How Much Does It Cost to Get a Real Estate License in Nebraska?

This article explores one-time and ongoing expenses for licensure as a real estate salesperson or broker in the Cornhusker State.

You’re provided with a breakdown of the cost of each part of the licensing and renewal processes. And, you get the scoop on variables that can affect how much that may be.

So, read through the details below to become well-versed on these expenses and factor them into your budget accordingly.

Pre-Licensing Education: $300+ for Salesperson; $400+ for Broker

Those aspiring to become licensed real estate salespersons in Nebraska have 66 hours of approved preparatory education to complete.

Six of those hours are covered in a course on professional conduct. Some schools teach the remaining 60 pre-licensing hours as a single course. Others divide the time equally across two.

That coursework is accessible via several delivery formats with varying price points for either configuration.

The costs for on-demand online packages fulfilling all 66 hours range from $300 to $400, depending on the school you enroll in.

Live classroom options are most commonly available as three separate courses. You can anticipate paying about $260 for every 30 hours of instruction, more at postsecondary schools.

The in-person 6-hour course will cost an additional $55 to $80.

Tuition for virtual classroom and home study programs is similar to traditional classroom prices for the 30 credit hours.

If upgrading to a broker’s license, you need to budget for at least $400.

That amount will purchase an online package that satisfies the requirement for 60 hours of pre-licensing education over and above the 66 hours completed for the salesperson’s license.

Adjust that figure upward to $520-plus if you plan to take the two 30-hour courses in a physical or virtual classroom.

License Application and Exam: $285+

Nebraska real estate licensing laws require you to prequalify for the exam. Therefore, you must submit your application and wait for exam approval notification before registering for the test.

You need to pay two fees when you apply.

One covers the cost associated with the Nebraska Real Estate Commission processing your application. That’s $135 for salesperson and broker candidates.

Keep in mind that as part of your application, you need to pick a broker to work for. You can choose one from our directory of the best real estate brokerages in Nebraska.

The second is the exam fee, which is $150. It’s also the same for both applicant types and applies every time you take the exam.

So, if you fail, you’ll have to add that amount for every retake attempt. Moreover, if your application expires before you pass the exam, you must reapply and repay the $135 fee.

Your application expires one year after the Commission receives it.

Criminal Background Check: $38+

All applicants for original licensure as a salesperson or broker must undergo a background check. It’s based on fingerprints and conducted by the Nebraska State Patrol.

The Commission provides fingerprint cards for this purpose accompanied by detailed instructions.

The cost for the background check is $38, including state and FBI criminal history records searches.

You must use a law enforcement agency to have your fingerprints taken. You won’t incur a separate charge if the Nebraska State Patrol captures your prints.

You can use another law enforcement agency. However, they may impose an additional fee for rolling your fingerprints. That price can vary depending on the agency.

Read our guide on getting a Nebraska real estate license with violations on the record for more information on how this process is done.

Examination Prep Course: $60-$200

While it’s an optional expense for obtaining a real estate license in Nebraska, the cost of a prep course can be a good investment.

How so? These courses are designed to give you an edge in passing the Nebraska real estate exam.

The curriculum is based on the exam content outlined in the Candidate Information Bulletin. That means you’re studying for the real estate exam based on the current test topics.

These courses also have tools like intuitive dashboards to assess proficiency in each topic and mock exams for real-world practice.

As for price, you’ll find self-paced online courses covering either the Nebraska-specific or national portion of the exam for around $60.

Online prep for both exam portions is priced as low as $115. Comparable courses taught in live or virtual classrooms are typically more expensive at $125-plus.

Also, some providers offer prep courses as part of their pre-licensing education packages. An add-on fee of $100 is the average for those.

Errors & Omissions Insurance: $125

You need errors and omissions (E&O) insurance to be an active licensee. It provides specialized liability protection from claims for negligent acts or mistakes made during business activities.

There are a couple of ways to meet this requirement, and your choice impacts your price.

You can go with the group plan the Commission makes available. Rice Insurance Services Center (RISC) provides that coverage.

A basic RISC policy that meets Commission specifications costs $125. Optional endorsements (ranging from $30 to $250) can add to the price.

Alternatively, you can purchase a policy from any other qualified carrier. The caveat is that the coverage must be equivalent to that available through the Commission’s contracted provider.

