How to Get a Real Estate License in Nevada 2023: All Requirements for Taking the Exam

If you’re interested in getting your real estate license in Nevada, we can help. You’ll need to know exactly what the process consists of, and this article will fill in all the gaps.

Below, you’ll find detailed information and answers to all your questions to get started on your real estate career in Nevada.

Let’s start off with the licensing requirements for real estate salespeople.

To begin the process of obtaining your real estate salesperson license in Nevada, you need to meet a few basic requirements, and make sure you complete the right forms.

To start, Form 501 is a great resource. Although it’s labeled as a form, it’s actually a thorough list of all Nevada real estate licensing requirements.

Downloading this document is a great place to start if you meet the basic eligibility requirements:

• You must be at least 18 years of age.
• You must have a high school diploma or equivalent degree.
• You must be a US citizen or have proof of eligibility to work in the US.

From there, you’ll need to collect fingerprints through the Department of Safety, and submit a fingerprint card.

You can find a list of authorized fingerprint vendors online. This initiates your background check, which is part of the application process.

You’ll also need to review and complete Form 549, which includes a real estate license checklist to keep you on track.

Initial costs to get your real estate license in Nevada include a $125 licensing fee and $40.25 for the fingerprinting service.

You’ll have additional costs as you move through the licensing process to cover the pre-licensing classes and the real estate exam itself.

To become a real estate salesperson in Nevada, coursework totals 90 hours of instruction and must be taken from an accredited institution.

Once you pass all the required coursework, you’ll receive a certificate, which then allows you to schedule the final real estate exam.

The exam costs $100 and is proctored by Pearson VUE.

To start working as an agent, you will need a sponsoring broker to oversee you.

Read our article advising on how to choose a sponsoring broker to work for as a new real estate agent.

For real estate agents in Nevada to become real estate brokers, the basic eligibility requirements are the same as a real estate salesperson.

You’ll then have a different form to fill out, and a different application cost. To review all the instructions to apply for a Nevada broker’s license, you can refer to Form 508.

Additional requirements include:

• A $145 application fee
• A completed Form 549
• Fingerprint card
• Credit report
• Experience verification, submitted from a verifying broker using Form 509

You must have a current real estate license, and include your original certified license history as well.

You must also have two years of active, full-time experience within the last four years.

Educational requirements for a Nevada broker’s license differ as well. You’re required to get 64 semester credits, broken down into six course areas.

However, in lieu of most of these credit requirements, proof of experience is acceptable.

It’s also allowed to submit a combination of coursework and experience. You can earn 16 college credits for every two years of licensed real estate experience you have.

The only pre-licensing requirement you must take is the 18 required hours of Nevada real estate law.

What Is Real Estate License Reciprocity?

In real estate, license reciprocity allows you to obtain a new real estate license, if you already have one, without having to start from square one.

It happens when one state accepts another state’s standards, and makes it easier for real estate licensees to continue their career in a new place.

While there can be additional requirements to complete in order to finish the process of transferring your real estate license to another state, the process is often much shorter with reciprocity than without.

In Nevada, if you’re coming in from a reciprocal state, you’ll need to:

• Provide fingerprints.
• Submit a certified licensing history from the state where your license was issued.
• Pass the Nevada portion of the state real estate exam.
• Submit Form 549 and Form 656.

You’ll have to pay the same fees as someone applying for their real estate license for the first time.

The total cost is dependent on which type of Nevada real estate license you’re interested in.

US States Having a Reciprocal Agreement with Nevada

There’s no guarantee a state will continue to have reciprocity with another when you’re ready to relocate somewhere new.

For now, Nevada has reciprocity with specific states based on what type of license you want.

A current real estate salesperson license, or higher, in these states may meet the qualifications for a Nevada salesperson license:

• Arizona
• Colorado
• Delaware
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Minnesota
• Oklahoma
• South Carolina
• Texas
• Utah
• Washington
• West Virginia

A current real estate broker, broker-associate, or broker-salesperson license in these states also qualify you for reciprocity in Nevada to receive a salesperson license:

• California
• Connecticut
• District of Columbia
• Florida
• Maine
• Maryland
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Virginia
• Wyoming

If you’re leaving Nevada and are looking for an easy transition of your existing real estate license, these states have full reciprocity:

• Alabama
• Colorado
• Maine
• Mississippi
• Virginia

Pre-Licensing Classroom Courses

In Nevada, the type of license you’re applying for dictates your specific pre-licensing coursework.

For a salesperson license, you must complete real estate courses from any of the accredited real estate schools in Nevada, and take 90 hours of instruction, which consists of two parts:

• Real Estate Principles – 45 hours
• Real Estate Law – 45 hours, with 18 being in Nevada-specific law

For a broker’s license in Nevada, you’re required to submit 64 credit hours.

To verify these are complete, you can use certified transcripts, certificates, or a certified licensing history.

Experience can also help fulfill requirements, with every two years of full-time, licensed experience covering 16 credits.

The full pre-licensing curriculum for brokers breaks down to:

• Real Estate Principles — 45 hours/3 college credits
• Real Estate Law — 45 hours/3 college credits (must include 18 hours of
• Nevada Law)
• Real Estate Appraisal — 45 hours/3 college credits
• Nevada-specific Broker Management — 45 hours/3 college credits
• 15 college credits in real estate-related courses, such as business, economics, management, accounting, finance, and marketing
• 37 college credits from any accredited college or university

The only exception to following either of these set curricula as they’re stated above is if you have a law degree.

