How to become a real estate agent

Every year, hundreds of thousands of people search those these words: “How do I become a real estate agent?” It’s easy to understand why. The promise of flexible hours, unlimited income and the satisfaction of helping people find a home they love is genuinely compelling. But becoming a real estate agent is a lot like getting a driver’s license: passing the test just means you can legally get behind the wheel. It doesn’t make you a great driver.

How to become a real estate agent step by step

Let’s walk through what it actually takes, step by step, from meeting the basic requirements to launching a career that can genuinely sustain you.

Step 1: Check the basic requirements

The requirements to become a licensed real estate agent vary by state, but a few fundamentals apply almost universally. You must be at least 18 years old (19 in some states), hold a high school diploma or equivalent, and pass a background check. Most states require you to be a legal U.S. resident, though a handful have specific provisions for non-citizens.

Because licensing is state-regulated, your first move should be to visit your state’s real estate commission website. Every state publishes its specific requirements online.

Step 2: Complete your pre-licensing education

Before you can take the licensing exam, you’re required to complete a state-approved pre-licensing course. The number of hours required varies widely. Some states require as few as 40 hours, others require 180 hours or more. California requires 135 hours of coursework. Texas requires 180 hours.

You can complete most pre-licensing courses online, in person or in a hybrid format. Costs typically range from a few hundred dollars to over a thousand, depending on the state and the provider.

This is where a lot of aspiring agents treat the coursework like a speed bump rather than a foundation. That is a mistake. The concepts covered in pre-licensing, from agency law to contract fundamentals to fair housing, are not just test material. They are the professional bedrock you’ll stand on every single day you practice real estate.

Step 3: Pass the licensing exam

Once you’ve completed your pre-licensing education, you’ll register to take your state’s real estate licensing exam. Most exams are administered by a third-party testing company such as Pearson VUE or PSI. The exam typically consists of two sections: a national portion covering universal real estate principles and a state-specific portion covering your state’s laws and practices.

Exam pass rates vary, but they are not a formality. Many candidates need more than one attempt. Study your material thoroughly and take practice exams before you sit for the real thing. Exam fees generally run between $100 and $300, and if you don’t pass on the first attempt, most states allow you to retake the specific section you didn’t pass.

Step 4: Find a brokerage

You cannot practice real estate independently right out of the gate. In every state, newly licensed agents are required to work under the supervision of a licensed real estate broker. This is not a bureaucratic formality. It’s a meaningful professional safeguard because inexperience in real estate can cost clients a great deal of money.

Choosing the right brokerage is one of the most important decisions a new agent makes. Don’t just chase the brand name or the biggest commission split. Ask about training, mentorship, culture and support systems. A brokerage that invests in developing you as an agent is worth far more in the long run than one that simply hands you a desk and a copy of the MLS password.

Step 5: Activate your license, and join the local board

Once you’ve secured your brokerage, you’ll officially activate your license through your state’s real estate commission. There will be licensing fees at this stage, which vary by state.

If you want to call yourself a Realtor and access the full suite of MLS tools and resources that come with that designation, you’ll need to join the National Association of Realtors (NAR), your state association and your local Realtor board. According to NAR, there are more than 1.5 million Realtor members in the United States, making it one of the largest trade associations in the country. There are annual dues at each level, so factor that into your early budget planning.

Step 6: Invest in your growth as a professional

Here’s the honest truth that a lot of licensing courses won’t tell you: having a license means you are legally allowed to practice real estate. It does not mean you are ready to serve clients with confidence and competence.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for real estate sales agents was $58,960 in 2024. But that median obscures the dramatic spread in actual earnings. Top agents earn six figures and beyond, while many agents who don’t invest in their skills and systems struggle to close enough transactions to sustain a business.

The agents who thrive are the ones who commit to ongoing education, coaching and skill development from day one, not after they’ve already hit a wall. Find a mentor. Enroll in a coaching program. Master the fundamental skills of prospecting, communication and negotiation. Getting your license is the starting line, not the finish line.

The bottom line

Becoming a real estate agent is a straightforward process on paper: meet the requirements, complete the coursework, pass the exam, join a brokerage and launch. But building a real estate career that is sustainable, ethical and genuinely rewarding requires something more. It requires a commitment to professionalism that most people don’t talk about when they’re selling you the dream.

The best agents in this business aren’t just licensed. They’re learned, skilled and always growing. Start there, and the career will follow.