How do you become a real estate salesperson?

To become a licensed real estate salesperson in Alabama, you must meet eligibility requirements (at least 19 years old, U.S. citizen or legally present, high school diploma or equivalent, no felony or moral turpitude conviction), complete a 60-hour prelicense course, and pass the state licensing exam within 6 months of course completion. The exam is administered by Pearson VUE, and you must submit your application, fees, and fingerprint-based background check through Fieldprint within 90 days of passing. Once licensed, you must complete a 30-hour post-license course within the first 6 months for active status or within the first year for inactive status.

Sources: AREC — Become a Licensed Real Estate Professional; Alabama Administrative Code, Rule 790-X-1-.06 (Alabama Real Estate Commission); AREC — License Application Instructions.

To become a licensed real estate salesperson in Alaska, you must be at least 19 years of age, work for a licensed broker, and complete 40 hours of Alaska-approved pre-licensing education. After completing the education, you must pass the Alaska real estate salesperson exam with a scaled score of at least 75 on both the national and state portions, then submit a Salesperson License by Examination application (form #08-4179) under a sponsoring broker within 6 months of passing the exam. You must also obtain errors and omissions (E&O) insurance and pay the appropriate licensing fees per 12 AAC 64.073 and 12 AAC 02.360.

Sources: Alaska Real Estate Commission — AS 08.88.171(c) via official Statutes and Regulations (September 2024).

To become an Arizona real estate salesperson, you must complete a 90-hour pre-licensing course at an ADRE-approved school and a 6-hour Contract Writing course, obtain a Fingerprint Clearance Card from the Arizona Department of Public Safety, and pass the Pearson VUE licensing exam (both General and State-Specific portions, with a 75% minimum score). You must then submit your salesperson application, exam score reports, education certificates, Disciplinary Action Disclosure Form, fingerprint card, and proof of legal presence to ADRE within one year of passing the exam. Once licensed, the license remains in "eligible" status until a licensed broker agrees to supervise you and activates it.

Sources: ADRE — Salesperson License; Arizona Revised Statutes § 32-2130 and Arizona Administrative Code § R4-28-402.

To become an Arkansas real estate salesperson, an applicant must be at least 18 years old, complete 60 classroom hours of pre-licensing education (30 in basic principles) from an accredited or AREC-licensed school, submit an application with a $50 fee for residents plus background check information, and pass the Pearson VUE licensing exam. After passing, the applicant must submit the score report, $50 license fee, $25 recovery fund fee, and a signed post-license notice to AREC within 90 days, then complete an 18-hour post-licensure course within 6 months of initial licensure. The applicant must affiliate with a principal broker to activate the license for active practice, though an inactive license can be obtained without a sponsoring broker.

Sources: AREC — New Applicant Licensing; Arkansas Real Estate Commission (AREC) — New Applicant Licensing page, corroborated by Arkansas Code of Rules 17 CAR § 220-301(a)(1); Arkansas Real Estate Commission (AREC) — Official FAQ, Fee Notice, and Arkansas Real Estate License Law (April 2026 edition); AREC — Licensing FAQ; Arkansas Real Estate Commission (AREC) — Education page.

You must be at least 18 years old, complete three college-level courses (Real Estate Principles, Real Estate Practice, and one elective from a DRE-approved list), and pass the salesperson examination. Each course is a minimum of 45 hours, totaling 135 hours, and effective January 1, 2024 the Real Estate Practice course must include components on implicit bias and fair housing with an interactive role-play element. You can submit a combined exam and license application (RE 435) or apply for the exam only, either online through eLicensing or by mail, and you must complete Live Scan fingerprinting. The salesperson exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions in three hours, with a 70% passing score.

Sources: CA DRE — Salesperson Requirements; California Department of Real Estate (DRE) — Current Processing Times; CA DRE — Broker Requirements.

Colorado does not issue a separate salesperson license. All real estate professionals in Colorado are licensed as brokers, with newly licensed agents starting as Associate Brokers working under a supervising employing broker. To become licensed, first-time applicants must be at least 18 years old, complete 168 hours of qualifying education from an approved school, pass both the national and state portions of the Colorado Real Estate Broker's Exam, complete a fingerprint background check, obtain E&O insurance, and submit an online application with the $83 broker application fee.

Sources: Colorado Association of Realtors — State Licensing; Colorado DRE — Broker Qualifying Education; CO DRE — Broker Applications, Documents and Fees.

