A Quick Guide to Becoming a Realtor in the New England States.
Do I need a license?
Yes is the quick answer. Without a license, at the very most a person may be allowed to conduct remedial office work in the industry. One such individual can't even answer questions about a particular property without causing major liabilities to their co-workers and employers.
Great. Where do I get a Real Estate License?
From the state. Licensure laws vary from state to state and generally require class time and at least a couple of exams to obtain a license. Each state has its own schools, its own rules, and its own license. If you have a license in New Hampshire, you can't use it to work in another state unless otherwise dictated by law. You must obtain a license for EACH state in which you want to work. Here is all the info you need to start pursuing a Real Estate License in each of the New England States:
How to become a realtor in Connecticut:
-Must be 18 years old
-Complete 60 hours of state approved class time.
Application fee: $80
Licensing fee: $285-293
List of real estate license schools: https://www.elicense.ct.gov/Lookup/LicenseLookup.aspx*
*Click the drop down menu next to License Number, scroll all the way down past the numbers
select RPL and click search.
How to become a realtor in Maine:
-Must be 18 years old
-Must have a highschool education or GED
-Must have 3 notorized references from persons attesting to the truthful character of the applicant.
-A written statement from an employing broker.
-Have a criminal background check conducted for $21.
Application fee: $100
List of real estate schools: http://www.maine.gov/pfr/professionallicensing/professions/real_estate/pdf/RecPreLic.pdf
How to become a realtor in Massachussetts:
-Must be 18 years old
-Have completed 24 hours of state approved class time*
Licensing fee $103 every 2 years + $57 fee if you re-register late.
List of real estate schools:
How to become a realtor in New Hampshire:
-Must be 18 years old
-Complete 40 hours of state approved class time.
Exam registration fee: $115
Licensing fee: $80 for 2 years
List of real estate license schools: http://www.nh.gov/nhrec/exam4.html
How to become a realtor in Rhode Island:
-Must be 18 years old
-Complete 45 hours of state approved class time.
-Complete a 3 hour lead course
Exam registration fee: $70
Licensing fee: $130 for 2 years
List of real estate license schools: http://www.dbr.state.ri.us/pdf_forms/RE-Licensed%20Real%20Estate%20Schools.pdf
How to become a realtor in Vermont:
-Must be 18 years old
-Complete 40 hours of state approved class time.
-Applicants must be sponsored by a broker and be affiliated with a broker's office.
License fee: $50
http://vtprofessionals.org/opr1/real_estate/education/Approved%20Education%20Providers.pdf
Hold on...You should know there are two different types of Realtors' Licenses.
There are literally only two types of licensees in this whole industry: Real Estate Salespeople and Real Estate Brokers. The only differences between two indivuals holding the same license are the capacities they work in. Bear in mind that there are only certain things a Real Estate Salesperson can do and the qualifications for becoming a broker usually include being an active salesperson for a certain period of time AND additional classes.
What can a Broker do that a Salesperson can't?
First of all, a salesperson is lawfully entitled to conduct NOTHING without a broker. Even though the license is called a salesperson license, the broker is technically the one transacting the sale. Salespeople work on behalf of the broker, usually as private contractors. So, the broker's license allows a person to buy, sell, manage, or exchange property on behalf of a third party. Salespeople can do all of these things too, but again, only if they work for a licensed broker.
As you can see above, states have many different requirements for getting one's foot into the real estate business. There is also financial risk involved, only beginning with courses in tests. The only advice I can offer is this. Become a salesperson before you become a broker. No matter what job you want to have in real estate, whether it is development, investing, property management or otherwise, everyone starts out selling. So if after clicking the link for your state above you are still thinking about a career in real estate, pick up the phone and get the ball rolling. Time is your most precious resource.
Don-out.
