How To Become a Real Estate Broker in Nevada
What You Need to Know About Nevada Real Estate Broker License Requirements
Congratulations on taking the initiative to upgrade your real estate license. By learning how to become a real estate broker in Nevada, you’ll be one step closer to more career opportunities and a higher income potential. We’ll outline the Nevada real estate broker license requirements so you can get started today.
What is a real estate broker? What does a real estate broker do?
In Nevada, a real estate broker is an experienced agent who takes additional coursework and passes a test to earn a higher-level license.
A real estate broker can oversee their own and other agents’ transactions to ensure compliance with state and national laws and regulations. Brokers can also manage other agents.
You can’t become a real estate broker unless you’ve earned your real estate license and have the requisite experience.
Real estate broker vs salesperson
You can have a successful real estate career without obtaining a broker license. However, a broker license offers greater autonomy, as brokers don’t need supervision over their transactions. Brokers may also take on leadership roles within their brokerage—or even start their own real estate business.
Here are some additional responsibilities that come with being a real estate broker:
Manage real estate agents: Brokers supervise agents within their brokerage, offering guidance, training, and oversight on deals while ensuring all practices remain legal and ethical.
Facilitate transactions: Brokers assist clients in buying, selling, or leasing properties, often playing a more active role in negotiations, contract handling, and closings than agents.
Advise on market trends: Brokers use their experience and understanding of Nevada’s real estate landscape to offer clients expert insights into local market trends, property values, and investment potential.
Manage the brokerage: Brokers may oversee the daily operations of a real estate brokerage, ensuring full compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements.
Learn more about obtaining a business broker license in Nevada here.
Real estate brokers typically make more than real estate agents. According to Key Realty School’s latest income guide, the average annual income of a full-time agent in Nevada is $250,000. According to Glassdoor, real estate brokers report making an average of $279,000 annually.
How to Get a Broker License in Nevada
You’ve already done the work to become licensed as a salesperson in Nevada. The good news is that the broker licensing process is similar to what you’ve already experienced. You must take a class and pass a background check and exam to get your broker’s license.
Before discussing the details, it’s important to note that to become a broker in NV, you must have a current license and furnish proof of two years of active full-time experience within the last ten years. Your employing broker must verify your experience.
Can you fulfill this experience requirement? If so, complete your first step in becoming a broker – enrolling in Nevada real estate broker courses.
Step 1: Pass the Nevada broker pre-license course.
To obtain a real estate broker license in Nevada, you must fulfill specific education and experience requirements outlined by the Nevada Real Estate Division.
To become a broker in NV, you need 64 total college credits: 15 must be in business-related subjects, 6 in real estate law, 3 in Nevada broker management, and 3 in Nevada broker appraisal. The balance of credits can be on any topic.
To satisfy the application requirements, a broker salesperson may use only college credits and subsequent broker-qualifying coursework.
The educational requirements can be rather complicated, so contact an enrollment advisor to learn what classes you need to take to become a broker in Nevada.
Step 2: Get fingerprinted for your background check.
Your fingerprint background waiver must be completed before obtaining your fingerprints. Submit the fingerprint verification form issued by an approved Fingerprint Vendor to the Real Estate Division. Please note that fingerprints expire after six months.
You must also complete Confidential Financial Statement Form 558 and submit three months of current bank statements as a part of the process.
Step 3: Pass the Nevada broker exam.
Applicants upgrading from sales associate to broker must pass the national and state portion of the broker exam with at least a 75%.
Number of questions: 130 multiple-choice questions
Time allotment: 240 minutes
Cost: $100
Testing Locations:
- Elko
- Las Vegas (Sandhill)
- Las Vegas (Convention Center)
- Reno
- Remote proctoring is available for the Nevada real estate broker exam.
You must have the required IDs and documentation to take the exam.
The Nevada broker exam covers the following content areas:
| Topic | Approximate # of Questions |
| Real Property Characteristics, Legal Descriptions, & Property Use | 10 |
| Forms of Ownership, Transfer & Recording of Title | 8 |
| Property Value & Appraisal | 10 |
| Real Estate Contracts & Agency | 15 |
| Real Estate Practice | 12 |
| Property Disclosures & Environmental Issues | 9 |
| Financing & Settlement | 8 |
| Real Estate Math Calculations | 8 |
| Duties & Powers of the Commission | 3 |
| Licensing Requirements | 3 |
| Agency & Duties Owed | 10 |
| License Practice | 10 |
| Disclosures | 8 |
| Contracts | 11 |
| Record Keeping | 4 |
| Special Topics | 3 |
Step 4: Submit your broker application to the state.
Visit the Nevada Real Estate Division website for a link to the broker application form. The application fee for a broker license is $160.
Additional work is needed if you plan to open your own brokerage. Refer to these instructions for broker entity options and requirements.
Are you an out-of-state real estate professional wishing to earn a real estate broker license in Nevada? Learn more here.
Step 5: Complete continuing education requirements for Nevada brokers.
In Nevada, real estate brokers must complete 36 hours of continuing education (CE) every two years to maintain their licenses. These 36 hours must include:
- Agency Relationships: 3 hours
- Contracts: 6 hours
- Ethics: 3 hours
- Nevada Law: 3 hours
- Risk Reduction: 3 hours
- Broker Management: 6 hours
- General Courses: 12 hours
At least 18 of these hours must be completed through live instruction, either in-person or via live video conferencing platforms like Zoom.
How Long Does it Take to Become a Real Estate Broker in Nevada?
Nevada requires that you have at least two years of full-time experience as a licensed real estate salesperson within the four years preceding your broker application. This means you’ll need to work in real estate for two years, gathering transaction experience and gaining practical industry knowledge.
Nevada requires 64 semester college credits or the equivalent in real estate-related courses, which can vary depending on how you pursue them.
If you attend courses steadily, completing this education could take 1 to 2 years if you’re starting from scratch. However, this timeframe could be shorter if you already hold some of these credits (or qualify for experience-based credit).
How Hard is the Nevada Broker Exam?
The current pass rates for the Nevada broker exam aren’t available. But you know from taking the salesperson exam that you’ll need to study to pass the broker test.
Look for a real estate school that offers excellent exam prep materials and classes. Key Realty School offers a Pass or Don’t Pay Guarantee to give you more confidence when taking the exam.
How Much is a Broker License in Nevada?
The amount you spend on a broker license in Nevada depends on how much education you need, and this depends on your experience and educational background. Expect to pay between $670 and $1,440 for your NV broker license. Here’s the breakdown of costs:
- Broker license fee: $160
- Broker exam: $100
- Fingerprinting fee: $60 to $80
- Nevada broker coursework: $350 to $1,100
Some real estate schools may be less expensive than others. However, when choosing a school, pick one with a reputation for providing quality instruction and excellent exam prep materials. You also want to choose a school that will be with you for the long haul – one that offers helpful continuing education options.
Next Steps
For all your Nevada broker education needs, turn to Key Realty School by Colibri Real Estate. Key Realty School offers comprehensive qualifying education for prospective real estate brokers and out-of-state licensees.
Key Realty School offers a wide range of broker pre-licensing programs to help you meet your educational requirements. Our top-rated courses taught by expert instructors are designed to help you pass your licensing exam and confidently serve your clients and brokerage.
Get started on your broker license today by signing up for Nevada broker pre-licensing courses with Key Realty School.
And, when you are ready to become a business broker in Nevada, Key can also help you with that career goal.