A law degree meets the equivalency of the Real Estate Law and Real Estate Principles courses.

You’ll still have to take the 18 hours of Nevada-specific law regardless of what license you’re applying for.

With this degree, however, you’ll lessen the time you’ll need to spend on overall hours/credits.

Deciding to tackle these courses in person at an accredited school not only gives you the chance to network with peers and real estate experts.

It also provides you with a set schedule to follow. This can make it easier to stay committed to completing the pre-licensing work in a timely manner.

Pre-Licensing Online Courses

It’s possible to complete all the pre-licensing coursework online as long as you take the classes from an approved provider.

Many of the accredited schools offer both in-person and distance-learning options to provide you with maximum flexibility.

Completing the required courses for either license online allows you to get things done at your own pace.

This could speed up the process of finishing the coursework, so you can schedule your real estate exam even earlier.

In Nevada, the average time to finish the pre-licensing coursework is 3-4 months.

But with unlimited time to complete everything online, you could be ready for the exam in as little as four weeks.

For some additional insight into the pros and cons of each course format, please take a moment to watch our video — Real Estate Courses Online vs. Classroom.

Once you’ve decided on the best course format for you, make sure to commit yourself to studying really hard to pass the exam on your very first attempt.

These tips on how to pass the real estate exam will show you the best way to study for the test.

Pearson VUE is the current proctor of the Nevada Real Estate Sales exam. You can schedule your exam online or call (888) 248-8055.

You’ll find approved testing centers in:

• Round Mountain
• Elko
• Sparks
• Reno
• Las Vegas

The fee for the test is $100 whether you’re taking it for the first time, or doing a re-test. Passing is getting at least a 75%.

The Nevada real estate exam is broken into two parts. The national section is 80 questions long, and you have 150 minutes to complete it.

The Nevada section contains 40 questions, and you’re given 90 minutes to finish.

On the day of your exam, arrive at your testing site at least 30 minutes early. You’ll need to bring two forms of signature ID with you.

This exam is a closed-book test, so don’t bring any other materials into the exam.

There are no walk-ins allowed for the Nevada real estate exam, so plan to make your exam reservation at least 24 hours in advance.

As soon as you finish the exam, you receive an online score report marked pass or fail. Those who pass will see information on how to apply for a license on their score report.

Once you get that passing score, submit your completed application to the Nevada Real Estate Department along with your test results and the $125 fee.

Requirements must be submitted within 12 months of passing the exam.

Once your completed application is approved, you’ll receive a license reference number. At any point, you can use that number to look up your actual license online.

As a licensed real estate agent, it’s time to join a real estate team.

Make sure you take your time to find the perfect match and are properly prepared to enter the industry.

Learn what to do after passing your real estate exam from our article on this topic.

Your license is good for two years regardless of what type you get. However, the renewal requirements vary between a salesperson and broker.

For a real estate salesperson, you must complete 24 hours of real estate instruction approved by the Nevada Real Estate Division.

You’re only allowed to take 12 hours online.

Brokers also must take 24 hours of continuing education for their renewal, and can only do 12 hours online.

The specifications for their courses, though, aren’t as specific.

Most students working in person on their pre-licensing courses take about 3-4 months to finish. This is the most time-consuming part of the process.

Once completed, you’ll only need to take, and pass, your exam, and submit your fingerprints and final application to complete the process.

Since taking classes online allows you to work at your own pace, some students complete the entire set of coursework in around a month.

Taking the exam and having the application processed will take the same amount of time regardless of whether you complete your coursework online or in person.

Yes. Once you submit your fingerprints, a background check will take place.

Costs will vary based on the price tag of your pre-licensing coursework, but fingerprinting, the application fee, and the cost for the exam totals $265.25.

For more details on the licensing expenses, read our article — How Much Does It Cost to Get a Nevada Real Estate License?

If you fail one portion of the exam, you have 12 months to pass it or you have to retake the entire test.

You’re able to schedule your retake as soon as 24 hours after receiving a failing grade.

If you fail the exam, you can retake it as many times as necessary, whether it’s one or both parts.

Yes. Each time you retake, you’ll have to pay the fee.

The cost of retaking the exam is $100.

The background check conducted using your fingerprints will bring to light any felony charges you may have.

But you’ll also need to report them on your real estate license application. Should you have a felony in your past, you’ll need to provide a written explanation for review.

It may or may not affect your ability to get a Nevada real estate license. That decision is made by the real estate regulators reviewing each incoming application.

Your background check will highlight any misdemeanor charges you may have and any criminal record may affect your ability to get a Nevada real estate license.

State real estate regulators will review your application, and background check results, to make a determination.

Should you have a misdemeanor on your criminal record, you’ll also need to report it on your real estate application, providing a written explanation of the charge.

It’s still possible to get a real estate license if you have a DUI. However, in Nevada, having a criminal history does not guarantee you’ll still be considered eligible.

Since you’re required to report both felonies and misdemeanors on your real estate license application, you’ll need to list any DUI convictions as well.

Each applicant is considered on their own merits, so eligibility will depend on your total criminal record and the classification of your DUI.

No, you need a high school diploma or GED to qualify for the real estate licensing process.

Now that you’re licensed, there’s a world of opportunities and challenges that will come your way when choosing being a real estate agent as a career.

No need to fret when you’re fully armed and ready with the right strategies to get yourself to the top.

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.