Easiest States to Get a Real Estate License (2026)
If you want to break into real estate but are not sure where to start, one of the smartest things you can do is compare licensing requirements state by state. The difference is dramatic: some states require as few as 40 hours of pre-licensing education and charge under $300 in total fees, while others demand 150+ hours and north of $1,000 before you even sit for the exam.
Below we rank every U.S. state (plus D.C.) using a data-driven scoring system so you can find the easiest state to get a real estate license based on objective criteria — not guesswork.
How We Ranked the Easiest States
We pulled licensing data for all 51 jurisdictions (50 states + D.C.) and built a composite “ease” score weighted across three factors:
- Pre-licensing education hours (50% weight) — The single biggest time commitment. States that require fewer classroom or online hours score higher.
- Total estimated cost (35% weight) — Including education, exam fees, application fees, and background-check costs. Lower cost equals a higher score.
- Renewal cycle length (15% weight) — A longer renewal cycle means less frequent paperwork and continuing-education deadlines once you are licensed.
Each factor is normalized to a 0–100 scale and combined into a single composite score. The states at the top of the table are objectively the most accessible for new agents.
Top 15 Easiest States to Get a Real Estate License (2026)
| Rank | State | License Title | Pre-License Hours | Est. Cost | Renewal Cycle | Ease Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Hampshire | Salesperson | 40 hrs | $182 | 2 yrs | 94.7 |
| 2 | Vermont | Salesperson | 40 hrs | $210 | 2 yrs | 93.2 |
| 3 | Michigan | Salesperson | 40 hrs | $227 | 3 yrs | 92.3 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | Salesperson | 40 hrs | $270 | 2 yrs | 90.1 |
| 5 | Maryland | Salesperson | 60 hrs | $142 | 2 yrs | 89.6 |
| 6 | Rhode Island | Salesperson | 45 hrs | $260 | 2 yrs | 88.8 |
| 7 | Maine | Associate Broker | 55 hrs | $206 | 2 yrs | 88.1 |
| 8 | New York | Salesperson | 77 hrs | $80 | 2 yrs | 86.8 |
| 9 | Florida | Sales Associate | 63 hrs | $181 | 2 yrs | 86.5 |
| 10 | Wisconsin | Salesperson | 72 hrs | $125 | 2 yrs | 86.2 |
| 11 | Mississippi | Salesperson | 60 hrs | $245 | 2 yrs | 84.2 |
| 12 | Kansas | Salesperson | 60 hrs | $280 | 2 yrs | 82.4 |
| 13 | Pennsylvania | Salesperson | 75 hrs | $178 | 2 yrs | 82.4 |
| 14 | Missouri | Salesperson | 72 hrs | $204 | 2 yrs | 82.1 |
| 15 | Arkansas | Salesperson | 60 hrs | $200 | 1 yr | 80.6 |
Ease Score is on a 0–100 scale. Higher is easier. Data pulled from each state’s real estate commission as of early 2026.
What Makes a State “Easy” to Get Licensed In?
When most aspiring agents ask about the easiest state to get a real estate license, they are really asking about three things: how long it takes, how much it costs, and how complicated the process feels. Here is what separates the easiest states from the rest.
1. Fewer Pre-Licensing Education Hours
Education hours are the single biggest variable. States at the top of our list typically require between 40 and 60 hours of coursework. Compare that to states like Texas (180 hours) or Colorado (168 hours), where the classroom time alone can stretch across several months. Fewer hours means you can realistically complete your education in 1–3 weeks and move straight to scheduling your exam.
2. Lower Total Cost to Get Licensed
Costs add up quickly: pre-licensing courses, exam fees, application fees, background checks, and sometimes mandatory E&O insurance before you can even activate your license. In the easiest (and cheapest) states, the total out-of-pocket cost to go from zero to licensed can be as low as $182. In the most expensive states that figure can exceed $1,500. If you are starting out with limited capital, choosing a low-cost state can remove a real financial barrier.
3. A Straightforward Application Process
Beyond hours and dollars, some states simply have a smoother bureaucratic process. States that use a single online portal for applications, allow you to schedule your exam within days of finishing coursework, and process background checks quickly tend to feel far easier than states that require paper applications, notarized forms, or multi-step board reviews. Reciprocity agreements also matter — if you already hold a license in another state, jurisdictions that offer broad reciprocity let you transfer in with minimal additional work.
4. Simpler Exam Requirements
While every state requires a licensing exam, the structure varies. Most states use a national + state portion administered by PSI or Pearson VUE. States with lower passing-score thresholds, fewer total questions, or unlimited retakes without long waiting periods are generally considered easier. The exam provider matters too — which tends to offer flexible scheduling and remote proctoring options.
