Every state in the U.S. sets its own rules for getting a real estate license. Pre-licensing education can range from 40 hours to more than 180 hours. Exam formats differ. Fees vary by hundreds of dollars. And reciprocity agreements can save you months of work -- or force you to start from scratch.

This guide compiles real, verified data from official state regulatory boards to give you the most accurate side-by-side comparison of real estate license requirements by state available anywhere in 2026. Whether you are deciding where to get licensed, weighing the cost of entry, or planning a move to a new market, the table below has every number you need.

Want an interactive experience? Use our free comparison tool to filter, sort, and compare states side by side.

Complete State-by-State Comparison Table

Click any state name to see its full licensing guide with step-by-step instructions, exam details, fees, and timeline.

How to Read the Table

Pre-License Hours refers to the total classroom or online coursework every new applicant must complete before sitting for the licensing exam. This is the single biggest time commitment in the licensing process. States with higher hour requirements typically have more rigorous curricula covering real estate law, contracts, finance, and ethics.

Estimated Total Fees represents the approximate all-in cost to go from zero to licensed, including education, exam fees, application fees, and background checks. This figure uses mid-range estimates for education costs and assumes a single exam attempt. Your actual cost may be lower (with discount online schools) or higher (if you need retakes or choose a premium classroom program).

Exam Provider tells you which testing company administers the state licensing exam. The two major providers are PSI Services and Pearson VUE. This matters because each has different scheduling systems, test center locations, and exam-day procedures.

Reciprocity indicates whether a state offers a streamlined path for agents already licensed in another state. States with reciprocity agreements typically waive the national portion of the exam and may reduce or waive education requirements. However, you almost always need to pass the state-specific law portion of the exam.

Regional Patterns in Licensing Requirements

While every state is different, clear regional patterns emerge when you compare licensing requirements across the country.

Southern States

Southern states tend to require moderate pre-licensing education hours, typically in the 60-to-90-hour range. Virginia requires 60 hours, while Tennessee requires 90 hours. Many southern states offer broad reciprocity agreements, reflecting a historically mobile population and strong interstate commerce in border markets. Overall costs tend to land in the moderate range, making southern states among the more accessible places to begin a real estate career.

Western States

Western states tend to have higher education requirements and correspondingly higher total costs. Colorado requires 168 hours of pre-licensing education, one of the highest totals in the nation. Many western states also have additional coursework requirements in areas like water rights, environmental regulations, and land-use planning that reflect the region's unique geography and regulatory landscape. Exam pass rates in western states tend to be lower, partly because of the volume of material covered.

Northeastern States

Northeastern states present a wide range. Some, like New Jersey, require 75 hours of pre-licensing education, while others have lighter requirements. The Northeast is notable for higher overall costs driven by expensive education markets and above-average application fees. Reciprocity tends to be more limited in this region, with states preferring specific bilateral agreements rather than universal recognition.

Midwestern States

Midwestern states generally fall on the lower end of both education hours and total costs, making them some of the most affordable places to get licensed. Indiana and Michigan both have reasonable hour requirements and competitive fee structures. Many midwestern states have reciprocity with neighboring states, reflecting the reality that metro areas often span state lines (think Kansas City, Chicago, or the Twin Cities). Minnesota is a good example of a state with accessible requirements and strong regional reciprocity.

Pre-Licensing Education: Why Hours Vary So Much

The education requirement is where states differ most dramatically. Some states require as few as 40 hours. Others require 150 or more. The average across all states we track is approximately 82 hours.

Why the difference? It comes down to each state's real estate commission or board, which sets the curriculum standards. States with higher hour requirements typically include more content on state- specific law, advanced contract writing, and specialized topics like property management, environmental hazards, or commercial real estate.

A higher hour requirement does not necessarily mean a more difficult licensing process. In some cases, the extended curriculum gives students a more thorough foundation, which can translate to higher first-attempt pass rates on the exam. In other cases, it simply adds time and cost to the process without a measurable improvement in outcomes.

If you are weighing two states and one requires significantly more hours, factor in the time commitment. At 20 hours per week of study, the difference between a 60-hour state and a 168-hour state is roughly five additional weeks of coursework.

Exam Providers: PSI vs. Pearson VUE

Nearly every state contracts with one of two major testing companies to administer the licensing exam: PSI Services or Pearson VUE. Of the states we track, 27 use PSI and 22 use Pearson VUE.

PSI Services is the more common provider. PSI operates testing centers across all 50 states and offers both in-person and remote-proctored exam options in most jurisdictions. Their scheduling system is online-based, and most candidates can book an exam within one to two weeks of completing their education.

