Getting a Real Estate License in Utah: 2024 Requirements for Taking the Exam

Whether you’re interested in becoming a real estate salesperson or broker, this is the guide you need to keep handy when you need useful knowledge about how to get your real estate license in Utah.

In this article, we’ve curated all the necessary information on the basic licensing requirements. You will learn about pre-licensing coursework, testing, and more to make the entire process completely transparent.

Keep reading to find the answers to all your real estate licensing questions.

Qualifying to earn your salesperson real estate license in Utah begins with meeting the reputation requirement of Utah code.

Applicants must meet the statutory licensing qualifications of “honesty, integrity, truthfulness, reputation, and competency.”

From there, additional basic requirements include being at least 18 years of age and having a high school diploma or its equivalent.

Once qualifications are met, you can begin exploring educational options.

The pre-licensing coursework requirement for a salesperson license consists of 120 hours at a certified real estate pre-license school.

All educational hours must be completed within a year of registering for your license.

Pearson VUE administers the real estate licensing exam in Utah, and you can register at their website to take the test online.

The exam consists of two parts: the national portion of the exam is 80 questions, and the Utah-specific section is 50. You’ll have four hours to complete the test.

The cost to take the exam is $59.

If you’re concerned about what percent you need to pass the Utah real estate exam, the minimum score is 70% on each section.

Once you’ve passed both portions of the real estate licensing exam, you’ll receive your application paperwork.

This is handled at the Pearson VUE testing location immediately following your exam.

The application fee is $157, and it includes the cost of collecting fingerprints for a background check.

Additional materials you’ll submit to complete your real estate license application include:

• Salesperson application
• Qualifying questionnaire
• Consent to background check — fingerprint appointments can be made for the day of your test in advance, and happen on site
• Certification of legal presence
• Candidate education certificate

All materials are then submitted to the Division of Real Estate within the Utah Department of Commerce through their online portal.

To earn a broker real estate license, real estate agents in Utah will have to complete the same basic requirements.

They’ll need to meet the statutory licensing qualification regarding their character, in addition to the age and basic education requirements.

From there, you’ll need three years of full-time, licensed, active real estate experience within the last five years.

You can also submit proof of experience that breaks down as two years of full-time, licensed, active real estate experience and one year of full-time, professional real estate experience.

Within this same five-year period, you’ll also need to accumulate 60 documented experience points in areas like transactions, leasing, and property management.

You can refer to the appendices in this document for a breakdown of point values.

The pre-licensing educational requirement for your broker license in Utah is also 120 hours, although the specific coursework breaks down a little differently.

Within the total time, you’ll need to accrue:

• 45 hours in broker principles
• 45 hours in broker practices
• 30 hours in Utah law and testing

You do have the option to apply for an educational waiver for all or part of the pre-licensing coursework.

You can use classes you’ve already taken through undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

When your coursework is complete, you can register for the real estate license exam through Pearson VUE. The process is the same as for a salesperson license, and the cost is identical.

The test itself is also in two sections, in which you have four hours to finish, but the question breakdown is different.

You’ll have 80 questions on the national portion, and 90 within the state section. The minimum passing score is 75% in each section.

After passing both sections, you can begin working on your real estate license application by preparing the following documents:

• The application itself
• Candidate education certificate
• Qualifying questionnaire
• Broker experience documentation form (signed and notarized)
• Broker transaction log and/or broker property management log
• Broker verification form (for each broker the applicant has been affiliated with in the five years leading up to license request)
• Fingerprint form
• Certification of legal presence

The fee to submit this application is $163, and can be done online within the same portal as the salesperson application.

What Is Real Estate License Reciprocity?

Real estate license reciprocity is where one state recognizes the real estate license of another, allowing licensees to seamlessly transition their credentials from one place to another.

Utah has full reciprocity agreements with Georgia, Mississippi, and Alberta, Canada.

Coming from these specific locations, you must submit a reciprocity application.

This should include a certified license history, two fingerprint cards, a certification of legal presence, and a Principal Branch and Brokers Letter.

The fee is the same as the cost to submit an application for those already in state.

If approved, you won’t have to take the real estate licensing exam over again, or complete any of the pre-licensing education.

Approval is partially determined by whether your current license is in good standing.

Those licensed real estate professionals coming from other states can still apply for a reciprocity waiver.

This may reduce the pre-licensing educational requirements or excuse you from taking the national portion of the licensing exam.

This is determined on a case-by-case basis.

US States Having a Reciprocal Agreement with Utah

Although Utah only offers full reciprocity to two states, and a Canadian province, there are a few states that will recognize a Utah license should you decide it’s time to relocate.

For those who’ve obtained a real estate license in Utah, you can currently find reciprocity in:

• Alabama
• Colorado
• Georgia
• Maine
• Mississippi
• Nevada
• Virginia

This list is always subject to change, so it’s best to verify reciprocity whenever you’re planning a move.

Survey of Experts

How difficult was it for you to study and pass the Utah real estate license exam?

How many attempts did it take you to pass your real estate license exam?

