How Long Does It Take To Become a Real Estate Agent?
Whether you've always thought about being a real estate agent or you’re thinking of switching careers, one of the first things you probably want to know is how long it actually takes to get started. The good news? Becoming a real estate agent is often quicker than people expect. With the right steps and a little planning, you could be licensed and ready to launch your new career in just a few months. In this post, we’ll walk you through the timeline, from coursework to exam to joining a brokerage, so you know exactly what to expect.
The Steps for Earning an Active Real Estate License
There are a few common steps to becoming a real estate agent. Every state has its own real estate licensing requirements, and the steps of the process vary in order.
- Real Estate Education: All states require real estate education for active licenses, preparing students for careers and exam questions. Most states allow online pre-license courses, while some require traditional classroom education. Choose a reputable training provider authorized by your state's board.
- Licensing Exam: Each state has a licensing exam that tests your knowledge of general real estate principles and your state’s rules and regulations. These tests typically occur at a third-party testing center on a computer, and you get an immediate score report.
- Background Check: All states require a fingerprint-based background check before you can become a real estate agent.
- License Application: Each state requires filing an application to the real estate board, either as the first or final step. It's important to follow your state's procedures and pay the required fee.
- Sponsoring Broker: New real estate licensees must be supervised by an experienced professional before activating their license. Some states require this step before applying, while others allow inactive licenses for flexibility. Completing this step is optional.
- Errors & Omissions Insurance: Most states require you to submit proof of errors & omissions (E&O) insurance before you can be issued an active license.
Time for Exam Preparation
The importance of your real estate exam cannot be stressed enough. You want to devote an adequate amount of time to studying, passing your exam, and completing the real estate license application. Passing your exam and completing the licensure application may take some time, but you can expect to begin your career in just a few months. But this time frame can always vary depending on you and your state.
One of the major benefits of online real estate courses is that you can complete your studies at your own pace. You expect them to conclude faster than in typical classes. Some people can finish real estate school in just a few weeks if they put in the time and effort.
After finishing your real estate course, whether online or in person, the next step is to begin studying for the real estate exam. The amount of time it takes you to study may have a big impact on how long it takes you to get your license. There was a recent poll done with agents that reported it took them between two weeks and a month to review the course material before feeling confident enough to pass the exam.
We recommend setting aside two months in advance for preparing for a real estate exam at least two months. This is for efficient time management and allows you to thoroughly study each subject. This schedule also allows for flexibility to adjust to unexpected events, such as illness, without disrupting the study schedule.
Retaking the Exam After a Failure
It's only natural to be afraid of failing. This is true from anything from your driver's ed test to your real estate exam. The good news is that most states permit you to retake the real estate exam after a brief waiting period if you fail it. However, you will have to pay an extra cost, and there may be a certain number of attempts you can have before you're required to retake training courses.
There is nothing wrong with taking your exam more than once. No client will ever request your exam results prior to signing a house contract. The process of retaking the exam is quite easy. A real estate test manual is published by most states. A copy is available online. You will find information on how to reschedule an exam in the manual.
You may even be able to retake the exam as soon as 48 hours later, depending on whether you are taking your exam online or in person. While you will have to pay to retake the exam, certain states provide a discounted charge.
Retaking the real estate license exam isn't too difficult. However, you should always learn from your mistakes and increase your study time and familiarity with state regulations. It is time to redouble your efforts.
It may not be in your best interest to sign up for the next available test; in fact, we would advise against it. Instead, take a few weeks to thoroughly review your course contents and consider purchasing a test book or practice exam.
You must not waste your second chance because it may be your only one. Many states impose restrictions on retaking the exam. For example, in West Virginia, you only have two chances to pass the exam before you must retake the pre-licensing courses and pay the costs again. Make sure you are familiar with your specific state requirements.
If you fail more than once, these requirements can quickly add to the time and money you spend being licensed. Take your time to prepare for retaking the exam. Then, you can come back better and more prepared than ever.
What Factors Affect How Long It Takes to Become a Real Estate Agent?
The best anyone can do is give a very rough estimate to this question because the answer will depend on many state-level and individual factors.
Your Available Time and Focus
One of the biggest x-factors in how long it will take to earn your real estate license is how much of your time and focus you can apply.
Obviously, the real estate licensing process will go faster for someone who can devote most of their time and attention to becoming an agent. However, not many of us have this luxury.
If you have competing priorities, whether that’s work, kids, or some other responsibility, your results will vary based not only on how many hours per week you can devote to studying but also on how flexible your availability is for fingerprinting and exam appointments.
