How to become a real estate broker in Delaware

Earning a real estate broker license in Delaware requires five continuous years of active licensure as a salesperson or broker, completion of a 99-hour broker pre-licensing course, and a passing score on the two-part broker exam administered by Pearson VUE. The Delaware Real Estate Commission, operating under 24 Del. C. Chapter 29, issues two broker-tier licenses: the Broker, who holds primary responsibility for managing and supervising a brokerage, and the Associate Broker, who holds an advanced license without that management duty. The distinction between a broker and real estate agent also matters in Delaware, since "REALTOR®" is a membership designation rather than a license type. The path from salesperson to broker follows a defined sequence of experience, education, examination, and application steps.

Broker and associate broker roles in Delaware

Delaware licenses two advanced tiers above the salesperson level: the Broker and the Associate Broker. Both tiers require the same broker pre-licensing course and broker exam, but they differ in supervisory authority and application requirements.

The Broker serves as the "broker of record" for a brokerage, the individual accountable for overseeing all licensees at the office and ensuring compliance with Delaware real estate law. The Associate Broker holds the same credential but does not carry primary management responsibility, working under an established broker of record rather than operating an independent brokerage.

At the application stage, an Associate Broker applicant must submit a Statement of Broker of Record form^[1] signed by their employing Delaware-licensed broker. A Broker applicant for a new Delaware office must also file a Real Estate Office application in addition to the Broker license application. A Broker applicant replacing the current broker at an established office must submit a letter from the outgoing Broker naming them as the replacement.

Experience and transaction requirements for a Delaware broker license

Delaware sets some of the most demanding broker experience requirements among U.S. states. The Delaware Division of Professional Regulation (DPR)^[1] establishes the qualifying criteria for both Broker and Associate Broker applicants.

The state requires documentation of 30 closed transactions (sales or leases) from the preceding five-year period, submitted on the Commission's transaction form. Time-share and property-management deals are excluded. The Delaware Real Estate Commission^[2] may review the application at its next scheduled monthly meeting, which can add processing time.

Education requirements for the Delaware broker license

Delaware requires completion of a 99-hour broker pre-licensing course from a state-approved provider before you can sit for the broker exam. The course covers advanced real estate topics at the broker level, building on the 99-hour salesperson pre-licensing course that licensees complete for their initial license. Exam applicants must submit a copy of the completed course certificate with their application.

The Delaware DPR list of approved pre-licensing providers^[3] identifies schools that offer the broker pre-licensing course with an asterisk. Four providers currently offer the broker course: Central Delaware Real Estate Academy LLC, Delaware Tech Owens Campus, New Castle County Board of REALTORS®, and Sussex County Association of REALTORS®. The course is available in both in-person and online formats.

The Delaware broker licensing exam

The Delaware broker exam is a two-part, computer-based test administered by Pearson VUE^[4], covering national real estate topics and Delaware state law. You must pass both the general and Delaware State Law portions with a minimum scaled score of 70 on each section, according to the Sussex County Association of REALTORS®^[5]. The exam fee is $85 per attempt.

You must pass the exam and apply for your license within one year of completing the broker pre-licensing course. During that period, you may take the exam up to three times. If you do not pass within three attempts, you must retake the broker pre-licensing course before trying again.

Pearson VUE provides a free Candidate Handbook and Content Outlines as downloadable PDFs on its Delaware real estate exam page^[4]. The vendor also offers practice tests covering general real estate topics at $19.95 each, though state-specific practice tests are not available.

The broker exam covers the same national portion as the salesperson exam, but the Delaware law portion addresses broker-level legal responsibilities, office management, and supervisory duties. Reciprocity applicants who hold an active broker license in another jurisdiction need to pass only the Delaware law portion. Appointments may be scheduled up to one calendar day before the desired test date, subject to availability.

How to apply for a Delaware broker license

You submit your broker license application through DELPROS, Delaware's online licensing system, including your course certificate, transaction listing, license verifications, and required fees. Once you start an application in DELPROS, you have six months to submit it.

The application fees differ by tier, per the Delaware Real Estate Commission fee schedule^[6]:

All fees are non-refundable and payable by credit or debit card only; no cash, checks, or money orders are accepted. A Broker applicant for a new Delaware office must also pay $192 for a Main Office permit.

All applicants must have a State or Jurisdiction License Verification sent directly to the Board office from each state or jurisdiction where they have ever held a license. The Commission meets the second Thursday of each month and may need to review and approve applications at that meeting, which can add processing time.

Broker, agent, and real estate agent: what the terms mean in Delaware

Delaware's licensing framework uses specific terms that differ from everyday language. The state issues three license types, and "REALTOR®" is a separate membership designation available to any licensee.

In Delaware practice, a salesperson cannot operate independently and must be sponsored by a broker. An associate broker has completed broker-level education and passed the broker exam but also works under a broker of record rather than managing an office. Only a Broker can own and operate a brokerage, hire agents, and serve as the broker of record. Joining NAR to become a REALTOR® is voluntary and separate from state licensing; it requires adherence to NAR's Code of Ethics and payment of annual dues but does not change a licensee's state license type or authority.

Career outlook for Delaware real estate brokers

Real estate brokers nationally earned a median annual wage of $72,280 in May 2024, compared to $56,320 for sales agents, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics^[7]. The BLS projects 3% job growth for brokers and sales agents through 2034, matching the average across all occupations, with about 46,300 openings projected each year.

Brokers are licensed to manage their own businesses, while sales agents must work with a broker. About 54% of brokers and sales agents are self-employed. Delaware brokers who open their own brokerage take on supervisory responsibility for the agents they employ, including liability for their agents' real estate activities.

Most states require an average of two years of active sales experience before qualifying for a broker license, according to NAR Magazine^[8]. Delaware's five-year requirement places it among the more demanding states nationally. Brokers starting a new brokerage should plan for limited income during the first year, as building a client base and recruiting agents takes time.

To begin the process, verify your active licensure period meets the five-year requirement, enroll in a broker pre-licensing course from an approved Delaware provider, and use Pearson VUE's Candidate Handbook to prepare for the broker exam. After passing both portions, submit your application through DELPROS with the required documentation and fees.