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

There isn’t a set timeframe for how long it takes to become a licensed real estate salesperson in Vermont. Instead, it depends on the pace of your progress through the process.

This article provides time spans for each step in the journey and explains the factors influencing your finish time to help you estimate it.

Dive right into the detailed breakdown of those stages and ballpark timelines below.

Estimated Timeline to Get a Real Estate License in Vermont

Before starting the licensing process, you should review the requirements and determine whether any issues from your past may negatively impact your ability to get a license.

You can find pertinent information for applicants in the Vermont Real Estate Commission Administrative Rules.

The Office of Professional Regulation (OPR), which works with the Vermont Real Estate Commission to administer real estate licensing, additionally has application instructions and helpful FAQs on its website.

Setting aside part of a day to review this material in conjunction with the Vermont statutes that spell out potential license disqualifiers is likely sufficient.

Then, you can comfortably proceed to the next step unless there are criminal background issues that could constitute grounds for license denial.

In that case, taking additional time for a pre-approval process known as Second Chance Determination is prudent.

It allows you to ask upfront whether your criminal history may pose a problem. You’ll need to apply and fully disclose your criminal conviction history, including supporting documentation.

OPR will assess your background and determine your eligibility. That can take up to 30 days.

As a new salesperson applicant, you have 40 hours of pre-licensing coursework from an approved education provider on your list of requirements for licensure.

This hourly requirement is less demanding than in some states, and you can move through the course quickly with a full-time effort.

When you adopt a workweek schedule for studying online, your completion time can be as short as one week. A virtual classroom option also allows you to finish in the same time frame.

If you can only commit to being a part-time student, you’ll spend more time in real estate school.

Night classes last six weeks. However, you do have some flexibility regarding when that time period begins, as some schools offer course sessions on a revolving schedule.

You can also study at a part-time pace online to work around other obligations on your time.

A half-time schedule puts you on track for a two-week finish time. Even ten hours a week can still allow you to complete the course in a month.

If you decide to do one last review of your coursework before you sit for the real estate exam, it’s essential that you do so without rushing.

At the same time, you don’t want to study so long that you struggle to keep the material fresh in your mind.

So, the operative question is, how long should you study for the real estate exam when completing supplemental preparation?

Given 40 hours of pre-licensing class material, two weeks can be the sweet spot.

That gives you enough time to take advantage of the study tools in an online exam prep course and determine whether you are ready to go in a couple of weeks or need to put in more effort.

With a prep course, you can focus on topic reviews tailored to what’s on the test. You can also take the practice tests that are a part of these courses.

Those mock exams familiarize you with the exam format, teach you how to manage your testing time, and help you assess your strengths, weaknesses, and readiness.

Additionally, check out our tips on how to pass the real estate exam.

Vermont has national and state exams, which you take at completely different times. You must pass the national test before applying to take the state exam.

PSI Services, a professional test vendor, manages the national part of the Vermont real estate exam. Appointments are required, and PSI’s handbook for exam candidates estimates a two-day wait time after registering.

That, of course, depends on the availability of reservations at the test center.

If test slots fill up quickly at your preferred center, your exam day could be a week or more out.

PSI has several sites in Vermont and neighboring states. So, if taking the exam at another location is convenient, you may have a shorter wait if the times there are less booked.

What about exam day? PSI allows two and a half hours for the test. Add travel and early arrival time to that, and the exam will take about half of your day.

That could expand to a full day if you travel to a neighboring state to take the test.

As for the topics covered in the test, refer to our article discussing what to study for the Vermont real estate exam.

Only brokers can operate independently in Vermont. Salespeople must work on behalf of a broker to be active in the real estate business.

You also need your soon-to-be broker to complete the Verification of Supervision Form to submit with your license application.

Therefore, you’ll have to spend time scouting out the right brokerage for you.

As for the time involved, one guideline is to allocate a minimum of two weeks for this effort, during which you can:

• Research local brokerages, listing the pros and cons for each.
• Have in-depth conversations with the firms that make your preliminary list.
• Rank the contenders based on your must-have checklist and make a decision.

Expect the time required to extend beyond two weeks if you have a long list of prospective firms to gather information on or to conduct interviews with.

Take your time completing these activities to make the most informed assessment and settle on a firm that best aligns with your needs and aspirations.

Before you start your search, go through our guide on how to find the right sponsoring broker to work for to gain beneficial insights.

Then, pick your candidates from our vetted list of top real estate brokerages in Vermont.

When you’ve gotten all the other steps done, it’s time to apply for your salesperson license. You must apply online and submit all the required paperwork.

By this point, you must have already passed the national exam. The Office of Professional Regulation manages the state exam, so you must take that one at this time.

After submitting your application, including supporting documents and the state exam answer sheet, the clock for your waiting time for OPR review begins.

In most cases, OPR’s processing time is about three to five business days.

That time frame applies if your application is complete—that is, if you submitted everything that’s required. If something is missing, processing can be delayed.

The process can also stretch out if OPR needs additional information from you or clarification about an item related to your background.

We explain everything you need to know about getting licensed with a past violation in our article on background check for a Vermont real estate license.

Application volume can also make a difference in processing time. If OPR is backlogged with applications, your wait time can be longer depending on where your application is in the queue.

You will be a licensed Vermont real estate agent upon successful application review. Once your license is issued, you can access it online and get right to work.

Even after you’ve been issued a license and are actively working in the industry, you still need to satisfy one more education requirement.

It’s eight hours of coursework specific to newly licensed agents, and it must be completed in addition to the continuing education required for Vermont real estate license renewals.

You have 90 days from initial licensure to complete the 8-hour curriculum. How long it takes you to finish depends on the course schedule.

Vermont post-licensing courses are typically two hours long. You can enroll in self-paced online courses or choose ones that Vermont real estate schools offer on a set schedule.

If you study online, are highly motivated, and have ample time, you could have all eight hours behind you in a week or less.

If your courses are separately scheduled, your target date for completion may be a week plus, depending on where the classes fall on the calendar.

Internet-based courses are readily available in Vermont. So, studying online is a popular option.

With it comes the ability to go to class without leaving home unless you choose to. The local library or a co-working space can be alternative go-to spots for some online learners.

Otherwise, pick a space at home where you can productively tackle your classwork. It’s ideal if you have a static place. Whether you do or don’t, ensure that:

• You create a distraction-free zone that boosts your ability to focus.
• The space is ergonomically comfortable, uncluttered, and organized.
• You have a desk or table space for your laptop and books.

Classroom courses are another option. These include in-person classes in traditional learning environments and virtual formats.

For the latter, you can participate in classes from home. Choose a spot away from noisy areas as you would for online study. Also, pick a setting with minimal background distractions.

With hybrid courses that include live instruction and online learning, you can study in a brick-and-mortar classroom, at home, or in your preferred public place for this purpose.

To make sure you’re choosing the right format, refer to our article discussing the pros and cons of online real estate classes vs classroom courses.

Refer to this handy guide when you need to estimate the time it takes to complete the process of how to get a real estate license in Vermont.

Apart from knowing the timeline, you should also prepare for all licensing-related expenses. Our breakdown on all Vermont real estate license costs can help you estimate the budget.

As you build your career in the state, gear up on helpful resources designed for new agents, such as our guide on what to do after passing the real estate exam and an article tackling what being a real estate agent is like.

Also, don’t forget to join a real estate team so you can meet experienced agents who can help guide your career.

More importantly, seize the opportunity to create an upward career trajectory through effective marketing strategies aimed at increasing your visibility with prospective clients and promoting business growth.

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.