Working as a real estate agent provides many variations. You will not be doing the same thing every day because you will be dealing with different clients and visiting many residences. You get to be your boss while assisting buyers and sellers navigate one of life’s most important milestones. To become a real estate agent, one must go through real estate agent training.
Procedures for Becoming a Real Estate Agent
To become a real estate agent, you’ll need to make an initial financial and time investment, depending on where you receive your license. Here is a general outline of how to become a real estate agent; however, specific requirements differ by state.
- Examine Your State’s Requirements
Because there is no such thing as a nationwide real estate license, you must meet the licensing criteria of your state. Investigate the website of your state’s real estate regulatory office, which may be found by visiting the Association of Real Estate License Law Officials (ARELLO) regulatory agency database.
- Attend a Pre-Licensing Course
No matter where you live, you must take a pre-licensing course from a recognized real estate licensing school for an estimated $350 before sitting for the real estate license exam. Course requirements differ from state to state. In California, applicants must complete three 135-hour real estate classes. The courses last 75 hours in New York and Georgia but only 63 hours in Florida.
- Examine for a license
Your instructor should walk you through the process of scheduling, registering for, and paying for the licensure exam. The typical cost of the test is between $100 and $300. Exams are computerized and divided into two sections: a national portion covering broad real estate concepts and practices and a state-specific section covering your state’s real estate legislation.
- Real Estate Agent License Activation
When you pass the exam, you must apply to your state’s real estate regulating body and any required documentation and fees (typically $200-$400). When your application is granted, the state will mail you your real estate license certificate, and your name will be searchable on the state’s website under the licensee’s area. Remember that you cannot work as a real estate agent until the state’s real estate authority approves your license.
Summary
It takes time and money to obtain a real estate license, but it can help you secure a fulfilling position in the real estate market, and a career as a real estate agent can provide flexibility.
Though you can work as a real estate agent part-time, most consider it a full-time job, staying available to clients during the week and on weekends.