Pre-Licensing Classroom Courses

Both the real estate salesperson and real estate broker pre-licensing coursework in Utah is 120 hours. However, the curriculum isn’t identical.

The salesperson course has every hour parsed out for a complete curriculum. The breakdown includes:

• 24 hours of Utah real estate law
• 16 hours of contracts
• 16 hours of real estate finance
• 12 hours of ownership of real estate
• 12 hours of real estate brokerage and law of agency
• 8 hours of settlement
• 6 hours of valuation and appraisal
• 6 hours of federal laws
• 4 hours of property management
• 4 hours of math skills
• 2 hours of federal taxation
• 2 hours of new construction

The remaining eight hours are dedicated to review and testing.

For a broker license, only a portion of the hours are designated for specific areas of study, including broker principles and practices and Utah law and testing.

Regardless of the type of license you’re planning to get, all pre-licensing education must be completed at one of the accredited real estate schools in Utah within a year of applying for your license.

Opting to take your pre-licensing coursework in a classroom setting offers quite a few advantages.

You’ll have the reliability of a set schedule of class time and study periods, along with the ability to network, face-to-face with future colleagues and real estate peers.

Being able to do so may make it easier to form study groups as needed, and give you a support system as you go through this entire process.

Pre-Licensing Online Courses

If you’re interested in completing your pre-licensing coursework a little bit faster in a more flexible environment, many schools offer online options.

This format can enable you to finish all 120 hours faster simply by having the ability to work independently at your own pace.

You can even treat the coursework like a job, devoting 40 hours a week to get it done.

Taking the class online also lets you work when it’s most convenient for you. You can set your own schedule and still have time for other commitments like family and work.

Equally important, you can work in the space that best suits your learning style, while ensuring minimal interruptions.

There are pros and cons to both formats when it comes to completing your pre-licensing coursework in Utah.

To evaluate both, and find out which one is right for you, check out our video guide — Real Estate Courses Online vs. Classroom.

Make sure to also read our article on how to pass the real estate exam the first time, which provides useful tips to help you study and prepare for the test properly.

Survey of Experts

Did you take your pre-licensing real estate course online or in person?

Do you think taking a real estate pre-licensing course online can save students time compared to in-person courses?

What is the name of the school where you completed your pre-licensing course?

Expert Insight

Do you see any advantages of taking an online course over the in-person class?

Online courses allow people to work toward obtaining their real estate license with the flexibility of being able to work a current job, spend time with family, etc.

— Cameron Maddux, Keller Williams Park City Real Estate, Realtor

I think the online classes by Stringham were excellently presented. I learned a tremendous amount from them and I believe live presentations may not be as well done.

— Edward Brinton, Century 21 Everest, Agent

The online course I took was free. Besides that, it gives you more flexibility to study whenever it works for you.

— Hyrum Brunsdale, ERA Brokers, Real Estate Sales Agent

No advantages really. Those who take online courses can still purchase the hard copy workbooks and take notes.

— Laurie Allen, eXp Realty Park City, Luxury Certified Realtor

What would you recommend real estate students to invest extra in to ensure passing the exam on the first try?

I would recommend investing extra time! Additional time spent studying the coursework is probably the most important thing to passing your test the first time.

Some schools also offer an “upgraded” package that has additional study programs or guides to help you pass the test.

I did that with Stringham, and their Ear Prep Plus really did help a ton with my studying. It was totally worth the additional cost in my opinion!

— Wade Hayman, Keller Williams Success North Ogden, Realtor

It’s great to do the Stringham review course. It’s worded similarly to the exam and very helpful.

— Patricia Gumina-McMillen, Keller Williams Realty, Sales Agent

The real estate exam in Utah is given by Pearson Vue. You can register online to take the test at any of their locations across the state. You’ll find testing sites in:

• Bountiful
• Cedar City
• Draper
• Logan
• Moab
• Ogden
• Orem
• Richfield
• Roosevelt
• St. George

There are also testing sites in Grand Junction in Colorado and Las Vegas in Nevada.

While the total number of questions vary between the salesperson and broker exam, you’ll have four hours to complete either test.

You’ll get your results immediately after completing the exam.

The minimum passing score for the salesperson exam is 70% and 75% for the broker exam.

You have 90 days from when you pass the real estate licensing exam in Utah to apply for your actual license.

Most of the materials you need are given to you at the testing location. Fingerprints can also be taken onsite to initiate the background check portion of the process.

All materials you’ll need to submit yourself should go to the Division of Real Estate within the Utah Department of Commerce.

The easiest way to file is by uploading everything to the EGOV website.

As you wait for your license to be approved, you may feel anxious or excited about what’s in store as you embark on this new career.

Our article discussing the pros and cons of becoming a real estate agent shares experts’ insight on what to expect when working as a realtor.

Once your application for a Utah real estate license gets approved, you’ll receive a notification via email.

From there, you can go into your EGOV account, where you submitted all your application documents, and access your license information and card.

Should you have a hard time finding your real estate license number, you can contact the Division of Real Estate for assistance or speak with your employing broker.

They should also have that information on hand.

For your real estate license to be active, you will have to look for a brokerage to sponsor you.

