How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Nevada
There are many reasons why one might choose to pursue a career in Nevada real estate. With a flourishing real estate market, a steadily growing population, and the sixth-fastest-growing economy of all U.S. states, Nevada is rife with opportunity, especially for those interested in real estate.
In this article, we break down the steps you need to take to become a real estate agent in Nevada, as well as provide some helpful information about what you can expect to earn as a licensed Nevada real estate agent.
How to Get a Real Estate License in Nevada
The first step to becoming a real estate agent is getting your real estate license, which allows you to legally represent buyers and sellers in a real estate transaction. In Nevada, everyone 18 or older can apply for a real estate license. Apart from that, you must complete the following steps to get your Nevada real estate license.
Step 1: Complete the required pre-licensing education.
In Nevada, you are required to complete 120 hours of pre-licensing education, which includes the following courses:
- 45 hours or 3 college credits in Real Estate Principles
- 45 hours or 3 college credits in Real Estate Law (must include 18 hours of Nevada Law)
- 15 hours or 1 college credit in contracts in real estate transactions (to the extent allowed in the capacity of the licensee)
- 15 hours or 1 college credit in agency, which must include 3 hours of the foundation of the relationship between broker and agents and 3 hours of risk reduction
You can take these classes in an in-person classroom, virtual classroom (via livestream), or self-paced online format.
Step 2: Pass a background check.
You must submit your fingerprints to an approved fingerprint vendor for a background check before you schedule your real estate exam.
Step 3: Pass the Nevada real estate exam.
After completing the pre-licensing education, you must take and pass the Nevada real estate exam, consisting of a national and state portion. Since each exam attempt costs $100, you’ll want to pass the real estate license the first time. Many students elect to take an exam prep program to give them even more confidence on test day.
Step 4: Apply to the Nevada Department of Business and Industry Real Estate Division.
Finally, you must submit your application to the Nevada Department of Business and Industry, including any associated fees. The Nevada Real Estate Division’s official application checklist is available on its website.
How Much Does it Cost to Get Your Real Estate License in Nevada?
Getting your Nevada real estate license costs as low as $700. This includes the pre-licensing education, background check fee, application fee, and testing fee. However, if you want a more comprehensive pre-licensing education package or want to take a real estate exam prep course, it could cost over $1,000. The table below outlines how much you can expect to spend on each application requirement.
Item Cost
Pre-licensing education $400 – 800
Application fee $140
Testing fee $100
Fingerprinting $60
Total $700 – 1,100
How Long Does it Take to Get a Nevada Real Estate License?
How long it takes to get your Nevada real estate license depends primarily on how long you complete your 120-hour pre-licensing education. You can complete your pre-licensing education requirement in three formats: in-person classroom, livestream classroom, or self-paced online. The fastest of these three modalities is the self-paced, online format, which could be completed in as little as a week.
However, 120 hours is a lot to fit into one week, though it may take you less than the total 120 hours to complete the courses. It’s better to take your time to digest the material to be well-prepared for the real estate license exam.
Apart from the time it takes to complete the education and exam requirements, you must account for application processing time, which typically takes five to ten business days, and background check processing, which can take days or weeks.
Overall, you could get your Nevada real estate license in as little as one month. However, you should be prepared for potential processing delays.
What Jobs Can I Get With a Nevada Real Estate License?
Most people get their Nevada real estate license to become real estate agents, but that’s not the only job you can do with a real estate license. Here are just some jobs that require a Nevada real estate license.
Real estate broker
A real estate broker manages real estate agents, which, in Nevada, requires a broker’s license in addition to at least two years of experience working as a licensed real estate agent.
Property manager
A property manager manages investment properties, including tasks such as handling tenant requests, collecting rent, and showing vacant units to prospective tenants. In addition to having an active salesperson’s real estate license, property managers must also have a property management permit to work in Nevada.
Business broker
A business broker helps facilitate the buying and selling of businesses, similar to how a real estate agent facilitates the buying and selling of real estate. In order to be a business broker in Nevada, you need to hold an active salesperson, broker salesperson, or broker license in addition to a business broker license.
How Much Do Real Estate Agents Make in Nevada?
According to Indeed.com, the average salary for Nevada real estate agents in 2024 is $102,979. However, real estate income can vary depending on location and years of experience. Generally, agents with more years of experience or who work in more urban areas (like Las Vegas) tend to be higher earners.
Real Estate License Reciprocity with Nevada
If you already have a real estate license in another state, getting licensed in Nevada may be easier. Real estate license reciprocity provides a fast track for agents to get licensed in another state by forgoing specific requirements, such as pre-licensing education and the national portion of the real estate exam.
Nevada has reciprocal agreements with the following states:
- Arizona
- Colorado
- Delaware
- Idaho
- Kentucky
- Minnesota
- Texas
- Utah
- West Virginia
However, even if you are already licensed as a real estate agent in one of these states, you must still submit your fingerprints for a background check, complete a Nevada real estate license application, and pass the 40-question state portion of the real estate exam.
Post-Licensing and Continuing Education Requirements
Once you get your Nevada real estate license, you must keep it active by completing the proper post-licensing and continuing education requirements. First, you must complete 30 hours of post-licensing education within the first year of receiving your license, which must be conducted in a live classroom setting. Every subsequent renewal will occur every two years in the form of 36 hours of continuing education, only half of which needs to be conducted in a live classroom setting.
Take Your Real Estate Career to New Heights
With proudly educating more than 50% of all practicing licensees in the Nevada real estate trades, Key Realty School has the education and guidance you need to launch a fulfilling new career in Nevada real estate. So, what are you waiting for? Get started today!
