Real Estate Broker license count, how many states?

51 states require a license for Real Estate Broker practitioners. Same-lane licenses to open next: Home Inspector; Real Estate Agent / Salesperson; Amusement Ride Operator.

Real Estate Broker education hours, what is typical?

On average, states require approximately 156 hours of education or training, with requirements ranging from 60 to 267 hours. For contrast in the same category, open Home Inspector next.

Real Estate Broker initial fee range across boards

The average initial licensing fee is $211, ranging from $50 to $395 across states. Fee shape for Amusement Ride Operator is a useful same-lane check.

Real Estate Broker reciprocity / compact reality

License reciprocity varies by state. Many states participate in interstate compacts that allow license portability. Check the reciprocity information in the state-by-state details for your specific situation. Compact coverage can differ for Home Inspector even when the boards look similar.

Real Estate Broker exam gate, how common?

51 out of 51 states require passing an examination to obtain a real estate broker license. Exam requirements, names, and formats vary by state, check the state-by-state table above for specifics.

Real Estate Broker criminal-history screen, how often?

51 out of 51 states require a criminal background check as part of the real estate broker licensing process. Background check requirements and disqualifying offenses vary by jurisdiction.

Professions / Real Estate

Occupational licensing · Real Estate · 51 state boards

Real Estate Broker Licensing Requirements by State

Real Estate Broker licensing rules differ by state. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) compilation and responsible state boards (current as of May 15, 2026), this registry compares education hours, initial and renewal fees, exams, background checks and reciprocity notes across 51 boards. Use the table to compare differences, then verify the current rule with the responsible board before applying.

Real Estate Broker across 51 state boards. Nearest coverage peers (51-state band): Home Inspector, Real Estate Agent / Salesperson, Amusement Ride Operator.

By PlainCredential ·Compiled from official state licensing boards

States regulated: 51
Avg initial fee: $211
Require an exam: 100%
Avg education hours: 156

View saved licenses

Board Pathway Strip

Real Estate Broker: 51 boards · ~156 avg pre-licensure hrs · exam on 100% · background check on 100% · avg first fee $211. Same-lane boards: Home Inspector, Real Estate Agent / Salesperson, Amusement Ride Operator.

Pre-licensure hour neighbourhood for Real Estate Broker

Real Estate Broker vs. every tracked profession

Average confirmed pre-licensure education hours, board-sourced state requirements

156 33rd of 47 higher than 14 of 47 professions

professions with confirmed education-hour requirements, bucketed by value

Each bar is a band; taller bars hold more professions. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count and share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source PlainCredential NCSL and state-board corpus · 2026

Manages real estate transactions and may employ real estate agents.

Real Estate Broker initial fees swing $50 (NH) to $395 (CA), a $345 spread across 51 boards ; Home Inspector often lands on a different fee band.

Board thresholds for Real Estate Broker drift board-to-board; the same pattern shows up on Home Inspector and Real Estate Agent / Salesperson in real estate. Methodology notes live on our methods page.

Real Estate Broker states

Bottom quartile, lowest

Real Estate Broker edu hrs

156 hrs

Below median

Real Estate Broker first fee

$211

Top quartile, highest

Real Estate Broker renewal

$176

Above median

Board gates for Real Estate Broker: exam on 51/51 (100%), background check on 51/51 (100%) , CE on 51/51 (avg 16 hrs/cycle) . Stack that against Home Inspector / Real Estate Agent / Salesperson before calling this license soft or hard.

Real Estate Broker: nationwide coverage neighbours

Coverage band

Hour load

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) · 157 avg hrs
Auctioneer · 135 avg hrs

Cheapest vs priciest jurisdiction for Real Estate Broker

A $345 fee spread for the same credential

Initial licensing fees in New Hampshire ($ 50) and California ($ 395) bracket the field, a 7.9× spread for identical practice rights.

New Hampshire

$50 initial licensing fee

Renewal cycle: 2 years

California

$395 initial licensing fee

Renewal cycle: 2 years

Real Estate Broker boards vs Home Inspector / Real Estate Agent / Salesperson - state table

