Getting your Nebraska Real Estate License is the first step to becoming a real estate agent in Nebraska. Nowadays, this process can be done almost entirely online. You will still need to take your Nebraska real estate license exam in person, but the rest of the process can be completed entirely online!

This article outlines how to become a real estate agent in Nebraska in an easy to understand, step-by-step manner. You’ll learn how much it will cost, how long it will take, what is on the exam, and much more.

How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Nebraska

Becoming a real estate agent in Nebraska is as simple as getting your license, finding a broker sponsor, and getting to work selling real estate! As long as you fulfill the below requirements, you are already on your way to your goal.

Nebraska Real Estate License Requirements

The requirements to become a real estate agent in Nebraska are:

• Be a citizen of the United States or a lawfully admitted alien
• Be 18 years of age or older
• Must have a high school diploma or equivalent GED

How to Get Your Real Estate License in Nebraska

Step 1. Real Estate License Application

The first step to getting your real estate license in Nebraska is to apply for a salesperson license application.

An application packet can be requested by telephone at (402) 471-2004 or e-mail, or by mailing or faxing the License Application Packet Request Form. Note that it will take seven to ten days for the packet to arrive.

Completed applications, fees, and all required documentation must be submitted to the Commission. The Nebraska Real Estate Commission will process the application materials, prequalify applicants, and notify applicants of approval to sit for the examination.

Upon receiving the application, the Commission will return fingerprint cards with instructions for the applicant. The fingerprint cards sent are necessary as they carry a code authorizing the Nebraska Real Estate Commission to receive the reports.

To have a license issued upon successfully passing the examination, applicants must submit the license issuance form and license application fee together with other required documents that you will acquire along the licensing process.

Step 2. Fingerprinting and Background Check

After submitting your application, the next step is to complete your fingerprinting and background check. The Nebraska Real Estate Commission requires that all applicants have a criminal background check performed before becoming a licensed real estate agent in Nebraska.

In order to meet this requirement, two fingerprint cards are attached to the enclosed application packet with instructions.

If you are obtaining application information from the Commission’s website, please call the office to obtain the required fingerprint cards.

Do not fill out the fingerprint cards until you are at the fingerprinting location and assisted by the fingerprint technician.

The fee to complete your fingerprinting services is $38.

Before you leave the printing site, check the two cards to be certain that each card has been signed by both the fingerprinter and you and that all information is filled out and readable.

Applicants bring a stamped envelope, large enough to accommodate the cards without being folded. The completed cards and a check or money order for $38.00, made payable to the Nebraska State Patrol, should be placed in the envelope in front of the fingerprint technician. The envelope should be addressed to:

Nebraska State Patrol
Attn: CID
3800 NW 12th Street, Suite A
Lincoln, NE 68521

Four to six weeks after submitting your fingerprint cards to the Nebraska State Patrol, please call (402) 471-2004 to see if the criminal background report has been completed, and once it is completed, submit your application promptly. Criminal background reports expire after 90 days.

Completing and turning in your fingerprints will begin the background check process. The Nebraska Real Estate Commission will review any findings in your background report to ensure your eligibility. During this process, they may reach out to you to provide additional information or documentation to clear up any findings.

For those who have criminal offenses or judgments against them, there’s a possibility that you may not be eligible for a real estate license in Nebraska. If this is the case, make sure to submit all the required documentation.

Step 3. Nebraska Real Estate Pre-Licensing Course

Once you’ve completed your fingerprints, you are now ready to begin your real estate pre-licensing education.

Nebraska requires that real estate sales agents complete 66 hours of pre-license coursework before sitting for their exam. This coursework will consist of three classes.

These three required classes are:

• 30 hours of Nebraska License Law
• 30 hours of Real Estate Principles & Practices
• 6 hours of Developing Professional Conduct and Ethical Practices

Most people choose to take their pre-license education course online. The majority of online courses are self-paced and include study materials like real estate practice exams and flashcards. Some also come with a “guarantee” that you will pass the exam on your first attempt if you complete their course. These benefits are all dependent on the education provider and package you choose, so be sure to get the course that best suits your needs. 

Remember that the point of these courses isn’t just to check a box and complete a requirement, but rather to prepare you to pass your exam and become a better agent.

Nebraska does not require the final pre-license exam to be supervised by a proctor. This is not the same as the state exam. This test is provided by your pre-license education company and is an indication that you have completed and retained the information from your pre-license education course.

Similar to the state exam, this test is closed-book and closed-note. You are allowed a basic-function calculator and scratch paper, but no cell phones or outside internet access.

Step 4. Nebraska Real Estate Exam

After you’ve completed your pre-license education, it’s now time to take the Nebraska Real Estate Exam.

The fee to take the exam is $150 per attempt.

The Nebraska Real Estate Exam consists of 130 questions. This includes 80 for the National section and 50 for the State section.

You will have 240 minutes (4 hours) to complete the entire exam. The National section time is 150 minutes (2.5 hours), and the State section time is 90 minutes (1.5 hours).

A passing score for the Nebraska Real Estate Salesperson Exam is 60/80 on the National section and 38/50 on the State section.

Immediately after completing your exam, you will receive a scoring document that states whether you passed or failed. If it is marked “Fail”, then you will see a breakdown of your score in the different areas of the exam. If you decide to retake the exam, use this as a guide for your studies.

You can register to take your exam on the PSI Nebraska Real Estate page. On this page, you will find some other helpful resources as well, including the Candidate Handbook and Content Outline.

Step 5. Obtain Errors & Omissions Insurance

All active licensees are required to have current errors and omissions insurance coverage and proof of that coverage on file with the Nebraska Real Estate Commission. The Commission contracts with a carrier to make sure that the required E&O insurance is available to all licensees; you are not required to use that carrier. Still, you must have insurance that meets Nebraska’s coverage requirements.

An enrollment form and additional information on the Commission’s plan, as well as an Errors and Omissions Fact Sheet and Certification of Equivalent Coverage Form, will be sent to applicants when they have been approved to take the examination.

Step 6. Application Review

Once you’ve passed your exam, you will only need to wait for your license to be issued by the Commission. In most cases, this process should take between 3-5 business days. After this, you should receive an email from NREC with a license document. If you have any questions at this point, you should contact NREC at (402) 471-2004 or realestate.commission@nebraska.gov.

Congratulations! 

Be sure to take some time to celebrate your accomplishment. You’ve put in a lot of work and effort and deserve a celebration!

Step 7. Real Estate License Sponsorship

The issuance form from your Nebraska-licensed employing broker indicating your broker’s willingness to employ and supervise the salesperson or associate broker should be submitted for you to be issued with an active Nebraska Real Estate License.

If you don’t yet have a broker to work with check out StateRequirement Jobs for a real estate salesperson opening in your area.

Nebraska Post-Licensing Education

Upon passing the examination, salespersons must complete 12 hours of post-license education within 180 days of licensure to avoid being placed on inactive status.

NREC – Nebraska Real Estate Commission

Mailing Address: 

Nebraska Real Estate Commission
301 Centennial Mall South
P.O. Box 94667
Lincoln, NE 68509-4667

Phone: (402) 471-2004

Fax: (402) 471-4492

Email: realestate.commission@nebraska.gov

Website: https://nrec.nebraska.gov/