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Real Estate Licensing

Everything you need to know about getting your real estate license.

It’s no secret that real estate is a booming industry! In fact, it’s likely that the real estate market is only going to continue to grow in the years to come. So, if you’re thinking of starting a new career or have always wanted to jump into the real estate agent life, now might be the perfect time to get your real estate license!

But where do you start? That’s where we come in. In this article, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about getting your real estate license – from the basics of what it is and how it works, to what you need to do in order to qualify for licensure. We’ll also give you a few tips on how to get started in your new career. So read on for all the information you need to get your real estate license!

What Is a Real Estate License?

A real estate license is a credential that allows an individual to legally practice the profession of real estate in their state. To obtain a real estate license, an individual must successfully follow and complete a few key steps. To help you get a general idea, here’s a simplified rundown of the licensing process:

  • Complete the required hours of approved pre-licensing education
  • Pass the state-approved Real Estate License Exam
  • Fill out and submit the license application
  • Choose a Real Estate Broker to work with

Once an individual has finished these steps, they will be able to use their license and legally work as a real estate agent in their state. (Be sure to keep in mind that requirements may differ slightly depending on the state in which you live and plan to work as a licensed real estate agent.)

Where Do I Start?

There are a few basic things to think about before jumping on the real estate express.

Make Sure You Meet Basic Qualifications

In the state of Utah, three basic qualifications must be met before you can get your license.

  • Meet statutory licensing qualifications of integrity, honesty, truthfulness, competency, and reputation.
  • Be at least 18 years old when you apply
  • Have a minimum of a High School diploma or equivalent

Consider Your Individual Timeline

After you’ve found you meet the basic qualifications, one of the first things you should do is sit down and create a timeline for getting your real estate license. The average time it takes to finish pre-license education is around 4-6 months, but it can sometimes be completed as quickly as 8 weeks. Depending on how quickly you want to get started in your new career, you might want to set a goal of completing the licensing process within a certain number of months. Consider how much free time you’ll have to dedicate to getting your license and plan to go at your own pace- whatever you’re comfortable with. Just remember that every situation is different. Some people might be able to complete the process more quickly than others, while some may need more time and there’s nothing wrong with that.

Think About Your Career Goals

It’s also important to think about your goals for your new career as a real estate agent. Do you want to work with buyers? Sellers? Renters? Do you want to specialize in a certain type of property, such as residential or commercial properties? Consider your overall goal and think about the steps you’d like to take so you can reach it.

Determine Your Budget

Another thing you’ll need to think about as you start the process of getting your real estate license is the cost. There are a few different fees associated with obtaining your license such as the cost of pre-licensing education, the state licensing exam, and the license itself. It’s important to create a budget so you can be prepared for the financial investment required to obtain your license.

Choose a School

There are a variety of real estate school options to choose from. Some people opt to go through an online real estate school, while others prefer in-person classes. There are Pros and Cons to both types of courses, depending on things like your budget, time availability, learning style, and location. You’ll want to make sure the school of your choice is accredited and approved as a Real Estate Pre-License School as well. Some schools also offer practice tests and exam prep in addition to the required coursework. So, do some research beforehand and figure out which option is best for you.

If you’re looking for an online real estate school with great reviews, flexibility, and a variety of online courses, Arti Academics could be right for you. Not to mention, it’s free! Plus, it offers a mobile app so you can take your coursework on the go.

Real Estate Courses

Next, you’re ready to enroll in your chosen real estate courses. In Utah, it’s required to complete 120 hours of real estate education. These hours will be filled with classes about the legal and financial processes of real estate sales. Examples include property management, contracts, ethics, real estate finance, property appraisals, Utah laws, and federal laws.

Follow The Steps to Earn a Real Estate License

Since real estate licensing requirements vary depending on the state, it’s important to follow those set by the state in which you plan to practice real estate. The overall steps are generally the same, but some of the specific details may change. So, here we will focus on getting a real estate license in the state of Utah.

Complete Pre-Licensing Coursework

The first official step you need to follow is to complete the required hours of pre-licensing education. In Utah, this means completing a total of 120 hours at an accredited real estate school. As mentioned earlier, this will include courses in real estate transactions, property management, ethics, law, and more. Once you’ve completed your education requirements, you can then schedule to take the state’s licensing exam.

