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How to get a real estate license in Nebraska. 66 pre-licensing hours required. Government fees: $330. 2-year renewal cycle. Verified 2026-03-22. Data verified 2026-03-22. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Real Estate Agent
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50% of data points are verified against official sources. 5 fields based on preliminary research. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
Pre-License Hours
$330
Total Gov Fees
130
Exam Questions
4 hrs
Exam Time
Renewal Cycle
Reciprocity
⚠ Recent Changes in Nebraska
Take NREC-approved education: 48-hr Principles + 18-hr NE Real Estate Law.
Estimated time: 2–8 weeks
Register and pay $150 exam fee. Pass both National (75%) and State (75%) sections.
Estimated time: 1–2 weeks
Submit fingerprints for state and federal background check.
Estimated time: 2–4 weeks
Secure a sponsoring designated broker. Submit application with $135 application fee.
Estimated time: 1–4 weeks
Required within 6 months of initial licensure.
Estimated time: Within 6 months
| Minimum Age | 19 years old Nebraska's age of majority is 19 — same as Alabama. |
| Education | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Residency | Not required Non-residents may obtain a Nebraska license. |
| Citizenship | US citizen or permanent resident |
| Background Check | Required State and federal fingerprint-based background check required. |
| E&O Insurance | Required Must obtain before license is activated. Per NREC, StateRequirement, Colibri. |
| Sponsoring Broker | Required Must affiliate with a Nebraska-licensed designated broker. |
Education Requirements
Mostly verifiedTotal Hours Required
Provider Type
NREC-approved education providers
Required Courses
Post-licensing: 12 hours required within 180 days of license issuance per Neb. Rev. Stat. 81-885.13. Education increasing to 96 hours effective January 2026.
Exam Details
VerifiedExam Provider
Total Questions
130
Total Time
240 min
Format
Computer-based, multiple-choice. In-person at Pearson VUE test centers.
Exam Sections
| Section | Questions | Time | Passing |
|---|---|---|---|
| National | 80 | 150 min | 75% |
| State (Nebraska) | 50 | 90 min | 75% |
Retake Policy
May retake failed section(s). Must pass within 6 months of education completion. $150 per attempt.
75% passing score required on both sections. Test centers in Lincoln, Omaha, and other Nebraska locations.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Exam Fee (per attempt) Paid to: NREC | |
Application Fee Paid to: NREC | |
Background Check / Fingerprinting Paid to: Nebraska State Patrol / Vendor | |
Total Estimated Government Fees | $330 |
Ready to get started in Nebraska?
Pre-license courses start at a fraction of the total licensing cost. Study online, at your own pace.
Compare top-rated schools: See our picks for the best real estate schools in Nebraska with pricing, reviews, and pass rates.
Renewal Details
Mostly verifiedRenewal Cycle
CE Hours
Renewal Fee
Deadline & Late Policy
November 30 of even-numbered years for salespersons.
First Renewal Notes
Must complete 12 hours of post-licensing education within 6 months of initial licensure.
Regulatory Board
Interstate Reciprocity
VerifiedHas Reciprocity
Yes
Type: License by Recognition (Broad — ~27 States)
Nebraska's License by Recognition system covers approximately 27 states — much broader than traditional reciprocity. Applicants with an equivalent license in good standing from a recognized state may qualify. Nonresidents must complete 3-hr NE course. See NREC website for the full current list of recognized states.
4–16 weeks from start to active license.
Minimum with intensive study. Typical: 8–12 weeks.
2026-01-01
Pre-licensing education requirement increasing from 66 hours to 96 hours effective January 2026. Fee changes also effective January 1, 2026. Post-license education requirement changing effective January 1, 2026.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Nebraska.
How this state compares to 48 others for this profession
Timeline
#8 of 49
Salary
#33 of 49
Cost
#29 of 49
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Real Estate Sales Agents (SOC 41-9022)
Entry Level
$37,010
25th percentile
Median
$48,550
-14% vs. national avg ($56,320)Experienced
$59,560
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
1,670 employed in this state
Note: Real estate agent compensation is heavily commission-based. BLS OEWS data reflects base wages reported by employers and may undercount total earnings.
Source: BLS OEWS – Real Estate Sales Agents (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
+1.8%
Below AverageNew Jobs
+6,500
over 10 years
Annual Openings
42,900
per year (avg.)
359,300 currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Real Estate Career Ladder+31% salary growth potential
You are here
Real Estate Agent
$48,550
Pre-licensing education (40-180 hours) + state exam
You are here
Real Estate Agent
Pre-licensing education (40-180 hours) + state exam
$48,550
2-3 years experience + additional education + broker exam
$47,170
AQB courses + supervised experience (varies by tier)
$63,370
Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024 for this state. Career paths represent common advancement routes — actual progression may vary. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Source: NREC — Official Website
Estimated total: 4–16 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: NREC — Official Website
Study guides and practice tests for the real estate licensing exam.
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All data on this page was verified against the following official sources. Last verified: 2026-03-22.
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