That premium may be more or less than the one for the group policy. It depends on how the plan is structured and varies from company to company.

License Issuance: $70 for Salesperson; $90 for Broker

You have 30 days after passing the exam to complete all requirements for issuance of a license. That includes submitting a License Issuance Form and paying the appropriate fee.

It’s a fixed amount that is based on the type of license you’re getting. You pay $70 for an original salesperson license. If you’re getting a broker’s license, you must remit $90.

The only time you’ll pay more is for a returned payment. The Commission charges a $30 processing fee in that case.

Post-License Course: $110+

Whether you’re a new salesperson or broker, you have additional education to complete within 180 days of licensure to avoid being placed on inactive status.

Nebraska statutes specifically require a Commission-approved post-licensing course consisting of 12 hours of study in areas like contracts, listing agreements, and handling client funds.

Consequently, the cost of this course is an expense you should include in your licensing budget.

What kind of pricing are you looking at? Options available from online education providers and brick-and-mortar Nebraska real estate schools are comparably priced in the $110 to $150 range.

Community college pricing is slightly higher at around $160 for live-streamed classes.

If you would like to bundle pre- and post-licensing education, plan to pay about $110 above the price for the pre-licensing hours.

Continuing Education: $125+

Your license will lapse unless you renew it. And you have specific obligations for renewal under the Nebraska Real Estate License Act.

One of those requirements is 18 hours of continuing education to be completed every two years after the initial year of licensure as a Nebraska real estate agent or broker.

That total number of hours breaks down as follows:

• Six hours in the currently designated subject matter
• Twelve elective hours approved by the Commission

There are various combinations you can use to arrive at that total. So, how you structure your CE will impact your costs.

For instance, you can buy an online package that fulfills all 18 hours. Pricing starts at $125, and you can pick a pre-set package or one that lets you swap out courses to meet your needs.

If you prefer to enroll in self-paced courses separately, the price will depend on the combination you choose. The cost for 3-hour courses hovers around $40. Six credit hours run $60 to $70.

If you opt for individual in-person classes, be prepared to spend at least $55 and $65 for three- and six-hour courses, respectively.

License Renewal: $140+ for Salesperson; $180+ for Broker

Nebraska real estate licenses expire on December 31 every two years, with the clock starting the year the license is first issued.

The renewal deadline is the month before. The Commission must receive your application for renewal and the associated fee on or before November 30 for it to be considered on time.

When you make that deadline, you can avoid paying extra. Your renewal would cost $140 if you’re a salesperson and $180 if you have a broker’s license.

You may file a late renewal application if you do so before July 1 of the ensuing year. But know that this will cost you more.

Late penalties would kick in beginning December 1. And you would pay $25 per month or portion thereof in addition to the appropriate renewal fee.

If your license is canceled for failure to renew, you’ll have to begin the licensing process again. That entails meeting the requirements and incurring the costs of a new applicant.

Additionally, you must make up any deficient hours of continuing education. Depending on how many that is, you could have a CE price tag of several hundred dollars.

Education costs can add up quickly and make up a substantial portion of your total budget. So, what can you do to trim those expenses?

Try these tips:

• Take advantage of package pricing. Bundled courses are usually offered at a discounted price that’s cheaper than if each one was priced separately.

• Redeem referral rewards. Research whether any providers offer free or discounted CE in exchange for the referral of a new student.

• Do distance education. Self-paced internet courses let you skip the commute and are almost always less expensive than those taught in a traditional classroom. Know if this method suits your learning style by reading our guide comparing real estate classes online vs. classroom courses.

• Shop for sales. Look for discount codes that can bring you savings. Sometimes, you can get as much as 40 percent off.

• Get your money back. Check to see if your broker will reimburse any pre-licensing or CE tuition. And, if yes, under what conditions.

Using this information, you can ensure that you set aside sufficient financial resources to get your Nebraska real estate license.

You can also get a good idea of the time commitment involved in the licensing process with the details shared in our guide on how long to get a Nebraska real estate license.

Other resources that help you launch or advance your real estate career include our article on what happens after you pass your real estate exam and how to join a real estate team.

It’s also best to understand what it’s like to be a realtor through our article on being a real estate agent as a 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 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.