How to Start a Real Estate Career — A State-by-State Guide (2026)

The good news is that the path is the same in every state: meet the basic eligibility rules, complete a state-approved pre-license course, pass the licensing exam, submit your application, and activate your license with a sponsoring broker. What changes from state to state is the number of course hours, the exam, and the fees.

This guide walks you through how to begin a real estate career in each state MLS Campus serves — with the course hours and the first step for each — and links you straight to the state-approved course that gets you licensed. For national pay and job-outlook data, see the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

How to Become a Real Estate Agent: The 5 Steps

Every successful real estate career starts the same way. Whatever state you are in, these are the five steps from where you are today to your first commission:

1. Check that you are 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.
2. Complete your state’s pre-license course. This is the big one — and the hours vary a lot by state, from 60 (Virginia, Maryland) to 180 (Texas). Every course we link below is state-approved and 100% online.
3. Pass the licensing exam. You will sit a national portion and a state-specific portion. Good exam prep makes the difference — most of our students pass on the first try.
4. Submit your application and background check. Fingerprints and fees go through your state regulator (DBPR, TREC, DPOR, MREC, or the NY Department of State); every state’s licensing authority is listed in the ARELLO regulatory agency directory.
5. Activate with a sponsoring broker. Your new license has to “hang” with a broker before you can start earning. Then you are in business.

What Does a Real Estate Agent Actually Do?

A real estate career is part salesperson, part local-market expert, and part project manager. Day to day, agents price and list properties, market them online and at open houses, guide buyers and sellers through offers and negotiations, coordinate inspections, appraisals and paperwork, and keep every deal moving to a successful closing. The U.S. Department of Labor’s O*NET profile for real estate sales agents lays out the full set of tasks, tools, and skills the role calls for.

It is overwhelmingly a commission business — and that is exactly what makes it appealing: there is no salary ceiling, and your income grows with the number and value of the homes you help people buy and sell. The trade-off is that you are effectively running your own small business from day one, so the agents who do best build a steady sphere of contacts, follow up relentlessly, and reinvest in their own marketing. Want to know what that effort typically pays? Compare figures in our real estate agent salary by state guide.

How to Start a Real Estate Career in Your State

Pick your state below for the first step and the course that starts you off. Each links to a deeper guide and the state-approved pre-license course.

Florida

Florida is one of the most popular places to launch: a 63-hour FREC-approved pre-license course, the Pearson VUE state exam, and your DBPR application — and most new agents are working within a few months. Read how to kick-start your real estate career in Florida, then start your Florida real estate career — enroll in the 63-Hour Sales Associate Pre-License course →. Curious what it pays? See Florida real estate agent salaries.

Texas

Texas asks for the most up front — 180 hours of TREC qualifying education — but it is one of the strongest markets in the country to launch in. See the first steps to starting a real estate career in Texas, then become a Texas agent — start the 180-Hour Sales Agent Pre-License course today →. Curious what it pays? See Texas real estate agent salaries.

Virginia

Virginia is one of the fastest paths in — just 60 DPOR-approved hours before your PSI exam. Read how to get started in real estate in Virginia, then launch your Virginia career — begin the 60-Hour Salesperson Pre-License course →. Curious what it pays? See Virginia real estate agent salaries.

Maryland

Maryland keeps it efficient at 60 MREC-approved hours, followed by the PSI exam and your state application. Read why 2026 is a great time to start a real estate career in Maryland, then get licensed in Maryland — start the 60-Hour Salesperson Pre-License course →. Curious what it pays? See Maryland real estate agent salaries.

New York

New York requires a 77-hour Department of State course, the licensing exam, and a sponsoring broker. Read how to start a real estate career in New York, then start your NY real estate career — enroll in the 77-Hour Salesperson course →. Curious what it pays? See New York real estate agent salaries.

After You Get Licensed

Getting licensed is the start. Here is how the rest of the journey fits together:

• See what you can earn. Compare commissions and averages in our real estate agent salary by state guide.
• Plan your full licensing path. Our state-by-state guide to getting your real estate license walks through every requirement in detail.
• Level up to broker. Once you have experience, the next step is a broker license.
• Join your professional association. Most agents join the National Association of REALTORS® and a local board to access the MLS, training, designations, and a referral network.
• Know your Fair Housing duties. Every agent must follow the federal Fair Housing laws enforced by HUD — treating every client equally is both a legal requirement and the foundation of a good reputation.
• Keep your license current. Most states require post-license education during your first renewal period and ongoing continuing education after that, so budget a little time each cycle to stay compliant.
• Build your business. Treat your new license like the small business it is — nurture your sphere of contacts, stay consistent with follow-up, and reinvest in marketing to grow a steady pipeline.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I start a real estate career?

Get licensed: complete your state’s approved pre-license course, pass the licensing exam, submit your application and background check, and join a sponsoring broker. Most people finish in two to six months, depending on their state’s required course hours.

How long does it take to become a real estate agent?

Typically two to six months. Among the states we serve, Virginia and Maryland (60 hours) are the quickest, while Texas (180 hours) takes the longest. How fast you finish your course is the biggest factor.

Do I need a college degree to become a real estate agent?

No. A high-school diploma or equivalent is enough in every state we serve. You complete a state-approved pre-license course rather than a college program.

Can I take the pre-license course online?

Yes. Every pre-license course we link here is state-approved and fully online, so you can study on your own schedule from any device.

How much does it cost to start a real estate career?

Costs vary by state but generally include your pre-license course, the exam fee, and an application/fingerprint fee paid to the state regulator. The course is the main upfront investment; check your state’s regulator for current exam and application fees.

Do real estate agents earn a salary or commission?

Almost all real estate agents are paid on commission, not a fixed salary. Your income scales with the number and value of the transactions you close — see our salary-by-state guide for typical figures.

What is the difference between a real estate agent and a broker?

A broker holds a higher license that requires extra experience and education, and can run a brokerage and supervise agents. Most people start as an agent and upgrade to a broker license later.