Real Estate License Requirements by State
Compare education hours, exam requirements, fees, and renewal information across all 50 states. Find the requirements for your state.
80 hrs
Avg. Pre-License Education
$173
Avg. Total Fees
20 hrs
Avg. CE per Renewal
| State | Pre-License | Exam | Fees | Renewal | CE Hours | Reciprocity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Alabama(AL) | 60 hrs+30 post | 140Q70% pass | $210 | 2 yrs | 15 hrs | Full |
Alaska(AK) | 40 hrs | 116Q75% pass | $175 | 2 yrs | 20 hrs | Limited |
Arizona(AZ) | 90 hrs | 180Q75% pass | $110 | 2 yrs | 24 hrs | Full |
Arkansas(AR) | 60 hrs+30 post | 130Q70% pass | $130 | 2 yrs | 14 hrs | Limited |
California(CA) | 135 hrs | 150Q70% pass | $305 | 4 yrs | 45 hrs | None |
Colorado(CO) | 168 hrs | 154Q75% pass | $485 | 3 yrs | 24 hrs | Full |
Connecticut(CT) | 60 hrs | 110Q70% pass | $355 | 2 yrs | 12 hrs | Limited |
Delaware(DE) | 99 hrs | 110Q75% pass | $186 | 2 yrs | 21 hrs | Limited |
Florida(FL) | 63 hrs+45 post | 100Q75% pass | $115 | 2 yrs | 14 hrs | Full |
Georgia(GA) | 75 hrs+25 post | 152Q72% pass | $170 | 4 yrs | 36 hrs | Full |
Hawaii(HI) | 60 hrs | 80Q70% pass | $105 | 2 yrs | 20 hrs | None |
Idaho(ID) | 90 hrs | 120Q70% pass | $120 | 2 yrs | 16 hrs | Full |
Illinois(IL) | 75 hrs+30 post | 140Q75% pass | $225 | 2 yrs | 12 hrs | Limited |
Indiana(IN) | 90 hrs+30 post | 115Q75% pass | $100 | 3 yrs | 36 hrs | Full |
Iowa(IA) | 60 hrs+12 post | 120Q70% pass | $125 | 3 yrs | 36 hrs | Limited |
Kansas(KS) | 60 hrs+30 post | 100Q70% pass | $90 | 2 yrs | 12 hrs | Full |
Kentucky(KY) | 96 hrs+48 post | 130Q75% pass | $160 | 2 yrs | 12 hrs | Limited |
Louisiana(LA) | 90 hrs+45 post | 150Q70% pass | $90 | 1 yr | 12 hrs | Limited |
Maine(ME) | 55 hrs | 120Q70% pass | $121 | 2 yrs | 21 hrs | Limited |
Maryland(MD) | 60 hrs | 110Q75% pass | $155 | 2 yrs | 15 hrs | Full |
Massachusetts(MA) | 40 hrs | 120Q70% pass | $253 | 2 yrs | 12 hrs | Limited |
Michigan(MI) | 40 hrs | 115Q70% pass | $88 | 3 yrs | 18 hrs | Full |
Minnesota(MN) | 90 hrs+30 post | 120Q75% pass | $111 | 2 yrs | 30 hrs | Limited |
Mississippi(MS) | 60 hrs+30 post | 110Q70% pass | $100 | 2 yrs | 16 hrs | Full |
Missouri(MO) | 72 hrs+24 post | 140Q70% pass | $110 | 2 yrs | 12 hrs | Full |
Montana(MT) | 60 hrs | 120Q80% pass | $150 | 2 yrs | 24 hrs | Full |
Nebraska(NE) | 66 hrs | 120Q75% pass | $135 | 2 yrs | 18 hrs | Full |
Nevada(NV) | 90 hrs+30 post | 120Q75% pass | $270 | 2 yrs | 24 hrs | Limited |
New Hampshire(NH) | 40 hrs | 115Q70% pass | $225 | 2 yrs | 15 hrs | Limited |
New Jersey(NJ) | 75 hrs | 110Q70% pass | $160 | 2 yrs | 12 hrs | Limited |
New Mexico(NM) | 90 hrs | 130Q75% pass | $250 | 3 yrs | 36 hrs | Full |
New York(NY) | 77 hrs | 75Q70% pass | $110 | 2 yrs | 22.5 hrs | Limited |
North Carolina(NC) | 75 hrs+90 post | 140Q75% pass | $110 | 2 yrs | 8 hrs | Limited |
North Dakota(ND) | 90 hrs | 125Q75% pass | $215 | 2 yrs | 18 hrs | Full |
Ohio(OH) | 120 hrs+20 post | 120Q70% pass | $81 | 3 yrs | 30 hrs | Full |
Oklahoma(OK) | 90 hrs+45 post | 130Q70% pass | $150 | 3 yrs | 21 hrs | Full |
Oregon(OR) | 150 hrs | 130Q75% pass | $305 | 2 yrs | 30 hrs | Limited |
Pennsylvania(PA) | 75 hrs | 110Q77% pass | $97 | 2 yrs | 14 hrs | Limited |
Rhode Island(RI) | 45 hrs | 80Q70% pass | $200 | 2 yrs | 24 hrs | Limited |
South Carolina(SC) | 90 hrs+30 post | 120Q70% pass | $75 | 2 yrs | 10 hrs | Full |
South Dakota(SD) | 116 hrs | 150Q70% pass | $225 | 2 yrs | 24 hrs | Full |