Pearson VUE is the other major provider, used by states like Indiana. Pearson VUE tends to have a denser network of testing centers in metropolitan areas and a slightly different scheduling interface. The exam content is determined by the state, not the provider, so the difficulty is the same regardless of which company administers it.

From a practical standpoint, the exam provider affects logistics but not difficulty. Check the provider for your state, create an account on their platform, and schedule your exam as soon as your education provider submits your completion data.

Understanding the Total Cost of Getting Licensed

The total cost to get a real estate license varies significantly by state, but most candidates can expect to spend between $400 and $1,200 all-in. This includes pre-licensing education, the exam fee, the application fee, fingerprinting and background checks, and any required post-licensing education.

Education is the most variable cost. An online pre-licensing course can cost as little as $100-$200 in states with lower hour requirements, while a classroom program in a high-hour state can run $500-$800 or more. Exam fees are typically $50-$100 per attempt. Application fees range from under $50 to over $300, depending on the state.

Hidden costs to plan for include study materials and practice exams ($30-$100), retake fees if you do not pass on the first attempt, post-licensing education required within the first year in many states, errors and omissions (E&O) insurance ($200-$400 per year, often required by your brokerage), and MLS dues once you join a brokerage ($200-$600 per year).

The numbers in the table above represent the core licensing costs only. Budget an additional $500-$1,500 for first-year brokerage and business startup costs.

Reciprocity: What It Actually Means

Reciprocity sounds simple -- if you are licensed in one state, you can get licensed in another state more easily. In practice, it is more nuanced. There are several types of reciprocity arrangements:

Universal reciprocity means a state will accept a license from any other state. Virginia is a good example. If you hold an active license anywhere in the U.S., Virginia will let you apply through a streamlined process, typically requiring only the state law exam.

Specific reciprocity agreements mean a state has negotiated deals with particular states. You may get a streamlined process if your home state is on the list, but not if it is not. These agreements can change year to year.

Cooperative licensing or portability agreements allow agents to conduct limited business across state lines without obtaining a full second license. This is useful for agents working in border markets.

Even with reciprocity, you almost always need to pass the state- specific law portion of the licensing exam. The national portion is typically waived, which saves study time and one exam attempt. You will also need to submit an application, pay the application fee, and often provide a certification letter from your home state.

How to Choose the Right State to Get Licensed In

If you have the flexibility to choose where you get licensed, consider these factors:

1. Where you plan to practice. This is the most important factor. Get licensed where your clients are. If you live in a border metro area, you may need licenses in two states.

2. Total time to licensure. If speed matters, look at states with lower education requirements. A 60-hour state lets you start weeks earlier than a 168-hour state.

3. Total cost. If you are bootstrapping, the difference between a $400 state and an $1,100 state is significant. The table above helps you compare quickly.

4. Reciprocity options. If you may want to expand to other states later, starting in a state with broad reciprocity gives you more flexibility. Getting licensed in Virginia, for example, makes it easier to add licenses in other states down the road.

5. Market opportunity. Consider the state's housing market, population growth, and median home prices. A state with strong population inflows and rising property values may offer more opportunity, even if the licensing process is more demanding.

Typical Timeline: From Zero to Licensed

Regardless of state, the licensing process follows the same general sequence: complete pre-licensing education, pass the exam, submit your application, clear a background check, and find a sponsoring broker. The total time varies based on the state's education requirements and your pace of study.

The fastest path to licensure is typically in a lower-hour state using a self-paced online course. Motivated candidates in a 60-hour state can go from zero to licensed in as little as six weeks.

Our Data Methodology

The data in this guide is sourced directly from official state regulatory board websites, state administrative codes, and verified against multiple secondary sources. We do not rely on third-party aggregators alone. Every data point is cross-referenced for accuracy and updated on a rolling basis as states change their requirements.

Where fee amounts have recently changed (as many did in 2024 and 2025), we reflect the current amount and note the change. Where data conflicts exist between sources, we explain the discrepancy and cite the resolution.

If you find an error or a recent change we have not yet captured, please let us know. Accuracy is our first priority.

Sources

• Individual state real estate commission and board websites (primary sources for all licensing data).
• PSI Services LLC (psiexams.com) -- exam provider for the majority of states.
• Pearson VUE (pearsonvue.com) -- exam provider for select states.
• Association of Real Estate License Law Officials (arello.org) -- national organization of real estate regulatory agencies.
• National Association of Realtors (nar.realtor) -- industry data and reciprocity information.
• State-specific administrative codes and statutes (cited on individual state pages).