Pass The State-Approved Real Estate License Exam

After you’ve completed your pre-license education, you’ll need to pass the real estate licensing exam. This is a state-approved sales agent exam that tests your knowledge of the concepts covered in your coursework. You must receive a passing grade before you can apply for a license.

Submit Your Real Estate License Application

Once you’ve completed the required education and gotten a passing score on the real estate exam, you can apply for your license. Keep in mind that there is a time limit on applying for a real estate license in Utah. You must have completed your pre-license coursework within the past year and passed the real estate exam within the past 90 days.

To submit your license application, you’ll need to gather a variety of documents to send in. This includes the Utah Real Estate Sales Agent Application, Qualifying Questionnaire, consent to a background check, proof of your completed education, and a non-refundable fee of $157. You’ll also need to be fingerprinted as part of the application process, which is most often done right after completing the exam at a Utah testing center.

Choose A Real Estate Broker

After you’ve obtained your real estate license, you’ll need to choose a brokerage to work for. A real estate broker is someone who supervises and oversees all transactions made by real estate agents. They can help guide you and answer any questions you might have as a new real estate agent. You’ll also share a percentage of your commission with your broker, so be sure to ask about the commission structure before joining just any team.

Take Advantage Of Your Real Estate License

You’ve done it! You’re now a licensed real estate agent in the state of Utah. All that’s left to do is get started in your new career. Use the resources and connections you gained during your education and broker interviews to help get your business off the ground. And don’t forget, you can always renew your real estate license every two years as long as you complete the necessary continuing education requirements.

 

Ready To Become a Licensed Real Estate Agent?

By following these steps, you can obtain your Utah real estate license and begin your career in this exciting industry. Just remember to stay up to date on the latest industry news and trends and always put your clients’ best interests first. Good luck!

Apply Now for Arti Academics!


Online Continuing Education

Real Estate Agent vs. Real Estate Broker: What's the Difference?

When it comes to buying or selling a home, there are many professionals you can work with. But sometimes having so many different options can make things a little extra confusing. For example, a real estate agent and a real estate broker can have similar job responsibilities but are still quite different positions. This might have you wondering what exactly the difference is between the two. In this article, we will explore the differing qualifications, job responsibilities, and salaries of each profession. This should help clear things up a bit, so let’s jump in!

Defining Real Estate Agent and Real Estate Broker

A real estate agent is someone who has a valid license to help clients buy, sell, or rent real estate. Real estate agents are always employed by a real estate broker or brokerage firm. A real estate broker must also be a licensed real estate agent and has the same basic duties as a real estate agent, however, they must. complete additional certification and licensing requirements. A real estate broker can choose to work independently, as well as hire other qualified real estate agents to work for them.

Qualifications for Real Estate Agents

In order to become a licensed real estate agent, you must meet certain qualifications. These qualifications vary by state, so be sure to keep that in mind as well. In most cases though, a person must:

  • Be at least 18 years old and have a valid driver’s license
  • Be a legal resident of the United States
  • Have no criminal convictions related to fraud or misrepresentation
  • Complete a pre-licensing course of education through an accredited school, meeting all hour requirements by the state
  • Submit to fingerprinting, along with other background checks for their state
  • Pass the state real estate license exam
  • Choose a licensed real estate broker or brokerage firm to be sponsored by

Once these steps are completed correctly, you will be able to receive a real estate license in your state. After that, just keep in mind that you will need to complete a certain number of continuing education classes (check with your state for more specifics) to keep a valid license.

 

Qualifications for Real Estate Brokers

It’s always important to double-check with the state where you live since the process can vary slightly, but initially, the qualifications to become a real estate broker are the same as those of an agent. You can refer back to the previous section for a reminder of what those qualifications are. However, for a real estate broker, the process doesn’t stop there.

