In the realm of real estate investment, an active real estate license is a prized asset, unlocking numerous opportunities for investors. However, the question that often looms large for aspiring real estate professionals is,how much does a real estate license cost?

The financial investment required to obtain and maintain a real estate license can be significant, with costs varying widely based on geographical location and educational requirements.

Whether you're contemplating a career change or eager to explore the world of real estate, understanding the comprehensive expenses involved in acquiring a real estate license is crucial.

What Is A Real Estate License?

Realtors need a real estate license to sell, rent, or show potential buyers' and renters' homes on behalf of a real estate brokerage properly. To do this job, you need a real estate license. Each state has its own rules about how to get one.

A lot of people want to work as real estate agents because they can set their hours and make good money.

They make about the same amount of money as people in the US, which is a little more than $80,000 a year. A real estate agent, on the other hand, can make almost as much money as they want. Anything is possible for a real estate agent once they meet the state's licensing standards.

Costs To Consider When Starting A Real Estate Career

Before you start your new job as a real estate agent, here are the most significant costs to keep in mind.

Real Estate Pre-Licensing Education - $300 To $600

Pre-Licensing schooling, which is also written as "Pre-Licensing," is the first step toward your new job. You have to finish your Pre-License hours before you can start taking real estate practice tests.

Our classes are designed to fit the needs of people in your state, and you won't need to buy any expensive textbooks to do well in our program. The best thing about getting your real estate license online is how easy it is. It's up to you how often you learn. You can treat it like a full-time job or do it on the weekends.

Real Estate Exam Prep - $50 To $125

You do not have to buy test Prep in order to take your licensing test, but students who do so are much more likely to pass the exam on the first try.

You can get feedback on the subjects you've learned and those you need to work on by taking a free initial test as part of our Exam Prep Edge study program.

The State Exam - $40 To $100

If you meet the Pre-License standards in your state and decide to take an Exam Prep course, the next step is to take the real estate exam in your state.

In your state, how much does it cost to take the test? You may have heard this before, but the price changes. The Cost of the state test is usually around $60 in most states.

Real Estate Licensing And Application Fee - $80 To $400

Applicationfees vary from state to state, but in general, they are between $80 and $400 in Ohio and California. It was said at the beginning that the final price would depend on the state where you lived.

Background And Fingerprint Check - $100 To $125

Before you can get your real estate license, almost all states require you to get a background check and send in a copy of your fingerprints. It costs between $100.00 and $125.00, but it changes from state to state.

What About After Licensing?

We've already talked about how much it costs to get a license. What about all the other costs that come up after you start? You're still self-employed as a real estate agent, even though you have to work under a funding broker.

So, just like any other businessowner, you have to pay a lot of money to get your business up and running. Here are some of the costs that come with being a real estate agent.

Continuing Education

Once you have your real estate license, you need to keep it up to date by taking continuing education classes.

Each state has its own rules about continuing education, but most need between 12 and 36 hours of training every two years. Continuing education can cost anywhere from $100 to $300 a year, but most of the time it costs that much.

Association Fees

A lot of real estate agents choose to join a business group like the National Association of Realtors (NAR). There are different prices for joining these groups, but most of the time, it costs between $100 and $500 per year.

You don't have to join a group to get a real estate license, but doing so can give you access to useful tools like the multiple listing service (MLS) and chances to meet other people in the field.

Marketing And Advertising Costs

As soon as you have your real estate license, you will need to spend money on marketing and ads to get clients. The different ways you choose can have a significant impact on how much marketing and advertising costs.

Online ads, paper ads, and direct mail are all common ways to do this, but social media is now one of the most important ones. When you first start, you should make a marketing plan and budget. The best agents study their target market and make sure their strategies are geared toward that group.

Additional Costs

There may be other costs besides the ones listed above that come with getting a real estate license. For instance, you might need to buy business cards, a website, and other things to help you sell your business.

For showing homes to clients, you might also need to buy a reliable car. When you make plans to get your real estate license, you should include these costs in your budget because they can add up quickly.