Our article on how to choose the right real estate brokerage to work for as a new agent walks you through the different types of brokers you can choose from.

It also talks about commission structures and other important information you need to know when selecting a firm to affiliate your license with.

Once you’ve gotten a feel of the qualities you’re looking for in a broker, you can find the perfect match by browsing our directory of the best real estate brokerages in Utah.

Most applicants complete the 120 hours of pre-licensing coursework in anywhere from 2-5 months.

Timing is all based on how often your class meets, and how long each session is.

Being able to work at your own pace, you can definitely speed up the timeline when taking the pre-licensing course online.

You can finish your coursework in as little as 3-6 weeks.

To know how long it takes to get a license in the state, see our complete guide – How Long Does It Take to Get a Real Estate License in Utah?

Survey of Experts

How long did it take you to get your real estate license? From the time you signed up for school till your license was issued.

Expert Insight

Knowing what you know now, what would you do differently to get your license faster?

I waited about a month or two after finishing my coursework to actually schedule my test.

My thoughts were to spend a little bit more time studying before the exam, but in reality, I didn’t fit in that additional study time until my exam was scheduled and the clock was ticking.

The time that I actually scheduled my exams was when I really hit the books and reviewed all the coursework.

The time limit kicked in my motivation. During those couple of months, I found that I forgot some of the knowledge I had gained and had spent more time going back to review topics.

— Wade Hayman, Keller Williams Success North Ogden, Realtor

Actually, I likely went down the fastest path.

I completed the course in under 6 weeks, scheduled my test for the soonest opportunity available, and proceeded to complete all state requirements as quickly as possible.

— Patricia Gumina-McMillen, Keller Williams Realty, Sales Agent

It took me an extra few months to get my license due to juggling work and COVID-19 closures and restrictions.

— Edward Brinton, Century 21 Everest, Agent

Yes, there is a background check, initiated through the fingerprinting that’s done once you pass the real estate licensing exam.

To know how this is done, read our article on getting a Utah real estate license with violations on the record.

Your actual out-of-pocket expenses will vary based on the cost of the educational component as well as which license you’re applying for.

However, average costs should be somewhere around $700-$800.

For a complete breakdown of licensing expenses, check out our guide on how much a real estate license in Utah is.

Survey of Experts

In your opinion, was the cost of getting your real estate license reasonable?

Approximately how much did it cost you to get your real estate license? Including school fees, study materials, and other related expenses.

Expert Insight

What were your ‘surprise costs’ after getting your license?

The yearly dues were more than I had expected. Some of that was a one-time fee, so next year’s fees should be more in line with what I was expecting.

Home office, marketing materials, signs, and other things should also be looked into before getting your license.

— Wade Hayman, Keller Williams Success North Ogden, Realtor

Board of Realtors fees. It is not cheap to keep your license active.

— Edward Brinton, Century 21 Everest, Agent

What costs could have been avoided and how?

All costs are state mandated; however, you do need to invest in start-up costs after you complete testing such as open house signs, business cards, website fees, etc.

However, with some brokerages, they cover those upfront costs as a bonus of signing on with their brokerage.

— Patricia Gumina-McMillen, Keller Williams Realty, Sales Agent

None that I know of. I did the minimum to be licensed and have access to the necessary tools for success.

— Edward Brinton, Century 21 Everest, Agent

You must wait 24 hours before scheduling a retake of the real estate exam in Utah if you fail. At that point, you can schedule your test for the next available opening.

There’s no limit to the number of times you can retake the real estate license test in Utah if you fail the exam.

But you must pass the test within a year after finishing the coursework.

However, if you only fail one section of the exam, you have just six months to pass it, or you have to retake both.

Be prepared by knowing what and how to study so you will pass the test on your first attempt. Read our article on how to pass the Utah real estate exam the first time.

Yes, you’ll need to pay each time you retake the exam.

The fee each time you take the real estate license exam in Utah is $59.

The ability to potentially get a real estate license in Utah with a felony is based on timing.

An applicant does not qualify if they have a felony on their record within the last five years.

If you’ve gotten charged with a misdemeanor in the past three years involving fraud, misrepresentation, theft, or dishonesty, you will not qualify for a real estate license in Utah.

It is possible to get a real estate license if you have a DUI when applying in Utah.

Although this is considered a misdemeanor charge, if it’s more than three years old and doesn’t align with the specific charges mentioned above, you should be able to get approval.

Survey of Experts

Is it more challenging to get a real estate license with violations on one’s record?

Do you know any people who got a real estate license with violations on their record?

You cannot get a real estate license in Utah without a high school diploma or its equivalent.

Once you’ve completed all the requirements, passed the exam, and received your license, you are now eligible to join a real estate team.

Being under the wing of an experienced agent helps you understand the business better, which is essential when just starting out in the industry.

You will also need an action plan that will determine what to do next after you get your real estate license.

This will help you lay a strong foundation for your real estate business in Utah.

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.

__

If you want to contribute your expert advice on a topic of your expertise, feel free to apply to our Expert Contributor Program.

__

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.