, complete 40 additional hours of broker pre-licensing education at a Board-approved school, and pass the broker exam. You must also have at least 3 years of experience working for an active Massachusetts broker at a minimum of 25 hours per week, documented on an Employing Broker Certification Form, and obtain a notarized $5,000 surety bond. The work experience must be current or completed no more than 2 years prior to the broker examination.
Sources: Mass.gov — RE License Exam Guide; MA DPL — Real Estate License Fees.
To become a real estate broker in Michigan, you must be at least 18, complete 90 hours of approved prelicensure education including 9 hours on civil rights law and equal opportunity in housing, have 3 years of full-time experience in real estate or a related field, and pass the PSI-administered broker exam. Broker applicants do not need pre-approval and can register directly with PSI. The new broker application fee is $143, which covers a 3-year license, and the broker must maintain a place of business in Michigan.
Sources: MI LARA BPL — Real Estate Individual Broker Licensing Guide; Michigan Legislature — MCL 338.2237 (State License Fee Act, Sec. 37), corroborated by LARA Salesperson Licensing Guide.
To become a broker in Minnesota, applicants must be at least 18 years old, complete a 30-hour broker pre-license course, have a minimum of three years of active licensed salesperson experience within the previous five years (or qualify for an experience waiver), and pass the broker's examination. The applicant must apply for the broker's license within 12 months of passing the exam, either as a primary broker or through association with a licensed primary broker who submits the application. The initial broker license fee is $190.
Sources: MN Commerce — RE License Guide PDF; MN Commerce — Licensing Education.
To become a Mississippi real estate broker, an applicant must be at least 21 years old, have legal domicile in Mississippi, and have held an active salesperson license for at least 12 cumulative months. The applicant must complete 120 hours of real estate courses from a college, community college, or MREC-approved provider, pass a fingerprint-based criminal history check of Mississippi and FBI databases, and pass the broker's examination with at least 75% on the national portion and 80% on the state portion. Applicants who have not held an active salesperson license for at least 36 months must instead complete 150 classroom hours from a degree-granting program at a college or university approved by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The application fee is $100, and the application must include three recommendations from property owners who have known the applicant for at least 3 years, a bank letter, and, if currently employed as a salesperson, a letter from the present responsible broker. Upon passing the exam, a temporary broker license is issued, and the licensee must complete a 30-hour post-license course within 12 months.
Sources: MREC PSI Candidate Information Bulletin; Mississippi License Law (Rev 07-01-2026); MREC Rules and Regulations (Rev 02-21-2025); Mississippi Real Estate License Law (2024 Revised), Section 73-35-7(d); MREC Resident Broker License Application (Rev 07-2024); House Bill 1212 (2020).
To become a Missouri real estate broker, you must hold an active salesperson license for at least 24 of the last 30 months, complete a 48-hour broker pre-examination course, and pass both the national and state portions of the Missouri broker exam administered by PSI. The broker license application fee is $150, and the application must be submitted within 6 months of the 48-hour broker course completion date. All applicants must also complete fingerprinting through IDEMIA (Identogo) for a Missouri and federal criminal history background check.
Sources: MO RE Commission — Application PDF; MO Prof. Registration — RE How-To; Missouri Secretary of State — Code of State Regulations, 20 CSR 2250-5.020.
To become a real estate broker in Montana, you must be at least 18 years old, have graduated from an accredited high school or equivalent, and complete 60 hours of Board-approved pre-licensing education within the past 18 months (MCA 37-51-302, ARM 24.210.611(9)). You must also pass the Montana Real Estate Broker Examination within the past 12 months, have a minimum of two years' experience as a licensed salesperson, earn 30 experience points from transactions within the last 36 months, maintain proof of E&O insurance (MCA 37-51-325), and submit a $90 application fee.