A Closer Look at the Top 5 Easiest States
1. New Hampshire — 40 Hours, $182
New Hampshire requires just 40 hours of pre-licensing education and an estimated total cost of $182 to go from zero to licensed. The state uses PSI Services for exam administration and offers reciprocity agreements with other states, making it an appealing option if you plan to operate across state lines. The license title is “Salesperson” and renewal is every 2 years with 15 hours of continuing education required.
2. Vermont — 40 Hours, $210
Vermont requires just 40 hours of pre-licensing education and an estimated total cost of $210 to go from zero to licensed. The state uses PSI Services for exam administration. The license title is “Salesperson” and renewal is every 2 years with 16 hours of continuing education required.
3. Michigan — 40 Hours, $227
Michigan requires just 40 hours of pre-licensing education and an estimated total cost of $227 to go from zero to licensed. The state uses PSI Services for exam administration. The license title is “Salesperson” and renewal is every 3 years with 18 hours of continuing education required.
4. Massachusetts — 40 Hours, $270
Massachusetts requires just 40 hours of pre-licensing education and an estimated total cost of $270 to go from zero to licensed. The state uses PSI Services for exam administration and offers reciprocity agreements with other states, making it an appealing option if you plan to operate across state lines. The license title is “Salesperson” and renewal is every 2 years with 12 hours of continuing education required.
5. Maryland — 60 Hours, $142
Maryland requires just 60 hours of pre-licensing education and an estimated total cost of $142 to go from zero to licensed. The state uses PSI Services for exam administration and offers reciprocity agreements with other states, making it an appealing option if you plan to operate across state lines. The license title is “Salesperson” and renewal is every 2 years with 15 hours of continuing education required.
Should You Get Licensed in the Easiest State?
It depends on your goals. If you plan to practice in a specific market — say, your home city — you need a license in that state regardless of its difficulty. But there are a few legitimate scenarios where targeting an easy state makes strategic sense:
- You are exploring real estate as a career and want to get licensed quickly and cheaply to test the waters before committing to a harder (and more expensive) state.
- You plan to work with referral networks where being licensed in a low-barrier state lets you earn referral fees across multiple markets.
- You are already licensed elsewhere and want to add a second state. Picking one with strong reciprocity and low hours makes the expansion painless.
- You work in a remote or virtual capacity (e.g., transaction coordination, team lead with licensed agents in the field) where the state of licensure is flexible.
Whatever your situation, remember that “easy to get licensed” does not mean “easy to succeed.” Every state’s real estate market has its own dynamics, and your long-term income depends far more on your hustle, network, and market knowledge than on how many hours of coursework you completed.
Reciprocity: Leverage an Easy State to Expand Later
One of the biggest advantages of starting in an easy state is reciprocity. Many states allow licensed agents from other jurisdictions to transfer their license with reduced requirements — sometimes just a state-specific exam and an application fee.
Of our top 15 easiest states, 9 offer some form of reciprocity with other states. This means you could get licensed quickly in a low-barrier state and then transfer into a more competitive market without having to start over from scratch on education.
Easiest vs. Hardest: A Quick Comparison
| Factor | Easiest States (Top 5 avg.) | Hardest States (Bottom 5 avg.) |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-License Hours | 44 hrs (avg.) | 150 hrs (avg.) |
| Total Estimated Cost | $206 | $416 |
| Reciprocity Available | 3 of 5 | 3 of 5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the easiest state to get a real estate license?
Based on our composite scoring of education hours, total cost, and renewal requirements, New Hampshire ranks as the easiest state to get a real estate license in 2026. It requires only 40 hours of pre-licensing education and an estimated total cost of $182.
Can I get licensed in one state and practice in another?
Not directly. Real estate licenses are state-specific. However, many states have reciprocity agreements that let you transfer your license with reduced requirements (often just a state-law exam and an application). Getting licensed in an easy state first can give you a foundation to expand into other markets more efficiently.
How fast can I get a real estate license?
In the easiest states, the entire process — education, exam, application, and background check — can be completed in as few as 2–4 weeks if you study full-time and there are no processing delays. States with higher hour requirements typically take 2–4 months.
Does choosing an easy state affect my earning potential?
Your earning potential is driven by the market you work in, not the difficulty of obtaining your license. An agent licensed in a low-barrier state can still earn a six-figure income if they are working in a strong real estate market. The key factors are your local market conditions, brokerage, network, and work ethic.
