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

Getting a real estate license in Oregon requires you to set aside ample time to complete all the steps in the licensing process.

The timeline varies depending on a lot of factors and how much time you can dedicate to complete each step.

Our estimates will help give you a clear picture of how long it may take you to get your real estate license in the state and what factors can impact that time frame.

So, how much time will it take you to obtain your Oregon real estate license? Let’s find out.

Estimated Timeline to Get a Real Estate License in Oregon

Before beginning the licensing process in full, you’ll need to set up an online account at Oregon Real Estate Agency eLicense. There’s a $300 fee associated with this process.

This is also an ideal time to check out the Oregon Real Estate Agency website and familiarize yourself with all the requirements for getting a real estate license and the steps in the process.

Give yourself at least a week to go through all this information and make sure your questions are answered before you proceed. You don’t want to get halfway through and hit a wall.

Once your online registration is complete, you’ll receive an Applicant ID via email which you’ll use throughout the process to submit documents and finalize your license application.

Based on the format you take this requirement in, and how often your class meets, the time to complete the 150 required hours of pre-licensing education for a broker license varies.

You must, however, complete this requirement at an approved real estate school and provide them with your applicant ID.

If you’re able to take the class virtually, or work at your own pace, you may get done with your pre-licensing education faster than someone taking part-time classes that only meet in person.

Looking around at different options will help you pick the right class format for your schedule.

If you’re working toward a principal broker license, you only have a 40-hour Brokerage Administration and Sales Supervision class to complete.

You could do this in as little as a week. You’ll also need three years of active real estate license experience.

The biggest variable in your timetable for getting your Oregon real estate license is study time. How much additional prep you need after class ends is really up to you.

How long should you study for the real estate exam? Giving yourself at least two weeks can ensure you have ample review time for all exam topics.

You can get an idea of the topics covered in the test via the Candidate Information Bulletin.

You may also want to take advantage of any practice tests offered by exam administrator PSI Services, or prep materials from the school where you completed your pre-licensing education.

Additionally, our article on how hard the Oregon real estate exam is can give you helpful tips for studying for the test.

Your first step in this particular part of the licensing process is scheduling your test date. The easiest way to do this is by registering online or calling PSI at 833-892-5441.

Based on availability at your preferred testing location, you may not be able to get a testing slot right away and can wait anywhere from a few days to a few weeks to actually sit for the exam.

When test day arrives, plan on setting aside at least five hours. The test itself is a total of four hours, broken into two parts, but you’ll need to arrive at least 30 minutes early to check in.

For information on what to bring with you on testing day, take another look at the Candidate Information Bulletin.

Should you only pass one part of the exam on your first try, it’s ok. You have 12 months to retest as many times as you need to pass the second section. After that, you’ll have to retake both.

You can refer to our article on how to pass the real estate exam the first time for tips on how to effectively study for the test.

Once you pass the real estate license exam in Oregon, you’re eligible to move on to the next step of the background check process — fingerprints.

The background check begins when you submit your initial application but can’t be completed until you send in your fingerprints.

These will be taken at your PSI testing location immediately after you pass the real estate exam.

Processing the fingerprints and the subsequent background check may take up to a month. Results will go directly to the Oregon Real Estate Agency.

For more information, read our guide on getting an Oregon real estate license with violations on your record.

At this time, you’ll also need to secure a sponsoring broker. The time it can take to do this will vary based on how many options are within your area, but around two weeks should do it.

Take your time to find the right sponsoring broker. You’ll want to set up interviews with a few firms, taking into account the professional environment as well as the way they do business.

Having a strategy on how to pick the right broker to work for can save you a lot of time as you look at local real estate brokerages in Oregon.

Your application won’t be complete until you and your sponsoring broker both submit the Registered Business Name Application form.

Once the Oregon Real Estate Agency approves your license application, you’ll receive an email notification that your license is active. You can find a copy online in your eLicense account.

Oregon real estate agents are required to renew their license every two years using the same online system where they began their application. There’s a $300 fee as well.

Oregon real estate license renewal requirements also state that you complete a set number of continuing education hours within each renewal period.

For your first renewal period, that means taking a three-hour Law and Rule course and a 27-hour Broker Advanced Practices course.

For all subsequent renewal periods, you must take the three-hour Law and Rule course and at least 27 additional hours in topics set by the Oregon Real Estate Agency.

All completed course information must be entered into your eLicense account.

Getting access to useful study materials for the real estate license exam in Oregon is the easy part.

You have the notes and resources from your pre-licensing class. Your Oregon real estate classes are designed to prepare you for the real estate exam.

Take the time to research the best method to take your pre-licensing courses as this can impact how well you will be able to absorb the lessons.

Our post on online real estate classes vs classroom courses can help enlighten you on this topic.

Additionally, you can refer to the detailed exam outline in the Candidate Information Bulletin.

Converting all this information into topic outlines and flashcards will help make your study time efficient, but you still need a solid place to go to study.

This should be somewhere you can get to daily, so that studying becomes part of your routine. The best spots are quiet and present limited risk of interruption or distraction.

If studying alone becomes challenging for you, consider asking some of your classmates to form a study group. This can help motivate you to stay on top of your review.

Once you feel ready, that’s the time to schedule your exam. Get in a few final days of review, and some rest, then sit to take the test.

Make sure to keep this article handy should you need to prepare a schedule for earning your Oregon real estate license. Being organized will help make the whole process a breeze.

When preparing your licensing budget, refer to our post on Oregon real estate license cost for a complete breakdown of the fees you have to pay.

Once you earned your license, squeeze in some time to learn and understand what it’s like to work as a realtor. You can start with the insights provided by our experts on the topic of being a real estate agent as a career.

It’s also a good idea to join a real estate team to get up close and personal with experienced agents and pick their brains on how they handle challenges in their chosen career.

Of course, don’t forget to devise your own plan for the next step after passing the real estate exam. Identify potential challenges and how to get ahead of them, as well as formulate strategies for building a successful real estate career.

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 both a licensed mortgage loan originator and real estate agent in the State of Ohio. Inspired by her years of working with buyers and sellers and seeing a need for more consumer education, Kristina created loanfully.com, an online educational resource for borrowers and industry professionals. In addition to real estate sales and mortgage lending, Kristina had an extensive corporate career in banking, treasury, and corporate finance. She ended her corporate career as an Assistant Treasurer at a publicly traded oil & gas company in Houston, TX. Kristina obtained her MBA from the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University and her B.A in Business Management from Ursuline College.