How Much Does Real Estate License Cost?
Updated for 2026 — national average costs with state-by-state breakdowns
Low End
$500
Average
$1,000
High End
$2,000
total cost
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What Does Real Estate License Include?
Getting a real estate license involves pre-licensing education, exam fees, license application, and ongoing costs like MLS access and association dues. Requirements vary by state.
The national average cost for real estate license is $1,000 total cost. Most homeowners pay between $500 and $2,000, though costs can vary significantly based on your location, the scope of work, and other factors outlined below.
What Affects the Price?
Breakdown
Pre-licensing course: $200-$700. Exam fee: $50-$150. License application: $50-$200. Total startup: $500-$2,000
Ongoing
MLS access: $300-$600/year. Association dues: $200-$500/year. CE courses: $100-$300/year
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Key Cost Factors
- ✓State requirements
- ✓Course provider
- ✓Online vs classroom
- ✓Exam prep materials
- ✓License and application fees
- ✓Association dues
💡 Tips to Save Money
- 1.Online pre-licensing courses are 30-50% cheaper than classroom
- 2.Many brokerages cover your startup costs in exchange for a commission split
- 3.Pass the exam the first time — retakes cost $50-$100 each
- 4.Some states require fewer education hours than others
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📈 Real Estate License Cost Trends (2020–2024)
Prices have increased +17.8% over the last 5 years
$849
2020
$885
2021
$943
2022
$969
2023
$1,000
2024
| Year | National Avg | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $849 | — |
| 2021 | $885 | +4.2% |
| 2022 | $943 | +6.6% |
| 2023 | $969 | +2.8% |
| 2024 | $1,000 | +3.2% |
Based on national averages adjusted for annual inflation. Actual costs vary by location and project scope.
Real Estate License Cost by State
Costs vary significantly by state due to labor rates, cost of living, and local market conditions. Click any state for a detailed breakdown.
| State | Low | Average | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $410 | $820 | $1,640 |
| Alaska | $640 | $1,280 | $2,560 |
| Arizona | $475 | $950 | $1,900 |
| Arkansas | $400 | $800 | $1,600 |
| California | $675 | $1,350 | $2,700 |
| Colorado | $540 | $1,080 | $2,160 |
| Connecticut | $610 | $1,220 | $2,440 |
| Delaware | $525 | $1,050 | $2,100 |
| Florida | $490 | $980 | $1,960 |
| Georgia | $450 | $900 | $1,800 |
| Hawaii | $710 | $1,420 | $2,840 |
| Idaho | $460 | $920 | $1,840 |
| Illinois | $525 | $1,050 | $2,100 |
| Indiana | $440 | $880 | $1,760 |
| Iowa | $430 | $860 | $1,720 |
| Kansas | $425 | $850 | $1,700 |
| Kentucky | $420 | $840 | $1,680 |
| Louisiana | $435 | $870 | $1,740 |
| Maine | $510 | $1,020 | $2,040 |
| Maryland | $575 | $1,150 | $2,300 |
| Massachusetts | $650 | $1,300 | $2,600 |
| Michigan | $460 | $920 | $1,840 |
| Minnesota | $510 | $1,020 | $2,040 |
| Mississippi | $390 | $780 | $1,560 |
| Missouri | $435 | $870 | $1,740 |
| Montana | $475 | $950 | $1,900 |
| Nebraska | $440 | $880 | $1,760 |
| Nevada | $510 | $1,020 | $2,040 |
| New Hampshire | $560 | $1,120 | $2,240 |
| New Jersey | $625 | $1,250 | $2,500 |
| New Mexico | $450 | $900 | $1,800 |
| New York | $660 | $1,320 | $2,640 |
| North Carolina | $450 | $900 | $1,800 |
| North Dakota | $450 | $900 | $1,800 |
| Ohio | $450 | $900 | $1,800 |
| Oklahoma | $415 | $830 | $1,660 |
| Oregon | $550 | $1,100 | $2,200 |
| Pennsylvania | $510 | $1,020 | $2,040 |
| Rhode Island | $575 | $1,150 | $2,300 |
| South Carolina | $435 | $870 | $1,740 |
| South Dakota | $425 | $850 | $1,700 |
| Tennessee | $430 | $860 | $1,720 |
| Texas | $465 | $930 | $1,860 |
| Utah | $475 | $950 | $1,900 |
| Vermont | $540 | $1,080 | $2,160 |
| Virginia | $525 | $1,050 | $2,100 |
| Washington | $575 | $1,150 | $2,300 |
| West Virginia | $400 | $800 | $1,600 |
| Wisconsin | $470 | $940 | $1,880 |
| Wyoming | $460 | $920 | $1,840 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get a real estate license?
