How Long Does It Take to Get a Real Estate License in Idaho in 2024?

Rather than having a set time frame, getting a real estate license in Idaho depends on how long it takes you to complete each step in the licensing process.

This article gives you a rundown of this information, providing a time range for the different parts of the process and explaining the factors that can cause that time to vary.

What might your timeline look like? Let’s find out.

Estimated Timeline to Get a Real Estate License in Idaho

Pursuit of an Idaho real estate salesperson license kicks off with two 45-hour pre-licensing courses. They are offered on various schedules that impact how long it will take you to finish.

Going to school full time on weekdays lets you complete the coursework in two weeks in a row. That can be in a physical classroom or by real-time remote learning.

If you can only manage a part-time schedule, be prepared for 4-8 weeks of live or virtual classroom time, which can be on weeknights or weekends (Friday-Sunday).

The difference in completion time for part-time study has to do with how frequently classes meet and whether the courses are offered back to back or in two non-consecutive weeks.

You can also access the 90 hours of coursework online and complete it at your preferred pace.

With a full-time approach, you can match the two-week time frame for the classroom fast-track. Studying at half that speed will still allow you to earn a completion certificate in about a month.

If you’re ready to take the exam without a refresher, you can exclude this step from your timeline. Otherwise, plan to allocate time for extra prep.

Exactly how long should you study for the real estate exam before you make your first attempt to get a passing score?

The answer will differ for every applicant. However, two weeks is generally a good starting point.

That allows you to dive into an online prep course where you can do an organized review by test topics, plus take dynamically generated practice tests.

As you progress, you can also use the built-in assessment tools to see whether you’ve mastered the material or if (and what) you need to study more.

Then, based on your practice exam performance results and confidence level, you can wrap up studying for the real estate exam in a couple of weeks or extend your review timetable if needed.

Booking a time slot for the exam doesn’t take long. The quickest method is registering online, which you can do 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

You can set up an account in a few minutes. Then, it’s just a matter of identifying your preferred test center and making your reservation. Following that is the wait time for exam day.

Your exam date may realistically be 1-3 weeks out, depending on the appointments available at the test site you select. If they’re not overly busy, you may be able to secure an earlier slot.

You could also check for a shorter wait time at another test center if one is conveniently located.

As for test day, you’ll need to set aside at least four hours. That’s the amount of time allotted for the national and state-specific portions of the exam. You must also consider travel time.

On top of that is a requested 30-minute early arrival to give you a time cushion for check-in before the exam begins.

Read our guide on the best way to pass the Idaho real estate exam to properly prepare for the test.

Before applying for a license, all applicants must undergo a background check conducted by the Idaho State Police (ISP). It’s a fingerprint-based criminal records search.

Once ISP receives your fingerprint record, they can typically provide results to the Idaho Real Estate Commission within 7-21 days.

The processing time can be longer depending on how many background check requests ISP is handling. Incorrect or missing information on the fingerprint record can also cause delays.

Also, you must submit a new set if your fingerprints are unreadable. That will slow the process.

And if your fingerprints are returned twice as unreadable, ISP will request an FBI national name screening, which can take three or more additional weeks.

Here’s an important note: Live-scan fingerprinting is currently unavailable at Pearson VUE test centers. A paper card process is in place until electronic fingerprinting resumes.

Therefore, you’ll have to factor in time to go to a local law enforcement agency for fingerprinting. And add an estimated 2-5 business days for delivery of the cards to Pearson VUE via mail.

You can learn more in the fingerprint process document on Pearson VUE’s website.

To know more about how this process is done, refer to our guide on getting an Idaho real estate license with violations.

You can apply for your license once you receive fingerprint clearance. So, the sooner you initiate the background check, the quicker you can get your application done.

When you submit a complete application form, the Commission takes a minimum of ten days to process it. Incomplete paperwork leads to a longer wait time.

That’s because the Commission will return your application without processing it if required attachments or payment for the application fee is missing.

That means you lose your place in the queue. All applications are processed in the order they are received. So when you resubmit, your wait time starts over.

You may also experience a delay if the Commission has a high volume of applications.

