- 📚 Most U.S. states legally require 75–135 hours of pre-licensing education before taking the real estate exam.
- ⚠️ If you enroll in a course that is not approved, you might not be able to take the licensing test. This wastes your time and money.
- 💸 Real estate agents who do well often make six-figure incomes. This is much more than the average national salary.
- 🧠 Studies show online courses with instructor help greatly improve how many students pass their exams.
- 📈 Las Vegas real estate agents do well because home values are going up. There is strong demand, and the city is good for investors.
Real Estate Pre-Licensing: Do You Really Need It?
If you are thinking about becoming a real estate agent, you might have asked if pre-licensing education is truly needed. Or you might wonder if you can just start selling homes. The answer is clear: yes, you must have it. As Steve Hawks, a top agent, says, “Every top agent started here." Pre-licensing education is not just a rule. It gives you the basics for a good career in real estate. Let's look at what it is, why it's a rule, and how picking the right real estate school can help you earn money. This is especially true in a strong market like Las Vegas.
What Is Pre-Licensing Education?
Pre-licensing education is a group of required courses. People who want to be real estate agents must finish these courses. Then they can take their state's real estate license exam. These courses teach key topics. They help make sure new agents know the legal and moral rules of real estate before starting work.
Topics Typically Covered
- Property ownership: Freehold and leasehold estates, property types
- Land use controls and regulations: Zoning, building codes, environmental regulation
- Contracts and agency: Listing agreements, purchase agreements, understanding fiduciary duties
- Financing options: Types of mortgages, lending laws, credit scoring
- Valuation methods: CMA (Comparative Market Analysis), appraisals, market value vs. assessed value
- National and state laws: Fair Housing Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, state-specific governance
- Ethical standards: NAR Code of Ethics, anti-discrimination policies, disclosure obligations
The curriculum makes sure all agents are ready to handle the detailed world of property deals. And it helps them keep away from legal problems for themselves and their clients.
State-Specific Requirements: Nevada and Beyond
Each U.S. state sets its own rules for real estate licenses. This includes how many hours of pre-licensing education are needed before someone can take the real estate license exam.
Hours of Education by State
- Nevada: 90 hours
- California: 135 hours (3 college-level courses)
- Arizona: 90 hours
- New York: 77 hours
- Texas: 180 hours
- Florida: 63 hours
- Georgia: 75 hours
In Nevada, the 90-hour rule is split into two main parts:
- 45 hours in real estate principles and practices
- 45 hours in Nevada law, including testing and disclosures
If you pick a course not approved by the Nevada Real Estate Division, it will not count. So, it's important to check that the course you pick is approved by the state and current.
Choosing a Real Estate School
The real estate school you pick affects how ready and good you will be when you start in the market. A good school does more than only meet the basic rules for a license. It gets you ready to do well in your career.
Must-Have Features in a Real Estate School
- 🏫 State Approval: Your state's real estate board must recognize any school you pick.
- 📚 Practice Exams: Schools with many practice tests help you get ready for the real one.
- 🖥 Interactive Modules: Formats that get you involved, like videos, quizzes, or pretend situations, help you recall more.
- 💬 Live Instructor Access: You need to be able to ask teachers questions and get answers right away.
- 📲 Mobile Access: A platform that works well on phones and other devices lets you study anywhere.
Red Flags to Avoid
- ❌ No listing on your state’s real estate education provider website
- ❌ Old materials that do not show new laws or ways of doing things
- ❌ They don't clearly show what teachers know or how many students pass
- ❌ Pushy sales for more things or refund rules that are not clear
According to Steve Hawks, people who want to be agents should pick schools that show you real-world problems. The schools should not just teach you to pass a test. He says, “It’s not enough to memorize facts. You need to learn how to think like someone who works in real estate.”
Time, Cost, and Flexibility
The money and time you put into your real estate license is for your future income. It is also for learning the basics. How much it costs and how much time it takes changes based on how you take the course, who gives it, and where it is.