51 states

State	Edu. Hours	Exam	Init. Fee	Renewal	Cycle	CE Hrs	Same-board peer
Alabama	125	Yes	$159	$135	2 yrs	16	Also Phlebotomist · Professional Geologist
Alaska	91	Yes	$102	$91	2 yrs	16	Also Pharmacy Technician · Professional Engineer (PE)
Arizona	235	Yes	$341	$279	2 yrs	16	Also Roofer · Sign Language Interpreter
Arkansas	111	Yes	$135	$117	2 yrs	16	Also Professional Engineer (PE) · Respiratory Therapist
California	267	Yes	$395	$321	2 yrs	16	Also Substitute Teacher · Veterinary Technician
Colorado	239	Yes	$348	$284	2 yrs	16	Also Athletic Trainer · Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
Connecticut	202	Yes	$286	$236	2 yrs	16	Also Casino/Gaming Dealer · Court Reporter / Stenographer
Delaware	176	Yes	$244	$202	2 yrs	16	Also Certified Public Accountant (CPA) · Dental Assistant
District of Columbia	180	Yes	$251	$208	2 yrs	16	Also Casino/Gaming Dealer · Court Reporter / Stenographer
Florida	191	Yes	$268	$221	2 yrs	16	Also Nail Technician · Pest Control Applicator
Georgia	156	Yes	$211	$176	2 yrs	16	Also Paramedic · Physician Assistant
Hawaii	226	Yes	$326	$267	2 yrs	16	Also Septic System Installer · Taxi/Ride-Share Driver
Idaho	88	Yes	$97	$87	2 yrs	16	Also Amusement Ride Operator · Barber
Illinois	253	Yes	$372	$303	2 yrs	16	Also Bartender / Alcohol Server · Commercial Truck Driver (CDL)
Indiana	151	Yes	$201	$169	2 yrs	16	Also Casino/Gaming Dealer · Court Reporter / Stenographer
Iowa	100	Yes	$116	$102	2 yrs	16	Also Veterinarian · Athletic Agent
Kansas	97	Yes	$111	$98	2 yrs	16	Also Medical Assistant · Optician (Dispensing)
Kentucky	117	Yes	$145	$124	2 yrs	16	Also Occupational Therapist · Pharmacist
Louisiana	213	Yes	$305	$251	2 yrs	16	Also Massage Therapist · Occupational Therapist
Maine	66	Yes	$59	$57	2 yrs	16	Also Process Server · Registered Nurse
Maryland	199	Yes	$282	$232	2 yrs	16	Also Private Investigator · Registered Dietitian / Nutritionist
Massachusetts	193	Yes	$272	$225	2 yrs	16	Also Physical Therapist · Psychologist
Michigan	159	Yes	$216	$180	2 yrs	16	Also Radiologic Technologist · School Counselor
Minnesota	134	Yes	$173	$147	2 yrs	16	Also Roofer · Sign Language Interpreter
Mississippi	122	Yes	$154	$132	2 yrs	16	Also Security Alarm Installer · Tax Preparer
Missouri	131	Yes	$168	$143	2 yrs	16	Also School Bus Driver · Speech-Language Pathologist
Montana	219	Yes	$315	$258	2 yrs	16	Also Septic System Installer · Taxi/Ride-Share Driver
Nebraska	94	Yes	$107	$95	2 yrs	16	Also Speech-Language Pathologist · Veterinarian
Nevada	247	Yes	$361	$295	2 yrs	16	Also Barber · Childcare Center Director
New Hampshire	60	Yes	$50	$50	2 yrs	16	Also Tattoo Artist · Amusement Ride Operator
New Jersey	196	Yes	$277	$228	2 yrs	16	Also Taxi/Ride-Share Driver · Arborist / Tree Surgeon
New Mexico	222	Yes	$320	$262	2 yrs	16	Also Veterinary Technician · Athletic Trainer
New York	184	Yes	$256	$212	2 yrs	16	Also Casino/Gaming Dealer · Court Reporter / Stenographer
North Carolina	154	Yes	$206	$173	2 yrs	16	Also Septic System Installer · Taxi/Ride-Share Driver
North Dakota	83	Yes	$88	$80	2 yrs	16	Also Sign Language Interpreter · Tow Truck Operator
Ohio	168	Yes	$230	$191	2 yrs	16	Also Casino/Gaming Dealer · Court Reporter / Stenographer
Oklahoma	103	Yes	$121	$106	2 yrs	16	Also Chauffeur / Limousine Driver · Dental Hygienist
Oregon	258	Yes	$379	$309	2 yrs	16	Also Dental Hygienist · Esthetician
Pennsylvania	179	Yes	$249	$206	2 yrs	16	Also Dental Hygienist · Esthetician
Rhode Island	216	Yes	$310	$254	2 yrs	16	Also Pharmacist · Process Server
South Carolina	105	Yes	$126	$109	2 yrs	16	Also Radiologic Technologist · School Counselor
South Dakota	77	Yes	$78	$72	2 yrs	16	Also Real Estate Agent / Salesperson · School Librarian / Media Specialist
Tennessee	139	Yes	$182	$154	2 yrs	16	Also Athletic Trainer · Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
Texas	171	Yes	$234	$195	2 yrs	16	Also Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) · Electrician
Utah	120	Yes	$149	$128	2 yrs	16	Also Farrier / Horseshoer · Hearing Aid Specialist
Vermont	69	Yes	$64	$61	2 yrs	16	Also Licensed Professional Counselor · Mortgage Loan Originator
Virginia	145	Yes	$192	$161	2 yrs	16	Also Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) · Glazier
Washington	230	Yes	$334	$273	2 yrs	16	Also Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) · Medical Lab Technician
West Virginia	120	Yes	$149	$128	2 yrs	16	Also Phlebotomist · Professional Geologist
Wisconsin	128	Yes	$164	$139	2 yrs	16	Also Mobile Home Installer · Painter (Contractor)
Wyoming	71	Yes	$69	$65	2 yrs	16	Also Plumber · Real Estate Agent / Salesperson

What to do with this

Real Estate Broker is regulated in 51 states -- here's how to use that before you act.

Real Estate Broker ranks #33 of 47 professions by average pre-licensure education hours -- see how it compares to similar roles. Browse all professions
#76 of 97 professions by number of states requiring a license -- see which states are strictest overall. State burden rankings
Initial fees for Real Estate Broker range from $50 (NH) to $395 (CA) -- check whether your license transfers before assuming you'd need to pay again. Reciprocity guide

Requirements are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research and verified against state board sites where possible; always confirm current rules with the licensing board before relying on any single row.

Data sources

Every figure on PlainCredential is rendered directly from NCSL and state occupational- licensing board data, no number is typed in by an editor. Real Estate Broker requirements from NCSL and state board schedules: 51 rows, no hand-typed figures. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.