First class property investment and Delaware real estate pre-licensing courses

Delaware requires 99 hours of pre-licensing education from a state-approved provider before you can register for the salesperson licensing exam. Whether your interest is first class property investment or residential home sales, the course builds foundational knowledge in real estate principles, law, and mathematics. You must pass a course final exam to earn the completion certificate that qualifies you for the Pearson VUE state exam.

What the Delaware pre-licensing course covers

The Delaware Real Estate Commission sets uniform education standards for salesperson applicants. Every approved course meets the same credit-hour requirement, as listed on the DPR's approved course details document^[1].

Upon finishing the course, you receive a completion certificate. The DPR salesperson licensure page^[2] requires exam applicants to submit a copy of this certificate when registering for the state licensing exam.

Delaware pre-licensing course syllabus breakdown

The pre-licensing course divides into four subject areas. While the Delaware Real Estate Commission sets the total hour requirement and the subject matter, individual providers may allocate hours differently.

Real estate sales and principles

The sales and principles section covers real property characteristics, property valuation and appraisal methods, contracts and agency relationships, financing and transaction settlement, and leases and property management. You also study the duties and powers of the Delaware Real Estate Commission, which operates under 24 Del. C., Chapter 29^[3] to regulate real estate practice in the state.

Real estate law

The law section addresses Delaware's licensing requirements and the statutory rules that govern licensee activities. Topics include agent obligations to clients and customers, agency disclosure requirements, fair housing law, and the Delaware statutes regulating real estate transactions.

Real estate mathematics

The mathematics section covers the calculations agents use in practice: property management computations, loan financing costs, investment analysis, property valuation, settlement and closing costs, property area calculations, and commission. Some providers offer a math challenge exam on the first night of class; a passing score can exempt you from the math final.

Online and in-person course delivery options

Delaware allows you to complete the pre-licensing course in a classroom or through an online real estate course. The DPR's approved provider list^[4] includes both formats.

The Delaware Real Estate Commission requires all students to spend a minimum amount of seat time engaged in course content, whether studying online or in a classroom. Online platforms track this requirement automatically.

In-person and live virtual classes are also available. Tri-State Real Estate Learning Center offers a live Zoom course meeting Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings from 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., with completion in 8 weeks. Students must join via computer with a camera and remain on camera at all times. Delaware Tech offers its program at the Georgetown campus with three distinct sections covering principles, law, and math.

Approved pre-licensing course providers in Delaware

Delaware's Professional Regulation division publishes a directory of approximately 16 approved course providers^[4]. When comparing options, look for a real estate school whose schedule and format match your availability. The directory includes:

• CE Shop (online)
• Central Delaware Real Estate Academy
• Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage School
• Delaware School of Real Estate (Hockessin)
• Delaware Tech Owens Campus (Georgetown)
• Frederick Academy of Real Estate
• Hope Realty Institute of Delaware
• Kent County Real Estate School
• Long & Foster Institute of Real Estate (Rehoboth, Bethany Beach, Pike Creek, Greenville, Wilmington)
• New Castle County Board of REALTORS®
• Omega Real Estate School
• Premier School of Real Estate
• Real Estate Institute of Delaware
• Sussex County Association of REALTORS®
• Tri-State Real Estate Learning Center
• Weichert Real Estate School

Course pricing depends on the provider and delivery format you choose.

Some providers allow you to spread the cost over time.

Students sometimes look for no-cost alternatives.

Course completion requirements

To earn your completion certificate, you must pass the course final exam at a minimum score set by your provider, typically around 80%. There is no limit on retakes; you may take the final exam as many times as needed to reach the passing score. Some providers offer an optional math pretest, and a passing score can exempt you from the mathematics section.

Your completion certificate is valid for one year from the date you finish the course. According to the Sussex County Association of REALTORS®^[5], you must pass the state exam and apply for your license within that one-year window. If you do not pass the exam within three retake attempts, you must repeat the entire pre-licensing course before testing again.

Next steps after course completion

With your completion certificate, you register with Pearson VUE^[6] to take the Delaware salesperson licensing exam. The exam covers national real estate topics and Delaware-specific law, and you must pass both portions to qualify for a license.

Practice materials are available as you prepare for test day.

After passing the exam, you submit your license application through DELPROS, the Delaware Professional Regulation Online Service. The DPR salesperson licensure page^[2] states that applicants have 6 months to submit the application once begun. New licensees must also complete 12 hours of new salesperson modules within 90 days of license issuance, a post-licensing requirement separate from the pre-licensing course and from the continuing education required for license renewal.

The 33-hour law course for reciprocity applicants

Applicants who hold a real estate license in another jurisdiction may qualify for a reduced education requirement. Instead of the full course, reciprocity applicants complete a 33-hour Delaware real estate law course from an approved provider. The DPR salesperson licensure page^[2] states that reciprocity applicants may submit a certificate from another jurisdiction's pre-licensing salesperson course of at least 99 hours.

The 33-hour law course focuses on Delaware-specific statutes, licensing requirements, and regulatory rules that differ from the applicant's home state. The DPR's approved course details^[1] confirm that providers offer this shorter course separately.

To begin your licensing journey, review the DPR's approved provider list^[4], compare course formats and schedules, and enroll in the full pre-licensing course — or the 33-hour law course if you qualify for reciprocity.