Sales & Marketing

How to become a Real Estate Agent

From no experience: every step, how long it takes, and the credential it earns.

Time to get there

3–6 months

Typical pay

$45k–$95k

Starting from

No experience

The steps

1. 1

   Complete pre-licensing education

   State-mandated hours, typically 60–180 depending where you are.

   2–6 months

   Course that covers thisHow to Get Your Real Estate License FastUdemy · around $24.99 →
2. 2

   Pass the state exam

   National and state-specific sections, plus fingerprinting.

   State real estate salesperson licence

3. 3

   Hang your licence with a brokerage

   You cannot practise independently at first. Choose one that actually trains.

   1 month

4. 4

   Survive the first year

   Income is commission-only and slow to start. Budget for six months of nothing.

   1 year

Course links are Udemy affiliate links — we earn a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you. Licences and exams named above are issued by state boards and certifying bodies we have no relationship with; we list them because they are what the job actually requires.