Real Estate License Requirements by State

Every state sets its own requirements for obtaining a real estate salesperson license. While the national portion of the exam covers the same topics everywhere — property ownership, agency, contracts, finance, and more — each state adds its own state-specific requirements including additional education hours, state-law exam questions, background checks, and unique laws you must know.

Understanding your state's requirements before you begin saves time, money, and frustration. Here's what varies from state to state:

• Pre-Licensing Education Hours: Ranges from 40 hours (Massachusetts) to 180 hours (Texas). Most states fall between 60–90 hours.
• Exam Structure: The national portion is 80–100 questions. The state portion adds 30–52 more questions, covering laws unique to that state.
• Passing Score: Typically 70% or 75%, depending on the state. You must pass both the national and state portions independently in most states.
• Fees: Expect to spend $200–$800 on exam, application, and background check fees, plus your pre-licensing course cost.
• Background Checks: All states require fingerprinting and a criminal background check. Some states review on a case-by-case basis; others have automatic disqualifiers.
• Post-Licensing & CE: Most states require post-licensing education in your first renewal cycle plus ongoing CE every 2–4 years.

Select your state below to see a complete breakdown of every requirement — education, exam, fees, background check, CE, reciprocity, and key state laws.