From its vibrant nightlife to the Extraterrestrial Highway, Nevada is a fascinating place to live—and an even better place to begin your journey as a real estate professional. But in order to connect residents of the Silver State with the properties of their dreams, you’ll need to first learn how to get your real estate license here.
And that’s where we come in. Follow these five easy steps, and you’ll be launching your career in Nevada real estate in no time.
How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Nevada
Let’s dive into these steps in a little more detail. Before long, you’ll be helping clients buy and sell Mediterranean-style houses in Las Vegas, Pueblos in Reno, and holiday cottages in Lake Tahoe.
How Much Does It Cost to Get a Real Estate License in Nevada?
It costs approximately $700 to get your real estate license in Nevada, including your prelicensing education. Some of the costs are fixed, such as the state’s licensing and exam fees, and others vary.
While you don’t need a college degree to become a real estate agent in Nevada, you must complete the state-specific licensing process. The price of the required 120-hour prelicensing courses (and optional exam prep materials) will vary depending on the provider you choose.
Prelicensing Course:
$219-$669
License Application:
$140
Exam Registration:
$100
Exam Retake:
$100
Background Check/Fingerprinting:
$40.25
Total Costs:
$500-$1,050
(Nevada real estate license costs as of May 2023)
How to Get a Nevada Real Estate Agent License in 5 Easy Steps
Before you begin, let’s make sure you’re eligible. Nevada requires those seeking a real estate sales associate designation to:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident
- Have a high school diploma or equivalent
If you are a licensed attorney, have a degree in real estate, or have a license in another state, you may be able to waive some of your licensing requirements.
Nevada has reciprocal agreements with 16 states: Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Nevada, Louisiana, Minnesota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Washington, and West Virginia.
Agents who are licensed in these states do not have to take Nevada’s prelicensing courses. Instead, they’ll need to take 18 hours of Nevada law classes, get a background check, pass the state portion of the real estate exam, and submit a notarized Consent to Service of Process form to earn their license.
Visit the Nevada Real Estate Division (NRED) for education and examination requirements tailored to your specific situation.
Ready to learn more about how to become a real estate agent in Nevada? Here are the steps you’ll need to follow:
1. Complete a 120-hour Prelicensing Course
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Cost:
$219-$669
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Time commitment:
3-6 weeks
Prelicensing courses kick off your real estate career, and you’ll have your choice of completing them online or in person. Your choice of course format will depend on your learning style and what suits your schedule best.
The amount of time you’ll need comes down to how much class time you allot per week. You can complete all 120 hours online; those who study at a faster pace will finish in a shorter amount of time. If you approach it like a 40-hour workweek, you’ll finish in three weeks.
Prelicensing courses will often include extra features like exam prep, instructor support, and career resources. Visit The Close’s article on real estate schools in Nevada to find the prelicensing course that’s right for you.
The state of Nevada requires 120 hours of coursework before sitting for the licensing exam. The courses are broken down into 90 hours of real estate principles and law and 30 hours of real estate contract and agency work. You’ll learn:
- Duties and power of the commission
- Licensing requirements
- Agency
- License practice
- Disclosures
- Contracts
- Recordkeeping
- Definitions and terminology
- Timeshare purchase and sale and agreements
- Fair housing laws
- Handling deposits and other trust monies
- Financing
- Advertising, marketing, and promotional meetings
You’ll need the help of a highly rated Nevada real estate school to get through this weighty material. Most people choose a real estate school based on the cost and the educational format of the course. Here are the most popular options in terms of course design.
In-person Classes
Wherever you live in Nevada, you should be able to find a real estate school that meets in person during regularly scheduled sessions.
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Livestream Classes
Classes that meet online at scheduled times are usually broadcast over Zoom (or another videoconferencing tool).
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Self-paced Online Classes
On-demand real estate classes are extremely popular for those wanting to become real estate agents in Nevada quickly. The course material may be presented in a series of slides, videos, and interactive content.