Sources: Montana Code Annotated § 37-51-302(2)(a); Montana Board of Realty Regulation Broker Checklist (Updated 12/2025); Montana DLI — RE Broker Licensing; MT DLI BSD — Broker Checklist; Mont. Admin. r. 24.210.611 (Montana Board of Realty Regulation); Mont. Admin. r. 24.210.401 - FEE SCHEDULE (Montana Board of Realty Regulation).
To become a real estate broker in Nebraska, you must be at least 19 years old, hold a high school diploma or GED, and complete 60 additional clock hours (2 courses) of pre-license education beyond the salesperson requirement, plus a 6-hour Professional Practice Standards course (Course #0003) if not taken within the last 4 years. You must also have 2 years of full-time salesperson experience (or part-time equivalent), pass the broker exam with a score of 75%, and undergo a criminal background check with fingerprints. A hardship provision under Neb. Rev. Stat. 81-885.13(3)(b) is available for applicants who lack the 2 years of experience.
Sources: Nebraska Real Estate Commission — License Information (Applicant Information, Nebraska Resident).
To become a Nevada real estate broker, you must have at least 2 years of active full-time experience as a licensed salesperson within the last 4 years, verified by your employing broker on Form 509. You must also complete 64 semester credits of education, including 45 hours of Broker Management (Nevada-specific) and 18 hours of Nevada law, pass the broker licensing exam through Pearson VUE, and submit Form 549 with a $160 application fee. Up to 16 college credits can be substituted for every 2 years of licensed experience, except for the Broker Management and Nevada law courses, which cannot be waived.
Sources: Nevada Revised Statutes, NRS 645.330; Nevada RED — Salesperson License Requirements; Nevada RED — Form 501 (Licensing Requirements).
To become a real estate broker in New Hampshire, a salesperson must complete 60 hours of approved broker pre-licensing education from an accredited school and pass the broker licensing exam. The broker exam consists of 75 national questions (150 minutes) and 40 state questions (90 minutes), requiring 70% on each portion to pass. The broker application fee is $121, and the exam fee is $70. Broker candidates must also have experience working as a licensed salesperson before applying.
Sources: NH OPLC — RE Commission Teacher/Broker Courses; PSI Candidate Information Bulletin (NH Real Estate Commission exam vendor); NH OPLC — Real Estate License Fees.
A New Jersey broker license requires 150 hours of prelicensure education (a 90-hour general course plus two 30-hour courses on Agency/Ethics and Office Management) and three years of continual full-time licensure as a New Jersey salesperson immediately preceding application. After completing the courses, the applicant submits a school certificate and Experience Report for Broker Applicant form to the Education Qualification Section, receives a Certificate of Examination Eligibility, and must pass the broker exam. The applicant must apply for the broker license within one year of completing the prelicensure education requirements.
Sources: NJ DOBI — Requirements for Licensure as a NJ Real Estate Salesperson or Broker.
In New Mexico, you must be a legal U.S. resident who has reached the age of majority, complete 90 hours of commission-approved prelicensing education, and pass both the state and national portions of the broker's examination with a minimum score of 75% within 90 calendar days of your first attempt. After passing, you must apply for an associate broker's license within 6 months through the NM-PLUS online portal, submitting your exam score report, fingerprinting documentation, E&O insurance certificate, and a nonrefundable application fee not to exceed $270. An associate broker must also be affiliated with an actively licensed qualifying broker to activate the license.
Sources: NM RLD — RE Commission Licensing (Apply for License).
To become a real estate broker in New York, you must be at least 20 years old, have at least two years of experience as a licensed salesperson or three years in the general real estate field (or a combination of both), complete 152 hours of approved qualifying education, and pass the state broker exam. The broker exam is multiple choice with a 2.5-hour time limit, and the initial application fee is $185. Passed exam results are valid for two years.
Sources: NY DOS — Become a RE Broker; NY DOS — Real Estate Salesperson FAQ; NY DOS — Real Estate Salesperson Syllabus (2022).