Real estate brokers continue with their education and successfully complete any further state requirements to receive their state real estate broker license. In general, the additional qualifications to become a broker are as follows:

  • Once you become a licensed real estate agent, work as a real estate agent for on-the-job training and experience
  • Continue to complete required real estate certifications approved by the state licensing board
  • Complete a state-approved real estate broker course
  • Take and pass the real estate broker exam

These steps make it possible for brokers to work on their own (without being sponsored by another brokerage) and even start their own brokerage where they can choose to hire other agents.

 

What Do Real Estate Agents Do?

A real estate agent wears many hats and often juggles many different job responsibilities at the same time. This includes everything from meeting with clients and giving them advice on possible houses to buy or sell, showing properties to potential clients, filling out real estate contracts and paperwork, doing research on the housing market in their area, working with mortgage brokers and lenders, etc.

It is important for agents to build relationships with their clients. This not only helps attract new clients, but it can also be very beneficial for existing clients to get the best possible service. Real estate agents must keep their clients informed about market trends and statistics, which can help them make knowledgeable decisions about buying or selling real estate. It’s also the real estate agent’s responsibility to ensure that their clients understand the requirements for completing a sale. This includes any necessary home inspections, paperwork, signatures, and important dates like moving or closing dates.

Real estate agents can take on a few different roles. A listing agent represents the sellers while the buyer’s agent represents the buyers. A listing agent will help their clients set an asking price for the property, suggest possible home updates that would increase the value of the home, help stage the home for open houses, and market the listing for a successful sale. A buyer’s agent works to locate properties that meet the buyer’s wish list as closely as possible. They also help set up home inspections and appraisals as needed. Both listing and buyer’s agents will complete paperwork and help make sure all the required forms and documents get signed and submitted promptly.

What Do Real Estate Brokers Do?

A real estate broker manages and helps their agents with all of the above duties. They oversee daily operations and transactions, supervise, train new hires, and manage other administrative staff. Brokers often oversee an entire team of agents as well as help market properties. This can mean they help come up with marketing plans, create ad copy for print and digital media, schedule open houses and property showings, write newsletters to current clients or those that may be looking to buy or sell soon, and even help create videos to market homes if needed.

There are three main job positions that a broker can have, each one with varying responsibilities. There are associate brokers, managing brokers, and principal brokers. An associate broker has a broker license but still chooses to work under another broker and not supervise other agents. A managing broker supervises and oversees daily operations and transactions within the office. They can also hire, train, and manage staff. A principal broker, also known as a designated broker, oversees the agents to make sure they are meeting all state and national real estate laws. In general, each office will have one designated broker.

Similar to real estate agents, brokers must also stay current on the latest market trends and information in order to be successful. Brokers need to help keep their team of agents up-to-date as well, so they can share best practices or offer guidance when needed. Brokers may also regularly meet with other members of the real estate community, such as mortgage brokers, other real estate agents, or inspectors to stay up-to-date on the latest news.

How Much Does a Real Estate Agent Make?

In most cases, real estate agents are paid based on a commission. This simply means that they receive a percentage of the closing sale price of a property. A real estate agent’s salary varies based on factors such as the. current real estate market, home sale prices, commission percentage, location, size of the brokerage, and type of transactions completed. Generally speaking though, a real estate agent makes anywhere from 5-6% of the purchase price.

It’s important to note that real estate agents don’t walk away with the entire commission amount. Typically, that amount is divided up between the listing agent, buyer’s agent, and the employing brokerage firms. This will impact the overall payout that each agent receives.

The average salary for a real estate agent working in the United States can fall anywhere between $40,000-90,000 per year. It’s quite the range but commonly falls closer to $50,000. In order to be successful in any sales position, it’s important to have a strong tolerance for rejection and persistence when going after new clients. In addition, real estate agents must be attentive and detail-oriented to complete all the necessary tasks and paperwork on time. All of these things can greatly affect a real estate agent’s overall income.

How Much Does a Real Estate Broker Make?

A real estate broker’s salary also varies depending on similar factors to those of an agent and is earned mostly through commission. Commission is one of the biggest rewards that real estate brokers receive. However, their overall income is often higher than an agent’s. This is because, in addition to the commission they make on their own deals, brokers may net additional revenue from the commissions earned by the real estate agents working under them.

The average yearly pay for a real estate broker in the United States is $54,000 per year but can reach as high as $210,000 yearly. As mentioned before, there are always multiple factors that can impact how much they make. This includes the current real estate market and location.

