The Difference Between a Broker and a Real Estate Agent

When studying to become a real estate agent, you’ll undoubtedly encounter the different types of career paths one can take in the real estate industry. One common question we get involves the difference between a real estate broker and an agent, particularly since the differences can be unclear at times. The simple answer to this question centers around the differences between the educational requirements necessary for brokers versus those necessary for agents. Let’s take a look at the educational requirement differences to learn more about what it takes to become a real estate agent versus a broker. In the state of Nevada, there are three types of licenses issued by the Nevada Real Estate division.

Real Estate Agent Educational Requirements

Salespeople (or Real Estate Agents) have completed the 90-hour pre-licensing requirements and operate under a broker. A real estate pre-licensing course will cover topics such as general realty practices, operating under an agency, finances, and critical state-specific laws. Note that real estate agents and brokers work together, but that real estate agents specifically operate under brokers.

Real Estate Broker Educational Requirements

Broker Salespeople have completed the educational and testing requirements to become a broker but continue to operate under another broker. This is typically the case for salespeople who have not completed the two years of licensed experience required in order to operate as their own broker. In more simplistic terms, a broker salesperson is just starting out in their career as a broker, and is prepping to become a broker themself.

Brokers have completed all the educational pre licensing requirements in addition to broker licensing courses that cover topics related to firm operations and management. Topics in these courses may include day-to-day operations, staffing and learning how to become a manager, assessing risks, and proactively planning organizational changes to the business.

In terms of length of time needed to complete educational requirements, the time needed to successfully become a broker is greater than that of a broker salesperson, while the time needed to become a broker salesperson is greater than that of a real estate agent. Regardless of which career path you choose to take, partnering with the right education partner is an important decision that can have a big impact on your real estate career.

Partner with Key Realty School Today

There are many differences between a real estate agent and a broker. If you are aspiring to become a real estate agent or property manager, learn how to get a real estate license in Nevada through our live classroom or online pre-licensing courses. We offer Nevada real estate license classes both online and in-person, and provide the type of flexible learning options that aspiring real estate agents appreciate when earning their Nevada license.

For more information, be sure to explore our website. Or if you have any questions the team at Key Realty School can help answer, please don’t hesitate to contact us today.