---
title: "How to Get a Real Estate License: Steps and Pay"
description: "How to get a real estate license: pre-licensing hours, the state exam, finding a sponsoring broker, and BLS May 2025 median pay."
url: https://careerdirecting.com/careers/real-estate-agent/
updated: 2026-10-09
site: CareerDirecting
---

Office · Real estate

# How to get a real estate license A short course, then a long build.

Sales career profile

Getting a real estate license is quick compared with most careers. Building an income from it is not. Most agents work on commission, so the first year can be lean while you find clients.

In short

To get a real estate license, complete your state's required pre-licensing course, pass the state exam and a background check, then work under a licensed broker. Hours and fees vary by state. Real estate sales agents earned a median of $52,830 in May 2025, per BLS, but income swings widely because most pay is commission.

**Job numbers from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics** Updated October 9, 2026. Pay figures are national medians and are not a promise of what you will earn.

| Median pay | $52,830 a year, about $25.40 an hour (May 2025) |
|---|---|
| Typical way in | High school or GED, plus moderate-term on-the-job training |
| Jobs in the U.S. | About 427,000 (2025) |
| Outlook, 2025 to 2035 | Projected growth of 1.7% |
| Openings each year | About 32,600 on average, including replacements |
| Licensing | Required in every state; requirements set by each state commission |
| How pay works | Mostly commission, split with the sponsoring broker |

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025 to 2035 and May 2025 wages, [BLS](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables/occupational-projections-and-characteristics.htm). National figures; pay where you live can be higher or lower, and starting pay is lower than the median.

## The steps

Step 1

### Check your state's rules

Find your state's license requirements with the [CareerOneStop license finder](https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx).

Step 2

### Take the pre-licensing course

Many are online.

Step 3

### Pass the state exam

National and state sections in many states.

Step 4

### Join a brokerage

You must work under a broker.

## Before you jump

Budget for fees, association dues and several months without a closing. Many new agents keep a part-time job at first.

## Questions people ask

### How long does it take to get a real estate license?

Often a few weeks to a few months, depending on state hours and exam dates.

### How much do new agents make?

It varies enormously; many earn little in the first year.

### Can I do real estate part time?

Yes, many start that way, though clients expect responsiveness.

## Sources

- [BLS Employment Projections 2025 to 2035, Table 1.2 (occupational projections and worker characteristics)](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables/occupational-projections-and-characteristics.htm)
- [BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Real estate sales agents](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/sales/real-estate-brokers-and-sales-agents.htm)
- [CareerOneStop: license finder](https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx)

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