How to become a real estate broker in Vermont

Becoming a real estate broker in Vermont means upgrading from a salesperson license to one that allows you to work independently, supervise agents, and operate a brokerage. The Vermont Real Estate Commission requires broker applicants to complete a 40-hour broker pre-licensing course, gain at least two years of experience as a licensed salesperson with eight closed transactions, and pass both the national and state broker exams. Whether you are comparing the roles of a broker and real estate agent or ready to take the next step in your career, Vermont's broker path is built on proven experience and additional education.

What a real estate broker is in Vermont

A real estate broker in Vermont holds a license that permits independent practice, agent supervision, and trust account management, granted after meeting education, experience, and examination requirements beyond the salesperson level. The Vermont Real Estate Commission, established under 26 V.S.A. Chapter 41^[1], regulates both broker and salesperson licensing. The Commission includes seven members: three brokers, one salesperson, one attorney, and two public members, according to the Vermont Office of Professional Regulation (OPR) administrative rules^[2].

REALTOR® status is a professional designation separate from state licensing. Vermont has more than 2,000 REALTOR® members through the Vermont Association of REALTORS® (Vermont REALTORS®^[3]).

Requirements to become a Vermont real estate broker

Vermont broker licensure builds on an active salesperson license and adds education, experience, and examination requirements established by the Vermont Real Estate Commission. The governing rules appear in Rule 2-5 of the OPR administrative rules^[2] and the Vermont OPR salesperson and broker FAQs^[4].

The sections below detail each requirement, including the experience verification process, course specifics, exam structure, and application steps.

Meeting the experience and transaction requirements

Vermont requires broker applicants to have at least two years of experience as a licensed salesperson, including at least eight separate and unrelated closed transactions among buyers and sellers who bear no familial or contemporaneous business relationship to the applicant (Vermont OPR administrative rules, Rule 2-5^[2]). This requirement ensures that broker candidates have practical, arms-length transaction experience before taking on the responsibilities of a broker license.

The eight transactions are documented on the Verification of Salesperson Experience form, which must be signed and dated by the applicant's supervising broker (Vermont OPR application instructions^[5]). This form is submitted as part of the broker license application.

The Commission may waive the experience requirement for brokers licensed in another jurisdiction whose requirements are substantially equal to Vermont's. All applicants must still complete the Vermont state examination (Vermont OPR administrative rules, Rule 2-5^[2]).

Completing the 40-hour broker pre-licensing course

The broker pre-licensing course is a Commission-approved program defined by Rule 1-8(c) of the Vermont OPR administrative rules^[2] as "a course of instruction to become a broker, at least 40 hours long, approved by the Commission." The course completion certificate must be uploaded with the broker license application (Vermont OPR application instructions^[5]).

The Vermont OPR forms and instructions page^[6] lists approved providers and course offerings.

Passing the Vermont broker exam

The Vermont broker exam consists of a national component delivered through PSI and a state component completed within the online application. The national exam costs $110 per attempt and requires a 75% passing score (PSI Vermont Real Estate Examination Bulletin^[7]). The state exam has no separate fee and is taken within the OPR application system (Vermont OPR salesperson and broker FAQs^[4]).

As of October 1, 2023, the broker exam format changed from simulation to multiple-choice (Vermont OPR forms and instructions^[6]). No Vermont regulatory source or PSI publishes the total question count or time limit for the broker exam. Candidates should consult the PSI candidate bulletin for current format details.

Both components must be passed within two years preceding the application date (Vermont OPR application instructions^[5]). A candidate who fails one part may retake that part within the next six months. After six months or two failures, the candidate must retake the full exam (Vermont OPR administrative rules, Rule 2-7^[2]).

Applying for your Vermont broker license

The broker license application is submitted through the Vermont OPR Online Services System with a non-refundable $100 application fee. Required documents include the broker pre-licensing course completion certificate, proof of passing the national broker exam, a Verification of Employment/Supervision form, a Verification of Salesperson Experience form, and the state exam, which is completed within the application (Vermont OPR application instructions^[5]).

Application processing takes 3 to 5 business days (Vermont OPR salesperson and broker FAQs^[4]). Brokers must be affiliated with a Vermont licensed office. If the broker intends to operate independently, a separate Brokerage Firm application must also be submitted.

Fast-Track Endorsement for out-of-state brokers

Vermont offers a Fast-Track Endorsement pathway for licensees actively licensed in good standing in another U.S. jurisdiction for three or more years with continuous practice. Endorsement applicants must still complete the Vermont state examination (Vermont OPR application instructions^[5]; Vermont OPR salesperson and broker FAQs^[4]). The Commission may waive all or part of the national exam and the experience requirement for brokers from jurisdictions with substantially equal requirements (Vermont OPR administrative rules, Rule 2-5^[2]).

Certain states are not considered equivalent to Vermont for waiver purposes:

(Vermont OPR salesperson and broker FAQs^[4])

Opening your own brokerage in Vermont

A broker who intends to operate independently must submit a Brokerage Firm application in addition to the broker license application. The application fee for a brokerage firm main office or branch office is $200, and the renewal fee is $400 (Vermont OPR fee schedule^[8]). Brokerage firms renew on the same biennial cycle as individual brokers.

A broker working under another broker does not need to file a separate firm application. Vermont rules require each licensee to affiliate with one registered brokerage firm and practice under a principal broker's supervision (Vermont OPR administrative rules^[2]).

Continuing education and renewal for Vermont brokers

Vermont broker licenses renew on a biennial cycle ending March 31 of even years, with a renewal fee of $220 (Vermont OPR fee schedule^[8]). Renewal applications open approximately six weeks before the expiration date through the OPR Online Services System (Vermont OPR broker renewal instructions^[9]).

The Vermont Energy Goals module is a separate, non-credit renewal requirement completed within the OPR online renewal system, not a CE course (Vermont OPR broker renewal instructions^[9]). New brokers renewing for the first time are exempt from the CE requirement for their first renewal cycle. The mandatory course for the 2024-2026 renewal cycle covers disciplinary actions, rule changes, legislation, Vermont Supreme Court decisions, and practice topics including Act 250 amendments and short-term rental regulations (Vermont OPR mandatory course outline^[10]).

Career outlook for Vermont real estate brokers

Real estate brokers earned a median annual wage of $72,280 in May 2024, compared to $56,320 for sales agents, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)^[11]. About 54% of brokers are self-employed, and the BLS projects 3% job growth for real estate brokers and sales agents from 2024 to 2034, with approximately 46,300 openings annually.

Nationally, the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) had approximately 1.4 million members as of 2025, with 22% identified as brokers and 16% as broker associates (NAR Magazine^[12]). Most states require at least two years of sales agent experience for broker licensure, according to the BLS^[11].

Next steps after obtaining your broker license

After receiving your broker license, decide whether to work under an established brokerage or operate independently. If you plan to open your own firm, submit a Brokerage Firm application through the OPR Online Services System. If you plan to work under another broker, ensure your affiliation is documented through the Verification of Employment/Supervision form. Track your continuing education hours from the start so you meet the renewal requirement before your first renewal deadline.