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If you're thinking about becoming a real estate agent, you'll need to have a high school diploma and a license, at a minimum.
However, the legal language and complexity that's involved in the sale of properties has caused some firms to seek out job candidates who have had some college classes in business and finance, since prospective agents with these backgrounds are typically better prepared to answer any questions that arise during a real estate transaction.
Real Estate Agent Education and Training
If you're thinking about taking traditional classes before pursuing a career in real estate, you'll find that there are more than one thousand universities that offer courses in the many aspects of real estate transactions. These may include classes in mortgage financing, property zoning laws, and the management of large properties, among others. |
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In addition, members of the National Association of Realtors sometimes sponsor small educational programs outside of traditional colleges on the complexities of real estate financing, legal issues with titles and liens, and more.
If you're pursuing a second career as a real estate agent, you may not have the time in your schedule to attend classroom-based real estate courses.
Fortunately, there are many suitable adult education and online courses that will help you learn the basics of real estate, on a schedule that works for you. However – a word of caution. If you choose to take an online course, be sure it's one that's approved by your state's real estate licensing commission. Courses that promise to confer a real estate license online are scams – so don't send them your money!
Whether you choose to these classes or if you rely on your company to provide informative lessons, you'll need to pass a written exam in order to get your license and deal in real estate. To be eligible to take the license test, you must have completed at least 30-90 hours worth of classroom education to help, depending on your individual state's requirements. The questions on the exam will concern elements of basic real estate dealings – as well as some of the laws that will affect the property – so you'll need to study and review the materials from your courses in order to adequately prepare for the test.
If you're thinking of becoming a real estate broker instead of a traditional agent, you'll take a much more difficult test to obtain your license. This exam places a greater emphasis on the more obscure financial programs and real estate transaction laws you may have to deal with as an advanced agent. Real estate brokers also need to have approximately three years worth of experience selling real estate as traditional agents and take anywhere from 60-90 hours worth of classroom classes before they're eligible to take the licensing test.
After you've received your license, you'll likely need to take continuing education courses every year or two to have it renewed. These courses will help keep you up-to-date on any changes to property laws that have occurred since you originally received your license. If you want to know exactly what – if any – special licensing requirements your state may have, contact the real estate commission in your state that handles the administration of real estate licenses.
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