2-6 months depending on your state's education requirements and how quickly you complete the coursework and pass the exam.
🏙️ Real Estate License Cost by City
Compare real estate license costs in the most popular US cities:
New York City
NY
$1,450
Los Angeles
CA
$1,380
Chicago
IL
$1,150
Houston
TX
$950
Phoenix
AZ
$980
Philadelphia
PA
$1,120
San Antonio
TX
$880
San Diego
CA
$1,320
Dallas
TX
$1,020
San Jose
CA
$1,520
Austin
TX
$1,050
Jacksonville
FL
$920
Fort Worth
TX
$950
Columbus
OH
$900
Charlotte
NC
$950
Indianapolis
IN
$880
View all 219 cities →
San Francisco, CA
$1,550
Seattle, WA
$1,300
Denver, CO
$1,150
Washington D.C., DC
$1,350
Nashville, TN
$1,000
Oklahoma City, OK
$820
El Paso, TX
$820
Boston, MA
$1,400
Portland, OR
$1,180
Las Vegas, NV
$1,020
Memphis, TN
$820
Louisville, KY
$850
Baltimore, MD
$1,100
Milwaukee, WI
$920
Albuquerque, NM
$880
Tucson, AZ
$880
Fresno, CA
$1,050
Sacramento, CA
$1,180
Mesa, AZ
$950
Kansas City, MO
$900
Atlanta, GA
$1,050
Omaha, NE
$880
Colorado Springs, CO
$1,020
Raleigh, NC
$980
Long Beach, CA
$1,350
Virginia Beach, VA
$1,050
Miami, FL
$1,200
Oakland, CA
$1,450
Minneapolis, MN
$1,080
Tampa, FL
$1,020
Tulsa, OK
$820
Arlington, TX
$950
New Orleans, LA
$950
Pittsburgh, PA
$950
St. Louis, MO
$880
Bakersfield, CA
$1,020
Anaheim, CA
$1,350
Honolulu, HI
$1,500
Santa Ana, CA
$1,320
Riverside, CA
$1,150
Corpus Christi, TX
$850
Lexington, KY
$880
Stockton, CA
$1,100
Henderson, NV
$1,020
St. Paul, MN
$1,050
Cincinnati, OH
$880
Anchorage, AK
$1,280
Greensboro, NC
$880
Plano, TX
$1,050
Newark, NJ
$1,250
Lincoln, NE
$850
Orlando, FL
$1,020
Irvine, CA
$1,400
Durham, NC
$950
Chula Vista, CA
$1,280
Toledo, OH
$820
Fort Wayne, IN
$820
Jersey City, NJ
$1,350
St. Petersburg, FL
$1,020
Laredo, TX
$800
Madison, WI
$980
Chandler, AZ
$980
Buffalo, NY
$920
Lubbock, TX
$820
Scottsdale, AZ
$1,120
Reno, NV
$1,050
Glendale, AZ
$950
Gilbert, AZ
$1,020
Winston-Salem, NC
$850
North Las Vegas, NV
$980
Norfolk, VA
$980
Chesapeake, VA
$1,020
Irving, TX
$1,000
Fremont, CA
$1,450
Richmond, VA
$980
Boise, ID
$980
San Bernardino, CA
$1,080
Spokane, WA
$950
Des Moines, IA
$850
Tacoma, WA
$1,150
Modesto, CA
$1,050
Fontana, CA
$1,100
Moreno Valley, CA
$1,080
Fayetteville, NC
$850
Birmingham, AL
$820
Rochester, NY
$920
Salt Lake City, UT
$1,050
Oxnard, CA
$1,220
Knoxville, TN
$850
Worcester, MA
$1,150
Brownsville, TX
$780
Grand Rapids, MI
$900
Newport News, VA
$950
Huntsville, AL
$850
Amarillo, TX
$820
Little Rock, AR
$820
Montgomery, AL
