Question 1
How many classroom hours of qualifying real estate courses must a Texas sales agent applicant complete?
Real estate license cost and steps
State fees come to $80 in New York, $301 in Texas and $499 in California, before your course. The course is usually the biggest cost, so add its price below.
| State | Course | Exam | Application or license | Fingerprints | State fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 180 hours (six 30-hour courses) | $58 | $206 | $37 | $301 |
| Florida | 63 hours | $36.75 | $83.75 | Paid to the Livescan provider | $120.50 |
| California | 3 college-level courses (45 hours each) | $100 | $350 | $49 | $499 |
| New York | 77 hours | $15 | $65 | No fingerprint step listed | $80 |
Your total, with your course
Texas total
$301
180 course hours: about 12 weeks at 15 hours a week.
| Exam | $58 |
|---|---|
| TREC application | $206 |
| Fingerprints | $37 |
| Your course and other costs | $0 |
TREC fee schedule · Florida Real Estate Commission · DRE fees · Department of State
How to get a real estate license
- Take your state's prelicense course: 63 hours in Florida, 77 in New York, 135 in California, 180 in Texas.
- Apply to the state and get fingerprinted where the state requires it.
- Pass the state exam. Texas and Florida test at Pearson VUE; California and New York give their own.
- Join a broker. You cannot practice without one.
- Keep studying after: all four states require more education to renew.
How long it takes
The course is most of the time. At 15 hours a week, Florida's 63 hours take 5 weeks and Texas's 180 hours take 12. Add time for the application, the background check and an exam date.
Try 3 questions
Question 2
A Florida applicant has not passed the license exam. How long is her application valid?
Question 3
What is the California DRE's fee to take the salesperson exam?
Next step
Questions people ask
How much does a real estate license cost in Texas?
$301 in official fees: the $206 TREC application, the $58 Pearson VUE exam and $37 for fingerprints, plus your 180 hours of courses.
How much does a real estate license cost in California?
$499 in DRE and fingerprint fees: $100 for the exam, $350 for the license and $49 for fingerprint processing, plus your three courses.
How much does a real estate license cost in New York?
$80 in state fees: $15 for the exam and $65 for the application, plus the 77-hour course.
How much is the Florida real estate exam?
$36.75 an attempt, paid to Pearson VUE. The $83.75 DBPR application fee and Livescan fingerprints are extra.
How long does it take to get a real estate license?
Mostly the course: 63 to 180 hours depending on the state. At 15 hours a week that is 5 to 12 weeks, plus the application and exam.