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RE License Guide

Planning tool

Real estate license cost calculator

Pick a state and license. We fill in the application, exam, and fingerprint fees that the commission or its testing vendor publishes. Then add what your school, association, and brokerage quote you to see a realistic first-year number.

License
Getting licensed (your quotes)
First year in practice (optional)

Your estimate

Choose a state to load its published fees. Typical first licenses cost $99.50–$736.25 in state and testing fees before tuition.

This is a planning estimate, not a quote. Confirm every fee on the commission site the day you file; some states change fees by application date or charge more for late filing.

What a real estate license actually costs

Licensing costs fall into three groups. Only the first is set by the state.

1. State and testing fees

The commission charges an application or original-license fee, the testing vendor charges an exam fee (sometimes per portion or per attempt), and most states require a fingerprint background check through a named vendor. Across the 51 jurisdictions whose amounts we can cite, these add up to between $99.50 and $736.25 for a first license, with a midpoint near $275.

2. Pre-license education

Required hours for a first license range from 40 to 180 depending on the state, and course prices depend on the school, format (online, live-stream, classroom), and bundles. Tuition is usually the largest cost of getting licensed. Compare at least two commission-approved schools and confirm the course is approved for the exact license you want.

3. Costs of practicing

Once you are licensed, your brokerage and local market add their own costs: association membership if you become a REALTOR®, MLS and lockbox access, errors-and-omissions insurance, and brokerage fees. These are not state requirements, but they often arrive in the first month. Ask a prospective broker which ones they cover.

Don't forget renewal

Every license renews on a cycle between one and four years, with a renewal fee and continuing-education hours. Several states also require post-license education before the first renewal, which costs extra tuition. Each state guide lists the cycle and the first-renewal requirements.

Published fees for a first license, by state

Entry-level license only, sorted from lowest to highest. Blank cells mean the guide does not cite that amount; it is not free. Open the guide for fee notes, late fees, and the source schedule.

Published entry-level real estate license fees by state
Jurisdiction License Application & license Exam Fingerprints Total
Florida Sales Associate $62.75 $36.75 — $99.50
Massachusetts Salesperson $31 $85 — $116
Colorado Associate Broker $83 $49 — $132
South Carolina Associate $75 $67 — $142
New York Salesperson $130 $15 — $145
Ohio Salesperson $81 $66 — $147
Pennsylvania Salesperson $97 $52 — $149
West Virginia Salesperson $100 $59 — $159
Wisconsin Salesperson $120 $65 — $185
Missouri Salesperson $100 $52 $40.50 $192.50
Arkansas Salesperson $100 $75 $36.25 $211.25
Indiana Broker $120 $55 $38.20 $213.20
Kansas Salesperson $140 $70 $16 $226
Louisiana Salesperson $90 $81 $60.75 $231.75
Maryland Salesperson $196 $44 — $240
Tennessee Affiliate Broker $182 $63 — $245
New Hampshire Salesperson $180 $66 — $246
New Jersey Salesperson $150 $38 $66.05 $254.05
Michigan Salesperson $176 $79 — $255
Montana Salesperson $160 $95 — $255
Arizona Salesperson $120 $75 $67 $262
Minnesota Salesperson $200 $68 — $268
Oklahoma Provisional Sales Associate $135 $75 $60 $270
North Carolina Provisional Broker $210 $63 — $273
District of Columbia Salesperson $195 $79 — $274
Mississippi Salesperson $200 $75 — $275
Texas Sales Agent $206 $43 $37 $286
Illinois Broker $250 $58 — $308
Maine Sales Agent $200 $88 $21 $309
Vermont Salesperson $200 $110 — $310
Georgia Salesperson $340 — — $340
North Dakota Salesperson $170 $134 $40 $344
Idaho Salesperson $270 $83 — $353
Utah Sales Agent $254 $69 $32 $355
Kentucky Sales Associate $260 $100 — $360
Alabama Salesperson $295 $73 — $368
Nevada Salesperson $280 $100 — $380
Rhode Island Salesperson $280 $103 — $383
Delaware Salesperson $298 $88 — $386
Iowa Salesperson $250 $95 $51 $396
Nebraska Salesperson $265 $150 — $415
Alaska Salesperson $320 $115 — $435
Virginia Salesperson $489 $60 — $549
South Dakota Broker Associate $450 $98 $43.25 $591.25
California Salesperson $450 $100 $49 $599
Hawaii Salesperson $564 $61 — $625
New Mexico Associate Broker $540 $95 $59 $694
Wyoming Salesperson $600 $80 $39 $719
Washington Broker $466 $210 $51 $727
Connecticut Salesperson $670 $59 — $729
Oregon Broker $600 $75 $61.25 $736.25

Cost questions

What does it cost to get a real estate license?

Government and testing fees for a first license range from about $99.50 in Florida to $736.25 in Oregon among the jurisdictions whose fees we can cite; the middle of the range is about $275. Pre-license tuition is a separate private-market cost and is usually the largest single expense.

Why does the calculator not include school tuition automatically?

Tuition is set by private schools, changes with promotions and course formats, and is not published by the commission. We only pre-fill amounts a regulator or its testing vendor prints. Enter the price your school actually quotes you.

What costs come after the license is issued?

Expect renewal fees and continuing education on the state cycle, plus costs set by your brokerage and local market: REALTOR® association dues if you join, MLS access, lockbox or key access, errors-and-omissions insurance, and any brokerage desk or technology fees. Ask a prospective broker for their list before you sign.

Do I have to join the National Association of REALTORS®?

No. The state license is issued by the commission. NAR and local association membership is voluntary, although many brokerages and MLSs in practice expect it. Include those dues only if you plan to join.