One thing you’ll notice when you research the real estate license cost is that each state has its own criteria for getting a real estate license. This means the cost of getting a real estate license in the U.S. depends on your state.
Some of these are set costs – like the exam, application, or license fees. Other costs, like the pre-licensing course fees, depend on the education provider and other factors.
Cost of Getting a Real Estate License in USA
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 in the USA.
Cost #1: Course fee – 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. Those states include Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, and Vermont.
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
| State | Exam Fee |
| Alabama | $70 |
| Alaska | $100 |
| Arizona | $75 |
| Arkansas | $75 |
| California | $60 |
| Colorado | $44.95 |
| Connecticut | $65 |
| Delaware | $85 |
| Florida | $57.75 |
| Georgia | $119 |
| Hawaii | $61 |
| Idaho | $80 |
| Illinois | $55 |
| Indiana | $53 |
| Iowa | $95 |
| Kansas | $82 |
| Kentucky | $100 |
| Louisiana | $85 |
| Maine | $85 |
| Maryland | $44 |
| Massachusetts | $54 |
| Michigan | $79 |
| Minnesota | $63 |
| Mississippi | $75 |
| Missouri | $62 |
| Montana | $106 |
| Nebraska | $150 |
| Nevada | $125 |
| New Hampshire | $155 |
| New Jersey | $38 |
| New Mexico | $95 |
| New York | $15 |
| North Carolina | $56 |
| North Dakota | $131 |
| Ohio | $63 |
| Oklahoma | $60 |
| Oregon | $75 |
| Pennsylvania | $98 |
| Rhode Island | $100 |
| South Carolina | $88 |
| South Dakota | $294 |
| Tennessee | $39 |
| Texas | $43 |
| Utah | $59 |
| Vermont | $110 |
| Virginia | $60 |
| Washington | $210 |
| West Virginia | $110 |
| Wisconsin | $65 |
| Wyoming | $160 |
Data Gathered December 2023
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 administrative fees, such as a recovery fund fee. (A recovery fund exists to compensate victims of real estate agents who have committed fraud.)
Real Estate Application or License Fees by State
| State | Application or License Fee |
| Alabama | $210 |
| Alaska | $390 |
| Arizona | $60 |
| Arkansas | $50 |
| California | $245 |
| Colorado | $485 |
| Connecticut | $305 |
| Delaware | $140 |
| Florida | $62.75 |
| Georgia | $170 |
| Hawaii | $282 (even numbered year)
$382 (odd numbered year) |
| Idaho | $160 |
| Illinois | $125 |
| Indiana | $50 |
| Iowa | $125 |
| Kansas | $125 |
| Kentucky | $130 |
| Louisiana | $90 |
| Maine | $121 |
| Maryland | $90 |
| Massachusetts | $31 |
| Michigan | $88 |
| Minnesota | $100 |
| Mississippi | $100 |
| Missouri | $40.50 |
| Montana | $80 |
| Nebraska | $135 |
| Nevada | $140 |
| New Hampshire | $90 |
| New Jersey | $160 |
| New Mexico | $270 |
| New York | $65 |
| North Carolina | $100 |
| North Dakota | $150 |
| Ohio | $81 |
| Oklahoma | $215 |
| Oregon | $300 |
| Pennsylvania | $97 |
| Rhode Island | $165 |
| South Carolina | $50 |
| South Dakota | $225 |
| Tennessee | $91 |
| Texas | $150 |
| Utah | $157 |
| Vermont | $100 |
| Virginia | $170 |
| Washington | $223 |
| West Virginia | $75 |
| Wisconsin | $60 |
| Wyoming | $300 |
Data Gathered December 2023
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 in the USA
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. It’s worth noting that some brokerages provide continuing education courses for their salespeople.
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
| State | License Renewal Fee |
| Alabama | $185 |
| Alaska | $345 or $415 depending on when the license was issued |
| Arizona | $60 |
| Arkansas | $60 |
| California | $245 |
| Colorado | $387 |
| Connecticut | $289 |
| Delaware | $210 |
| Florida | $48 |
| Georgia | $125 |
| Hawaii | $268 |
| Idaho | $160 |
| Illinois | $150 |
| Indiana | $60 |
| Iowa | $125 |
| Kansas | $125 |
| Kentucky | $130 |
| Louisiana | $77 |
| Maine | $100 |
| Maryland | $70 |
| Massachusetts | $103 |
| Michigan | $78 |
| Minnesota | $60 |
| Mississippi | $60 |
| Missouri | $40 |
| Montana | $80 |
| Nebraska | $140 |
| Nevada | $335 |
| New Hampshire | $90 |
| New Jersey | $100 |
| New Mexico | $270 |
| New York | $65 |
| North Carolina | $45 |
| North Dakota | $125 |
| Ohio | $182 |
| Oklahoma | $215 |
| Oregon | $300 |
| Pennsylvania | $96 |
| Rhode Island | $130 |
| South Carolina | $45 |
| South Dakota | $125 |
| Tennessee | $75 |
| Texas | $66 |
| Utah | $70 |
| Vermont | $220 |
| Virginia | $65 |
| Washington | $223 |
| West Virginia | $150 |
| Wisconsin | $60 |
| Wyoming | $350 |
Other Real Estate License Costs in the USA
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 in the USA 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 in the USA? 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.
