Chris Heller, Licensed Agent 8/21/2024
Getting your Nevada real estate license can seem intimidating, but it’s really not that hard once you know what to do. We’ve broken down everything you need to know here including costs, timing, eligibility, and earning potential. Just follow these simple steps to get your Nevada real estate license and start selling real estate ASAP.
In Nevada, you must take 120-hours of a pre-licensing course. Don't worry though, there are lots of options, including many that are online.
Yes, there’s a few annoying forms and pesky fees but the process is relatively painless because it’s all online through NRED.
You can submit your fingerprint card and a cashier’s check or money order made payable to the “Department of Public Safety” OR a verification form issued by an approved Fingerprint Vendor
The real estate licensing exam has 120 questions in total – 80 questions in general (national) portion and 40 in the state portion.
Look at each brokerage’s commission rate when you’re shopping around for a brokerage. Also ask questions about the company culture and reputation in your area.
Ready to get started? Check out your course options now.
Step-By-Step Guide to Become a Licensed Real Estate Agent Are you interested in becoming a real estate agent in the great state of Nevada? Of course you are, real estate is booming here! Well, hold on tight cause we’re gonna fire off the five steps you need to get your hands on a Nevada real estate license.
You ready? Let’s break it down, step by step.
School’s Back in Session
You’re required to take a “pre-licensing” education class where you’ll study the principles of real estate, contracts, and finance. Not a fan of school? Well, these classes just might change how you feel about school. You have so many options! Some of them are even entirely online which has huge advantages! Online classes means you can do them at your own pace and work them in around your own schedule even if you have a full-time job. Also, the classes are only a total of 120 hours! That may seem like a big number, but to get started in a new career, that number is just a speck in time.
But what’s included in those 120 hours? Take a look at the curriculum and see for yourself:
“That sounds scary and hard!”
Don’t be scared off just yet. This is what the classes are designed for. They’ll tackle any confusing topics by breaking them down. Still scared? Trust me, you can do this. The pass rates after taking these classes are sky-high, typically over a 91% pass rate and the support these classes offer is amazing.
Students are always surprised how affordable these classes are. Take a look at the best real estate schools in Nevada and see for yourself. If you’re still looking for a way to save some dough, Agent Advice offers a way to get yours for free.
Apply Yourself!
You flew through the pre-licensing class and you’re building momentum! Well, now it’s time to apply for your license. Yes, there’s a few annoying forms and pesky fees but the process is relatively painless because it’s all online through NRED. Within a few days you’ll get a letter of eligibility back. This letter doesn’t mean you’re finished, but it does allow you to complete Step 4 and Step 5 ( submitting your fingerprints and taking the final exam).
Once you get your eligibility letter you can submit your fingerprints. My fingerprints? Yes, they need your fingerprints so that NRED can perform a background check. Remember it’s their job to make sure all agents in Nevada are on the up-and-up. The eligibility letter will give you detailed information on exactly how to submit but we’ll give you a little sneak peek so it’s not a surprise.
You can submit your fingerprint card and a cashier’s check or money order made payable to the “Department of Public Safety” OR a verification form issued by an approved Fingerprint Vendor
After you complete the prelicensing course, you need to submit proof of course completion by education certificate or certified college transcript.
You need to submit these documents along with your Examination Application. Once your application has been approved, you can schedule the exam.
You got this!
The step you’ve all been waiting for … passing the exam. Don’t freak out, you got this! Don’t know what you need to study? Your exam eligibility letter will have a Candidate Handbook which has study material that will help you prep for the exam. There’s also plenty of cram courses that will help you brush up right before the exam. Rest assured that you don’t have to pass this on the first try. Remember that you have a full year from when you get your exam eligibility to pass this exam. We think you’ll pass it on your first go because we know you, you’re motivated.
After you pass the exam, you need to submit original passing exam results dated within the last 12 months.
Now a word from our sponsor
Finally, you’ll need to find a sponsoring broker. 🙋 Uhhh … should I know what a ‘sponsoring broker’ is? Nope, we’ll tell you! So you’ve passed the exam but it doesn’t mean you’re ready just yet. When you first start out you’ll want an experienced organization to show you the ropes. Sponsoring brokers have been-there-done-that and they’re ready to show you how. Not only will they give you all the tools you need to start making sales but they’ll help you market yourself as an agent.
You’ll get to choose a brokerage you like, that focuses on a niche you love, that has a company culture you love, and most importantly … has a good commission rate, so your paycheck is XL. Worried about finding a brokerage yourself? Agent Advice helps with warm introductions to hiring brokerages if you sign-up for a class through us. Phew!
You have total freedom to choose your sponsoring broker. Here’s some things agents look at when choosing a brokerage:
That’s all just to say that you have the freedom to choose a brokerage that fits you.
Mission Complete
Those are the steps you need to get your Nevada real estate license. Yes, you might have to trudge through paperwork, check boxes, file forms, burn the midnight oil, chug coffee … but after all that … you’ll have your license. We recommend printing it out on super-gloss and framing it. Leave some room next to it for your first commission check; A LOT of room!
That’s all folks! Once you make it through these steps you’ll have a brand new career ahead of you. If there’s anything we can do to help you make it through these steps please let us know. We’ve got pre-licensing classes, cram courses, and all sorts of resources to help.
Hello criteria, pleasure to meet you!
