How Much Does It Cost to Get a Real Estate License? 

Are you considering a career in real estate but wondering about the real estate license cost? The cost to obtain your real estate license depends on your state’s requirements. From pre-licensing courses to exam fees and license applications, every state has its own criteria and fee structure. Here’s a complete breakdown to help you plan your journey to becoming a licensed real estate agent.

Key Takeaways

• Total Costs Vary Widely by State: The cost to become a real estate agent depends heavily on each state’s licensing requirements. Costs include pre-licensing courses, exam fees, license applications, fingerprinting, and more—each of which varies by state.
• Pre-Licensing Course Requirements Drive Upfront Cost: All states require pre-licensing education, but course length and cost differ. For instance, Texas requires 180 hours, while Michigan and Massachusetts require only 40. Course fees depend on the number of hours, delivery method (online/in-person), and provider quality.
• Application, Exam, and Renewal Fees Are Separate and Vary: States typically charge separate fees for the licensing exam, application, and license renewal. These costs can vary widely and may also include additional expenses such as background checks or proof of insurance. Renewal timelines and penalties for late renewals differ depending on the state.
• Ongoing Costs Include Continuing Education & Membership Fees: Agents must complete continuing education (CE) for each license renewal cycle. Failure to meet deadlines can result in license expiration and additional reinstatement costs. Agents may also pay for professional memberships and broker-related expenses (e.g., desk fees).

Cost of Getting a Real Estate License

Here’s the most current information about how much it costs to get a real estate license in each state. We will share state-by-state data for some of the set costs. We’ll also provide the costs of renewing a real estate license.

Cost #1: Prelicensing course fees – varies by state

All states require real estate agents to take a course before they sit for the exam. The length of the course varies by state. For example, Texas requires 180 hours of pre-licensing education, while Michigan and Massachusetts require a 40-hour course.

Still, other states require pre-licensing coursework followed by post-licensing real estate courses after the applicant passes the licensing exam, including the following:

• Alabama
• California
• Delaware
• Florida
• Georgia
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Kentucky
• Mississippi
• Nevada
• North Carolina
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Pennsylvania
• South Dakota
• Texas
• Utah
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington

Because the length of each course varies, so do the course fees. Course fees are dependent on other factors as well.

Factors that determine pre-licensing course fees include the following:

• Number of course hours required by the state
• Course provider
• Delivery method (in-person, online, virtual, hybrid)
• Support and resources provided by the course provider
• Quality of courses/success rate

Besides comparing the costs of each program and the resources offered by each provider, you may want to see what real estate schools have the best success rates in your state. You may find this data on your state’s licensing website.

Check out pre-licensing course packages in your area.

Cost #2: Exam fee – varies by state

Real estate applicants must pay to take the real estate licensing exam. In most states, want-to-be-agents pay a third-party testing provider to take the exam.

Real Estate Licensing Exam Fees By State

Data Gathered August 2025

It’s worth noting that some states require you to spend the same amount to re-take an exam.

Pro Tip: Look for education providers that offer a pass-or-don’t-pay guarantee.

Cost #3: Application or license fee – varies by state

Each state requires want-to-be-agents to fill out a license application, which they must submit with a fee. These “license fees” or “application fees” vary from state to state. These payments may include other fees, such as a recovery fund fee or Errors & Omissions Insurance. (A recovery fund exists to compensate victims of real estate agents who have committed fraud.) Some states include the cost of completing a background check within this fee, while others require applicants to pay separately. Be sure to check your state’s licensing board for the most current application process details.

Real Estate Application or License Fees by State

Data Gathered August 2025

Each state has its own application process. Some states require you to pay the application fee before you take the real estate exam. Others have you pay for your license as one of the last steps in the licensing process.

Cost #4: Fingerprint fee – varies by state

It makes sense that real estate agents must go through background checks. After all, as a real estate agent, you will have access to valuable information and will be able to enter people’s homes when they are away.

Besides providing information regarding your legal history, you must go to a fingerprint processing center. Expect to pay between $40 and $70 for this part of the real estate licensing process. However, some states include the fingerprinting fee as a part of the application fee.

Cost of Maintaining a Real Estate License

Like most licensed professionals, real estate agents must take continuing education courses and pay to renew their licenses. Check with your state’s licensing department to understand the process and deadlines. Some states set the license renewal date as the salesperson’s birthday. Other states have all licenses expire on the same day.

Cost #1: Continuing education course fees – varies by state

As a real estate professional, it will be up to you to complete your required continuing education before your license needs to be renewed. Most states require agents to submit proof of course completion and a license renewal fee.

Some real estate education providers allow you to purchase all your required continuing education courses in one bundle, which is a convenient way to complete the requirement. 

Cost #2: License renewal fee – varies by state

Your real estate license may expire in one, two, or three years – depending on your state. You will have to pay a license renewal fee to your state’s licensing department as a part of this process.

Please note that there’s a difference between a license renewal and a license reinstatement. If you let your license expire, you may have to take additional coursework to reinstate your real estate license.

Also, most states charge late fees if the renewal process isn’t completed on time.

Real Estate License Renewal Fees by State

Other Real Estate License Costs

There are other costs associated with working as a real estate agent. For example, you may pay for membership with the National Association of REALTORS® and your local real estate board. In addition, your brokerage may charge a desk fee to cover office expenses.

As you can see, becoming a real estate agent requires a significant financial investment. Colibri Real Estate can make becoming a real estate agent more affordable.

While Colibri Real Estate (formerly Real Estate Express) cannot save you on application or license fees, we offer affordable pre-licensing education packages for your state. Some of those packages provide a pass or don’t pay guarantee, which shows how confident we are about the quality of education Colibri Real Estate delivers.

Are you ready to become a real estate agent? Visit the Colibri Real Estate website and select your state. Within just a few months, you could be a licensed real estate agent ready to embark on a new career.