How do I become a licensed Real Estate Broker?

Typically: complete the required pre-license education, pass a criminal background check, register with the exam vendor, pass the state exam, and pay the license fee. Exact requirements vary by state — see the table below for your state.

How hard is the Real Estate Broker exam?

First-attempt pass rates vary by state (where published). The exam usually has a national portion and a state-specific portion, both of which you must pass. Study time and practice volume are the strongest predictors of passing.

Can my license transfer to another state?

Reciprocity varies by occupation and state. Some states honor licenses from listed states; others require additional exams or education. Check the reciprocity note for your state or contact both state boards.

🏢

Real Estate Broker — License Requirements by State

Owns or manages a brokerage and supervises salespersons. Requires additional experience and a harder exam.

51 of 51 states populated with official data (retrieved 2026-08-20).

State requirements lookup Study plan generator Pass rate index Prep budget

State	Education	Exam	Pass %	Fees	Retake	Reciprocity	Official
AL	—	—	—	—	—	—	Alabama Real Estate Commission ↗
AK	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
AZ	—	—	—	—	—	—	Arizona Department of Real Estate ↗
AR	—	—	—	—	—	—	Arkansas Real Estate Commission ↗
CA	360 hrs	· 70% · $60	—	—	—	—	California Department of Real Estate ↗
CO	—	—	—	—	—	—	Colorado Division of Real Estate ↗
CT	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
DE	—	—	—	—	—	—	Delaware Real Estate Commission ↗
DC	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
FL	72 hrs	· 75% · $57	—	—	24 hours (next day)	—	Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation ↗
GA	—	—	—	—	—	—	Georgia Real Estate Commission ↗
HI	—	—	—	—	—	—	Hawaii Real Estate Commission ↗
ID	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
IL	—	—	—	—	—	—	Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation ↗
IN	—	—	—	—	—	—	Indiana Real Estate Commission ↗
IA	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
KS	—	—	—	—	—	—	Kansas Real Estate Commission ↗
KY	—	—	—	—	—	—	Kentucky Real Estate Commission ↗
LA	—	—	—	—	—	—	Louisiana Real Estate Commission ↗
ME	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
MD	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
MA	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
MI	—	—	—	—	—	—	Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs ↗
MN	—	—	—	—	—	—	Minnesota Department of Commerce ↗
MS	—	—	—	—	—	—	Mississippi Real Estate Commission ↗
MO	—	—	—	—	—	—	Missouri Real Estate Commission ↗
MT	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
NE	—	—	—	—	—	—	Nebraska Real Estate Commission ↗
NV	—	—	—	—	—	—	Nevada Real Estate Division ↗
NH	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
NJ	—	—	—	—	—	—	New Jersey Real Estate Commission ↗
NM	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
NY	45 hrs	· 70% · $15	—	—	—	—	New York Department of State ↗
NC	—	—	—	—	—	—	North Carolina Real Estate Commission ↗
ND	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
OH	—	—	—	—	—	—	Ohio Division of Real Estate ↗
OK	—	—	—	—	—	—	Oklahoma Real Estate Commission ↗
OR	—	—	—	—	—	—	Oregon Real Estate Agency ↗
PA	—	—	—	—	—	—	Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission ↗
RI	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
SC	—	—	—	—	—	—	South Carolina Real Estate Commission ↗
SD	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
TN	—	—	—	—	—	—	Tennessee Real Estate Commission ↗
TX	270 hrs	· 75% · $86	—	—	3 attempts per year; then retraining required	—	Texas Real Estate Commission ↗
UT	—	—	—	—	—	—	Utah Division of Real Estate ↗
VT	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
VA	—	—	—	—	—	—	Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation ↗
WA	—	—	—	—	—	—	Washington State Department of Licensing ↗
WV	—	—	—	—	—	—	West Virginia Real Estate Commission ↗
WI	—	—	—	—	—	—	Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services ↗
WY	—	—	—	—	—	—	Wyoming Real Estate Commission ↗

Data retrieved 2026-08-20 from state boards, PSI, Pearson VUE and CMS. Requirements change — verify with your state board before enrolling or paying. Dash (—) = not published / pending verification.

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