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.
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.
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.
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 |
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
Do I need a college degree to get a real estate license?
No. A high-school diploma or equivalent is enough in every state listed here; no college degree is required.
Can I take the pre-license course online?
Yes. Every pre-license course we link is state-approved and fully online, so you study on your own schedule.
How much does it cost to get a real estate license?
Costs vary by state but generally include the pre-license course, the exam fee, and an application/fingerprint fee paid to the state regulator.
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.
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.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a real estate license?
How long does it take to get a real estate license?
How much does a real estate license cost?
Can I get a real estate license online?
Do I need a college degree to get a real estate license?
What’s the difference between a real estate agent and a broker?
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