To become a Delaware real estate salesperson, you must complete a 99-hour pre-licensing course from an approved provider and pass the two-part licensing exam administered by Pearson VUE, scoring at least 70 on each section (national and Delaware law). After passing, you must secure a Delaware-licensed broker of record to sign your application, submit your application through the DELPROS online system within 6 months of starting it, and pay the $149 application fee plus a $25 Guaranty Fund fee. Once licensed, new salespersons (other than those licensed by reciprocity) must complete 12 hours of required new salesperson course modules within 90 days of license issuance.

Sources: Delaware DPR — Salesperson Licensure; Delaware Division of Professional Regulation — Real Estate Commission Fee Schedule; DE DPR — Real Estate Board Fees; Delaware Division of Professional Regulation (DPR) — Real Estate Salesperson Licensure page.

To become a DC real estate salesperson, you must complete 60 hours of pre-licensing education from a DC Real Estate Commission-approved provider and pass both the national and state (DC) portions of the salesperson exam with a minimum 75% score. After passing, you must find a sponsoring broker to activate your license and submit a license application with the required fees ($65 application, $130 salesperson license, and $60 Real Estate Guaranty and Education Fund) within 6 months. The exam is administered by PSI and can be scheduled at psiexams.com or by phone at 1-855-557-0616.

Sources: DC DLCP — Real Estate Commission.

To become a Florida real estate sales associate, you must be at least 18 years old, hold a high school diploma or equivalent, and have a U.S. Social Security number. You must complete a 63-hour pre-licensing course approved by the Florida Real Estate Commission and pass the course final exam with at least 70%. After submitting an application to the Florida DBPR with the required fee and completing electronic fingerprinting through a Livescan provider registered with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, you must pass the 100-question state licensing exam administered by Pearson VUE with a score of at least 75 out of 100 points. Your license is issued in inactive status and becomes active when a sponsoring broker submits the DBPR RE 11 form on your behalf.

Sources: FL DBPR — License Application Checklist; FL DBPR — RE Education Requirements; FLCAA — FL RE License Reciprocity; Florida Realtors — License Guide.

To become a Georgia real estate salesperson, an applicant must be at least 18 years old, hold a high school diploma or equivalent, and complete a 75-hour pre-license course from a GREC-approved school with a minimum score of 72% on the proctored final exam. The applicant must obtain a criminal history report from the GCIC no more than 60 days before application, then pass the state licensing exam administered by PSI. The applicant must apply for a license within 3 months of the exam date or pay a doubled fee, and must activate within 12 months or retake the exam. A 25-hour post-license course must be completed within the first year, and a sponsoring broker is required for an active license.

Sources: Atlanta REALTORS School of Real Estate — Sales Pre-License; Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 520-1-.04 (via Cornell Legal Information Institute); GA Admin Code — GREC Rules 520-1 (Licensure and Brokerage).

To become a Hawaii real estate salesperson, you must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or equivalent, and be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or alien authorized to work. You must complete a 60-hour Commission-approved pre-licensing course, pass the PSI licensing exam with a score of 70% or higher on both sections, and submit a license application within two years of passing. To activate the license on active status, you must be associated with a current and active Hawaii real estate broker.

Sources: PSI — HIRE Program Application PDF; Hawaii DCCA Real Estate Branch (regulatory authority) + The CE Shop (approved education provider).

To become a real estate salesperson in Idaho, you must complete 90 hours of prelicense education (two 45-hour modules), pass the state and national licensing exam administered by Pearson VUE, complete a fingerprint-based background check, and submit a salesperson license application to the Idaho Real Estate Commission. Applicants must hold a high school diploma or equivalent and meet the state's eligibility requirements. The license is issued on inactive status and becomes active only when a licensed broker adds you to their company through the Commission's online system, which requires errors and omissions insurance to be in place.

Sources: Idaho DOPL — REC FAQs & Consumer Info.

Illinois does not offer a "salesperson" or "agent" license; the entry-level real estate license is the broker license. To qualify, an applicant must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or GED, complete 75 hours of approved pre-license education (a 60-hour topics course plus a 15-hour interactive applied real estate principles course), pass the broker examination administered by PSI, obtain sponsorship from a managing broker, and submit a license application to IDFPR. Attorneys admitted to the Illinois Supreme Court in active standing are exempt from the education requirement.