$800
Akron, OH
$820
Augusta, GA
$820
Baton Rouge, LA
$850
Mobile, AL
$800
Shreveport, LA
$800
Tallahassee, FL
$900
Hartford, CT
$1,150
Providence, RI
$1,120
Charleston, SC
$980
Savannah, GA
$880
Columbia, SC
$850
Chattanooga, TN
$850
Fort Lauderdale, FL
$1,180
Dayton, OH
$820
Sioux Falls, SD
$850
Springfield, MO
$800
Jackson, MS
$780
Palm Bay, FL
$950
Lakeland, FL
$920
Cape Coral, FL
$980
Pensacola, FL
$880
Port St. Lucie, FL
$980
Naperville, IL
$1,150
Tempe, AZ
$1,000
Overland Park, KS
$950
McKinney, TX
$1,020
Frisco, TX
$1,050
Cary, NC
$1,020
Clarksville, TN
$850
Cedar Rapids, IA
$820
Peoria, AZ
$980
Surprise, AZ
$950
Denton, TX
$980
Roseville, CA
$1,150
Gainesville, FL
$880
Bellevue, WA
$1,400
Murfreesboro, TN
$920
Round Rock, TX
$1,020
Columbia, MD
$1,150
Boulder, CO
$1,250
Ann Arbor, MI
$1,100
Santa Fe, NM
$1,050
Wilmington, NC
$920
Greenville, SC
$880
Fargo, ND
$850
Provo, UT
$980
Duluth, MN
$880
Billings, MT
$920
Missoula, MT
$980
Cheyenne, WY
$880
Burlington, VT
$1,080
Portland, ME
$1,080
Concord, NH
$1,050
Bismarck, ND
$850
Rapid City, SD
$850
Casper, WY
$880
Bangor, ME
$950
Charleston, WV
$800
Dover, DE
$980
Manchester, NH
$1,080
Bridgeport, CT
$1,200
Stamford, CT
$1,350
Wichita, KS
$820
Topeka, KS
$800
Springfield, IL
$850
Rockford, IL
$850
Erie, PA
$820
Scranton, PA
$850
Flint, MI
$780
Lansing, MI
$850
Syracuse, NY
$880
Albany, NY
$950
Eugene, OR
$1,050
Salem, OR
$1,020
Fort Collins, CO
$1,100
Pueblo, CO
$850
Aurora, CO
$1,080
Santa Barbara, CA
$1,400
Santa Rosa, CA
$1,280
Pasadena, CA
$1,380
Visalia, CA
$1,000
Pomona, CA
$1,180
Myrtle Beach, SC
$880
Daytona Beach, FL
$920
Sarasota, FL
$1,050
Naples, FL
$1,180
Ocala, FL
$850
Athens, GA
$850
Macon, GA
$800
Lexington, SC
$850
Asheville, NC
$1,020
Flagstaff, AZ
$1,080
Rochester, NY
$920
New Haven, CT
$1,080
Manchester, NH
$1,050
Augusta, GA
$820
Fort Myers, FL
$980
Wilmington, NC
$950
Arlington, VA
$1,300
Green Bay, WI
$850
South Bend, IN
$820
Bend, OR
$1,120
Bellingham, WA
$1,100
Midland, TX
$950
Waco, TX
$820
Newark, NJ
$1,200
Related Cost Guides
💬 What Did You Pay?
Real costs reported by homeowners for Real Estate License
$1,037
Avg Reported
$726
Lowest Reported
$1,504
Highest Reported
Recent Reports
$752
Dallas, TX · Jan 2024
★★★★☆
$984
Chicago, IL · Feb 2024
★★★☆☆
$1,052
Phoenix, AZ · Mar 2024
★★★☆☆
$1,095
Denver, CO · Apr 2024
★★★★☆
$1,005
Atlanta, GA · May 2024
★★★★★
$1,229
Seattle, WA · Jun 2024
★★★★☆
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