Whatever your situation, if you are interested in a career in real estate, you need to know the basics of real estate licensing.
Real estate licensing is an important part of the field, as many people check the license status of a real estate agent before choosing to work with him or her. A real estate license gives credibility to your name and your practice, so you will inevitably attract more clients and, therefore, have a more successful business if you go through the proper licensing procedures.
There are a number of different licensing regulations each state has for its realtors, so you will want to be up-to-date on what those standards are for the state you wish to be licensed in. There are also different regulations for licensing of individual salespeople, brokers and corporations, so be sure to find out the correct requirements for your particular situation.
The best place to start to find out the requirements for real estate licensing in your state is the Department of Real Estate or a similar division. Whether you contact the department by phone or check out its Web site, you can find a list of requirements you must meet to be a licensed realtor in the state. Some of these requirements may include:
- Passing a certified real estate exam administered by the state, which covers basic real estate law as well as those laws specific to your state
- Having a certain number of course hours completed at a real estate school
- Completion of another type of real estate course, such as those available on CD-ROM or online
- Continuing education, or the completion of a certain number of real estate courses every few years
You will be responsible for renewing your license as needed. An expired or non-renewed license can lead to a stall in business or at least a slow in growth of new business, so be sure you keep up to date on any changes in your state’s real estate licensing requirements.
As mentioned, the number of licensed real estate agents is growing rapidly across the country. According to the National Association of Realtors, which many licensed Realtors join once they enter the field, there are over 1,600 local associations of Realtors and 54 state-territory boards through which members are linked to the national association.
No matter what your situation in life, there is an opportunity for you in the real estate field, if you are interested. Once you understand the basics of real estate licensing, you should take advantage of your opportunities in one of the fastest-growing fields in the nation.
Ashley Andyshak