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).

Indiana does not issue a separate real estate salesperson license. All real estate professionals in Indiana are licensed as brokers, including those who would be classified as salespersons in other states. To become a broker, an applicant must complete a 90-hour pre-licensing course, pass the Pearson VUE broker exam, affiliate with a managing broker, and submit a $60 license application to the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency. New brokers must also complete 30 hours of post-licensing education within the first two years after the license is issued.

Sources: 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 an Iowa real estate salesperson, you must be at least 18 years old and complete 96 hours of pre-licensing education: a 60-hour pre-license course (live or online) plus three 12-hour live-instruction courses in Buying Practices, Listing Practices, and Developing Professionalism and Ethical Practices. All courses must be completed within 12 months before the commission receives your application. You must pass the state and national portions of the salesperson exam (fee $95), complete a national criminal history background check through the FBI, obtain errors and omissions insurance, and secure a sponsoring broker to sign your application. The license application fee is $125, and the application must be submitted electronically through the "My Iowa PLB" portal no later than the last business day of the sixth month following the exam pass date.

Sources: Iowa Code §543B.15 — Qualifications (via Iowa Legislature); Iowa DIAL — Real Estate Salesperson and Brokers License by Exam; Iowa Real Estate Commission (Iowa DIAL — official state regulator); Iowa DIAL — PSI Licensing Information Bulletin (Iowa Real Estate Commission).

To become a Kansas real estate salesperson, you must be at least 18 years old, hold a high school diploma or equivalent, and complete 60 hours of pre-license education from an approved provider (a 30-hour Principles of Real Estate course and a 30-hour Kansas Practice Course). You must pass both the national and state portions of the licensing exam administered by Pearson VUE, submit to a fingerprint background check, and affiliate with a licensed Kansas broker before the Commission can issue your license. Total fees paid to the Commission are $210 ($15 application, $70 background, $125 license), and the exam fee is $70 when both portions are scheduled together.

Sources: KREC — Broker Requirements; Kansas Administrative Regulations, Agency 86, Article 1, KAR 86-1-5 (Kansas Real Estate Commission).

Sales associate applicants must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED. Candidates must complete 96 hours of Commission-approved pre-license instruction (or 6 academic credit hours in real estate from an accredited college), complete an FBI criminal background check before scheduling the exam, and pass the PSI licensing exam. The exam fee is $100, and applicants must submit their license application within 60 days of passing both portions. The application fee is $130 for an active license or $120 for inactive status.

Sources: KREC — New Application Overview; Kentucky Real Estate Commission (KREC) — Licensing Requirements; KREC — Fee Schedule.

To become a Louisiana real estate salesperson, you must be at least 18 years old, hold a high school diploma or GED, and complete 90 hours of LREC-approved pre-licensing education. You must pass the salesperson licensing examination, be supervised by a licensed real estate broker, and provide proof of errors and omissions insurance before the license is issued. Applications may be submitted by mail or in person at the LREC office at 9071 Interline Avenue, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70809.

Sources: LREC — Salesperson Licensing; LREC — Broker Pre-Licensing Education.

To become a licensed Sales Agent in Maine, you must be at least 18 years old, hold a high school diploma or equivalent, complete a 55-hour Commission-approved Sales Agent Course with a minimum grade of 75%, and pass the Pearson VUE Sales Agent licensing exam with a minimum scaled score of 75. You must arrange to affiliate with a licensed real estate agency before applying. The license application fee is $100 plus a $21 criminal records check fee, and the application must be submitted within 1 year of passing the exam.

Sources: Maine RE Commission — Individual Licenses (Reciprocal Licensing Section); Maine JobLink — ETP Program Listing (Central Maine Community College).

To become a licensed real estate salesperson in Maryland, you must be at least 18 years old, be of good character and reputation, and complete a 60-hour pre-licensing course from a Maryland Real Estate Commission-approved education provider, including a 3-hour ethics component. After completing the course, you schedule and take the state exam through PSI, which costs $44 per attempt and consists of national and state portions, each requiring a minimum score of 70%. After passing both portions, you have one year from the exam date to apply for your license. The original salesperson license fee is $98, which includes a $20 Guaranty Fund payment, effective April 27, 2026.