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If you’re looking for a self-paced experience, we like Colibri Real Estate’s online platform best. They also happen to be featured on our national roundup of the best online real estate schools.
Readers of The Close can get 30% off tuition on any Colibri Real Estate prelicensing course in Nevada using coupon code “TheClose30.”
For more options, visit The Close’s article on real estate schools in Nevada to find the prelicensing course that’s right for you.
After you have completed your coursework, you must pass the course’s final exam. The course exam will test your newfound knowledge of real estate law and real estate principles. A passing score of 75% or greater is required to move on to the next step.
When submitting proof of your completion of the course, you must provide NRED with either a certified transcript or certificate directly from the accredited school of your choice confirming you’ve met the course requirements.
2. Complete a Background Check
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Cost:
$40.25
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Time commitment:
1-2 weeks
Nevada requires all applicants to get their fingerprints taken before applying for their license. You must submit the fingerprint card with a cashier’s check or money order for $40.25 made payable to the “Department of Public Safety” or a verification form issued by an authorized fingerprinting vendor.
Your fingerprints will expire after six months, so make sure to get them promptly after completing your prelicensing education.
Pearson VUE, which administered the Nevada Real Estate Exam, offers digital fingerprinting to candidates at certain testing centers. To be fingerprinted this way, you must make a reservation ahead of time.
3. Schedule & Pass the Nevada Real Estate Salesperson Exam
Cost:
$100
Time to Complete:
4 hours
Format:
Computer-based, 120 questions
Bring to Testing Center:
Two forms of identification, including one current government-issued photo ID that includes your signature
Passing Grade:
75%
After you’ve completed your real estate course and have your fingerprints ready to submit, the next step toward earning your real estate license in Nevada is to pass the state’s official real estate exam. In order to begin scheduling, you’ll need to create an account with Pearson VUE. The cost of the exam is $100.
How to Study for the Real Estate Exam: Tips & Strategies
The Nevada Real Estate Salesperson exam is an in-person, proctored test administered via computer. The exam consists of two parts that review state and national real estate laws. There are 120 multiple-choice questions altogether: 80 questions in the national portion and 40 additional questions in the state portion. You will have 240 minutes, or four hours, to complete the entire exam.
A passing score for the Nevada Real Estate Salesperson Exam is 75%, which translates to 60 questions correct out of 80 for the national section and 38 correct answers out of 50 for the state portion. The rate at which testers pass the Nevada Real Estate Salesperson Exam is 75%. There is no limit to the number of times you can retake the exam within a 12-month window. However, don’t forget that your background check is only valid for six months, so it’s best not to put off the exam too long.
You should arrive 30 minutes early at the testing site. The Nevada Real Estate Commission’s candidate handbook outlines the types of government-issued identification they’ll accept. There’s also a lengthy list of items you’re prohibited from bringing to the exam room (including common items like calculators, pens, and cell phones).
Testing sites for the Nevada real estate exam are located in the following cities:
- Elko
- Reno
- Round Mountain
- Sparks
- Las Vegas
As soon as you’re done with the multiple-choice exam, you’ll learn whether you passed or failed. If you don’t pass, you’ll be given a detailed score report that will help you prepare for the retake. Again, you can take the exam as many times as you’d like within one year following the date on which you sent in your original exam application, but you will have to pay $100 each time.
4. Find a Sponsoring Broker to Hire You
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Cost:
Free
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Time commitment:
1-2 weeks
Nevada requires that you work under a broker to activate your real estate salesperson license. A broker has received additional training, worked in the industry for at least two years, and passed the broker’s license exam.
Real Estate Broker vs. Agent: A Head-to-Head Analysis
Finding a broker to work under will feel like applying for a job. Once you’ve landed some broker interviews, you’ll want to ask each broker about the split (or how you and the brokerage will divide sales commissions). You’ll find that some brokerages will ask for a 50-50 split on commissions. Usually, brokerages that offer an even split will not charge monthly desk fees.