Typical Financial Commitments
- Courses: $300 to $800
- State Exam Fee: $100–$150
- License Application Fee: $100–$200
- Background Check/Fingerprinting: $50–$80
- Optional Add-Ons (e.g., professional coaching, exam guarantee): Additional $100–$300
Time Expectations
- ⏱ Self-Paced Courses: These usually take 3 to 6 weeks. Some students finish in as little as two weeks if they study full-time.
- 📅 Livestream or In-Person Classes: These have set times. They can last from 2 to 4 weeks of evenings or weekends.
Online programs offer flexibility, and this is a good reason to choose them. Many schools now let you pay over time to make the first cost easier to pay.
Inside the Curriculum: What You'll Learn
Each pre-licensing course is meant to mix general information with rules for your state. This is very important for following the law.
Nevada-Specific Focus Areas
- Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS Chapter 645): Covers real estate licensure requirements and penalties for violations
- Administrative Codes: Regulations governed by the Nevada Real Estate Commission
- Local Disclosures: Water rights, homeowners’ associations, common-interest community laws
- Contract Forms: Specific state templates and rules for filling them out legally
- Fair Housing Compliance: Avoiding discriminatory practices during showings and offers
These parts show real situations new agents will face when finishing deals or putting properties up for sale. Agents who know these rules earn client trust and stay out of legal trouble later.
Online Learning in 2025
Online real estate education has grown fast in recent years. This makes it easier for all kinds of students to get it. In 2025, most pre-licensing education happens online. And it comes with many good points.
Modern Digital Features
- 🕒 24/7 Learning Access: You can study anytime. This is good for people changing jobs or working full-time.
- 📱 Mobile Optimization: You can log in from any device, and the content still looks good.
- 📹 Webinars & Video Tutorials: These visual ways to learn help you recall hard legal ideas or math.
- 🤝 Instructor Messaging or Forums: You can talk directly with licensed teachers to get answers to questions.
- 📊 Progress Tracking: You know how far along you are. This includes finished chapters and how ready you are for the exam.
- 🔧 Tech Support: You can get fast help if there is a login problem or a platform error.
Online learning tools are very helpful for students who learn by seeing and doing. They get help from pretend situations, questions based on real-life stories, and learning that feels like a game.
What Comes After the Course?
Finishing your real estate school coursework is a big step. But it is just one part of the process to get your license. Afterward, you will go to the steps for applying and testing.
Steps to Getting Licensed After Course Completion
- 📄 Apply to Take the State Exam: Send your education certificate to the Nevada Real Estate Division.
- 🆔 Background Screening: You must get fingerprints and criminal history checks.
- 💰 Pay Application Fees: The cost changes by state but is usually $120–$250.
- 🧪 Take (and Pass) the State Exam: This test is often given at approved testing centers. It has parts for both the whole country and your state.
- 🏢 Find a Sponsoring Broker: You cannot work alone as a new licensed agent. You need a broker to make your license active.
After you finish these steps, congratulations! You are officially licensed to practice.
Career Options Post-License
Many people think a real estate license is only for selling homes. But the other options are much wider:
Career Paths for Licensed Agents
- 🏠 Residential Sales: Helping families buy and sell homes
- 🏢 Commercial Leasing or Brokerage: Working with office buildings, retail units, or industrial spaces
- 📐 Real Estate Development: Partnering on new builds or repurposing land use
- 🧑💼 Property Management: Managing large apartment complexes or single-unit rentals for absentee owners
- 🏖 Short-Term & Vacation Rentals: For cities like Las Vegas that see strong tourism
- 💼 Transaction Coordination: Back-end specialization in contracts and compliance
- 🔁 Wholesaling & Flipping: Using your license to find investment properties faster
The many different chances make a real estate license helpful even if you don't want to do normal sales.
