How to Become a Real Estate Agent

A real estate agent is a licensed professional who represents buyers, sellers, or both in real estate transactions. Becoming one requires completing state-approved education, passing a licensing exam, applying for your license, and affiliating with a sponsoring broker. Most states also require ongoing continuing education to keep your license active.

This guide walks you through each step of the process, including pre-licensing courses, state-specific resources, and is built on 360training's experience as a trusted real estate education provider across the United States.

Step 1: Understand Your State's Real Estate License Requirements

Real estate licensing is regulated at the state level, meaning requirements vary depending on where you plan to practice. Most states share a common set of minimum standards, including:

• Minimum age requirement (typically 18 or 19)
• High school diploma or equivalent
• Completion of state-approved pre-licensing education
• A background check and/or fingerprinting
• Passing a state licensing exam
• Affiliation with a sponsoring broker

Understanding your state's specific rules is the essential first step in learning how to become a real estate agent. You should also be prepared for upfront costs, including education, exam fees, application fees, and background check fees, before you earn your first commission.

Every state has its own licensing authority that sets and enforces these rules. To review the requirements where you plan to practice, visit the real estate requirements in your state directory at the bottom of this page.

Step 2: Complete the Required Pre-Licensing Education

Before you can sit for your licensing exam, you must complete a state-approved pre-licensing education program. Required hours vary significantly by state, ranging from as few as 40 hours to as many as 180, so always verify your state's current requirements with its real estate licensing authority before enrolling.

Pre-licensing coursework typically covers:

• Real estate law and contracts
• Ethics and agency relationships
• Real estate finance and appraisal
• Property ownership and land use
• State-specific regulations and rules

Completing this education is what makes candidates eligible to move forward in the process of how to get a real estate license. You can pursue this coursework either online or in person. Online options, like those offered through our real estate license programs, allow you to study at your own pace and on your own schedule, which is especially valuable for those balancing work or family commitments. In-person courses follow a fixed schedule and may suit learners who prefer face-to-face instruction.

Step 3: Schedule and Pass the Real Estate Licensing Exam

Once you have completed your pre-licensing education and met your state's eligibility requirements, you can schedule your real estate licensing exam. Do not attempt to schedule before confirming you have satisfied all prerequisites; most states require proof of completed coursework before granting exam eligibility.

Here is what to expect from the exam process:

• Registration: Exams are typically administered through a state-approved third-party testing provider. You will register through that provider's website or your state's licensing authority portal.
• Exam structure: Most state licensing exams include two portions; a national section covering general real estate principles and a state-specific section covering local laws and regulations.
• Passing scores: Required passing scores vary by state. Check your state's licensing authority for the current threshold.
• Retake policies: If you do not pass on your first attempt, most states allow retakes after a waiting period, though fees apply and some states limit the number of attempts before requiring additional coursework.
• Background checks: Some states tie fingerprinting or background check completion to exam eligibility. If your state requires this, complete it early to avoid delays.

Step 4: Apply for Your Real Estate License

Passing the licensing exam is a major milestone, but it does not automatically make you a licensed agent. After passing, you must formally apply for your real estate license through your state's licensing authority. This is the step that completes the legal process of how to become a licensed real estate agent.

The application process typically involves:

• Submitting a completed application form to your state's real estate commission or licensing board
• Providing documentation such as exam results, proof of pre-licensing education, and background check clearance
• Paying a state application fee, which varies by state
• Waiting for processing, which can range from a few days to several weeks depending on the state

Once your application is approved, your state will issue your real estate license. In most cases you will receive confirmation electronically, though some states still mail physical license documents. Keep a copy of your license accessible. You will need it when affiliating with a broker.

Step 5: Find a Sponsoring Broker

In most states, a newly licensed real estate agent cannot practice independently. You must work under a licensed sponsoring broker, and in many states your license cannot be activated until that affiliation is in place.

When evaluating brokerages, consider the following:

• Training and mentorship: Does the brokerage offer onboarding support, mentorship programs, or structured training for new agents?
• Commission splits: Understand exactly how commissions are divided between you and the brokerage before signing anything.
• Culture and values: A brokerage's culture will shape your day-to-day experience. Look for an environment where you can grow.
• Brand and market presence: A well-known local brand can lend credibility while you build your own reputation.

Be cautious of brokerages that pressure you to sign quickly, offer vague answers about commission structures, or provide little support for new agents. Take your time, ask questions, and treat this decision with the same care you would any major career move. For guidance on thriving once you're affiliated, see our resource on how to be a successful real estate agent.

Step 6: Deciding to Become a REALTOR®

Holding a real estate license makes you a licensed real estate agent, but it does not automatically make you a Realtor. Becoming a Realtor is an optional professional designation, not a legal requirement. Whether it is the right choice depends on your goals, your market, and your budget.