Sources: Maryland OneStop — Salesperson License; Maryland Real Estate Commission (MREC) FAQs + secondary education provider estimates; MD MREC — Taking the Exam (Real Estate Exam Info); MD MREC — Forms and Fees (Affiliated Licensees).

To become a Massachusetts real estate salesperson, you must be at least 18 years old, complete 40 hours of pre-licensing education at a Board-approved school, and provide a Massachusetts Board of Real Estate Educational Certificate of Completion. You must also obtain 3 candidate endorsements from individuals who are not relatives or fellow classmates, submit an application with a notarized CORI form through the eLIPSE platform, and pass the licensing exam with a minimum score of 70%. The salesperson exam fee is $85 per person, and after passing, you must pay a license fee of $103 to $150 (prorated based on your birthday) and affiliate with a licensed broker to activate your license.

Sources: Mass.gov — RE License Exam Guide; Mass.gov + PSI Candidate Information Bulletin (CIB-2025); MA DPL — Real Estate License Fees; NAR — How to Become a REALTOR.

To become a Michigan real estate salesperson, you must be at least 18 years old, complete 40 hours of approved prelicensure education (including 4 hours of civil rights law and equal opportunity in housing), and submit an application through MiPLUS with an $88 fee. After LARA approves the application, PSI sends an email with a Candidate ID within 24 to 48 hours, which you use to schedule the salesperson exam. After passing the exam, you must provide an employing broker's 10-digit license number in MiPLUS; once the broker approves, the license is issued.

Sources: MI LARA BPL — Real Estate Individual Broker Licensing Guide; Michigan Legislature — MCL 339.2504; MI LARA BPL — Real Estate Salesperson Licensing Guide; Michigan Legislature — MCL 338.2237 (State License Fee Act, Sec. 37), corroborated by LARA Salesperson Licensing Guide; Michigan LARA BPL — Real Estate FAQs.

To become a licensed real estate salesperson in Minnesota, you must be at least 18 years old and complete three 30-hour pre-licensing courses (Course I, Course II, and Course III), totaling 90 hours, from an approved provider listed on the Pulse Portal at pulseportal.com. Course I must be completed before taking the salesperson exam, and Courses II and III must be completed before applying for a license. PSI Services administers the exam, which you can schedule at test-takers.psiexams.com/mnre or by calling (866) 395-1006. After passing the exam, you must associate with a licensed Minnesota broker, who submits your license application through the Pulse Portal. You must apply within 1 year of passing the exam, and the initial license fee is $110.

Sources: MN Commerce — RE License Guide PDF; MN Commerce — Licensing Education; Minnesota Department of Commerce (e-License page) and Minnesota Statutes § 82.57.

To become a Mississippi real estate salesperson, an applicant must be at least 18 years old and a bona fide resident of Mississippi. The applicant must complete 60 hours of approved pre-licensing real estate courses, with no more than 8 hours earned in a single day. After submitting a $100 application fee, fingerprints, and supporting documents to MREC, the applicant becomes eligible to take the licensing exam administered by PSI. The exam requires a passing score of 70% on the national portion and 75% on the state portion. Upon passing and designating a responsible broker, the commission issues a temporary license valid for one year, during which the licensee must complete a 30-hour post-license course.

Sources: MREC PSI Candidate Information Bulletin; Mississippi Real Estate Commission (MREC) Pre-Licensing Course Application, Rev. 7-2025; MREC Rules and Regulations (Rev 02-21-2025).

To become a Missouri real estate salesperson, you must be at least 18 and complete 72 hours of pre-licensing education: a 48-hour Salesperson Pre-Examination Course followed by a 24-hour Missouri Real Estate Practice (MREP) Course. You must pass the PSI licensing exam with 70% on the national portion and 75% on the state portion, complete fingerprinting through IDEMIA (Identogo) via the MACHS portal using MREC registration number 0004, and submit the license application with a sponsoring broker's signature within 6 months of the pre-exam course completion date. The salesperson application fee is $100, and the exam fee is $52 per attempt.

Sources: MO DPR — Approved RE Education Providers; MO Prof. Registration — RE How-To; MO RE Commission — Application PDF; Missouri Secretary of State — Code of State Regulations, 20 CSR 2250-5.020; Missouri PR — RE Exam Fees.