To become a real estate broker in North Carolina, an applicant must be at least 18 years old, be a US citizen or qualified alien with lawful presence, have a Social Security Number, complete a 75-hour Broker Prelicensing Course, file a complete application with a $105 fee, pass both sections of the license exam with a score of 75, and satisfy the Commission's character requirement. The exam consists of 80 National and 60 State scored items, administered by Pearson VUE. Upon passing, the Commission issues an inactive Provisional Broker license, which the licensee activates by filing a License Activation/Affiliation form with a Broker-in-Charge.
Sources: NCREC — General Brochure (Real Estate Licensing in North Carolina, March 2024); NCREC Bulletins – Rule Changes (21 NCAC 58A .0302).
North Dakota broker applicants must be at least 18 years old, have no real estate license revoked in any state within 2 years before application, and have been actively engaged full-time as a licensed real estate salesperson for at least 2 years, or have substantially equivalent experience as determined by the commission. Resident applicants must complete a 60-hour NDREC-certified broker pre-licensure course and pass both the state and national broker examinations administered by PSI Services LLC. The broker application fee is $150, and the total online payment is $161.25 including the $11.25 credit history fee.
Sources: NDREC — How to Apply; North Dakota Real Estate Commission — How to Apply.
To become an Ohio real estate broker, you must hold an active Ohio salesperson license for at least two of the last five years and complete 20 qualifying transactions. You must also complete broker education requirements, which include the standard real estate courses plus four college-level courses: Financial Management, Human Resources/Personnel Management, Applied Business Economics, and Business Law. You submit a Broker Examination Application with a $135 fee, complete state and FBI criminal records checks, and pass both the State and National portions of the broker exam with a score of 75 or higher.
Sources: Ohio REPL — Broker License Requirements.
Oklahoma requires two years of active licensure within the previous five years to upgrade from a Sales Associate to a broker-level license. Broker Associate applicants must complete a 90-hour broker course and submit a License Type Change request through the License Portal. Broker Proprietor, Managing Broker, and Branch Broker applicants must also complete a 15-hour Broker in Charge course and upload a Transaction Experience Waiver. Out-of-state broker applicants must complete 8 hours of Oklahoma-specific continuing education (1 hour Broker Relationship Act, 1 hour Code and Rules, 6 hours Contracts and Forms), obtain license certification history from all states where licensed, complete a background check, and apply online.
Sources: OREC — Licensing & Exam FAQs; OREC — CE Requirements.
To become a real estate broker in Oregon, you must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma, GED, or international equivalent. The licensing process requires registering for an eLicense account, applying for a broker license and paying the $300 nonrefundable application fee, completing 150 hours of pre-license education from an Agency-approved school, passing both sections of the broker license exam with PSI, and getting fingerprinted for a background check at the PSI test center. A license is issued only after the background check clears, a managing principal broker adds the pending license to the registered business, and the Agency completes a final review.
Sources: Oregon REA — Get Broker License.
To become a real estate broker in Pennsylvania, you must be at least 21 years old with a high school diploma or equivalent, complete 240 hours (16 credits) of professional real estate education from an approved provider, and document at least 3 years of experience as a licensed salesperson with experience the Commission considers adequate. Unlike salesperson candidates, broker candidates must submit an application through PALS and be approved by the Real Estate Commission before registering for the exam, which requires a $40 examination qualification fee. Once approved, candidates register with Pearson VUE to take both the National and PA State portions of the broker exam, and four broker license types are available: Associate Broker, Broker Multi-Licensee (Broker of Record), Broker Corporation/LLC/Partnership, and Broker Sole Proprietor.
Sources: PA DOS — Real Estate Commission Licensure Guide; PA Department of State — Real Estate Commission Announcements; 49 Pa. Code § 35.203.
To become a real estate broker in Rhode Island, you must complete 90 hours of approved classroom or live-broadcast coursework, pass the RI Broker Examinations (National and State) with Pearson VUE, and have at least two years of full-time experience as a licensed salesperson validated by your employing broker. The 45-hour salesperson pre-licensing course does not count toward the 90-hour broker requirement, and the DBR requires a single 90-hour certificate from one school rather than individual certificates adding up to 90. Broker 90 courses remain valid for four years from the date a complete application is filed with the DBR.