To get your application into the queue more quickly, you can email it to the Commission at [email protected] versus sending it by regular mail.

Once approved, your license will appear in the License Lookup on the Commission website. It will be issued on inactive status. There are still a couple more steps to be actively licensed.

While you’re not required to purchase errors and omissions insurance before applying, it is mandatory for activating a real estate license in Idaho.

As professional liability insurance, E&O coverage is essential because it protects you from lawsuits that claim you made a mistake in performing professional services.

The Commission makes a group policy available through the Rice Insurance Services Center. It’s the most expeditious way to purchase coverage.

You can complete the enrollment online, receive your quote, pay with a credit card, and download your policy and receipt.

Idaho real estate agents are also allowed to obtain E&O insurance independently of the group policy. The coverage must meet the terms and conditions the Commission sets forth.

If you go that route, it will take more time to research carriers and secure and compare quotes. A business week is a ballpark estimate.

Being affiliated with a brokerage is another requirement for an active license. So, you’ll need to scout out a company to work for. Plan to spend at least a couple of weeks doing that.

You can wait until you complete the process to start your search. Or, you can begin earlier and shorten the timeline between applying for and activating your license.

Whether you dedicate consecutive weeks or spread the time over several steps in the licensing process, you could easily spend one week on activities like the following:

• Gain expert insight on what’s best for you by reading our post on choosing the right broker to work for as a new agent.
• Do online research to find potential firms based on your preferences and must-haves.
• Talk with family, friends, and agents you know about the reputation of local real estate brokerages in Idaho.

With that done, you can use another week (or more if needed) to evaluate your options.

Finalize your questions and schedule and conduct interviews with the brokerages on your list. Then, once you’ve made your decision, your sponsoring broker can activate your license.

To remain actively licensed, you must meet the Idaho real estate license renewal requirements. These include a $160 fee. Plus, your first renewal requires 14 hours of post-licensing education.

For subsequent renewals, every two years, you also have 14 hours of continuing education to complete. That consists of 12 elective hours and two Commission Core courses.

The Commission-approved pre-licensing education is designed to prepare you for the exam.

Many of the education providers in Idaho offer these preparatory courses in person. The schools are located in various parts of the state and allow students to learn in a classroom setting.

Distance learning is also an option in self-paced and virtual classroom formats.

Virtual learning lets you avoid the commute and study from home. Pick a private, distraction-free zone in your house to facilitate focus and serve as a neutral backdrop for being on camera.

When completing your Idaho real estate courses online, you can choose to do so in a quiet room at home or any other space that allows you to be productive as a student.

The local library is quiet and has plenty of table space. An out-of-the-way table at a coffee shop can be a workable public study spot. Or, you can join fellow students wherever they meet.

Any of those same spaces will also suffice for taking an exam prep course. Offered online, it also provides the flexibility to study on the go.

Know which of these methods is best for you by comparing the pros and cons of online real estate classes vs classroom courses.

As you prepare to start the licensing process, check out the Real Estate Bees guide that explains all the requirements for getting an Idaho real estate license.

Another of our expert articles spells out all the Idaho real estate license costs to help you create a realistic budget.

Also among our many beneficial resources is an article on what to do after passing the real estate exam. This prepares you for the next steps once licensed.

Being a real estate agent as a career is no walk in the park, but you can get all the help you need by joining a real estate team. You can meet experienced agents there to guide you.

It’s also important to devise good marketing strategies to gain value and visibility pivotal to your success in the business.

To help you build and grow your real estate career quickly, we at Real Estate Bees created a directory for real estate professionals.

It’s designed to help you get more exposure for your business, including receiving leads. Create a free profile by signing up here.

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About the Author

Kristina Morales is a REALTOR® with over 20 years of professional experience. She actively practices real estate in Ohio but also has practiced real estate in California and Texas. Conducting her real estate business in three states has allowed her to gain unique experiences that make her a well-rounded realtor. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Business Management and her MBA with a concentration in Banking and Finance. Prior to real estate, Kristina had an extensive corporate career in banking and treasury. She ended her finance career as an Assistant Treasurer at a publicly traded oil & gas company in Houston, TX.