Real Estate Agents and Brokers

Certification or Licensing

The National Association of Realtors, Real Estate Buyer's Agent Council, Realtors Land Institute, Institute of Real Estate Management, Council of Residential Specialists, and the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors offer voluntary certification to real estate professionals. Contact these organizations for more information.

Every state (and the District of Columbia) requires that real estate agents and brokers be licensed. For the general license, most states require agents to have between 30 and 90 hours of classroom training, and pass a written examination on real estate fundamentals and relevant state laws. Prospective brokers must pass a more extensive examination and complete between 60 and 90 hours of classroom training. Additionally, many states require brokers to have one to three years' experience selling property or a formal degree in real estate.

State licenses are usually renewed annually without examination, but many states require agents to fulfill continuing education requirements in real estate. Agents who move to another state must qualify under the licensing laws of that state. To supplement minimum state requirements, many agents take courses in real estate principles, laws, financing, appraisal, and property development and management.

Other Requirements

In most states, real estate agents and brokers must be at least 18 years old.