To become a real estate salesperson in Montana, you must be at least 18 years old and have completed 2 years of full curriculum study at an accredited high school or equivalent (MCA 37-51-302). You must complete 70 hours of Board-approved pre-licensing education within the 24 months before applying, pass the Montana Real Estate Salesperson Examination through Pearson VUE within the past 12 months, and be employed or under contract with a licensed broker who holds a supervising broker endorsement. Proof of professional liability and errors and omissions insurance is also required, and the application fee is $80.

Sources: Montana Code Annotated § 37-51-302(2)(a); Montana Board of Realty Regulation Broker Checklist (Updated 12/2025); Mont. Admin. r. 24.210.611 (Montana Board of Realty Regulation); MT DLI BSD — RE Salesperson Licensing; MT DLI BSD — Broker Checklist.

To become a real estate salesperson in Nebraska, you must be at least 19 years old, hold a high school diploma or equivalent, and complete 96 hours of pre-license education consisting of three 30-hour approved courses plus a 6-hour Professional Practice Standards course (Course #0003). All applicants must undergo a fingerprint-based criminal background check, which takes 4 to 6 weeks on average, and pass the licensing exam with a score of 75% or higher. The application fee is $175, the exam fee is $150, and the salesperson original license fee is $90; the license must be issued within 30 days of passing the exam or the exam must be retaken.

Sources: Nebraska Real Estate Commission — License Information (Applicant Information, Nebraska Resident); Nebraska Real Estate Commission — Pre-License Education Requirements; Nebraska Real Estate Commission (NREC) / Nebraska Revised Statute 81-885.13; Nebraska Real Estate Commission (NREC) — Application Process page; Nebraska Real Estate Commission — Notice of Application Fee; Nebraska Real Estate Commission — Fee Schedule & License Issuance Form; Nebraska Real Estate Commission — Salesperson Licensing (Resident Salesperson Information PDF).

To become a Nevada real estate salesperson, you must meet the state's eligibility requirements and complete 120 hours of pre-licensing education from an NRED-approved school (listed on Form 502): 45 hours of Real Estate Principles, 45 hours of Real Estate Law (including 18 hours of Nevada law), 15 hours of contracts, and 15 hours of agency. After completing coursework, you must pass both the national and state portions of the Pearson VUE licensing exam, complete a fingerprint background check (prints expire after 6 months), and submit Form 549 with the $140 application fee. Exam results must be dated within the last 12 months, and a sponsoring broker must activate the license before you can practice.

Sources: Nevada RED — Salesperson License Requirements; Nevada Real Estate Division — Form 501 (Real Estate Licensing Requirements); Nevada RED — Form 501 (Licensing Requirements).

To become a licensed real estate salesperson in New Hampshire, you must meet minimum age and education requirements, including holding a high school diploma or equivalent, and complete a 40-hour pre-licensing course from a school approved by the New Hampshire Real Estate Commission. After finishing the course, you must pass the licensing exam administered by PSI, which includes 80 national questions and 40 state-specific questions, with a 70% passing score required on each section. You must also complete a NH background check, submit attestation of character, and apply online through the OPLC application portal. For an active license, you must affiliate with a sponsoring broker and submit a Broker Affiliation Form; the salesperson application fee is $99.

Sources: N.H. Admin. Code § Rea 301.03 (via Cornell LII), corroborated by PSI NH Real Estate Candidate Bulletin; NH OPLC — Real Estate License Fees.

To become a New Jersey real estate salesperson, an applicant must be at least 18 years old, have a high school education or equivalency, and complete a 75-hour prelicensure course at a licensed school. After passing the state licensing exam, the applicant must apply for a license through a sponsoring real estate broker. The New Jersey Real Estate Commission must be satisfied as to the applicant's honesty, trustworthiness, character, and integrity.

Sources: NJ DOBI — Requirements for Licensure as a NJ Real Estate Salesperson or Broker.

New Mexico does not issue a separate real estate salesperson license. The New Mexico Real Estate Commission issues two types of broker licenses: associate broker and qualifying broker, both issued only to individuals. The associate broker is the entry-level license. To obtain it, an applicant must complete 90 hours of commission-approved prelicensing education (30 hours each in real estate principles and practice, real estate law, and broker basics), pass both the state and national portions of the broker's examination with a minimum score of 75%, and submit fingerprinting documentation, an E&O insurance certificate, and a nonrefundable application fee not to exceed $270. The applicant must also be a legal resident of the United States and have reached the age of majority.

Sources: NM RLD — RE Commission Licensing (Apply for License).

