How to Get a Real Estate License - State-by-State Guide (2026)

Real Estate Licensing · 2026

Get Your Real Estate License — State by State

Getting licensed follows a broadly similar path in most states — but the course hours, exam, fees, and eligibility rules vary, so always check your own state’s individual requirements. Compare every state we serve below and start the approved course that gets you there.

Compare by State →

Becoming a licensed real estate agent is more straightforward than most people think — in most states you can finish in just a few months, entirely online. The general path is similar across states — meet the basic eligibility rules, complete your state’s required pre-license course, pass the licensing exam, submit your application and background check, and activate your license with a sponsoring broker — but the specifics are not identical everywhere. Course hours, the exam, fees, and eligibility rules all vary by state, so always confirm your own state’s individual requirements before you begin.

This guide breaks down in each state we serve — with the hours, regulator, exam, and timeline for each — and links you to both the state-approved course and the full state-specific guide so you can check the exact requirements where you live. For national pay and job-outlook data, see the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The Path

New to real estate? Before you dive into the license requirements, see the bigger picture in our guide to starting a real estate career — the steps, timelines, and what the job actually involves. Already licensed and just need to renew? See our real estate license renewal guide.

Advancing your real estate career? See our guides: How to Become a Real Estate Broker and How to Become a Property Manager — requirements, courses, and income by state.

Quick answer

To get a real estate license: (1) choose your state, (2) complete the required pre-license education (hours vary — e.g. 63 in Florida, 77 in New York, 135 in California, 180 in Texas), (3) pass the state licensing exam, (4) clear a background check, and (5) activate your license with a sponsoring broker. Most candidates are licensed within a few weeks to a few months.

The 5 Steps to Getting Your Real Estate License

Most states follow a similar five-step path — though the details (hours, exam, fees, and eligibility) differ, so check your state’s specific requirements as you go. Here’s what each step involves:

Check that you’re eligible. Most states require you to be at least 18 (19 in a few) with a high-school diploma or equivalent. No college degree is needed.
Complete your state’s pre-license course. This is the big one — required hours vary from 60 to 180 by state (see the table). Every course we link is state-approved and 100% online.
Pass the licensing exam. You’ll sit a national portion and a state-specific portion; good exam prep makes the difference.
Submit your application and background check. Fingerprints and fees go through your state regulator (DBPR, TREC, DPOR, NY DOS, MREC, or DRE).
Activate with a sponsoring broker. Your new license must “hang” with a broker before you can start working — then you’re in business.

Compare by State

How to Get a Real Estate License by State (2026)

Here’s how the requirements compare across the states we serve — with the official regulator, the exam, and the course that starts you off. Regulator and exam links open the official state source.

State	Course hours	Regulator	Exam	Read the guide	Start your course
Florida	63 hours	FREC / DBPR	Pearson VUE	Florida guide	Start course →
Texas	180 hours	TREC	Pearson VUE	Texas guide	Start course →
Virginia	60 hours	DPOR	PSI	Virginia guide	Start course →
New York	77 hours	NY DOS	State-administered	New York guide	Start course →
Maryland	60 hours	MREC	PSI	Maryland guide	Course coming soon
California	135 hours	DRE	PSI	California guide	Course coming soon

State by State

How to Get Licensed in Your State

Florida

Florida requires a 63 hours FREC / DBPR-approved pre-license course, then the Pearson VUE state exam; most students finish in about 2-4 months. Read the full walkthrough in our how to get a Florida real estate license guide. Then enrol in the 63-Hour Sales Associate Pre-License course to get started. Curious what it pays? See real estate agent salaries by state.

Texas

Texas requires a 180 hours TREC-approved pre-license course, then the Pearson VUE state exam; most students finish in about 4-6 months. Read the full walkthrough in our how to get a Texas real estate license guide. Then enrol in the 180-Hour Sales Agent course to get started. Curious what it pays? See real estate agent salaries by state.

Virginia

Virginia requires a 60 hours DPOR-approved pre-license course, then the PSI state exam; most students finish in about 2-3 months. Read the full walkthrough in our how to get a Virginia real estate license guide. Then enrol in the 60-Hour Salesperson Pre-License course to get started. Curious what it pays? See real estate agent salaries by state.

New York

New York requires a 77 hours NY DOS-approved pre-license course, then the State-administered state exam; most students finish in about 2-4 months. Read the full walkthrough in our how to get a New York real estate license guide. Then enrol in the 77-Hour Salesperson course to get started. Curious what it pays? See real estate agent salaries by state.

Maryland

Maryland requires a 60 hours MREC-approved pre-license course, then the PSI state exam; most students finish in about 2-3 months. Read the full walkthrough in our how to get a Maryland real estate license guide. (Our Maryland pre-license course is launching soon — read the guide to check the exact requirements and plan your path in the meantime.) Curious what it pays? See real estate agent salaries by state.

California

California requires a 135 hours DRE-approved pre-license course, then the PSI state exam; most students finish in about 4-6 months. Read the full walkthrough in our how to get a California real estate license guide. (Our California pre-license course is launching soon — read the guide to check the exact requirements and plan your path in the meantime.) Curious what it pays? See real estate agent salaries by state.

Got Questions?

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get a real estate license?

Choose your state, complete the required pre-license hours, pass the state exam, clear a background check, and activate your license with a sponsoring broker.

How do I become a real estate agent?

To become a real estate agent, complete the required state pre-license course, pass the state licensing exam, and activate your license. In most states you work under a sponsoring broker. Real estate agent and real estate salesperson mean the same entry-level license, so follow the state-by-state steps above to become a licensed real estate agent in your state.

Are the requirements the same in every state?

No. The general path is similar in most states, but each state sets its own course hours, exam, fees, and eligibility rules, so the specifics are not identical. Always check your own state’s individual requirements; the comparison table and per-state guides above link the official source for each.

How long does it take to get a real estate license?

Typically two to six months, depending on your state’s required course hours and how quickly you complete them. Virginia and Maryland (60 hours) are the fastest; Texas (180) and California (135) take the longest.

Which state has the fewest required course hours?

Among the states we serve, Virginia and Maryland require the fewest at 60 hours, while Texas requires the most at 180 hours and California 135.

How much does a real estate license cost?

Costs vary by state but generally include the pre-license course, the exam fee, and an application/fingerprint fee paid to the state regulator.

Can I get a real estate license online?

Yes. The pre-license course can be completed 100% online and self-paced in every state we serve; the state exam is then taken at an approved testing center.

Do I need a college degree to get a real estate license?

No. You generally need to be at least 18 with a high school diploma or GED and complete your state’s pre-license course.

Do I need a sponsoring broker to get licensed?

Most states require your new license to be activated under a sponsoring broker before you can practice and earn commissions.

Which real estate license should I get first?

Start with the salesperson (or sales associate) pre-license course for your state – it’s the entry license that lets you work under a broker. You can upgrade to a broker license later.

What’s the difference between a real estate agent and a broker?

A salesperson/agent license is the entry-level credential. A broker license is higher, requiring additional experience and education, and lets you run a brokerage and supervise agents.

Get Started

Choose Your State and Start Today

Every course is state-approved and 100% online — study at your own pace and get licensed in a matter of months.

Florida · Texas · Virginia · New York