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How to get a real estate license in North Dakota. 90 pre-licensing hours required. Government fees: $351.85. 1-year renewal cycle. Verified 2026-03-22. Data verified 2026-03-22. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Real Estate Agent
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58% 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
$351.85
Total Gov Fees
140
Exam Questions
4 hrs
Exam Time
Renewal Cycle
Reciprocity
Take NDREC-approved 90-hour course (online or in-person).
Estimated time: 4–10 weeks
Register at PSI. Pay $131 exam fee. Pass National (70/100) and State (30/40) sections.
Estimated time: 1–2 weeks
Submit fingerprint cards and $40 to ND Attorney General. Submit $8 credit report fee.
Estimated time: 2–4 weeks
Secure E&O coverage meeting NDREC minimums (~$187/year through RISC).
Estimated time: 1 week
Secure a sponsoring broker. Submit application with $150 fee + $20 Recovery Fund.
Estimated time: 1–4 weeks
| Minimum Age | 18 years old |
| Education | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Residency | Not required Non-residents may obtain a ND license. |
| Citizenship | US citizen or legal resident |
| Background Check | Required Criminal History Record Check with fingerprint cards. $40 fee to ND Attorney General. |
| E&O Insurance | Required Errors & Omissions insurance required for all active licensees. NDREC negotiates annual rate through RISC (~$187/year as of 2024). |
| Sponsoring Broker | Required Must affiliate with a North Dakota-licensed broker. |
Education Requirements
Mostly verifiedTotal Hours Required
Provider Type
NDREC-approved education providers
Required Courses
Exam Details
Mostly verifiedExam Provider
Total Questions
140
Total Time
240 min
Format
Computer-based, multiple-choice. In-person at PSI test centers.
Exam Sections
| Section | Questions | Time | Passing |
|---|---|---|---|
| National | 100 | 150 min | 70% |
| State (North Dakota) | 40 | 90 min | 75% |
Retake Policy
May retake failed section(s). $131 per attempt.
National: 70/100 to pass. State: 30/40 to pass. 140 total questions — one of the longer exams. Test centers in Bismarck, Fargo, and other ND locations.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Exam Fee (both sections) Paid to: PSI Services | |
License Application Fee Paid to: NDREC | |
Education, Research & Recovery Fund Paid to: NDREC | |
Background Check / Fingerprinting Paid to: ND Attorney General | |
Credit History Report Paid to: NDREC | |
Total Estimated Government Fees | $351.85 |
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Compare top-rated schools: See our picks for the best real estate schools in North Dakota with pricing, reviews, and pass rates.
Renewal Details
Mostly verifiedRenewal Cycle
CE Hours
Renewal Fee
Deadline & Late Policy
November 15 renewal deadline (no grace period). Licenses expire December 31. Late fee: $100/month.
First Renewal Notes
First-time renewals have no CE requirement.
Regulatory Board
Interstate Reciprocity
VerifiedHas Reciprocity
Yes
Type: Conditional Reciprocity
Reciprocal States
| State | Conditions |
|---|---|
| Georgia (GA) | Must be both licensed and primarily reside in GA. May obtain ND license without exam. |
| Iowa (IA) | Must be both licensed and primarily reside in IA. May obtain ND license without exam. |
| Minnesota (MN) | Must be both licensed and primarily reside in MN. May obtain ND license without exam. |
Reciprocal applicants from GA, IA, and MN who are both licensed and reside in those states may qualify for a ND license without the licensing exam. Must still meet application requirements, fees, E&O insurance, and background check.
6–18 weeks from start to active license.
Minimum with intensive study. Typical: 10–14 weeks.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in North Dakota.
How this state compares to 48 others for this profession
Timeline
#35 of 49
Salary
#9 of 49
Cost
#36 of 49
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Real Estate Sales Agents (SOC 41-9022)
Entry Level
$49,080
25th percentile
Median
$61,830
+10% vs. national avg ($56,320)Experienced
$92,820
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
430 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+1% salary growth potential
You are here
Real Estate Agent
$61,830
Pre-licensing education (40-180 hours) + state exam
You are here
Real Estate Agent
Pre-licensing education (40-180 hours) + state exam
$61,830
2-3 years experience + additional education + broker exam
$70,820
AQB courses + supervised experience (varies by tier)
$62,340
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: NDREC — Official Website
Estimated total: 6–18 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: NDREC — 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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