How long does it take to receive your real estate license after passing the exam?

The Arizona Department of Real Estate does not publish an official application processing time. Online applications are generally processed within a few weeks, while paper or complex applications may take longer. Once the application is approved, the license is issued in "eligible" status, which allows the licensee to be hired by an employing broker and have the license activated.

Sources: ADRE — How to Obtain a License; ADRE — Salesperson License.

After passing the exam, you must submit your score report, license fees, and required forms to AREC no later than 90 days after the exam date. AREC's usual processing turnaround for a completed application is 7 to 14 business workdays, assuming no delays. If you do not submit the required documents and fees within 90 days, the exam becomes null and void, and you must reapply and retake the exam as an original applicant.

Sources: AREC — New Applicant Licensing.

With the combined Salesperson Exam/License Application (RE 435), the license is issued directly after the applicant passes the exam. With the exam-only pathway, the applicant must download a separate license application from the eLicensing system after passing, submit it with required fees and Live Scan fingerprints, and the license is issued after DRE approval. Submitting the combined application avoids the additional processing step of a separate license application.

Sources: CA DRE — Salesperson Requirements; CA DRE — Salesperson Exam & License.

After passing both portions of the exam, you have 2 years from the date of the most recently passed portion to activate your license. Activation requires finding a Connecticut licensed broker to supervise you and paying the $590.00 license fee through the state's online system. The online payment step itself is typically completed in under an hour, and the new license is generally issued within a few business days of the state receiving the renewal form and payment, though processing times can vary.

Sources: CT DCP — RE Salesperson Initial Exam.

The DBPR issues the license automatically within approximately 7 to 10 business days of passing the state examination. The license is not issued immediately at the test center. Once issued, the license is in inactive status until a sponsoring broker activates it by submitting the DBPR RE 11 form or adding the associate through the DBPR online portal.

Sources: FL DBPR — FREC Education; FL DBPR — RE Education Requirements.

You can receive your real estate license at the PSI testing center on the same day you pass the exam, provided you bring all required documentation. This includes a signed Sponsoring Broker Statement from your chosen broker, a Lawful Presence Notarized Affidavit, and a GCIC criminal history report dated within 60 days. Without a sponsoring broker, you may apply for an inactive license at the testing center. You must apply for your license within 12 months of passing the exam, or you must retake the examination.

Sources: GA Admin Code — GREC Rules 520-1 (Licensure and Brokerage); Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 520-1-.04 (via Cornell Legal Information Institute).

Application processing takes a minimum of 10 business days. The Idaho Real Estate Commission does not pre-date, post-date, or expedite applications. Fingerprints must also clear before the license is issued, and fingerprint results can take 1 to 6 weeks to be received by the Commission.

Sources: Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses — REC FAQs & Consumer Information.

IDFPR states to allow 2 to 4 business days for a license to post in the system after an application is submitted. After the license posts, IDFPR confirms the applicant's information and issues the license. Brokers may begin working under their sponsoring broker while IDFPR processes the application.

Sources: IDFPR – Real Estate Broker 75-Hour Pre-License Curriculum (Official Document); Illinois Administrative Code – IDFPR Broker License Requirements (ilga.gov).

The Indiana Professional Licensing Agency generally completes review of applications within 10 business days of receipt, with an additional 10 business days for mailed documents. You must submit your application within one year of passing the exam, including your Pearson VUE score sheet, pre-licensing course completion certificate, and managing broker affiliation information. Applications that are not completed with all requirements within one year of the filing date are considered abandoned.

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

After passing both portions of the licensing exam, you must submit your license application to the Kentucky Real Estate Commission within 60 days; if no application is submitted within that window, the entire exam is voided. The application must include all required materials sent in one package, including proof of course completion, a copy of your high school diploma or GED, and proof of errors and omissions insurance. KREC processing times vary, and most applicants receive their license shortly after the complete application is submitted.

Sources: KREC — New Application Overview.

Most licensees receive their license document within approximately two weeks of submitting a completed application to the Louisiana Real Estate Commission (LREC). The Commission processes applications submitted by mail or in person at its Baton Rouge office, and the license is issued once all requirements are verified, including proof of broker sponsorship and errors and omissions insurance. The 90-hour pre-licensing education certificate, exam passage, background check, and both Part A and Part B of the application must all be complete before issuance.

Sources: LREC — Broker Pre-Licensing Education.

After passing both portions of the Maryland real estate exam, candidates should allow 3 to 5 business days to receive an email with their registration number and application instructions. Once the license application is submitted, the Maryland OneStop portal lists a 5-day approval time for a salesperson license. In total, most candidates can expect to receive their license within approximately 8 to 10 business days of passing the exam.

Sources: Maryland OneStop — Salesperson License.

After passing the Massachusetts real estate exam, candidates pay the license fee through the state's eLIPSE platform and receive a digital license immediately. The state has transitioned to digital licensing and no longer prints and mails physical wallet licenses. The license information is added to the public Check a License database within 24 to 48 hours after issuance.

Sources: Mass.gov — Apply for Reciprocity as an Out-of-State Real Estate License.