To become a New York real estate salesperson, you must be at least 18 years old, complete 77 hours of approved qualifying education, pass the state written exam, hold a current New York photo driver's license or non-driver ID, and be sponsored by a New York licensed real estate broker. The exam costs $15 per attempt, and the initial application fee is $65. After passing the exam, you apply online through eAccessNY, and your sponsoring broker must authorize the application before the Department of State reviews it and mails the license to the business address.

Sources: NY DOS — Become a Real Estate Salesperson; New York Department of State — Real Property Law §441-b (statutory) and NY DOS Salesperson Application Instructions; NY Department of State — Become a Real Estate Salesperson.

North Carolina is a "broker-only" state and does not issue a salesperson license. The entry-level license status is Provisional Broker, which requires completing a 75-hour Broker Prelicensing Course from a Commission-certified provider, filing an application with a $105 fee (effective April 1, 2026), passing a two-part license examination, and satisfying a character review. Initial licenses are issued on inactive status; to begin working, the Provisional Broker and a Broker-in-Charge must file a License Activation/Affiliation form (REC 2.08) with the Commission.

Sources: NCREC — General Brochure (Real Estate Licensing in North Carolina, March 2024); NCREC Bulletins – Rule Changes (21 NCAC 58A .0302).

To become a real estate salesperson in North Dakota, you must be at least 18 years old and complete a 90-hour NDREC-certified pre-licensure education course. You must then submit an online application at services.realestatend.org with a $161.25 payment ($150 application fee plus $11.25 credit history fee), submit fingerprints with a $40 analysis fee payable to the ND Attorney General, and pass both the national and state portions of the licensing exam administered by PSI Services LLC. To activate your license, you must associate with a sponsoring broker, obtain errors and omissions insurance ($187 per calendar year through the NDREC-negotiated group rate), and pay a one-time $20 contribution to the Real Estate Education, Research and Recovery Fund. You must apply for licensure within 2 years of completing your pre-licensure education course.

Sources: NDREC — How to Apply; North Dakota Real Estate Commission — How to Apply.

To become an Ohio real estate salesperson, an applicant must be at least 18, a U.S. citizen or legal alien, have a high school diploma or equivalent if born after 1950, and complete 100 hours of pre-licensing education from a postsecondary institution awarding at least a two-year degree. The 100 hours consist of Real Estate Principles and Practices (40), Ohio Real Estate Law (40), Real Estate Appraisal (10), and Real Estate Finance (10). The applicant must secure a sponsoring Ohio broker, submit an $81 application with criminal records checks, and pass both the State and National portions of the exam with a score of 70. A 20-hour post-licensing course must be completed within 12 months of license issuance.

Sources: Ohio Revised Code § 4735.07; Ohio COM — Salesperson License Requirements; Ohio DOC — Real Estate FAQ.

To become a real estate salesperson in Oklahoma, you must complete a 90-hour pre-license salesperson course from an approved provider, complete a background check through IdentoGO (service code 2B7NR3, $60 fee), and apply online to the Oklahoma Real Estate Commission ($35 application fee). Once OREC approves the application, Pearson VUE emails the candidate within 48 hours with a candidate ID and scheduling access. After passing the salesperson exam (70% scaled score on both the state and national portions, $75 per exam), you must be associated with a licensed sponsoring broker for the license to be active. New licensees receive a Provisional Sales Associate license and must complete a 45-hour post-license course before that license expires.

Sources: OREC — Licensing & Exam FAQs; OREC — CE Requirements.

Oregon does not use the term "salesperson" for its entry-level license. The entry-level real estate license in Oregon is called a broker license, and a licensed broker can conduct professional real estate activity while associated with and supervised by a managing principal broker. To obtain it, you must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or GED, register in eLicense, pay the $300 nonrefundable application fee, complete 150 hours of pre-license education from an Agency-approved school, pass both sections of the broker exam administered by PSI, and complete fingerprinting for a background check.

Sources: Oregon REA — Get Broker License.

To become a Pennsylvania real estate salesperson, you must be at least 18 years old with a high school diploma or equivalent, and complete 75 hours (5 credits) of pre-licensing education from an approved provider: Real Estate Fundamentals (30 hours, 2 credits) and Real Estate Practice (45 hours, 3 credits). You must pass both portions of the licensing exam through Pearson VUE, each requiring a 75% passing score, obtain a Criminal History Records Check from every state where you have lived, worked, or studied in the past 5 years, and secure an employing broker to certify supervision before applying through PALS. The initial license fee is $97, comprising a $72 licensure fee and a $25 application fee.