Sources: RI Realtors — Broker Licensing; RI DBR — RE Salesperson Application.
To become a real estate broker in South Carolina, an applicant must be at least 21 years old and hold 5 years of active SC associate licensure within the past 7 years, per SC Code Section 40-57-320(A)(2) effective May 21, 2024. The applicant must complete Unit IIIA (Broker Management) and Unit IIIB (Brokerage Principles) pre-licensing courses totaling 60 hours, then pass both the national and state portions of the broker exam administered by PSI. After passing the exam, the applicant must apply for a broker license within one year. To become a Broker-in-Charge, an applicant must first hold an active broker license and then submit a BIC Designation Form with a $250 initial licensing fee.
Sources: South Carolina Code of Laws, Title 40, Chapter 57, Section 40-57-310; SC LLR — Real Estate FAQ; SC LLR — Real Estate Commission Pubs (Applications & Requirements).
In South Dakota, the entry-level license is the broker associate, not the salesperson. To become a responsible broker, you must hold a broker associate license for at least 2 years of active status, complete a 24-hour Responsible Broker Course in addition to the 116-hour prelicensing course, pass the licensing exam with a score of 75%, and receive application approval from the state commission.
Sources: SD DLR — RE License Types & Requirements.
Broker candidates must have held an active affiliate broker license for 36 months if licensed after May 12, 1988, or 24 months if licensed on or before that date or if they hold a baccalaureate degree with a major in real estate. Candidates must complete 120 classroom hours of approved real estate education, 30 of which must be an "Office/Broker Management" course at a TREC-approved school, and the exam approval process takes approximately 4 weeks. After passing the exam, the applicant must file a license application within 1 year, pay the $91 application fee through core.tn.gov, and submit proof of E&O insurance, proof of the 30-hour Office/Broker Management course, an Eligibility for Entitlements Verification form, and an electronic fingerprinting receipt if not already an active affiliate in Tennessee. Brokers licensed after January 1, 2001 must also complete 120 additional hours of Commission-approved education within three years of their broker license issuance.
Sources: TN Commerce Support — Pre-Licensing Requirements & Exam FAQs; TREC — License Fees; Tennessee Real Estate Commission (TREC) — Worksheet A (IN2061, May 2023).
Texas broker applicants must complete 270 classroom hours of qualifying education (the six sales agent courses plus a 30-hour Real Estate Brokerage course), an additional 630 classroom hours of related education including a 6-hour Broker Responsibility Course, and accumulate 720 experience points from at least four years of active experience as a licensed sales agent during the 60 months preceding the application. A bachelor's degree satisfies up to 300 hours of the related education requirement, and candidates with experience points above 720 can substitute at a rate of one classroom hour per two excess points, up to 300 hours. The broker application fee is $308 per the TREC fee schedule effective December 15, 2025, and applicants have one year from filing to meet all requirements.
Sources: TREC — Become a Sales Agent; TREC Fee Schedule Effective December 15, 2025; TRERC — Getting a Texas Real Estate License; TREC — Individual Broker Licensing.
To become a licensed broker in Utah, an applicant must have three years of full-time, licensed, active real estate experience within the past five years (or two years full-time plus one year of professional real estate experience), accumulate at least 60 documented experience points, and complete 120 hours of approved broker education consisting of 30 hours of Utah Law, 45 hours of Broker Principles, and 45 hours of Broker Practices. The applicant must pass the broker exam with a scaled score of 75 on both the general and state portions, submit a $160 application fee, and complete fingerprinting and background check requirements. Broker application processing time is typically 30 to 60 days.
Sources: Utah Division of Real Estate — Sales Agent Licensing; Utah Division of Real Estate — Broker Licensing Page & Official Fee Documents; Utah Division of Real Estate — Broker Licensing.
