If you have a knack for sales and are great with people, a career in real estate could be a great fit for you. The real estate industry offers several opportunities for career progression, and most people in the industry started as agents. If you’re dreading going back to college or simply don’t have the time or resources to go back to college full-time, here’s some good news: you don’t need a college degree to become a real estate agent.
However, before you launch your real estate career, you’ll need to attend a set number of pre-licensing real estate courses, and below we explore other requirements needed.
Find out your state’s eligibility requirements.
It’s important to know that real estate license requirements vary across individual states in the United States. So before you enroll in a real estate school, first find out what your state’s licensing requirements are. Your local real estate regulatory office website or the Association of Real Estate License Law Officials (ARELLO)’s directory are some resources that can offer information on your state’s real estate education requirements.
If you’re in the states of New York or Georgia, for instance, you’ll need to be over 18 years old, complete 75 hours of a real estate course, pass the final real estate exam, and agree to a background check. In California, you’ll need to complete a total of 135 hours of coursework, and in Texas, a real estate course is considered complete after attending 180 hours of class.
Enroll in a pre-licensing program.
You can choose to take an online course or opt for in-person learning at your local real estate school, a well-established realty firm, a university, or a professional school that’s accredited to offer real estate courses. We’re all different learners, so take your time to select the method of instruction that best suits your learning style.
A bachelor’s degree in real estate offers a comprehensive learning experience because it gives the instructor time to explore a variety of topics. Undergraduate education courses in real property are offered over a four-year period in universities and colleges, and the credentials gained allow graduates to secure entry-level positions in realty firms. The main skills taught at this level are negotiation skills, the law as it pertains to the real estate industry, and communication skills.
So if you’re in high school, for instance, and still mulling over what to consider for your undergraduate degree, college admission help counseling can help you identify what area of study best suits you. A college admissions counselor will also help you with the college application process and give you the best chance of getting accepted at your dream school.
Once you’ve completed your coursework, it’ll be time to take the licensing exam. As you prepare for your final, you should know that the real state exam is multiple-choice and is divided into two sections. The first section examines your knowledge of real property principles, and the second section examines your knowledge of real property law.
Initiate the process to have your real estate license activated.
Once you pass your licensing exam, you should apply to your state department of real estate to receive your real estate license. After your application is approved, you’ll be listed as an active real estate agent on your department of state’s website.
After you have your license, you’ll be required to apprentice under an established real estate broker who is authorized to handle real property transactions in your state. As a new agent, you’re prohibited by law to handle property transactions on your own for quality assurance purposes. Working with an established broker will also help you land new clients and gain some professional experience.