Your Test-taking Ability
Real estate licensing exams are proctored, standardized multiple-choice tests, and not everyone thrives in that scenario. Some candidates can study for a week and pass on the first try, while others will need multiple attempts and/or weeks of preparation and practice tests.
Your State’s Real Estate Education Requirements
The amount of time you spend on your pre-license courses will vary depending on the state's rules. Some states require 40 hours, while others require 180 hours. Additionally, some states limit the speed at which students can complete these courses, which can slow down even the most enthusiastic students.
Whether You Do Online vs Traditional Education
One key factor that affects how long it takes to become a real estate agent is the type of pre-licensing education you choose. Online courses like those offered by Agent Campus offer the flexibility to move at your own pace, which is ideal for those balancing work, family, or other commitments. On the other hand, traditional in-person classes follow a set schedule, which may slow down the process but can offer more structure and face-to-face interaction with instructors. The right option depends on your learning style, availability, and how quickly you want to get licensed.
Your State’s Process and Processing Times
Some states are more efficient at processing real estate license applications than others. Some states have longer wait times for the same volume of applications, and some have fewer applications to process in the first place. Time of year also matters since some times of year are busier than others.
Additionally, some states have a more efficient order of operations. If your state lets you submit your application before starting coursework, your bureaucratic wait is concurrent with your education, saving time. In contrast, in other states, you submit after completing coursework and passing exams, leaving you to wait while the application is processed.
Your Background Check
Several things can affect how long it takes for your background check to come through. Applying from in-state is often a faster digital process these days, but out-of-state applications and states that don’t offer digital fingerprinting may require a longer process.
Any blemishes on your professional or legal record can also delay (or prevent) your application’s approval.
Your Ability to Get a Sponsoring Broker
The time for this step will vary by individual. If you already have contacts in the industry, this may be a non-issue. If you’re starting from scratch, it can be more of a challenge. Different brokerages offer different pay structures and perks, so it’s also not a decision you want to make hastily.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Real Estate Agent in Certain States?
Texas
Texas requires 180 hours of pre-license education, which means that it’ll take a little over a month if you’re treating it as a full-time job. Even if you’re a study-holic, the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) has rules that prevent you from studying more than 12 hours a day, which means you can’t complete your coursework in less than 15 days.
TREC allows you to submit your license application either before or after you take your licensing exam. The most efficient option is to submit your application as soon as you’re done with the pre-license courses. This way, you can study for your exam, and even pass it, while TREC processes your application. That said, TREC’s processing times are quite fast, just 3 to 5 days, so the order won’t make an enormous difference.
If you take a comfortable 6 weeks for full-time pre-license coursework, two weeks of exam prep, and two weeks for filling out, submitting, and hearing back on your application, this means it’s possible to get your Texas real estate license in roughly three months.
However, given the heavy course load required by TREC, most people will take longer. Six months is probably a more reasonable goal.
California
California requires 135 hours of pre-license coursework in three courses, and the California Department of Real Estate (DRE) requires you to spend at least 2.5 weeks per course. This means your coursework will take a minimum of 7.5 weeks.
Next, you’ll submit your Exam Application to the DRE. Processing times vary, but the DRE takes 6-8 weeks on average, and you can typically take your test within a week of an approved application.
This means the minimum time for licensing in California is 15 weeks, or just shy of four months.
Florida
Florida allows you to submit your Exam Application before you even begin your coursework, and the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) is required to approve or deny your application within 90 days of submission. Often, they’ll get back to you in 4 to 6 weeks.
Since Florida only requires 63 hours of pre-license coursework, you can easily complete your coursework as a full-time student while your application is processed.
Assuming you pass your real estate exam on the first try shortly after your application is returned, it’s not unreasonable to say you can earn your Florida real estate license within 12 weeks or just three months.
Other States
In most states, you can earn your real estate license within three to six months if you’re able to dedicate yourself to the process full-time. Making certain choices, like taking your pre-license courses online and submitting your application as early in the process as possible, can shorten the time.
In a few states, like Massachusetts, it’s theoretically possible to get your license in 6 or 7 weeks as long as everything breaks your way.
Many applicants do take longer. In most cases, you can expect to earn your license within a year.
Start Your Real Estate Journey Today
To get licensed as a real estate agent, you need to plan ahead and be dedicated to meeting the educational and licensing standards. As you embark on this exciting journey, consider the flexibility and convenience offered by Agent Campus® by 360training’s online pre-license courses. Our comprehensive courses allow you to tailor your study schedule to fit your lifestyle. Invest in your education and enroll today to get started!
