How to Become a Real Estate Agent

Key takeaways

• To become a real estate agent, you’ll need to have a high school diploma at a minimum, learn the requirements for getting licensed in your state, and complete the necessary training to pass the exam before finding a broker to sponsor you.

• The length of time it takes to become a real estate agent varies depending on your state’s requirements, and typically includes anywhere from 30 to 168 course hours of training.

• To become a commercial real estate agent, you’ll typically follow the same licensing process as you would to enter residential real estate, but you will need strong knowledge of the industry, which often includes more complex transactions.

To become a successful real estate agent, build strong skills, including negotiation, communication, and working with technology, and focus on learning about your local market and communities. Learn more about the steps you'll need to take to become a real estate agent, how long it might take, and the salary you could earn.

If you're ready to take the next step toward your real estate career, consider earning credentials from an industry leader through Keller Williams' Real Estate Agent Professional Certificate program. In as little as three months, you could learn the essential principles of real estate, including how to obtain a license and how to analyze and interpret market data.

How to become a real estate agent

Each state has requirements for real estate agents, but you'll typically need to begin with a high school diploma. In each state, you'll also need to pass an exam to become a licensed real estate agent. Preparing with state-accredited real estate courses is typically a prerequisite to applying for a license. The number of expected course hours can vary according to the state, but typically ranges from 40 to 168 hours. You can take accredited courses in colleges, specialty schools, and online. Though optional, a certificate, certification, or bachelor's degree in real estate or a related field, such as marketing, finance, or business administration, may be helpful.

Real estate agents help people buy and sell property, but this career offers much more. Working as a real estate agent gives you a flexible career, with the option to work alone or as part of a team and on your own schedule, rather than being tied to an office and working nine to five. On any given day, you may host an open house, design a website to market a property, or help a family negotiate a contract for purchasing their first home.

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to become a real estate agent:

1. Learn the duties of a real estate agent.

Before you embark on your real estate journey, familiarize yourself with the job duties. Real estate agents benefit from being efficient multitaskers, as the job may include a variety of tasks. While no two real estate agents do exactly the same thing each day, you may find yourself performing some or all of the following duties:

• Searching for and communicating with potential clients

• Communicating with potential clients about their wants and needs

• Communicating with current clients about what's going on with their property or contract

• Coming up with a competitive market price for a property based on research and prior knowledge

• Helping buyers with the mortgage process

• Assisting buyers in preparing a house for sale

• Keeping up with local community information, such as the best schools, crime rates, and entertainment options

• Hosting open houses

• Creating print media to promote properties for sale

• Creating and executing a digital marketing plan for each property for sale

• Showing houses to potential buyers

• Negotiating deals for clients

• Preparing documents and ensuring they meet all state and local laws and regulations

2. Learn your state’s real estate regulations.

Each state has unique requirements for real estate agent licensure, though they typically involve taking some courses and passing an exam. If you’re curious about what education is required to be a real estate agent, be mindful that precise education requirements, similar to licensure requirements, vary from state to state.

All states have an age requirement, while some have education qualifications you must meet. For example, you must be 18 years old in Georgia and have your high school diploma or GED, while applicants must be 19 years old with a high school education or equivalent in Nebraska. You must also complete a background check. Some states may require fingerprinting or require you to disclose any criminal history.

Once you satisfy any basic requirements for your state, you'll typically need to enroll in a program that allows you to take a certain number of hours of real estate courses from an approved school or organization. You typically need to pay for these courses, and prices vary by state. Also, some states have reciprocity agreements with other states, which means if you earn your license in one state, another state will let you practice there without additional coursework.

3. Prepare for the exam.

Some pre-licensure coursework requires a final exam to complete all course requirements. Depending on the state, you may also need to score a certain percentage on it to move on to the next step. Once you do that, you can prepare for the final state licensing exam.

Inquire if your state previews the topics on the exam so you'll better understand what you need to study. You may also look for practice exams online. Your state may offer them, and so do some real estate schools. Once you know what to study, it may help to make relevant notes or flashcards and review them as much as possible. Some experts suggest breaking your study sessions into 30 or 45 minutes to make them more efficient [1].

