Real estate license requirements in every state

Pre-license hours range from 40 to 180 depending on the state. Pick yours for the steps, exam and what comes after.

StatePre-license hoursMinimum ageExamAfter you're licensed
Alabama6019+PSI30-hour post-license course in year one; 15 hours of CE every 2 years
Alaska4018+Pearson VUE20 hours of CE per 2-year cycle
Arizona9018+Pearson VUE24 hours of CE every 2 years
Arkansas6018+Pearson VUE–
California13518+California DRE (state-run)45 hours of CE every 4 years
Colorado168–PSI24 hours of CE every 3 years
Connecticut60–PSI12 hours of CE every 2 years
Delaware9918+Pearson VUE21 hours of CE every 2 years
District of Columbia60–PSI–
Florida6318+Pearson VUE45-hour post-license course before your first renewal; 14 hours of CE every 2 years after that
Georgia7518+PSI25-hour post-license course in year one; 36 hours of CE every 4 years
Hawaii60–PSI20 hours of CE every 2 years
Idaho90–Pearson VUECore plus elective CE every 2 years
Illinois7518+PSI–
Indiana9018+Pearson VUE30-hour post-license course
Iowa6018+PSI36 hours of CE every 3 years
Kansas6018+––
Kentucky9618+PSI48-hour post-license requirement
Louisiana9018+––
Maine5518+Pearson VUE–
Maryland6018+PSI15 hours of CE each renewal
Massachusetts4018+PSI12 hours of CE every 2 years
Michigan40–PSI18 hours of CE every 3 years
Minnesota90–Pearson VUE–
Mississippi6018+PSI–
Missouri72–Pearson VUE12 hours of CE every 2 years
Montana70–Pearson VUE12 hours of CE each year
Nebraska9619+Pearson VUE–
Nevada120–Pearson VUE–
New Hampshire40–PSI15 hours of CE every 2 years
New Jersey7518+PSI12 hours of CE every 2 years
New Mexico90–PSI36 hours of CE every 3 years
New York77–NY Department of State (state-run)22.5 hours of CE every 2 years
North Carolina75–Pearson VUE8 hours of CE each year
North Dakota9018+PSI–
Ohio12018+PSI20-hour post-license course
Oklahoma9018+Pearson VUE30 hours of CE every 3 years
Oregon15018+PSI–
Pennsylvania7518+Pearson VUE14 hours of CE every 2 years
Rhode Island45–Pearson VUE24 hours of CE every 2 years
South Carolina9018+PSI–
South Dakota116–PSI–
Tennessee90–PSI–
Texas18018+Pearson VUE18 hours of CE every 2 years
Utah120–Pearson VUE–
Vermont40–PSI16 hours of CE every 2 years
Virginia60–PSI30-hour post-license course before your first renewal
Washington9018+PSI–
West Virginia90–Pearson VUE–
Wisconsin7218+Pearson VUE–
Wyoming54–Pearson VUE–

Last checked October 2026. Requirements change, so always confirm with your state's commission (linked on each state page) before enrolling.

Questions people ask

Which state requires the most hours for a real estate license?

Texas requires 180 hours of pre-license education, followed by Colorado at 168 and Oregon at 150, according to the figures on this page.

Which states require the fewest hours?

Alaska, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire and Vermont require 40 hours, the lowest of any state listed here.

How long does it take to get a real estate license?

Most people finish in 2 to 6 months: the pre-license course, then the state exam, then the application and background check, and finally joining a sponsoring brokerage.

Can I get a real estate license online?

Most states accept online pre-license courses from approved schools. The licensing exam is usually taken in person at a testing center or through an approved proctored option.

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