In order to work as a real estate agent, the first step is to enroll in getting a license. Besides the name of the state where an agent is working, for real estate transactions. it is essential to obtain the license. But obtaining a license is not as easy as other kinds of professional licenses.
As an agent of real estate, you don’t need to pass out a bachelor’s degree or any other courses for enrollment in a real estate schooling course. But how much is required to complete the course in the real field? Well, the answer is not distinct from the proper timeline. Usually, on average, it takes 4 to 6 months if you join a traditional classroom. In terms of getting online pre-licensing classes, the estimated timeline is approximately 8 weeks. Additionally, the duration of completing the pre-licensing course varies from state to state and the pace of the agent. Thus, some associated factors increase or decrease the duration of the course, which are highlighted in the beneath section:
Source for Pre-Licensing Course: In-person Vs Online Real Estate Course
Every state has its educational requirements. The way of adopting the course is depending upon the learner whether it is either in-person or online. In the context of opting an in-person course, months are required, as the agent has to complete the full course based on the semester system. While in the case of the online course, within a few weeks an agent can get the license. The other advantage of selecting an online course over a physical one is an agent can obtain the license while learning in a peaceful environment and no transportation cost will be required.
What kind of topics will be covered?
As a future real estate service provider, seeking the knowledge for the pre-licensing course, the possible topics in the syllabus are listed as:
- Deeds.
- Titles.
- Ownership of property.
- Modern Practices.
- Provision of best services in the targeted state.
- Brokerage.
- Agency’s Law.
- Laws for Fair Housing.
- Ethical code of conduct.
- Contracts and their types.
- Listing of Agreements.
Difference of States
Because of the presence of 50 states, each state has its issuance of guidelines regarding educational requirements. With variation in requirements, the defined timeframe also varies. So, as a real estate broker, you have to consider these guidelines.
The states of California and Florida are developed the real estate industries. But there is a difference of almost double credit hours in the educational requirements of California as compared to Florida. Also, by comparing other states named Arkansas and Pennsylvania, there is a minute difference in credit hours of pre-licensing educational courses. Thus, for becoming a service provider to real estate investors or printing a board of properties for sale, you must go through the process of a pre-licensing course.
Besides this, the generally approved framework within the country for becoming a real estate agent included:
- Complete all the basic requirements of the pre-licensing education course.
- Pass out the exam by scoring 60% to 70 % marks.
- Submission of application with result’s certificate.
- Join the field as the brokerage for the provision of services.
Time Required for Pre-Licensing Real Estate Course: Comparison
As defined in the former section that with the difference in educational requirements, there is also variation in the credit hours of coursework. For instance, in the California Department of Estate (DRE), the total credit hours for real estate coursework is 135. Furthermore, all students must attend at least 2.5 weeks against three courses. The maximum time taken by an agent to complete the course at the fastest pace is 7 to 8 weeks. On the other hand, in terms of Florida, the total number of credit hours for coursework is 63 for all courses. The maximum period required for an agent to complete the coursework is 90 days. Thus, it is easier for the fresh student or real estate agent to complete the semester-based pre-licensing course from Florida within a short time interval.
Time Required for Studying for Obtaining License
After getting enrolled in the pre-licensing coursework, the next step is to decide the study hours for the preparation for the exam. It is estimated after the survey from several agents that from two weeks to one month is required. This is not a fixed time interval, the more a person studies, the more will be the chances of passing the exam on the first attempt.
Number of Attempts for Passing the Pre-Licensing Exam
The next stage after studying for the pre-licensing exam is to pass the exam to obtain the final license. Passing the test on the first attempt is good for becoming a professional real estate broker earlier. In the case of failing the exam with multiple attempts, there will be a delay in the career of an agent. Thus, it depends upon the estate agent to decide the time required to pursue a career as a professional real estate broker.
Time Required for Getting License after Passing the Exam
As soon as an agent passes the pre-licensing exam. The more speedily an agent can apply for the application of final licensing. According to the semester coursework in California, the DRE will take from 6 to 8 weeks while processing the submitted applications against obtaining a final license as a real estate broker for selling property as the real estate service provider.
Not only this, but after getting the final license. The broker can purchase the plots in bulk from a real investor. Thus, in general, the total time required for an agent from class enrollment. It is obtain a final license from California DRE is 14 to 15 weeks. On the other hand, in the case of the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). The real estate application process required a time of 30 days. Hence, overall, the entire coursework in Florida will complete in 12 weeks including the final license.