Sources: 49 Pa. Code § 35.272(a)(1) / PA Department of State — Real Estate Salesperson Licensure Snapshot; PA Real Estate Commission — Salesperson Licensure Snapshot; PA Real Estate Commission — Education Information; PA DOS — Real Estate Commission Licensure Guide.

To become a Rhode Island real estate salesperson, you must be at least 18 years old and complete 45 hours of pre-licensing education (including 3 hours of Agency Law) plus a separate 3-hour Lead Poisoning/Lead Hazard Mitigation course. You must pass both the National and State portions of the Pearson VUE exam with a score of at least 70 before applying to the DBR. The application requires two separate checks totaling $165 ($140 to the RI General Treasurer and $25 to the Real Estate Recovery Account), a BCI background check from the RI Office of the Attorney General, proof of E&O insurance, and a Broker Affidavit signed by a principal broker who certifies you as "competent and trustworthy." Processing takes 7-10 business days.

Sources: RI DBR — RE Salesperson Application; 230 R.I. Code R. § 230-RICR-30-20-2.30 (Continuing Education), Rhode Island Code of Regulations; RI DBR — Reciprocal Broker Application.

To become a real estate salesperson in South Carolina, you must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or equivalent, and complete 90 hours of Commission-approved pre-licensing education: Unit I (60 hours) and Unit II (30 hours). You must complete Unit I before taking the licensing exam, and Unit II must be finished before a license is issued. The exam is administered by PSI and requires a score of 70% on both the national and state portions, and you must complete fingerprint and Social Security number-based background checks, which can take three or more weeks for the Commission to receive. After passing the exam, you must affiliate with a South Carolina-licensed broker-in-charge and apply for a license within one year.

Sources: SC LLR — Real Estate FAQ.

South Dakota is a "broker only" state, so the entry-level license is called a broker associate rather than a salesperson. To become a broker associate, you must be at least 18 years old, be a U.S. citizen or South Dakota resident, complete a 116-hour prelicensing course from an approved provider, pass the licensing exam with a score of 75%, and submit an application with a $225 fee within 60 days of passing. You must also complete a fingerprint-based background check ($50 payable to the Division of Criminal Investigation) and affiliate with a licensed responsible broker to activate your license.

Sources: SD DLR — RE License Types & Requirements; SD DLR — Real Estate Fees; SD DLR — RE Exam Information; South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation — Real Estate Commission (official application forms, Rev. 06/2026).

Tennessee calls its entry-level real estate license an affiliate broker license. Candidates must be at least 18 years old, hold a high school diploma or equivalent, complete 60 hours of real estate principles education, and pass the PSI-administered exam with a minimum score of 70% on each section. After passing, candidates must complete a 30-hour Course for New Affiliates, submit fingerprints through IdentoGO, provide proof of E&O insurance, and affiliate with a licensed broker to activate the license. The initial application fee is $91, and candidates have 1 year from passing the exam to apply.

Sources: Tennessee Real Estate Commission (TREC) — Official Website; Tennessee Real Estate Commission (TREC) — Worksheet A (IN2061, May 2023); TREC — License Fees; TN Commerce Support — Pre-Licensing Requirements & Exam FAQs.

To become a Texas real estate sales agent, you must be at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen or lawfully admitted alien, and meet TREC's standards for honesty, trustworthiness, and integrity. You must complete 180 classroom hours of qualifying education across six 30-hour courses (Principles of Real Estate I and II, Law of Agency, Law of Contracts, Promulgated Contract Forms, and Real Estate Finance), submit an online application through the REALM Portal with a $206 fee, complete fingerprinting through IDEMIA ($37), and pass the licensing exam administered by Pearson VUE ($43). You have one year from the date your application is filed to meet all requirements. TREC issues an inactive license after you pass the exam and clear the background check; you must then find a sponsoring broker to activate your license.

Sources: TREC — Become a Sales Agent; TREC Fee Schedule Effective December 15, 2025.

