What does it take to become a real estate agent?

Each state might have slightly different requirements.

Basically, you need to fill out an application, take a class, usually about 50 hours long, take a class test, and then a state test. You might have to get finger printed.

The application will ask if you have a criminal record, you have to be truthful. Any sort of lie and you won’t be able to get a license. If you are a thief or have committed a sexual assault you won’t be given a license. If you have committed some sort of minor crime a long time ago you might be given a license.

Once you pass the test you would usually join the Realtor’s association and the MLS. Then you can hook yourself to a broker and start working.

Fees all vary by state. My state the class is around $500 I think. License is $20—$90 for two years depending on the year. Realtor Association and MLS combined can be around $500 to $1,000 per year, I haven’t looked it up recently.

The requirements differ by State. In California, one must pass a licensing exam.

Education (specific to your state).

A license, meaning that you have to pass the test.

You will have to look up the requirements to sit for the license exams in each state. They are wildly different and each state has its own set of available licenses. This should be easy to do with a search engine. “Real estate license laws in each state” should do it.

Make sure you hook up with a reputable broker who can get you started on the right foot. If you hook up with a loser broker, you’ll never succeed.