How long does it take to become a REALTOR®?

A REALTOR® is a licensed real estate professional who also holds membership in the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) through a local association. The Illinois broker licensing process, which includes completing 75 hours of pre-license education and passing the state and national licensing exams, can take several months depending on course pace and exam scheduling. After obtaining a broker license, joining NAR requires applying through the local REALTOR® association, paying membership dues, and agreeing to uphold the NAR Code of Ethics, with ethics training required every 3 years.

Sources: 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); Justia — IL Real Estate Act Art. 5 (225 ILCS 454/5-27).

Becoming a real estate agent in Indiana requires first obtaining an active broker license, which most candidates complete within a few months. The licensing process includes completing a 90-hour pre-licensing course, passing the Pearson VUE broker exam, affiliating with a managing broker, and submitting a $60 application to the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency. Once an active broker license number is issued, the agent can apply for REALTOR® membership through a local association, which involves paying annual membership dues and agreeing to abide by the NAR Code of Ethics. The local association processes the membership application after verifying the active license, and the timeline for that step depends on the specific association.

Sources: Pearson VUE — Indiana Real Estate Candidate Handbook (March 2025); Indiana PLA — Real Estate Licensing Information.

The typical timeline from starting pre-license education to receiving a license is approximately 90 days. Kansas requires 60 hours of pre-license education, passing the licensing exam administered by Pearson VUE, completing a background check (up to 10 business days), and affiliating with a licensed Kansas broker before a license can be issued. After the license is active, the agent becomes a REALTOR® by joining a local REALTOR® association, paying membership dues, and completing the NAR Code of Ethics training.

Sources: KCRAR — Getting Licensed; KREC — Broker Requirements.

Becoming a REALTOR® requires first obtaining a real estate license, then joining a local REALTOR® association, which provides automatic membership in the state association and the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). The licensing process involves completing a 96-hour pre-license course, passing the PSI exam, and applying within 60 days, which most people finish within a few months depending on their study pace. Joining a REALTOR® association is an additional step that can be pursued once licensed, and the principals of a firm must join before non-principal agents can.

Sources: KREC — Education Overview; KREC — New Application Overview.

Becoming a REALTOR® is a separate step from state licensure that involves joining a local REALTOR® association and paying membership dues at the national, state, and local levels. The process requires a valid active real estate license first, which takes most candidates several months to obtain through the Louisiana licensing process. Members must abide by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) Code of Ethics and complete ethics training every three years, which is a membership requirement separate from state continuing education.

Sources: LREC — CE Requirements; LREC — License Renewal Season.

Becoming a REALTOR® in Maryland requires first obtaining a real estate license, which involves completing a 60-hour pre-licensing course, passing the state exam, and affiliating with a broker. Most candidates complete the licensing process within 2 to 6 months. After licensing, joining a local REALTOR® association to obtain NAR membership typically takes 1 to 2 additional weeks.

Sources: MREC — Licensing FAQs; MREC — License Renewal (Renew or Reinstate Your License).

Becoming a REALTOR® requires first obtaining a real estate license, which in Massachusetts typically takes 2 to 3 months from start to finish. After licensing, the agent must join a local REALTOR® association and pay membership dues, which also grants membership in the state and national associations. The principal of a real estate firm must join a local association before non-principal agents can join. NAR national dues for 2027 are $156 plus a $45 special assessment, totaling $201 per member, with additional state and local association dues varying by board.

Sources: Mass.gov (Apply for a Real Estate License By Examination) + secondary sources; NAR — Membership Dues Info.

Becoming a REALTOR® requires first obtaining a Mississippi real estate license, which involves completing 60 hours of pre-licensing education, submitting an application to MREC, passing a fingerprint-based background check, and passing the state licensing exam administered by PSI. The licensing process typically takes several months depending on study pace and processing times for the application and background check. After licensure, the agent joins a local REALTOR® Association, which automatically confers membership in the state and national associations.

Sources: MREC PSI Candidate Information Bulletin.

Becoming a REALTOR® requires three steps: obtaining a real estate license, joining a local REALTOR® association, and paying membership dues. The Nevada licensing process involves completing 120 hours of pre-licensing education, passing the state and national exams through Pearson VUE, and submitting an application with fingerprints, which most people complete within a few months depending on study pace and processing times. For 2027, NAR national membership dues are $156 per member, plus a $45 special assessment for the Consumer Advertising Campaign. The principal of a real estate firm must join a REALTOR® association before any non-principal agent at that firm can join.

Sources: Nevada RED — Salesperson License Requirements; NAR — Membership Dues Info.

Becoming a REALTOR® requires first obtaining a real estate license, then joining a local REALTOR® association and paying membership dues. In New Hampshire, the licensing process, which includes a 40-hour pre-licensing course, the licensing exam, and the application, typically takes 2 to 6 months. Once licensed, joining the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) involves contacting a local association, which provides membership to the state and national associations. The principal of a real estate firm must join NAR before any non-principal agent affiliated with that firm can join.

Sources: NH OPLC — Real Estate Education Requirements; NH OPLC — Salesperson Initial Application Checklist.