Michigan LARA states that the license issues after the employing broker approves sponsorship in MiPLUS, and the licensee is notified by email, but no specific timeframe is published. If the sponsoring broker confirmed employment at least 48 hours before the exam date, the applicant may receive a photo pocket license at the PSI testing center immediately after passing. LARA mails a formal wall license and pocket card to the broker's office, though no official delivery timeframe is specified.

Sources: Michigan LARA BPL — Real Estate FAQs.

Upon passing the licensing exam and complying with all other conditions for licensure, the Mississippi Real Estate Commission issues a temporary license to the applicant. The remaining conditions include completing a fingerprint-based criminal background check, obtaining errors and omissions insurance, and designating a responsible broker. The temporary license is valid for one year following the first day of the month after its issuance, during which the licensee must complete a 30-hour post-license course.

Sources: MREC Rules and Regulations (Rev 02-21-2025).

The Nevada Real Estate Division does not publish an official estimated processing time for license applications. Under NRS 645.420, the Division must act on a completed application within 60 days, with the option to extend for additional investigation. Secondary sources report typical processing of approximately 10 business days, but the timeline also depends on when fingerprint background check results are received.

Sources: Nevada Revised Statutes, NRS 645.420 (via nv.elaws.us).

The New Jersey Real Estate Commission does not publish a specific processing time for license issuance after passing the exam. After passing the exam, you must complete fingerprinting and find a sponsoring broker who submits your license application through the Online Licensing Services portal. Background check results can take several weeks to process and match to your application file.

Sources: NJ DOBI — Requirements for Licensure as a NJ Real Estate Salesperson or Broker; NJ DOBI — Real Estate Licensing and Education Hub.

After you pass the state exam, your sponsoring broker must log into eAccessNY and authorize your application. The Department of State generates the license within the same week as the broker's authorization and mails it to the broker's business address. Passed exam results remain valid for two years, giving you that window to complete the application process.

Sources: NY DOS — Real Estate Salesperson Syllabus (2022); NY DOS — Become a Real Estate Salesperson.

NDREC does not publish a fixed processing time, stating the timeline is highly dependent on the applicant and whether commission review is needed. Seven to ten days after submitting an application, applicants can check their status through NDREC's online services. Fingerprint results typically reach NDREC within 1 to 2 weeks. To receive an active license, an applicant must associate with a broker and firm, obtain E&O insurance, and pay the $20 one-time Recovery Fund fee.

Sources: NDREC — How to Apply.

The Ohio Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing does not publish an official processing time for license issuance after the exam. Education providers estimate that license issuance typically takes approximately one to two weeks after the Division receives passing exam results and completed background check clearance. The Division does not provide estimated processing times on its eLicense system.

Sources: Ohio REPL — Broker License Requirements; Ohio DOC — Real Estate FAQ.

Once the license is issued, a physical copy is printed and mailed to the employing broker's main office within 7-10 business days after the date of issue. The license cannot be picked up at the Commission's office and is sent to the broker, not to the applicant. Application processing begins when the application and payment are submitted through PALS.

Sources: PA DOS — Real Estate Commission Licensure Guide; PA Real Estate Commission — Salesperson Licensure Snapshot.

Applicants have 60 days from the date of notice of passing the exam to file a license application with the commission; if not filed within that timeframe, passing score rights are forfeited. The commission typically processes complete applications within a few weeks. Once approved, the license remains inactive until a responsible broker contacts the commission to request activation.

Sources: SD DLR — RE Exam Information.

After passing the exam and submitting a license application through CORE, the Tennessee Real Estate Commission typically processes the application within a few weeks. The application must be filed within one year of passing the exam, or the candidate must retake and pass the exam to remain eligible for a license.

Sources: TN Commerce Support — Pre-Licensing Requirements & Exam FAQs; TN TREC — PSI & Exam Information.

The Pearson VUE Candidate Handbook states that a license document is sent by email within 5 to 10 business days after passing the exam and clearing the background check. However, TREC's processing times page states that this 5-to-10-day timeline is "not accurate" because of ongoing integration issues between the REALM Portal, Pearson VUE exam records, and DPS fingerprinting. TREC asks applicants to allow more time and to monitor their REALM Portal status for updates.

Sources: TREC — Sales Agent License Renewal.

The Utah Division of Real Estate states a turnaround time of 30 days for new sales agent applications. Applicants must submit the license application within 90 days of passing the exam, and the Division emails fingerprint instructions within 1 to 2 business days after the application is submitted.

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

The Virginia DPOR does not publish a specific processing time for real estate license applications; its Application Review Status page states only that applications are reviewed in the order they are received. Most clean applications are processed within a few weeks, though the new salesperson license application must be submitted by mail with no online option, which can add to the timeline. The date the application is received by the agency, not the postmark date, determines whether it is on time.

Sources: VA DPOR — Real Estate Board; VA DPOR — Real Estate Process PDF.

After passing the exam, the DOL sends an email within 72 hours directing the applicant to the online license application. Fingerprint background check results can take up to 14 business days to reach DOL from the Washington State Patrol, and the applicant must pass the exam before submitting fingerprints. Once the license is issued, an emailed license can take up to 4 hours to arrive, while a printed license by mail can take up to 14 days.

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