Real Estate License - Cost Per State

Alabama

• 60-hour broker pre-license Course: $149
• State Exam Fee: $77
• Temporary License Application Fee: $210.
• Fingerprint and Background Check: $48.25
• Permanent (Original) License: $85 for 1 year or $170 for 2 years
• Total Cost: $569.25 with a one-year permanent license

Alaska

• 40-hour salesperson pre-license Course: $299
• State Exam Fee: $100
• E&O Insurance: $540
• Initial License Application Fee: $390
• Total Cost: $1329

Arizona

• 90-hour broker pre-license course: $299
• State Exam Fee: $75
• License Application Fee: $60.
• Fingerprint Clearance Card: $69
• Additional fee (optional): $7.95
• 6-hour Contract Writing Course: $59
• Total Cost: $569.95

Arkansas

• 60-hour salesperson pre-license Course: $299
• State Exam Fee: $75
• Application & Background Check Fee: $86.25
• Licensing Fee Fee: $75
• Post-License Course: fee varies
• Total Cost: $535.25.

California

• 135-hour pre-license Course: $99
• State exam fee: $60
• Fingerprint fee: $49
• License application fee: $245
• Total Fees: $453

Colorado

• 168-hour broker pre-license course: $349
• State Exam Fee: $44.95
• Fingerprint Fee: $49.50
• E&O Insurance: $239
• License Application Fee: $200
• Total Cost: $882.45

Connecticut

• 60-hour salesperson pre-license Course: $199
• State Exam Fee: $65
• License Application Fee: $80
• License Activation Fee: $285
• Total Cost: $629

Delaware

• 99-hour salesperson pre-license Course: $549
• State Exam Fee: $85
• License Application Fee: $131
• Total Cost: $765

Florida

• 63-hour Florida pre-license course: $69
• Florida real estate sales associate license application fee: $83.75
• State exam fee (paid to Pearson VUE): $36.75
• Fingerprinting fee (paid to LiveScan): $50 to $80
• Total fees: $239.50 to $269.50

Georgia

• Entire 75-hour Georgia Real Estate Licensing course: $125
• Final Exam Proctoring Fee paid to ProctorU (per exam attempt): $15
• Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) report of your criminal history: $25
• State Exam (with AMP): $121
• Total Cost: $456

Hawaii

• 60-hour salesperson pre-license Course: $349
• State Exam Fee: $61
• License Application Fee: $293
• Total Cost: $703

Idaho

• 90-hour salesperson pre-license Course: $499
• State Exam Fee: $80
• Fingerprint Fee: $61.25
• E&O Insurance: $155
• License Application Fee: $160
• Total Cost: $955.25

Illinois

• 75-hour broker pre-license Course: $299
• State Exam Fee: $55
• License Application Fee: $125
• Total Cost: $479

Indiana

• 90-hour broker pre-license course: $225
• State Exam Fee: $53
• License Application Fee: $60
• Total Cost: $338

Iowa

• 60-hour salesperson pre-license Course plus (3) required 12-hour practical courses: $349
• State Exam Fee: $95.00
• Fingerprint Fee: $51
• E&O Insurance: $144
• License Application Fee: $125
• Total Cost: $464

Kansas

• 60-hour salesperson pre-license Course: $149
• State Exam Fee: $82
• Fingerprint Fee: $75
• License Application Fee: $125
• Total Estimated Cost: $431

Kentucky

• 96-hour salesperson pre-license Course: $249
• State Exam Fee: $100
• Fingerprint Fee: $69.25
• E&O Insurance: $116
• License Application Fee: $130
• Total Cost: $664.25

Louisiana

• 90-hour salesperson pre-license Course: $249
• State Exam Fee: $85
• Background Check Fee: $49
• E&O Insurance: $143
• License Application Fee: $90
• Total Cost: $616

Maine

• 55-hour sales agent pre-license course: $399
• State Exam Fee: $85
• License Application Fee: $121
• Total Cost: $605

Maryland

• 60-hour Salesperson pre-license course: $249
• State Exam Fee: $44
• License Application Fee: $90
• Total Cost: $383

Massachusetts

• 40-hour broker pre-license course: $199
• State Exam Fee: $85
• Initial Application Fee: $85
• License Issuance Fee: $103-150 plus $12
• Total Cost: $484-531