Do I need to live in a state to get licensed there?
Most states do not require residency to obtain a real estate license. You can typically complete your education online, take the exam at a testing center (or via remote proctoring in some states), and apply from out of state. Check each state’s specific requirements for details.
Methodology
Our rankings are generated from a database of licensing requirements for all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Each state’s data was researched directly from its real estate commission or regulatory body. The composite ease score weights pre-licensing hours at 50%, total estimated cost at 35%, and renewal cycle length at 15%. All figures reflect requirements as of early 2026. Costs are estimates based on typical education provider pricing, official exam fees, and state application fees; actual costs may vary by provider.
Full State-by-State Ranking (All 51 Jurisdictions)
For completeness, here is how every state ranks on our ease scale. Use the links to view detailed licensing requirements for any state.
| Rank | State | Hours | Est. Cost | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Hampshire | 40 | $182 | 94.7 |
| 2 | Vermont | 40 | $210 | 93.2 |
| 3 | Michigan | 40 | $227 | 92.3 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | 40 | $270 | 90.1 |
| 5 | Maryland | 60 | $142 | 89.6 |
| 6 | Rhode Island | 45 | $260 | 88.8 |
| 7 | Maine | 55 | $206 | 88.1 |
| 8 | New York | 77 | $80 | 86.8 |
| 9 | Florida | 63 | $181 | 86.5 |
| 10 | Wisconsin | 72 | $125 | 86.2 |
| 11 | Mississippi | 60 | $245 | 84.2 |
| 12 | Kansas | 60 | $280 | 82.4 |
| 13 | Pennsylvania | 75 | $178 | 82.4 |
| 14 | Missouri | 72 | $204 | 82.1 |
| 15 | Arkansas | 60 | $200 | 80.6 |
| 16 | Nebraska | 66 | $280 | 80.3 |
| 17 | Alabama | 60 | $328 | 79.9 |
| 18 | Virginia | 60 | $342 | 79.2 |
| 19 | Alaska | 40 | $490 | 78.6 |
| 20 | District of Columbia | 60 | $357 | 78.4 |
| 21 | Indiana | 90 | $153 | 78.3 |
| 22 | Illinois | 75 | $270 | 77.6 |
| 23 | New Jersey | 75 | $271 | 77.5 |
| 24 | South Carolina | 90 | $183 | 76.8 |
| 25 | Hawaii | 60 | $398 | 76.2 |
| 26 | Arizona | 90 | $202 | 75.8 |
| 27 | North Carolina | 75 | $190 | 75.7 |
| 28 | Montana | 70 | $225 | 75.7 |
| 29 | Minnesota | 90 | $215 | 75.1 |
| 30 | Georgia | 75 | $329 | 74.5 |
| 31 | Idaho | 90 | $255 | 73.0 |
| 32 | Oklahoma | 90 | $270 | 72.2 |
| 33 | Ohio | 100 | $219 | 71.3 |
| 34 | Iowa | 96 | $271 | 70.0 |
| 35 | West Virginia | 90 | $201 | 69.8 |
| 36 | Wyoming | 68 | $499 | 68.1 |
| 37 | Tennessee | 90 | $356 | 67.7 |
| 38 | Delaware | 99 | $313 | 66.7 |
| 39 | New Mexico | 90 | $409 | 64.9 |
| 40 | North Dakota | 90 | $349 | 62.1 |
| 41 | Utah | 120 | $261 | 62.0 |
| 42 | Washington | 90 | $488 | 60.8 |
| 43 | Louisiana | 90 | $378 | 60.6 |
| 44 | Nevada | 120 | $305 | 59.7 |
| 45 | Connecticut | 60 | $749 | 57.9 |
| 46 | Kentucky | 96 | $537 | 56.1 |
| 47 | South Dakota | 116 | $464 | 52.8 |
| 48 | Oregon | 150 | $436 | 42.1 |
| 49 | California | 135 | $539 | 42.1 |
| 50 | Texas | 180 | $276 | 39.7 |
| 51 | Colorado | 168 | $366 | 39.3 |
Sources
- Individual state real estate commission and regulatory body websites (primary data for education hours, fees, exam providers, reciprocity, and renewal requirements).
- Association of Real Estate License Law Officials (ARELLO) — national directory of real estate regulators.
- PSI Services LLC and Pearson VUE — exam provider documentation for exam structure, scheduling, and fees.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) — Occupational Outlook Handbook, Real Estate Brokers and Sales Agents.
- National Association of Realtors (NAR) — 2025 Member Profile and state-level licensing overviews.