After scheduling the exam, ensure you know where the exam will take place, how to get there on time, and how to park. Finally, stay positive. You've worked hard to reach this point, which may result in a rewarding and exciting real estate career.

4. Register and sit for the exam.

You will likely have to register to take your state's licensing exam, which typically includes paying a fee. Look to your state's regulatory board to learn when to register and where you can take the exam.

The exam typically consists of two parts—a national section and a state-specific section. The number of questions and time allotted for the exam will depend on the state. If you don't pass one or both sections, you can typically retake the exam after a specific period of time.

5. Find a sponsoring broker.

In most states, finding a broker to sponsor you is the final step in getting your real estate license. As an agent, you'll work on behalf of a broker, and they'll help you finally earn your license. Research and find a broker who meets your needs and goals. For example, if you're interested in selling commercial property, look for a broker with this specialty. Some states may require you to find a broker before you take the real estate exam, so be sure to check with your state's regulatory board on current rules.

Once you've chosen a broker and they agree to sponsor you, they'll help you complete the necessary paperwork to get your license. Together, you will submit this paperwork to your state's licensing board. Once you get approved, you'll officially be a real estate agent.

How to become a commercial real estate agent

Becoming a commercial real estate agent follows the same basic licensing process as a residential agent, including completing required education, passing a state exam, and obtaining a real estate license. The key difference lies in the type of work. Residential agents help clients buy and sell homes, while commercial agents focus on income-producing properties such as office buildings, retail centers, and industrial spaces. Commercial transactions are often larger, more complex, and require a strong understanding of financial analysis, investment strategy, and market trends. This career path is well-suited for individuals who are analytical, business-focused, and interested in working with investors and companies.

How to become a successful real estate agent: Required skills

Real estate agents work hard and often work weekends and evenings in addition to regular office hours. You must have good organizational skills, as you'll likely work with multiple clients simultaneously. You must also be a great communicator, self-motivated, and a negotiator.

Knowledge of the real estate market and your local community is essential to the job. Other skills that you typically need as a real estate agent include:

• Adaptability

• Comfort using the latest technology

• Negotiation skills

• Integrity

• Problem-solving

• Self-motivation

• Time management

• Marketing

Real estate agent career path

Working as a real estate agent may be exciting and rewarding. You may advance your career with more education or try different jobs in the industry. Explore examples of what your real estate agent career path may look like:

• Becoming a Realtor by joining the National Association of Realtors

• Becoming a real estate broker yourself

• Going to law school and becoming a real estate attorney

• Becoming a mortgage officer or appraiser

• Embracing your creative side by professional staging and photographing homes for sale

Different types of real estate

As a real estate agent, you also have options to find a niche, such as focusing on residential sales or picking an area within commercial real estate.

• Residential real estate: Refers to properties designed for people to live in. It may be your own house or a residential property that you buy and sell to make a profit.

• Commercial real estate: Refers to any property and land used for business purposes, such as offices, stores, and leisure facilities, which someone owns or leases to generate income.

• Industrial real estate: Refers to properties, including buildings and land, that tenants use for industrial purposes, such as factories and manufacturing plants.

• Land: Includes vacant land and also land with underdeveloped properties.

How long does it take to become a real estate agent?

It may take anywhere from two to six months to become a real estate agent, depending on where you live and your pace. Your state requirements and your schedule may also impact your timeline. Taking your pre-licensing courses online or in person may also contribute to your real estate licensure timeline. Getting your license may take longer if you need to retake the licensing exam.

Real estate agent salary and job outlook

According to Glassdoor as of August 2026, the total median salary for a real estate agent in the US is $174,000 per year [4]. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts the real estate field will continue to grow through 2034 at a rate of 4 percent [5]. With around 46,300 new job openings each year, the BLS considers this growth rate as fast as average compared to other career fields [5].

Read more: Real Estate Agent Salary Guide: What to Expect

Explore our free career-building resources

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