Michigan

• Complete the 40-hour Michigan pre-license course: $99
• Submit your license application: $88
• Take the state licensing exam: $79 per attempt
• Total Cost: $266

Minnesota

• All three 90-hour pre-license courses
• RealEstateU offers the 90-hour course bundle for just $299
• State Exam Fee: $63
• License Application Fee: $110
• Total Cost: $472

Mississippi

• 60-hour salesperson pre-license Course: $149
• State Exam Fee: $75
• Fingerprint Fee: $50
• License Application Fee: $120
• Total Cost: $394

Missouri

• 2-hour Missouri pre-license course bundle
• Missouri state licensing exam fee: $65
• Fingerprinting fees: $41.75
• Missouri License Application fee: $50
• License issuance fee: $40
• Total fees: $345.75

Montana

• 70-hour salesperson pre-license Course: $249
• State Exam Fee: $106
• E&O Insurance: $168
• License Application Fee: $150
• Total Cost: $673

Nebraska

• 66-hour salesperson pre-license Course: $349
• State Exam Fee: $150
• Fingerprint Fee: unknown
• E&O Insurance: $235
• License Application Fee: $135
• License Issuance Fee: $80
• Required Post License Course: $104
• Total Cost: $704

Nevada

• 120-hour salesperson pre-license Course: $249
• State Exam Fee: $100
• Fingerprint Fee: $40.25
• License Application Fee: $125
• Total Cost: $514.25

New Hampshire

• 40-hour salesperson pre-license Course: $249
• State Exam Fee: $155
• Criminal Record Check Fee: $25
• License Application Fee: $90
• Total Cost: $519

New Jersey

• 5-hour salesperson pre-license Course: $249
• State Exam Fee: $45
• Fingerprint Fee: $66.05
• License Application Fee: $160
• Total Cost: $520.05

New Mexico

• 90-hour broker pre-license course: $749
• Stat Exam Fee: $95
• Fingerprint Fee: $44
• E&O Insurance: $349
• License Application Fee: $270
• Total Cost: $1,507

New York

• Complete the 77-hour NYS real estate salespersons course: $99Pass the school's proctored final exam: Free - $35
• Pass the state exam: $15 per attempt
• Submit your license application: $65
• Total Cost: $179 - $214

North Carolina

• RealEstateU's Pre-Licensing Course: 249
• License application fee: $100/ attempt (paid to NC Real Estate Commission)
• License examination fee: $64/attempt (paid to PSI)
• Criminal background check: $30
• Total Cost: $443

North Dakota

• 90-hour salesperson pre-license Course: $649
• State Exam Fee: $131.
• Fingerprint Fee: $41.25
• E&O Insurance: $187
• License Application Fee: $158
• Education, Research & Recovery Fund Fee: $20
• Total Cost: $1,186.25

Ohio

• 120-hour salesperson pre-license Course: $949
• State Exam Fee: $58
• Fingerprint Fee: $59-71
• License Application Fee: $81
• Total Cost: $1,147

Oklahoma

• 90-hour salesperson pre-license Course: $249
• State Exam Fee: $60
• Fingerprint Fee: $60
• Provisional License Application Fee: $35
• Provisional License Issue Fee: $100
• Total Cost: $504

Oregon

• 150-hour broker pre-license course: $299
• State Exam Fee: $75
• Fingerprint Fee: $56.25
• Total Cost: $730.25

Pennsylvania

• 75-hour pre-license Course: $149
• State Exam: $49
• Criminal Record Check: $22
• Pennsylvania Real Estate Salesperson's License Application: $107
• Total Cost: $327

Rhode Island

• 45-hour salesperson pre-license Course: $349
• Lead Mitigation Course: $25
• State Exam Fee: $70
• Fingerprint Fee: $40
• E&O Insurance: $110
• License Application Fee: $165
• Total Cost: $759

South Dakota

• 116-hour broker associate pre-license Course: $949
• State Exam Fee: $98
• Fingerprint Fee: $43.25
• E&O Insurance: $187
• License Application Fee: $225
• Total Cost: $1,502.25