As you evaluate your options, remember that, as a commissioned salesperson, your income entirely depends on your abilities and effort. Some brokerages may offer you 70% of your commissions, a ratio that may rise to 100% after you’ve met a specific sales goal (or cap) for the year.
It’s important to be realistic about your earning potential in the first few months. It takes time to launch your new business. Some new agents choose to work part time so they can still bring in additional revenue as they’re learning the ropes. And if your brokerage does charge fees, you’ll have to pay them regardless of whether you’re closing deals or not.
Here are some questions to consider during your broker search:
- What is their reputation, both locally and nationally?
- What kind of real estate agents are they looking for?
- Are they technologically advanced and up to date with the latest systems?
- How do they support their agents with education and training?
- What kind of commission structure do they offer?
- Do they offer benefits?
- Do they provide agents with leads and marketing material?
- Is there room to grow with the brokerage?
5. Complete the Licensing Process
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Cost:
$140
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Time commitment:
1-2 weeks
The final step is a simple one. With all the above tasks completed, apply for that hard-earned salesperson license.
This license allows you to handle real estate transactions, including buying and selling properties, as well as managing the rental process. You’ll receive your application from Pearson VUE after a passing score on your exam, or you can download the application form from the NRED website. All applicants must obtain their affiliate broker’s notarized signature on the application.
The cost of the application is $140. This fee can be paid via check, cashier’s check, or money order payable to the Nevada Real Estate Division. If you apply in person, you can use a credit card (though you’ll pay a 2% convenience fee) or cash (but you’ll need exact change).
Upon successful application review by the Nevada Real Estate Division, you will be recognized as a real estate salesperson in Nevada.
How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Nevada: FAQs
Still not sure about the path forward? Get answers to common questions about how to become a real estate agent in Nevada below.
Is the Nevada real estate exam hard?
The passing rate for the Nevada Real Estate Salesperson Exam is 75%, meaning one quarter of the people who take it do not pass. Be sure to pay attention during your prelicensing course and take studying seriously. If you put in the proper effort, you should pass on your first attempt. Otherwise, you’ll need to pay another $100 to take the test again.
What if I have a real estate license from another state?
Nevada has reciprocal agreements with 16 states: Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Nevada, Louisiana, Minnesota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Washington, and West Virginia.
For a complete list of steps to get your Nevada real estate license through reciprocity, check out our helpful guide, Real Estate License Reciprocity & Portability: A State-by-State Guide.
How long does it take to become a real estate agent in Nevada?
It usually takes prospective agents two to four months to get their real estate license in Nevada. Most of the time spent getting your license will be in your 120-hour prelicensing course. If you enroll in a scheduled full-time course, you can usually complete your classes pretty quickly.
You might take longer if you decide to work online at your own pace. Self-paced courses, on the other hand, provide you the freedom to fit learning into your busy schedule at work and home. You’ll have to decide on the course delivery method that works best for you.
Can I get my Nevada real estate license online?
Unfortunately, you’ll need to go to one of the exam testing sites to take your Nevada real estate salesperson exam. But the good news is that you can complete the required 120 hours of classwork from the comfort of your home.
Do real estate agents make good money in Nevada?
According to ZipRecruiter, real estate agents make an average of $80,755 in Nevada. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on the area and many other important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, and the number of years you’ve spent in your profession.
Other significant details you should consider are brokerage fees and commissions. Usually, this is a fixed percentage between you and your brokerage. Commission is shared between you and your broker based on a negotiated ratio that will be fully outlined in your contract. While this may differ based on several factors, a common commission split is 70% to the agent and 30% to the broker.
What are the pros & cons of becoming a real estate agent in Nevada?
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More Career Resources From The Close
Now that you’ve learned how to become a real estate agent in Nevada, you’re likely to have more questions. Luckily, The Close is here to answer them for you.
Licensed agents can get a steady stream of career help by subscribing to our newsletter. You’ll get the latest news, actionable real estate strategies, and insight from (and for) the world’s best real estate agents.
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