To become a licensed real estate sales agent in Utah, you must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or equivalent, and complete 120 hours of approved pre-license education at a certified school. You must pass the Pearson VUE sales agent exam within one year of completing the coursework and submit your license application within 90 days of passing the exam. After submitting the online application through a UtahID account, the Division emails fingerprint instructions within 1-2 business days, and application processing takes approximately 30 days.

Sources: Utah DRE — Sales Agent Licensing; Utah Division of Real Estate — Sales Agent Licensing.

To become a Vermont real estate salesperson, you must be at least 18 years old, complete a 40-hour pre-licensing course approved by the Commission, pass the national exam administered by PSI, and complete the state exam within the online application. You must also be employed by or associated with a Vermont-licensed brokerage firm and submit a Verification of Employment/Supervision form. The application fee is $100, and processing takes 3 to 5 business days. New salespersons must complete 8 hours of post-licensure education within 90 days of license issuance.

Sources: Vermont Statutes, Title 26, Chapter 41, § 2292 (Eligibility) — Vermont General Assembly; Vermont Statutes — Title 26, Chapter 041, § 2255 (Fees); Vermont OPR — Salesperson & Broker FAQs; Vermont OPR — RE Broker & Salesperson Administrative Rules (PDF).

To become a licensed salesperson in Virginia, you must be at least 18 years old and hold a high school diploma or equivalent. The process has four steps: complete a 60-hour Board-approved "Principles of Real Estate" pre-license course, pass the state and national portions of the PSI exam ($60 per attempt), get fingerprinted for a background check that remains valid for 45 days, and submit a completed application with a sponsoring broker. Exam scores are valid for one year, and a complete application must be on file with the Board within 45 days of fingerprinting.

Sources: RA Realtors VA — License Requirements; VA DPOR — Real Estate Board; VA DPOR — RE Pre-License; VA DPOR — Real Estate Process PDF.

Washington has two levels of real estate licensure: broker and managing broker. To become a broker, an applicant must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or equivalent, complete 90 hours of approved education (60 hours Real Estate Fundamentals and 30 hours Real Estate Practices), pass both the national and state portions of the broker exam within 6 months of each other, complete a fingerprint background check, and submit a license application within 1 year of passing the exams. After the license is issued, a real estate firm must invite the licensee to join to activate the license.

Sources: WA DOL — Managing Broker License; WA DOL — Get RE Broker License.

Applicants must be 18 or older with a high school diploma or equivalent, complete a 90-hour Commission-approved pre-licensing course with a score of 70% or higher in each subject area, and pass a National Criminal Background Check through Identogo using service code 228Q6K. After passing both the national and state portions of the Pearson VUE licensing exam, applicants have 90 days to submit an online license application with proof of passing and a Verification of Sponsoring Broker. The exam application fee is $25 paid to the West Virginia Real Estate Commission, and the salesperson license fee is $75.

Sources: WV REC — Salesperson Licensing; West Virginia Real Estate Commission — Schedule of Fees (174CSR2, effective April 10, 2024).

To become a Wisconsin real estate salesperson, you must be at least 18 years old with a high school diploma or equivalent, complete a Board-approved 72-hour pre-license program within four years before applying (or complete 10 academic semester hour credits in real estate or real estate-related law), and pass the 140-question Wisconsin Salespersons Examination administered by Pearson VUE. The exam costs $65 per attempt and requires a minimum scaled score of 75 to pass. After passing, submit an application through the DSPS LicensE online portal with Form 3166, a $60 credentialing fee, proof of education, and evidence of passing the exam. The salesperson license must then be activated under a Wisconsin-licensed sponsoring broker.

Sources: CARW — Obtain a WI License; WI DSPS — Real Estate Salesperson; WRA — Wisconsin Real Estate Exam Information; Pearson VUE — Wisconsin Real Estate Candidate Handbook (rev. 06/2026); Wisconsin DSPS — 2021-2023 Fee Changes for Professional Licenses/Credentials (FAQ).

To become a Wyoming real estate salesperson, an applicant must complete three pre-licensing courses: Salesperson I, Salesperson II, and Wyoming Law. Applicants must submit two fingerprint cards for a background check, pass both the national and state portions of the licensing exam administered by Pearson VUE, obtain errors and omissions insurance, secure a sponsoring broker, and submit a completed application signed by that broker. Background checks can take several weeks to process, so fingerprints should be submitted before starting classes.

Sources: Wyoming REC — Obtain a License; Wyoming REC — Education Providers: Pre-Licensing.