Tennessee

• Complete the 90-hour Tennessee Affiliate Broker real estate license course: $149
• Pass the real estate exam: $39/ attempt
• Get Fingerprinted: $35
• Submit your license application: $91
• Total Cost: $314

Texas

• 180-hour Texas pre-license course: $249
• Sales Agent License Application Fee (paid to TREC): $185
• Fingerprint Fee (paid to MorphoTrust): $38.25
• State Exam Fee (paid to Pearson VUE): $43
• TREC Broker Sponsorship Request form: $10
• Total Fees: $525.25

Vermont

• 40-hour salesperson pre-license Course: $149
• National Exam Fee: $100
• License Application Fee: $110
• Total Cost: $359

Virginia

• 60-hour Virginia pre-license course: $99
• Proctoring fee: Free - $35 per attempt
• State exam fee: $60 per attempt
• Fingerprint fee: $52
• License application fee: $170
• Total Cost: $416

West Virginia

• 90-hour salesperson pre-license Course: $349
• State Exam Fee: $96
• Fingerprint Fee: $45.75
• License Application Fee: $25
• Licensing Fee: $75
• Total Cost: $594.75

Wisconsin

• 72-hour Wisconsin real estate salesperson course: $199
• Online proctoring fee for course final exam: $15 (per attempt)
• Wisconsin State Licensing exam fee: $65
• Wisconsin License Application fee: $75
• Total Cost: $354

Wyoming

• 70-hour salesperson pre-license Course: $299
• State Exam Fee: $160
• Fingerprint Fee: $39
• E&O Insurance: $173
• License Application Fee: $300
• Total Cost: $971

How Long Does It Take To Get Your Real Estate License?

How long it takes to get your real estate license will depend on how many hours your state needs, how long it takes to apply, and whether you take a course in a classroom or online. If you take a course in a classroom, the time it takes to get your license will rely on how many hours your class meets each week, but it's usually possible to finish in 6 months.

On the other hand, online real estate license training lets you study and work at your own pace. If you are motivated enough, this can cut down on the time you need to study before your real estate license test by a significant amount.

After you finish your training and are ready to take the test, the way you apply will depend on the state. In some states, you can get your license at the testing spot because of automated systems.

In others, you'll need to mail in your application and wait for the results to be sent back to you. Check the rules in your state to get a better idea of how long the application process will take.

Is A New York Real Estate License Worth The Cost?

Should you get your New York real estate license? What you want to do with your life and how much work you're willing to put into a real estate job are the only things that matter. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says that real estate agents in New York make an average of $81,020 per year, which is one of the top salaries in the country.

However, if you work in a commission-based field like real estate, your pay will depend a lot on how much you sell. You'll get more money if you do more deals. Being a real estate agent is an excellent job for more than just the money.

Some people want to work in real estate because it gives them a lot of freedom: they can work as much or as little as their other obligations allow. A lot of parents find that real estate is an excellent way to make extra money while still taking care of their kids.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Much Does It Cost To Get Your Real Estate License In The US?

The Cost varies by state but generally ranges from $300 to $1,000 for pre-licensing courses, exam fees, and application expenses.

How Much Is The Fl Real Estate Exam?

In Florida, the real estate exam fee is approximately $36.

How Much Does It Cost To Get A Real Estate License In New York?

To get a real estate license in New York, you have to pay about $325 upfront. This includes a $65 application fee, a $15 licensing test fee, and a $245+ pre-licensing course fee.

How Much Does It Cost To Get Your Real Estate License In Texas?

In Texas, the total Cost for a real estate license is approximately $1,000, including pre-licensing education, exam fees, and application costs.

Conclusion

Obtaining a real estate license opens doors to a potentially lucrative and flexible career. The journey involves essential costs, including pre-licensing education, exam preparation, state exams, licensing fees, and background checks.

Beyond the initial licensing, real estate agents face ongoing expenses like continuing education, association fees, and marketing costs. Despite the financial commitments, a New York real estate license, for instance, can lead to a rewarding average annual income of $81,020.

The question of how much does a real estate license cost encompasses not just the financial investment but the prospect of a dynamic career with the potential for financial success and personal freedom.