Becoming a REALTOR® requires three steps: obtaining a real estate license, joining a local REALTOR® association, and paying membership dues. The licensing timeline depends on completing the 75-hour prelicensing course (typically several weeks to a few months) plus application processing and exam scheduling. If there are no character issues, the NCREC can issue a license within approximately 10 business days after the exam date. Joining a local association and processing membership typically adds a short additional period. For 2027, NAR national dues are $156 per member plus a $45 special assessment for the consumer advertising campaign.

Sources: NCREC — General Brochure (Real Estate Licensing in North Carolina, March 2024); NAR — Membership Dues Information.

Becoming a REALTOR® requires first obtaining an Ohio real estate salesperson license, which involves completing 100 hours of pre-licensing education, passing the state and national exam portions, and securing a sponsoring broker. Most people complete the licensing process within a few months, depending on study pace. After licensing, an agent must join their local REALTOR® Association and pay national, state, and local membership dues. NAR members must complete Code of Ethics training every three years.

Sources: Ohio Revised Code § 4735.07.

After obtaining an Oregon broker license, you can join a local REALTOR® association to become a REALTOR® by submitting an application and paying dues at the local, state (Oregon REALTORS®), and national (NAR) levels. NAR requires members to complete Code of Ethics training every three-year cycle, and some local associations require new members to complete ethics training within 30 days of joining. Oregon REALTORS® offers primary membership based on where you work and secondary membership for those already members in another state.

Sources: NAR — Starting Your Career.

A REALTOR® is a licensed real estate professional who joins the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) and agrees to follow its Code of Ethics. In Pennsylvania, becoming a licensed salesperson requires completing 75 hours of pre-licensing education, passing both portions of the licensing exam through Pearson VUE, and securing an employing broker. Most people complete the education in a few weeks to a few months, depending on format and pace. After obtaining the license, the agent joins their local REALTOR® association and pays membership dues to gain NAR membership. NAR requires members to complete ethics training every three years.

Sources: PA Real Estate Commission — Salesperson Licensure Snapshot.

Becoming a REALTOR® requires first obtaining a real estate license, which takes most candidates a few months in South Carolina, then joining a local REALTOR® association, which automatically provides membership in the state and national associations. The principal of a real estate firm must join first before non-principals can join. For 2027, National Association of REALTORS® dues are $156 plus a $45 Consumer Advertising Campaign special assessment, totaling $201, with state and local association dues additional. Members must agree to abide by the NAR Code of Ethics.

Sources: NAR — Membership Dues Information; SC LLR — RE Renewal FAQ.

Becoming a REALTOR® requires first obtaining a South Dakota real estate license, then joining a local REALTOR® association, which automatically extends membership to the South Dakota Association of REALTORS® (SDR) and the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). The licensing process involves completing 116 hours of pre-licensing education, passing the two-part exam, submitting an application, and affiliating with a responsible broker, which most people complete within several months. Once licensed, joining a local board of REALTORS® involves contacting the board and paying membership dues.

Sources: SD DLR — RE License Types & Requirements.

Becoming a REALTOR® requires three steps: obtaining a real estate license, joining a local REALTOR® association, and paying membership dues. The licensing phase typically takes several months, as candidates must complete 90 hours of pre-licensing education, pass the state exam, and submit a license application. Joining one of the 20 local associations in Tennessee automatically confers membership in Tennessee REALTORS® and the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), and NAR members must also agree to abide by the NAR Code of Ethics.

Sources: Tennessee Code § 62-13-303 / TREC Worksheet A (May 2023).

Becoming a REALTOR® requires first obtaining a real estate license and then joining a local REALTOR® association, which also provides membership in the state and national associations. The licensing process for a Texas sales agent involves completing 180 hours of qualifying education, passing the state exam, and clearing a background check, which typically takes several months depending on study pace. After licensing, joining a local association and paying membership dues completes the process. Membership in the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) is voluntary and separate from state licensure through TREC.

Sources: TRERC — Getting a Texas Real Estate License.

Becoming a real estate agent requires first obtaining a real estate license, which in Utah involves completing 120 hours of pre-license education, passing the Pearson VUE exam, and waiting approximately 30 days for application processing. After licensing, the agent must join a local REALTOR® association and pay membership dues to join the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). NAR national dues for 2027 are $156 plus a $45 special assessment, totaling $201 annually, with local and state association dues in addition.

Sources: Utah Division of Real Estate — Sales Agent Licensing; NAR — How to Become a Realtor; NAR — Membership Dues Information.

Becoming a REALTOR® requires a three-step process: obtain a real estate license, join a local REALTOR® association, and pay membership dues. In Washington, the licensing prerequisite alone typically takes several months because it requires completing 90 hours of pre-licensing education, passing both the state and national exams, and processing a fingerprint background check. After licensing, joining a local association and paying dues completes the process, though no specific timeline for those final steps is published.

Sources: WA DOL — Managing Broker License.

Becoming a REALTOR® requires first obtaining a real estate license and then joining a local REALTOR® Association with payment of membership dues. In Wisconsin, the licensing step involves completing a 72-hour Board-approved pre-license course, passing the Pearson VUE state exam, and submitting a $60 application to the Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS), and most students finish the coursework within a few months. Once licensed and enrolled as a National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) member, the agent must complete ethics training every three years to maintain REALTOR® status.

Sources: Wisconsin Legislature — REEB 25.033 (Wis. Admin. Code); Wisconsin DSPS — 2021-2023 Fee Changes for Professional Licenses/Credentials (FAQ).