How To Become a Real Estate Agent in Nevada

Securing a license as a real estate agent in Nevada through the Nevada Realty Commission offers a world of exciting career opportunities in aiding people to buy, sell, and lease properties, with vibrant markets like Las Vegas and Reno presenting fertile ground for real estate professionals to thrive.

The Nevada Real Estate Division (NRED), within Nevada’s Department of Business and Industry,^1,2 oversees the licensing process for real estate agents.

By meeting qualification standards regarding education, exams, and background checks, you can secure your real estate license to legally practice in Nevada.

Address:

Nevada Real Estate Division
Nevada State Business Center
3300 W. Sahara Ave.
Las Vegas, NV 89102

Fax: 702.486.4275
Phone: 702.486.4033 – Option #1

Steps For Getting Real Estate License

To become licensed to transact real estate in Nevada, these key steps must be completed:

• Fulfill the eligibility requirements set by the Nevada Real Estate Division, such as being at least 18 years old
• Complete 120 hours of pre-licensing education courses at an approved real estate school, followed by passing the Pearson VUE Nevada Real Estate Exam which covers national principles as well as state laws
• Submit fingerprints and pass a background check conducted by the Nevada Department of Public Safety
• Find a sponsoring broker if you wish to become active immediately
• To submit a completed license application with fees to the Nevada Real Estate Division for review and approval

Must Haves For Becoming a Real Estate Agent in Nevada

Nevada Realty Commission requires every applicant for a real estate license to satisfy certain prerequisites before becoming eligible, which include meeting several baseline prerequisites attaining 18 years old, and possessing either a high school diploma, GED certificate, or equivalent.³

• Reaching minimum age requirements (18)
• Possessing a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent
• Submitting to a fingerprint-based criminal background check

Complying with each requirement demonstrates your abilities, knowledge, and ethics necessary for practicing real estate in Nevada. Here is an overview of the key licensing requirements set by the Nevada Realty Commission.

Stipulated Age and Core Education Requirements

To obtain a Nevada real estate license, applicants must be at least 18 and permanent residents in both the U.S. and Nevada. The National Real Estate Database (NRED) enforces an age restriction to ensure prospective agents possess enough maturity before engaging directly with clients.

Non-Nevadans must submit the “Consent to Service of Process” Form 656 signed and notarized when making their application.⁴

Nevada does not mandate formal postsecondary education; however, you must possess at least a high school-level education to apply for a license in Nevada. Earning either a diploma or GED provides evidence of core academic abilities including reading, writing, math, science, and social studies.

Official transcripts must also be submitted with your license application as proof of graduation.

Before enrolling agents in pre-licensing courses, many real estate schools require either a diploma or GED as verification for high school graduation. Basic literacy and mathematics skills help aspiring agents grasp real estate concepts taught during courses; those with a college education might even receive an exemption from certain pre-licensing education requirements.

Contact your chosen real estate school for enrollment requirements as basic literacy and math knowledge help students grasp real estate concepts taught. Applicants with a college education might even receive an exemption from some pre-licensing education requirements.

Required Course Duration For Licensing

Before qualifying to take the state exam, you must complete 120 hours of NRED-approved pre-licensing education.³ These courses provide the core knowledge and skills every real estate agent needs.

For a Nevada Salesperson License:

• Complete 120 hours of NRED-approved pre-licensing education

These 120 hours must include:

• 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 of contracts in real estate transactions to the extent allowed in the capacity of the licensee. (Nevada-specific course) (Licensed out-of-state applicants are not required to take this course.)
• 15 hours of agency which must include 3 hours of foundation of relationship between broker and agents and 3 hours of risk reduction. (Nevada-specific course) (Licensed out-of-state applicants are not required to take this course.)

The pre-licensing education provides the base of knowledge and skills needed for competent practice. Most students complete the 120 hours through in-person or online courses from NRED-authorized schools.

The NRED maintains a list of approved real estate schools in Nevada.⁵ Only courses from approved providers meet the criteria.

Upon completing the required pre-licensing education, the school will provide certificates of completion or certified transcripts. These must be submitted when applying for your Nevada license.

Investment Required for Real Estate School Pre-License Course

While free real estate courses exist online, they do NOT qualify you to take the Nevada licensing exam. Only completing state-approved pre-licensing education through an authorized school meets the mandatory criteria.^3,5

On average, expect to pay tuition ranging from $200 to $500 to enroll in required pre-licensing courses in Nevada. Costs primarily vary based on the:

• Delivery format: Online vs. in-person
• Provider selected
• The inclusion of exam prep guarantees

Research a few state-approved real estate schools to balance your budget with factors like instruction methods, study resources, and technology requirements.

You can satisfy the 120 hours of required pre-licensing education through:

• In-person courses from NRED-approved real estate schools in Nevada. Both traditional classroom and live virtual instruction meet the criteria.
• Online on-demand courses from approved providers that allow self-paced learning. These range from $200 to $500+ for the full 120 hours.
• Relevant college-level real estate courses like those covering principles, law, finance, and transactions. You’ll need to submit official transcripts for review.

The best options for most students are taking courses through approved real estate schools. Look for providers offering affordability, quality instruction, exam prep, and flexible online delivery.

Mandatory Background Assessment for Real Estate License (Fingerprint Center Locations)

Along with pre-licensing education, all Nevada real estate license applicants must pass a fingerprint-based criminal history check. Your fingerprints get sent to the Nevada Department of Public Safety and FBI to check for potentially disqualifying offenses.

To begin this process, schedule an appointment with one of the many certified fingerprinting vendors that is most convenient for you so as to submit your prints.⁶ Bring a valid ID and a completed Fingerprint Waiver Form to your visit. This authorizes running your prints.

Costs vary depending on your vendor but typically range around $50 to $60 dollars. This covers processing costs.

You may choose to submit the verification form issued by the approved vendor or submit the fingerprint card directly to NRED. If you choose to submit a fingerprint card directly to NRED, you will also need to pay $40.25 to the Department of Public Safety through a cashier’s check or money order.

Department of Public Safety
Records, Communications, and Compliance Division
333 West Nye Lane, Suite 100
Carson City, Nevada 89706

It takes approximately 3 to 6 weeks to receive your results and the fingerprint results are only valid for 6 months. Also, make sure you immediately correct any discrepancies if the results contain inaccurate information.

Having a criminal history does not automatically make you ineligible for a real estate license in Nevada. However, certain types of convictions within the past 5 to 10 years may impact your qualification.

These include felonies, violent crimes, sex offenses, and crimes involving real estate, breach of trust, or theft. Be sure to disclose any convictions and provide explanations together with your application to increase your chances of approval.

NRED reviews every application on a case-by-case basis.