The Earning Potential of a Real Estate License
How much you earn changes. But many agents make much more than people in regular jobs with fixed salaries. This is because there is no limit to how much commission they can make.
- 💵 Median Salary: $48,770
- 💰 Top 10%: Over $112,410 annually
- 🔼 Las Vegas Top Producers: Often exceed $150,000+ annually, depending on transactions
Unlike other jobs, real estate lets you grow your income. This depends on how hard you work, your plan, and what the local market needs.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
It's easy to make mistakes early on your path to getting your license. Knowing these can save you time, money, and worry.
Pitfalls to Watch Out For
- ❌ Non-State-Approved Schools: This means your study hours will not count.
- ⌛ Cramming: You will recall less over time, and more people will fail.
- 💸 Opting for Cheapest Course Without Research: This often does not have help or correct information.
- 🧍 Studying in Isolation: Without someone to check on you, fewer people finish.
- 📉 Delaying School Enrollment: You lose your drive and miss chances in the market.
The best candidates plan, get ready, and invest with a clear goal.
Career Building Beyond the Exam
Getting your license is only the start. Building a good career needs you to keep learning, meet new people, and really know the market.
Action Steps After Licensing
- 🧑🏫 Find a Mentor: This is very helpful for learning by watching and getting real-world advice.
- 📞 Network Constantly: Go to local events and join online groups for agents.
- 📘 Continue Your Education: Learn tools like CRM systems, ways to deal with others, and how to find new leads.
- 📊 Track Metrics: Keep an eye on numbers. See how many clients you get, how long deals take, and your average pay.
- 🔁 Stay Compliant: Most states ask for more schooling every 1–2 years.
In fast-moving markets like Las Vegas, staying good means you need to be quick to change and always learn new things.
Getting Licensed to Invest Smarter
You do not need to be a full-time agent to gain from a real estate license. Many investors choose to get licensed for better ways to do things.
Benefits for Investor-Agents
- 🔎 MLS Access: This gives you an edge in busy markets.
- 💼 Direct Involvement: You can make deals without needing other people.
- 💸 Earn Referral or Listing Commissions: Make money from deals you are already setting up.
- 💡 Deep Market Knowledge: You can understand how much things will go up in value, rent limits, and zoning rules.
Steve Hawks used his own license to find and finish deals. These deals made a lot of money for his properties. This shows that knowing things helps you when it comes to investing.
Why Las Vegas Is a Goldmine for New Agents
Las Vegas is not just a tourist town. It is a very active real estate market. For new licensed agents, the city is a good place to start a business.
Market Highlights
- 🧱 Low Housing Inventory: There are few homes for sale. This leads to bidding wars and bigger commissions.
- 🏗 Population Growth: More people move here. This draws in builders and chances for new homes.
- 🌐 Investor Traffic: Many people want to invest. There is high interest in Airbnb and short-term rentals.
- 💼 Job Expansion: More jobs in tech, hospitality, and logistics bring in workers who are moving.
According to the GLVAR report, local home values went up 15%. This shows there is still demand and agents can keep making money.
Your Real Estate Path Starts Now
Real estate pre-licensing education is not just a rule. It is an investment in building a career that pays well, offers flexibility, and can grow. The real estate school you choose affects how fast and sure you feel when you start in the market. With the right training, you will not only pass your license exam. You will also learn skills that help clients, finish deals, and grow your income each year.
Las Vegas remains one of the best markets for new agents who want to work hard. So, if you are thinking about your first course or want to change jobs, now is a great time to begin your real estate path.
Look for Nevada-approved schools today. And take your first step toward a successful real estate career.
Citations
- Nevada Real Estate Division. (2023). Licensing Requirements.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2022). Occupational Outlook Handbook: Real Estate Brokers and Sales Agents. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/sales/real-estate-brokers-and-sales-agents.htm
- Greater Las Vegas Association of Realtors (GLVAR). (2023). Las Vegas Housing Market Update.