What should you do first after getting a real estate license?

After passing the exam, a new salesperson must submit the score report, a $50 license fee, a $25 recovery fund fee, and a signed post-license requirement notice to AREC within 90 days. The licensee must affiliate with a principal broker to activate the license. New salespersons must also complete an 18-hour post-licensure course within 6 months of initial licensure to remain active.

Sources: Arkansas Real Estate Commission (AREC) — New Applicant Licensing page, corroborated by Arkansas Code of Rules 17 CAR § 220-301(a)(1); AREC — Licensing FAQ; AREC — New Applicant Licensing.

The first step after receiving a California real estate salesperson license is to associate with a licensed broker, because a salesperson license remains inactive until a sponsoring broker submits approval to the DRE. A salesperson without a responsible broker may not perform any acts requiring a real estate license. After associating with a broker, you may also choose to join a local REALTOR® association and pay membership dues to become a REALTOR®, which grants access to the multiple listing service (MLS) and requires adherence to NAR's Code of Ethics.

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

After obtaining a real estate license, a salesperson must affiliate with a sponsoring broker to activate the license, as Georgia law requires every active salesperson to be licensed under an active Georgia broker. The salesperson must also complete a 25-hour post-license course within the first year of licensure, or the license will lapse. A salesperson must not commence work in real estate brokerage activities until the broker has received the licensee's wall certificate of licensure.

Sources: GA Admin Code — GREC Rules 520-1 (Licensure and Brokerage).

In Maine, a Sales Agent must arrange affiliation with a licensed real estate agency before applying for a license, so the brokerage relationship is already established when the license is issued. After licensure, the agent performs brokerage services under the supervision of the agency's designated broker, who authorizes the specific services the agent may perform. New agents may also consider joining a local REALTOR® association for access to MLS data, market resources, and networking, though membership is optional and separate from state licensure.

Sources: Maine RE Commission — Individual Licenses (Reciprocal Licensing Section); Pearson VUE — Maine Real Estate Candidate Handbook (December 2025).

After passing the licensing exam, you must pay the license fee within 30 days of being notified that you passed; if you do not, you must retake the exam. The license is issued at the testing center (for in-person exams) or through the eLIPSE platform (for online exams) once the fee is paid. To begin working, you must then affiliate with a licensed Massachusetts real estate broker, who will submit your affiliation through the eLIPSE portal. Your license becomes active only after the broker affiliation is submitted and approved.

Sources: Mass.gov — RE Brokers & Salespersons FAQ.

After the employing broker approves sponsorship through MiPLUS, the license is issued and the licensee is notified via email. A salesperson can begin practicing immediately upon license issuance. Joining a local REALTOR® association is an optional next step that provides MLS access, professional standards resources, and networking opportunities, though it is not required for licensure. Brokerage affiliation details, including commission splits and desk fees, vary by brokerage and are negotiated between the agent and broker.

Sources: MI LARA BPL — Real Estate Individual Broker Licensing Guide; MI LARA BPL — Real Estate Salesperson Licensing Guide.

Once the license is issued, it is mailed to the sponsoring broker's business address, and the salesperson can begin conducting real estate activities immediately under the broker's supervision. A salesperson cannot operate independently and works as the representative broker's agent. All license transactions, including future renewals and changes of association, are managed through the eAccessNY online system.

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

After passing the exam, your license must be activated by your sponsoring broker before you can practice. Ohio requires a 20-hour post-licensing course within 12 months of your license issue date, and the completion certificate must be emailed to the Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing. Your first renewal is due on your birthday following licensure and requires a $182 fee but no continuing education.

Sources: Ohio COM — Salesperson License Requirements; Ohio DOC — Real Estate FAQ.

A Provisional Sales Associate must be associated with a real estate broker for the license to be active. The licensee must also complete a 45-hour post-license course before the Provisional Sales Associate license expires, because this license type is non-renewable. Joining a local board of REALTORS® provides access to MLS systems and professional resources; there are 17 local boards in Oklahoma. If no broker has been selected, the licensee can maintain inactive status while completing the post-license education, then activate the license once a brokerage affiliation is established.

Sources: OREC — CE Requirements.

After receiving a real estate license in Pennsylvania, you begin working under the supervision of your employing broker, who certified willingness to supervise and train you before your license was issued. The physical license is mailed to the broker's main office, not to you directly, and arrives within 7 to 10 business days after the date of issue. New agents typically learn brokerage systems, review commission structures and office policies, and begin building a client base under their broker's guidance.

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

After receiving a Washington real estate license, the first step is to affiliate with a licensed real estate firm. A firm must invite the licensee to join, and the licensee must log into SecureAccess Washington (SAW) to accept the invitation, which activates the license. The license remains inactive until this step is completed, and there is no fee to transfer or activate a license. A newly licensed broker must work under the supervision of a managing broker and cannot practice independently.

Sources: WA DOL — Managing Broker License; WA DOL — Managing Broker Exam.