Another difference between the salary of a real estate agent and a real estate broker is that brokers aren’t required to split their commissions with the firm. Any commissions that the broker earns on their own real estate transactions will be theirs. That’s one bonus aspect of continuing education and training to become a broker.


Utah Real Estate School Online

Real Estate Continuing Education - Utah

 If you’ve stepped into the real estate agent game, you’ve likely heard that you need to meet some requirements to keep your license current. This is true! Real estate agents are required to complete a fixed number of continuing education (CE) hours within a certain time period in order to maintain or renew their license. The requirements for license renewal may vary depending on the state in which you practice, so be sure to verify that wherever you are licensed.

In the state of Utah, it’s required for all licensed real estate professionals to complete 18 continuing education hours every two years. 9 of these 18 hours must be in approved CORE topics and 3 of the 9 hours must be spent completing a division approved mandatory course. If you are renewing your real estate license for the first time, it is required that you complete the 12-Hour New Agent Course as part of your 18 hours. To maintain your real estate license in an active state, you must meet the continuing education requirements before the 15th of your renewal month. If you choose not to do this, it’s possible to be hit with a late fee- so plan accordingly!

Why Do Real Estate Agents Need Continuing Education?

The purpose of this requirement is to ensure that real estate agents stay up-to-date on the latest industry trends and changes so that they can provide the best possible service to their clients. Similar to other growing and shifting business industries, it is important to be educated and current when working in the real estate industry. This helps make sure that no unnecessary bumps or mistakes are made along the way during real estate transactions. In the end, it’s the agent’s responsibility to complete continuing education courses that will benefit their clients and themselves.

Different Real Estate Education Courses Available

There are a variety of different continuing education courses to choose from- just don’t forget the required 3-hour division approved mandatory course or any other required classes (e.g. if it’s your first renewal). Other credit hours may cover topics such as residential real estate, commercial real estate, comparative market analysis (CMA), ethics and professional conduct, economics, property management, fair housing laws, short sales, risk management, and much more.

As mentioned above, the CE courses you choose to enroll in should be beneficial for both you and your clients. They should help you learn and grow as new agents or as a seasoned agent. The more foundational understanding you have, the better equipped you will be to help home buyers and other clients reach their real estate goals.

Where to Find Continuing Education Courses

Once you have a general idea of the type of courses that will work best for you, you can start finding them online. There are multiple companies and providers out there who offer different options, so you’re only limited by your choice of preference. However, not all educational opportunities are equal- depending on quality and price. Luckily, there are multiple companies that focus on real estate education and offer a variety of great options for agents at all levels.

Arti Academics offers a variety of free continuing education courses, so that could be a great place to begin. Another place to start for Utah real estate professionals is the Utah Department of Commerce Division of Real Estate website. Here you can find answers to any additional questions you may have, as well as search for available CE classes. The website allows you to search for courses in a certain category, online or in-person, and core topics vs. elective courses.

Cost of Continuing Education in Utah

In Utah, you can complete your continuing education requirements at an approved provider for an average cost of $10-20 per credit hour. However, this is not set in stone, and it is possible to find less expensive courses if you shop around. Some courses may even be offered for free. Since some courses may be offered for free in your state, while others cost money, it is up to you to do your research and decide which courses to enroll in.

Why You Should Enroll in Real Estate Continuing Education Courses

There are a number of reasons why you should enroll in continuing education real estate courses, so let’s take a look at some of them: It makes good business sense. When you stay current on the latest laws, trends, and practices in real estate, you can better serve your clients. This means more money and business for you! One of the biggest reasons is that it’s required by law if you want to maintain or renew a real estate license. Continuing education courses can also be a great way to connect and network with other professionals in the field. The relationships formed may help you grow your business down the line.

 

Becoming Successful Utah Real Estate Professionals

Completing these courses is an important part of being a successful real estate professional in Utah. It’s true that continuing education courses will help you better serve your future clients and grow as a professional, so choose wisely! However, now that you know just about everything there is to know in regard to the courses offered in the state of Utah, you can enroll in the courses that will help you succeed in real estate.