Can I get a real estate license if I have been convicted of a crime or have a criminal act on my record?

For someone who has a conviction or criminal record, getting a real estate license might be challenging however, it is quite possible depending on various factors. Each state has its own rules and policies, but if you meet some basic requirements, you can get a real estate license. Some states are more lenient when dealing with convicted felons while others are not. Some states might consider your application two to five years after you’ve completed the sentence. If the felony is more serious, you might have to wait for ten years or more. On the other hand, some states are uncompromising, so they make it difficult for anyone with a felony conviction to obtain a real estate license.

These states include: 

  • Georgia 
  • Arizona 
  • Michigan 
  • California 

 

However, no states automatically disqualify people with past felonies or misdemeanors from earning a real estate license, but you must apply for a waiver or approval from the state's real estate commission. It is always best to come clean about past criminal record(s) as most states require background check or criminal history report as part of your application. If you decide to lie or refuse to admit to being a past felon, you can be rejected or have your real estate license revoked later. Transparency and honesty show your state's commission that you can be trusted, and this can go a long way to demonstrate that you truly deserve a chance in the real estate industry.  

If you’re interested in getting enrolled, or would like to attend our, free Career Day event, contact us at (858) 329 - 0999 or [email protected] to begin your journey with us today.  

Will I have a real estate license after I take the pre-licensing course?

To begin with, a pre-licensing course is the regulatory education required by each state’s real estate commission for getting your license and working in the real estate industry. Taking a pre-licensing course with Agent Real Estate Schools will not give you a real estate license. However, it is necessary to complete the pre-licensing course work of chapter quizzes and final exams if you wish to take the state licensing exam (in your state) which certifies you as a real estate agent. 

At Agent Real Estate Schools, our interactive online course, and our live virtual option are both taught by professional producing real estate agents who are experts in their field. You can easily earn your real estate salesperson or broker license from anywhere, day or night, with your smartphone, tablet, or computer.  

If you’re interested in getting enrolled, or would like to attend our, free Career Day event, contact us at (858) 329 - 0999 or [email protected] to begin your journey with us today.  

Why do I have to take a pre-license course to obtain a real estate license?

First, this is state law as every state requires pre-license training to obtain a real estate license. Each state has its own unique requirements. 

For prospective real estate agents to gain the requisite knowledge of the industry and get a real estate license, they must take pre-licensing courses from an accredited real estate school like Agent Real Estate Schools. The purpose of these courses is to help students gain the pertinent knowledge and pass real estate exam. However, each state has different requirements for licensing education including the total number of required credit hours and the topics presented in each course. 

Have you been thinking about getting your real estate license but don’t know how to go about it? With Agent Real Estate Schools, we make it easy and affordable for aspiring agents to earn their real estate license from anywhere and anytime. 

 
If you’re interested in getting enrolled, or would like to attend our, free Career Day event, contact us at (858) 329 - 0999 or [email protected] to begin your journey with us today.  

Where can I get my real estate license?

Do you want to start a career as a real estate agent? Are you wondering about the steps to get your real estate license? Would you like to know where and how you can get your real estate license?   

Once you’ve made the decision to venture into real estate, you begin to ask more specific questions like where can I get a real estate license? and how can I get a real estate license? 

It mostly depends on where you want to practice real estate. Becoming a real estate agent requires a state license. Each state regulates their own real estate licensing process, and each state’s regulations or rules are slightly different.  

After knowing about your state requirements and regulations, we at Agent Real Estate Schools can help you achieve your goals in becoming a real estate agent. You can take your real estate pre-licensing course anywhere and at any convenient time. After completing the pre-licensing course, you can proceed with the state license exams and then finally becoming a fully licensed real estate agent. 

Our courses have been specifically designed to make it easy to access and digest the state required information, so that you can pass the test with ease. If you are a busy person trying to make your way in the real estate market, we are the best choice for those who want to learn on their own time, without breaking the bank. 

At Agent Real Estate Schools, you can easily earn your real estate salesperson license from anywhere, day or night, with your smartphone, tablet, or computer. If you’re interested in getting enrolled, or would like to attend our, free Career Day event, contact us at (858) 329 - 0999 or [email protected]to begin your journey with us today.  

What is the difference between a salesperson and a broker?

People often think of a broker and a salesperson when they want to buy or sell a property. Real estate salespeople and brokers basically help clients buy or sell homes. They are professionals who deal with real estate. However, their roles differ in the operation of a real estate business. The broker is the owner or managing agent of a brokerage, while a salesperson is normally an independently contracted employee. 

Agents and brokers both make income from commissions on home sales. Salespeople don’t get regular paychecks. Instead, they get a specific percent of commissions on each home sale. 

Another difference lies in the license requirements, and interaction with the client. Though a license is required for becoming a broker and a salesperson, it is easier to get one for working as a salesperson. 

A major distinction between an agent and broker is their level of involvement in the business. A broker either manages an office for a large company or are business owners. Salespeople are basically independent workers in business for themselves. Their function is to legally sell and to meet other terms and conditions stipulated in their contracted employment. 

Depending on the state there may not be a salesperson, instead there are brokers and managing brokers. Understand your state license requirements by choosing your state on the state licensing requirements tab. 
If you’re interested in getting enrolled, or would like to attend our, free Career Day event, contact us at (858) 329 - 0999 or [email protected] to begin your journey with us today. 

