Steps to Getting Your Real Estate License: A Clear Guide for New Agents

Entering the real estate industry can be one of the most flexible and rewarding career decisions you make. Whether you plan to sell real estate full-time, work part-time, or simply want the ability to earn referral income, obtaining a real estate license opens the door to long-term opportunities.

While the licensing process varies slightly by state, the overall path is very similar nationwide. Understanding each phase ahead of time will help you move through the process confidently, avoid delays, and set yourself up for success once you’re licensed.

This guide walks through the steps to getting your real estate license, explains what to expect at each stage, and outlines how your license can continue working for you even if traditional sales are not your primary focus.

Understanding the Real Estate Licensing Process

Before jumping in, it’s important to understand that a real estate license is issued by the state, not by a brokerage. Schools, testing providers, and brokers all play different roles, but the state licensing authority ultimately approves your application and grants your license.

While exact requirements differ by location, most states require:

• Completion of a state-approved pre-licensing course

• Passing a state-administered licensing exam

• Submitting an application and background check

• Placing your license with a licensed brokerage

Knowing this structure ahead of time helps eliminate confusion as you move forward.

Steps to Getting Your Real Estate License

Step 1: Contact a State-Approved Real Estate School

The first step is finding a real estate school approved in your state. These schools specialize in licensing education and are often the best source of up-to-date information on requirements, timelines, and testing procedures.

A knowledgeable school advisor can explain:

• How many hours of education are required

• Whether in-person or online classes are available

• How the state exam works

• When to submit your license application

In many cases, school staff can provide clearer guidance than state offices, especially for first-time applicants.

Step 2: Choose the Learning Format That Fits You Best

Most real estate schools offer two primary formats:

• In-person classroom instruction

• Online or self-paced courses

This decision should be based on how you learn best. Some students prefer live instruction and scheduled classes, while others succeed with online courses that allow them to study at their own pace.

The goal isn’t just to pass the course—it’s to understand the material well enough to pass the state exam and apply it in real-world situations later. Choosing the right format can make a significant difference in how confident you feel moving forward.

Step 3: Complete the Pre-Licensing Education

Once enrolled, you’ll complete your required pre-licensing coursework. This education typically covers:

• Real estate principles and practices

• Contracts and agency relationships

• Property ownership and transfer

• State-specific real estate laws

• Ethics and consumer protection

At the end of the course, you’ll take a school final exam. Passing this exam qualifies you to move forward with your state application and licensing exam.

Step 4: Submit Your Application to the State

Most states require you to submit your license application either during or immediately after completing your coursework. This often includes:

• A formal application

• Application and licensing fees

• Fingerprints and a background check

Submitting your application early can save time later. State approval can take days or even weeks, and you cannot sit for the state exam until your application is approved.

Planning ahead at this stage helps prevent unnecessary delays.

Step 5: Schedule and Pass the State Licensing Exam

Once approved, you can schedule your state exam through the authorized testing provider. The exam typically includes:

• A national portion

• A state-specific portion

• Approximately 100 multiple-choice questions

The exam can be challenging, especially if too much time passes between completing your course and testing. Many candidates benefit from exam prep tools, practice questions, and focused review sessions before test day.

Helpful tip: If you don’t pass on the first attempt, most states allow retesting after a short waiting period. Reviewing missed questions and scheduling the next attempt quickly often leads to success.

Step 6: Place Your License With a Brokerage

After passing the exam, your license is not active until it is placed with a licensed real estate brokerage. This step is required before you can legally earn any type of real estate commission, including referral fees.

At this point, many new agents assume their only option is to sell real estate full-time. In reality, there are multiple ways to use a license depending on your goals.

Using Your License Without Selling Full-Time

Real estate is unique because your license can generate income even if you’re not handling transactions yourself. Many licensed agents work in other industries, are retired, or simply prefer a lighter workload.

This is where Park Place Realty Network provides a practical solution.

Park Place Realty Network allows licensed agents in Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina to activate their real estate license without joining the MLS or paying REALTOR® association fees. Instead of selling directly, agents can focus on referrals.

Here’s how the program works:

• Your license is placed with Park Place Realty Network

• You remain active and compliant with state requirements

• When you know someone buying or selling real estate—anywhere in the world—you submit the referral

• Park Place matches the client with a qualified, top-performing agent

• Once the transaction closes, you earn 22.5% of the total gross commission as a referral fee

This model is ideal for:

• Professionals in other industries

• Part-time or semi-retired agents

• Individuals who want income without sales pressure

• New licensees who want flexibility while learning the business

Why a Real Estate License Is Still Worth It

Even if you never plan to list homes or host open houses, a real estate license can still be a valuable asset. Friends, family, coworkers, and acquaintances frequently ask real estate-related questions. With an active license, those conversations can turn into legitimate referral income.

Because real estate transactions happen everywhere, your earning potential is not limited to your local market. Referral income allows you to leverage relationships rather than time-intensive sales activity.

Final Thoughts

The steps to getting your real estate license are straightforward when broken down into manageable stages. With proper planning, the process can move smoothly from education to exam to activation.

More importantly, a real estate license offers flexibility that few other professional licenses provide. Whether you choose to sell full-time or earn income through referrals, your license can adapt to your lifestyle and career goals.

By activating your license with Park Place Realty Network, you gain a compliant, low-overhead way to stay involved in real estate and earn referral income worldwide—without the pressure or cost structure of traditional brokerages.

For many agents, that flexibility is what makes real estate a long-term opportunity rather than just a job.

Author bio: Jenna Martinez, a 20-year real estate veteran, writes for top industry brands. She specializes in analyzing market trends and real estate data, sharing her expertise through insightful articles.