What Is a Realtor?

A Realtor is a licensed real estate agent who is an active member of the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Members agree to uphold the NAR's Code of Ethics, which establishes standards of practice and professional conduct.

Pros of Becoming a Realtor

• Access to MLS listing databases (in most markets, MLS access is tied to NAR membership)
• Increased industry credibility and use of the Realtor brand and trademark
• Networking opportunities through local, state, and national associations
• Access to additional training resources, tools, and member benefits

What You Should Consider

• NAR membership requires payment of local, state, and national dues, which can add up to several hundred dollars per year
• Joining NAR typically also requires membership in your local and state associations
• A real estate license alone is sufficient to legally practice in most states; NAR membership is a professional choice, not a legal one

Step 7: Start Building Your Real Estate Career

Once you are licensed and affiliated with a broker, the focus shifts from getting licensed to building a practice. The early stages of a real estate career are about learning the business, establishing your presence, and generating your first clients.

Key priorities in your first months include:

• Brokerage onboarding: Complete any orientation or training your brokerage offers and get familiar with internal systems and expectations.
• Essential tools setup: Get access to the MLS, set up a CRM to manage contacts, establish a professional email, and lay the groundwork for basic marketing.
• Learn your local market: Study neighborhood trends, pricing, inventory, and recent sales in the areas where you plan to work.
• Build your sphere of influence: Let friends, family, and community contacts know you are now a licensed agent. Your first clients will most likely come from people who already know and trust you.
• Shadow senior agents: Attend open houses, assist experienced agents, and absorb as much hands-on knowledge as possible in your first transactions.
• Stay current on continuing education: Most states require agents to complete continuing education to maintain an active license. Start tracking your requirements early.

Step 8: Understand How Real Estate Agents Get Paid

Most real estate agents do not receive a salary. Instead, they earn income through a commission-based model, typically receiving a percentage of the sale price of a property at the time a transaction closes. If no transaction closes, no commission is earned.

Here is how the compensation structure generally works:

• A total commission is negotiated between the seller and their listing agent, typically ranging from 5% to 6% of the sale price
• That commission is usually split between the buyer's agent and the listing agent
• Each agent then splits their portion with their sponsoring brokerage according to their agreed commission split

Commission splits, fees, and structures vary widely between brokerages. Understanding how much a real estate agent makes is important before committing to a specific brokerage arrangement. It is also important to understand that real estate agents are typically classified as independent contractors, meaning you are responsible for your own taxes, expenses, and benefits as a self-employed real estate agent. This is a fundamental aspect of how the business operates and should be factored into your financial planning from the start.

Step 9: Explore Career Specializations

After gaining foundational experience, many real estate agents choose to specialize in a specific property type, client segment, or transaction type. Specialization typically comes after you have built confidence and a track record as a generalist.

Here is a high-level overview of the most common paths:

• Residential real estate: The most common starting point for new agents, focused on buying and selling single-family homes, condos, and smaller multi-family properties
• Commercial real estate: Involves office buildings, retail spaces, industrial properties, and investment transactions, typically more complex and higher in value
• Luxury real estate: Focuses on high-end residential properties and requires a specific skill set and network.
• Rental or leasing agent: Specializes in connecting landlords with tenants, common in urban markets with high rental demand
• Land or rural property: Involves vacant land, agricultural properties, and rural transactions, often requiring knowledge of zoning, water rights, and land use
• Property management: Some agents expand into managing rental properties on behalf of owners, handling leasing, maintenance coordination, and tenant relations

Find Your State-Specific Guide

Real estate licensing requirements vary by state, and the details matter. Education hour requirements, exam formats, application procedures, and renewal timelines all differ depending on where you plan to practice.

Use the directory below to find the licensing guide for your state.

Become a Real Estate Agent and Continue Your Education

Earning your real estate license is the beginning of your career, not the end of your education. The most successful agents are those who continue learning long after they pass their exam, and in most states, continuing education is not just a professional advantage, it is a legal requirement to maintain an active license.

Beyond the state-mandated CE requirements, ongoing learning helps you stay current with market trends, sharpen your negotiation skills, deepen your knowledge of contracts and disclosures, and grow your professional network. The real estate industry is fundamentally relationship driven. The agents who invest in both their education and their connections consistently outperform those who treat learning as a one-time event.

Agent Campus by 360training is a trusted provider of pre-licensing and continuing education courses for real estate professionals across the United States. Whether you are just starting out or looking to renew your license and expand your expertise, our courses are fully online, self-paced, and built to fit around your schedule. Explore our offerings and take the next step in building a real estate career built to last.