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

The amount of time it takes to get a real estate license is a question most people ask before you consider taking a pre-licensing course. Getting a real estate license doesn’t happen overnight, and it also doesn’t take as long as some other professional licenses. On average it takes at least 4-7 months to get a real estate license in a physical classroom. If you decide to take your real estate pre-licensing course online, it can take as little as 2 months depending on how fast you’re willing to move. There are several factors that can either speed up or slow down real estate licensing.  

Each state has its own requirement and timeframe for the completion of the pre-licensing course. State real estate guidelines typically require that a person take a specific pre-licensing course or series of courses before taking a real estate exam with each of these options having different timeframe. For example, Florida requires 63 training hours before taking an salespersons licensing exam. In California, you need almost double that - 135 hours of college-level courses. 

You can verify the number of education hours required in your state by choosing your state on the state licensing requirements tab. 

You can either take the course online, virtually or by attending a physical classroom. In-person classes at a real estate school like Agent Real Estate Schools, will be taken over the course of a semester. Our online courses also allow you to go at your own pace and can be completed in weeks rather than months. At Agent Real Estate Schools, you can easily earn your salesperson or broker’s real estate license. If you’re interested in getting enrolled, or would like to attend our, free Career Day event, contact us at (858) 329 - 0999 or[email protected] to begin your journey with us today.  

I'm already a licensed real estate agent in my state. How do I get my real estate license in another state?

Are you moving out of state? Do want to get your real estate license in another state? What does that mean for your current real estate license? Are you wondering how to transfer a real estate license to another state? Can you get a real estate license in a state that you don't live in? Luckily, there is an agreement between states that allows you to get a license in another state and in most cases can be as simple as taking the reciprocal state’s examination. 
 
In most cases, you won't have to start the licensing process from scratch. That's because many states offer "license reciprocity" which means that if you already have an active real estate license in one US state, you can apply for a real estate license in a new state without taking all the state-required pre-licensing real estate courses. You can just apply for a new state license and take the test without retaking the course work. 

 

Full Reciprocity States 

Reciprocity varies from state to state however some other states allow agents to transfer their license from any state. We refer to them as full reciprocity states.

They include:

  • Alabama
  • Alaska
  • Coloado
  • Delaware
  • Georgia
  • Kansas
  • Kentucky
  • Maine
  • Mississippi
  • Missouri
  • Virginia
  • Washington

Partial Reciprocity States 

Those states require limited education and examination for real estate agents from reciprocal states are known as partial reciprocity states.

They include:

  • Oregon 
  • Louisiana 
  • Massachusetts 
  • Connecticut 
  • Oklahoma 
  • Pennsylvania 
  • South Carolina 
  • Utah 
  • New Mexico 
  • West Virginia 
  • New York 
  • North Dakota 
  • Wisconsin
  • Rhode Island
  • Nebraska
  • Florida
  • Illinois
  • Nebraska
  • Iowa
  • Maryland
  • Nevada
  • Minnesota
  • Idaho
  • New Hampshire
  • North Carolina
  • Tennessee
  • Ohio

 

The best advice is to check with your state’s licensing board for specific requirements. 

No Reciprocity States 

Some states deny reciprocity and we call them no reciprocity states. 

They include:

  • Arizona 
  • California 
  • Hawaii 
  • Indiana 
  • Kentucky 
  • Michigan 
  • Montana 
  • New Jersey 
  • South Dakota 
  • Texas 
  • Vermont 
  • Wyoming 

 

It is also important to know about real estate license portability as it lets you know where you can and cannot practice real estate beyond your home state. There are three classifications for real estate license portability. 
 
The first is Cooperative State where when one state has a cooperative agreement with another state, you can practice real estate in both states.  
 
The second classification is the Physical Location State. This law won’t allow you to physically enter the state to represent your client if you’re an out-of-state agent. You must work remotely to assist with the purchase or sale in markets where this law is enacted. 
 
And the final classification is the Turf State. Under Turf State Law, some states don’t allow anyone with an outside real estate license to do business in their market. There are currently six turf states in the U.S.: Kentucky, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Utah. 
 
Getting a real estate license in multiple states will give you more freedom to move if you wish to. When planning to travel to another state, you can choose a state with reciprocity. Or you can pay to go through the licensing process in the new state. However, make sure that you plan this process well and have appropriate assistance. Getting your real estate license in multiple states will allow you to create your own opportunities and work at your own convenience.

Steps To Get Your Real Estate License

Have you been thinking about getting your real estate license and don’t know how to go about it? With Agent real Estate Schools, we make it easy and affordable for aspiring agents to earn their real estate license from anywhere and anytime. Our courses have been specifically designed to make it easy to access and digest the state required information, so that you can pass the test with ease. If you are a busy person trying to make his way in the real estate market, we become an obvious choice for those who want to learn on their own time, without breaking the bank. 
 
At Agent Real Estate Schools, you can easily earn your real estate salesperson license from anywhere, day or night, with your smartphone, tablet, or computer. If you’re interested in getting enrolled, or would like to attend our, free Career Day event, contact us at (858) 329 - 0999 or [email protected] to begin your journey with us today.