The Steps to Getting Your Real Estate License
You can have a successful and profitable career as a real estate agent. However, before you can get out there and start selling, you will need to get a real estate license through the real estate commission in your state. To obtain a license, you must go through college-level training, pass an exam and find a sponsoring broker.
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Education
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You will need to have a high school diploma or GED equivalent. Before applying for a real estate license, you must take and pass college-level coursework. You must take real estate principles, real estate practice and one elective course related to real estate, such as property management or business law, according to the California Department of Real Estate. Some states may require you to take additional college coursework. You can take these courses through any accredited university or real estate school.
Application and Background Check
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You will need to complete an application for an inactive real estate license immediately after completing the coursework. The application includes basic personal information as well as information on your moral character. The real estate commission in your state will complete a background check on you. Many states also require that you submit a copy of your fingerprints before you can receive a license. You will need to pay an administrative fee along with your application.
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Exam
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Your state's real estate eommission selects companies to administer the real estate exam. After approving your application, the commission in your state will send you information on how to register for the exam. You will need to pay a fee each time you take the exam. The exam contains two parts: one section on general real estate law, and one section on state-specific real estate law. You must pass the exam within a certain timeframe of completing your coursework. For example, the Kansas Real Estate Commission reports that Kansas residents have 12 months to pass the exam; however, timeframes vary by state.
Sponsorship
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After passing the exam, you must find a licensed broker to sponsor your application for an active real estate license. You can find a broker through the real estate office where you plan to work. You and the broker will need to complete salesperson sponsorship form, which contains basic information about you. The broker will need to sign the sponsorship agreement of the form. This states that the broker takes responsibility for your real estate sales.
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References
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