What is Real Estate Pre-Licensing Education?

Real estate is one of the best careers out there because you can hit the ground running and start quickly. You don’t need a college degree to be a real estate agent, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a lot to know. Although you don’t need to spend four years getting a bachelor’s degree before getting started, there is a good amount of pre-licensing education that goes into becoming a real estate agent.

Each state requires aspiring real estate agents to take a pre-licensing course before taking the real estate licensing exam. And every state has its own real estate licensing process, education requirements and rules.

In this article, you’ll learn more about real estate pre-licensing courses and their benefits and get answers to all the frequently asked questions many aspiring agents like you have.

What is real estate pre-licensing education?

A real estate pre-licensing course is a program that helps prepare you to take your real estate license exam. Completing a pre-licensing program is required by all 50 states before you can get your real estate license and work in the real estate industry.

Each state has different requirements for certain aspects of the licensing process, so you’ll need to take a pre-licensing course built specifically for the state you plan to work in. Each state individually dictates how much education is required, what topics are included in the required pre-licensing education, the fees involved and the type of examination you’ll need to take in order to get your license.

What are the benefits of taking a pre-licensing course?

There’s a lot to know when it comes to selling, buying, leasing, or managing real estate. Pre-licensing courses help you get the education you need in order to pass the licensing exam and start working with real estate clients fast.

Taking a pre-licensing course ensures you know exactly what to expect when it comes to the real estate licensing exam and gives you a solid foundation as you begin your career.

How do I know I’m taking a pre-licensing course with an approved provider?

Check with your state’s real estate commission to learn which courses are approved. To find your state’s real estate commission website, search “your state name” plus “real estate commission”. Course providers will likely include this information on their websites as well.

How many hours of pre-licensing education is required in my state?

All states require between 40-180 hours of college-level real estate courses. To find out what your state’s requirements are, visit our Pre-Licensing page and select your state.

What will I learn from a pre-licensing course?

Real estate pre-licensing course content differs depending on which state you want to practice in, but most include a college-level study on real estate principles and practices and real estate laws and regulations.

Most pre-licensing courses will also include the necessary books, workbooks, quizzes, and practice exams you need to feel confident going into your real estate licensing exam. Some pre-licensing programs even have a you-pass-or-you-don’t-pay guarantee.

The most common topics covered in real estate pre-licensing programs include:

The listing and selling process
Property valuation
Closing the sale
Escrow procedure
Taxes and financing
Land descriptions and subdivisions
Acquisition and transfer of real property
Liens and encumbrances
Leases and contracts
Unlawful discrimination
Agency and business principles
Ethics
Real estate law

It’s also really helpful to look for a program that includes training on running a real estate business. This type of training will help you learn how to generate leads, price listings, manage your time, follow up with prospects, and more.

How much do real estate pre-licensing courses cost?

Costs vary by state, but on average, individual courses cost between $80-$120 each. For programs with 60-180 hours of training, expect to pay between $300-$900+.

Did you know Sell It Like Serhant has partnered with pre-licensing course providers in 38 states to create the #1 real estate pre-licensing accelerator program in the United States? You can get 100% online pre-licensing courses through a state-approved provider PLUS our core course, Sell It Like Serhant, all in one program—and you get a great deal when you bundle these courses together!

This puts you WAY ahead of the game by providing you with all the education you need to get your real estate license and all the training and strategies it takes to create a successful real estate business, including:

Lead generation
Sales
Time management
Follow up
Plus tons of templates, guides, and worksheets that will help make running your business easier from the get-go!

Get Your Real Estate License!