Let’s answer the most obvious question straight out of the gate. “What the heck is NRED and why do I need to impress them?!” Well, NRED is short for the Nevada Real Estate Division and it’s their job to make sure all agents in Nevada are capable, qualified, and can lawfully work in the state. To do so, they have some basic criteria you must meet. Luckily, most of the requirements are pretty straightforward.
Let’s meet the criteria:
These two are pretty cut and dry. The good news is that most of our visitors/users don’t need to worry about it. The only time you’d need to be concerned is if you have any criminal offenses, unpaid judgments, disciplinary actions taken against a professional or occupational license, or have performed unlicensed real estate activity.
The largest portion of the costs of becoming a real estate agent in Nevada is the prelicensing education course. Most commonly, the cost of the complete 90-hour licensing education course is in the $250 to $600 range, but it can be slightly higher or lower depending on what the exact course covers.
Besides the course, the following basic fees apply:
There are other costs involved, such as prep courses, study materials, tutoring, and related fees, but these are not mandatory and depend on your preferences.
As mentioned above, becoming a real estate agent in Nevada takes longer than some other states due to the 120-hour licensing course (many states have 40-60 hour requirements). You can finish the prelicensing education course within two months if you’re committed to going through it as fast as possible.
Passing a background check usually takes around two weeks, around the same time required to process your application.
When you schedule the exam, you will be given a list of available dates based on availability. Each testing center has a different seating capacity, so the time it takes for you to schedule depends on how many students are currently enrolled to take the exam and how big the center is.
In general, the whole process takes a few months from start to finish. The exact time depends on your characteristics, residency, and how fast you go through the prelicensing course and pass both portions of the exam.
Nevada real estate agents earn a higher annual wage than the national average, $64,280 to be specific, while the top 10% of agents in the state can earn $98,800 or more. Agents from the Nevada nonmetropolitan area earn the most – $80,820 annually, with the 90th percentile wage getting to $122,570 per year.
If you want to become a licensed real estate agent in Nevada, you must meet the following requirements:
After you complete the prelicensing course, you need to submit proof of course completion by education certificate or certified college transcript.
You need to submit these documents along with your Examination Application. Once your application has been approved, you can schedule the exam.
After you pass the exam, you need to submit original passing exam results dated within the last 12 months.
Obtaining a real estate license in Nevada takes longer than some states, but it’s far from complicated or difficult. The prelicensing education course will equip you with all the knowledge required to pass the exam on the first try. You only need to pay attention to the topics covered in the courses and commit yourself to studying hard and regularly.
The other requirements are mostly the same as in other states. You need to pass a background check to prove you’re trustworthy and apply to take the exam and pass it within one year.
In Nevada, the Real Estate Division has five board members, all of which are hand-picked by the governor.
Once appointed, the division has the task of issuing real estate licenses, and setting rules on how agents can maintain their license. The Real Estate Division also makes disciplinary decisions and has the right to revoke a license at any time.
Fun fact: Commissioners are appointed for a three year term but may not serve more than two consecutive terms.
Nevada has real estate reciprocity agreements with the following states:
Applicants that hold an active Real Estate license in any of these states, must provide the following:
A college degree is not necessary to become a licensed real estate agent in Nevada, but having a college degree with a real estate major will be of great help. Having three college credits of real estate principles and three college credits of real estate law will exempt you from the educational requirements.
You must go to the Pearson Vue website to make an online reservation for an examination according to the step-by-step instructions. You have to make the reservation 24 hours before the desired examination date.
If you want to make a phone reservation, you must do so at least 24 hours before the desired examination date
Before making a reservation, you should have the following:
The salesperson and broker examination are divided into two parts: general (national) and state part. Those who pass one part of the examination and fail the other, need to retake only the failed part within 12 months. Candidates who, after 12 months, have not passed both parts must retake the entire examination.
Reservations for retaking the exam may not be made at the test center, and you must wait 24 hours before making one.
The real estate licensing exam has 120 questions in total – 80 questions in general (national) portion and 40 in the state portion. To pass the exam, you have 4 hours
The general (national) portion of the licensing examination covers eight areas in 80 questions:
The state portion of the licensing examination covers the following areas in 40 questions:
To pass the exam, applicants need to have at least 75% correct answers. There are no official pass rates issued by the Nevada Real Estate Division. Each real estate school advertises pass rates as high as 75 to 90%, but these aren’t official nor confirmed percentages.
There are three different types of Nevada real estate licenses: salesperson, broker-salesperson, and a broker.
Like in any other state, the national and state portions cover different topics and areas of the real estate industry. The national portion is taken in every state and covers real estate knowledge you have to know to practice real estate anywhere in the US, while the state portion tests your knowledge in the specific laws, regulations, and practice of real estate in Nevada.
When you fill out your Application Form, you will be asked four questions to provide information about your criminal background:
If you answer yes to any of these questions, you will be asked to give complete details, including the administrative agency, court, and title of the proceeding, disposition, and any other pertinent information.
The Nevada Real Estate Division may deny a license in the following cases:
About the Author
Chris Heller brings 27 years of experience in real estate. Chris serves on the Agent Advice Editorial Board and is the Chief Real Estate Officer at OJO Labs. Chris brings deep expertise having held influential industry positions including CEO of mellohome and former CEO of Keller Williams Realty International.
Last Updated: 8/21/2024
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