A Vermont broker license requires completing a 40-hour broker prelicensing course, passing the national and state exams within the two years preceding application, and gaining at least two years of experience as a licensed salesperson with at least eight separate and unrelated closed transactions. The applicant must also be affiliated with a Vermont-licensed office and submit the application through OPR's Online Services System with a $100 application fee. OPR processes applications in 3 to 5 business days.
Sources: Vermont OPR — RE Broker & Salesperson Administrative Rules (PDF); Vermont Statutes — Title 26, Chapter 041, § 2255 (Fees).
To become a real estate broker in Virginia, you must complete 180 hours of Board-approved broker pre-licensing courses, including a 45-hour Real Estate Brokerage course plus either three broker-specific courses (Real Estate Appraisal, Real Estate Finance, and Real Estate Law) or two broker-specific courses and one broker-related course. You must have been actively engaged as a salesperson full-time (averaging 40 hours per week) for 36 of the 48 months preceding your application, pass both the State and National portions of the broker examination, and submit verification of experience. A Principles of Real Estate course taken for salesperson licensure does not count toward the broker education requirement.
Sources: VA DPOR — Real Estate Board; VA DPOR — Real Estate Process PDF.
In Washington, the entry-level real estate license is called a "broker" license. Applicants must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or equivalent, and complete 90 hours of approved education consisting of a 60-hour Real Estate Fundamentals course and a 30-hour Real Estate Practices course. After completing the education, applicants must pass both the state and national portions of the licensing exam within 6 months of each other, complete a fingerprint background check, and apply for the license within 1 year of passing. The license is issued first, then activated when a real estate firm invites the licensee to join through SecureAccess Washington (SAW).
Sources: WA DOL — Managing Broker License; WA DOL — Get RE Broker License.
To become a real estate broker in West Virginia, you must be at least 18 with a high school diploma or equivalent and have held a salesperson license for a minimum of 2 years. You must complete 180 clock hours of broker pre-licensing education (or 90 hours if you already hold a WV salesperson license), pass a National Criminal Background Check, and document 20 closed transactions in the 2 years before applying or 40 over any period. The exam application requires Official Course Completion Certificates, a copy of your driver's license, an Affidavit of Broker's Recommendation, and a Closed Transactions Form. After passing both portions of the exam, you must submit an online license application with your pass certificates, a Subordination Resolution, and a Trust Fund Form or Waiver, and register with the WV Secretary of State's Office as a member or officer of your company.
Sources: WVREC — Broker Licensing Info; WV REC — Salesperson Licensing.
To become a Wisconsin real estate broker, you must complete a Board-approved 72-hour broker pre-license program within four years before applying (or complete 20 semester hour credits in real estate or related law, or be licensed to practice law in Wisconsin), and have at least two years of experience as a licensed salesperson under a broker's direct supervision within the last four years with at least 40 points of experience. You must pass both the broker and salesperson exams administered by Pearson VUE (the salesperson exam is waived if you already hold an active salesperson license or have passed it), then submit an application through the DSPS LicensE portal with Form 809 and a $60 credentialing fee. Experience points are calculated as 5 per residential transaction, 10 per commercial transaction, 0.5 per month of property management, and 1 per timeshare.
Sources: Wisconsin Legislature — REEB 25.033 (Wis. Admin. Code); WRA — Wisconsin Real Estate Magazine: License Breakdown; Wisconsin DSPS — 2021-2023 Fee Changes for Professional Licenses/Credentials (FAQ).
Wyoming requires 2 of the 4 years immediately preceding the application to include active engagement in real estate activity as a licensee, or proof of a degree in real estate, for broker licensure. To convert from salesperson to broker, an applicant must submit two fingerprint cards, complete and pass Broker I Course, Broker II Course, and Wyoming Law Course, then pass both the National Broker Exam and the State Broker Exam. Responsible Broker applicants must also complete the Wyoming Broker Management course. After completing all courses and exams, the applicant submits a completed application.
Sources: BLS OOH — Real Estate Brokers and Sales Agents.