Tennessee(TN) | 60 hrs | 130Q70% pass | $141 | 2 yrs | 16 hrs | Full |
Texas(TX) | 180 hrs+98 post | 125Q70% pass | $205 | 2 yrs | 18 hrs | None |
Utah(UT) | 120 hrs | 130Q70% pass | $152 | 2 yrs | 18 hrs | Full |
Vermont(VT) | 40 hrs | 80Q70% pass | $150 | 2 yrs | 16 hrs | Limited |
Virginia(VA) | 60 hrs+30 post | 120Q70% pass | $235 | 2 yrs | 16 hrs | Full |
Washington(WA) | 90 hrs+90 post | 130Q70% pass | $223 | 2 yrs | 30 hrs | Limited |
West Virginia(WV) | 90 hrs | 100Q70% pass | $175 | 2 yrs | 14 hrs | Full |
Wisconsin(WI) | 72 hrs | 100Q75% pass | $75 | 2 yrs | 18 hrs | Limited |
Wyoming(WY) | 54 hrs | 100Q70% pass | $350 | 2 yrs | 18 hrs | Full |
* Data is for reference only. Requirements change frequently. Always verify with your state's real estate commission.
Understanding the Data
Pre-License Education
Hours of approved coursework required before taking the exam. Some states require additional post-license education within the first renewal period.
Reciprocity
Full: License transfer with minimal requirements.
Limited: Partial recognition, may need additional courses.
None: Must meet full state requirements.
How It Works
Browse All States
View comprehensive licensing requirements for all 50 US states in one searchable, sortable table.
Compare Requirements
Sort by education hours, fees, or reciprocity to find states that match your preferences and timeline.
Start Preparing
Click on any state to access practice questions, study guides, and exam prep resources for that state.
Frequently Asked Questions
Complete Guide to Real Estate License Requirements
Understanding real estate license requirements is the first step toward launching your career as a real estate agent or broker. Each state has unique requirements for pre-license education, exam format, fees, and continuing education. Our comprehensive comparison tool helps you navigate these differences and plan your path to licensure.
Pre-License Education: What You Need to Know
Pre-license education hours vary dramatically across states. Texas requires the most with 180 hours, while Kansas requires only 30 hours. Most states fall in the 60-90 hour range. These courses cover essential topics including real estate law, contracts, financing, property ownership, and agency relationships. Online and in-person options are available in most states.
Understanding Reciprocity for Multi-State Agents
If you plan to work across state lines, reciprocity is an important factor. States with full reciprocity allow easy license transfer, often requiring only your current license and a passing score on the state-specific portion of the exam. Limited reciprocity states may require additional coursework. Some states like California, Texas, and Hawaii have no reciprocity agreements.
Planning for Costs and Renewal
Beyond initial education costs, factor in application fees, exam fees, and license fees which can total $200-$500 depending on your state. You'll also need to budget for continuing education and renewal fees every 1-4 years. Many agents find the investment worthwhile given the earning potential in real estate, with median commissions often exceeding education costs within the first few transactions.
Start Preparing for Your Exam
Practice with state-specific exam questions and pass on your first try.
Start PracticingMore Exam Prep Resources
Study resources and tools to help you pass your real estate licensing exam