How to Get a Nebraska Real Estate Broker License

Written by: Mary Gerardine

Last updated:

How to Get a Nebraska Real Estate Broker License

Becoming a Nebraska real estate broker is a strong step forward in your career. Not only does this advanced license look great on a resume, it also allows you to work independently, open real estate brokerage firms, and manage other agents within these firms.

Getting the Nebraska Real Estate Broker License is a fairly simple process, but it does require you to complete six steps, and have a few prerequisites before applying or taking the broker’s exam.

This guide covers all of these requirements in a simple, easy-to-understand way that will make it easier for you throughout this process.

Nebraska Real Estate Agent vs Real Estate Broker

Nebraska offers two different types of real estate license: Sales and Broker.

sales agent’s license is the initial license that real estate agents get in order to sell real estate.

A broker’s license is an advanced license that allows the license holder to operate at a higher level within real estate businesses in Nebraska.

People often confuse sales agents and brokers. A simple way to look at the difference is that holders of the sales agent’s license are called real estate agents, while holders of the broker’s license are called real estate brokers.

If you are working towards getting your first license, check out our Nebraska Real Estate License guide. If you’re working on the Nebraska real estate broker license, keep reading this page!

Nebraska Real Estate Broker License Requirements

First, to be eligible for a real estate broker’s license, you must meet the prerequisites to become a real estate broker in Nebraska.

These prerequisites are:

  • Have two years of experience as a licensed real estate salesperson or broker
  • Have evidence of the completion of two commission-approved courses in real estate including at least 30 hours of each on top of the 66 hours of courses required for the salesperson license (not including continuing education (CE) courses)

In addition to these requirements, you will also have to show that you are a citizen or within the United States lawfully. If you aren’t a citizen, you may need to provide your US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) documentation to the Nebraska Real Estate Commission (NREC) before testing.

How to Become a Real Estate Broker in Nebraska

Once you meet all the requirements listed above, you can follow these six steps to easily help you get your real estate broker license in Nebraska.

Step 1: Complete a Nebraska Broker Pre-Licensing Course

The first step to getting your real estate broker license in Nebraska is to take 66 classroom hours of qualifying real estate courses.

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These real estate courses mostly cover the fundamentals of working in real estate and must be completed within two years of your broker’s license application. This requirement is divided into two sections:

The required 66 of qualifying real estate courses, including the following mandatory courses are:

  • Six hours in Course 0003, which is on professional standards
  • 60 hours in NREC-approved courses in real estate subjects

Remember that these 66 hours are in addition to the 66 hours required to become a real estate salesperson. When combined, you will need at least 132 hours of in-class coursework not considering CE requirements for either role.

After completing the courses, you need to take the licensing examination. The minimum passing grade is 75%.

After passing your broker course exam, your pre-license education provider will provide you with your course completion documents. NREC asks that you submit your application through its online portal.

Step 2: Submit a Nebraska Broker License Application

Once you meet the broker pre-licensing education requirements and pass the course exam, you can now apply for your license.

To submit your broker license application, you must use NREC’s iGovSolution portalThe application fee is $135.

Make sure to create a portal login to be able to track your application online. The entire process takes around four to six weeks, though the staff of the NREC does try to review all applications within 24 to 48 hours. For questions, reach out to realestate.commission@nebraska.gov.

Step 3: Get a Fingerprint-Based Background Check

After submitting your license application, you must have a fingerprint-based background check. You must submit your fingerprints in accordance with the fingerprint cards sent to you by the NREC.

It’s recommended to submit the application and payment as soon as possible, since it can take between four and six weeks to get your criminal report sent to the NREC. All payments will go to the Nebraska State Patrol. The fee for fingerprinting is $38.

Note

If you aren’t sure whether you are eligible for a real estate license based on your history, check out our article on Real Estate License Eligibility.

Step 4: Pass the Nebraska Real Estate Broker Exam

After completing the steps above, you must take the real estate broker licensing exam viaPSI Services. There are four locations in Lincoln, North Platte, Omaha, and Scottsbluff.

The fee for the broker exam is $150.

In Nebraska, brokers take the Nebraska Real Estate Licensing Exam. You must pass with a score of 60 points on the national part and 38 on the Nebraska-specific section or higher.

The exam has two parts. The first is general information about national issues and laws. The second part goes over state law. You will have a total of 240 minutes to complete both portions.

For more information on the exam, PSI provides a Candidate Handbook containing the Nebraska Real Estate Broker Exam content outline.

Taking an exam prep course provides you helpful tools and materials, such as quizzes and specific state-only practice exams, to increase your chances of passing your broker license exam the first time.

Step 5. Obtain Errors & Omissions Insurance

All broker licensees in Nebraska are required to have current errors and omissions (E&O) insurance policy under a group plan from a state-approved insurance carrier.

You must present a proof of that coverage that should be on file with the NREC. You are not required to use that carrier, however, you must have insurance that meets Nebraska’s coverage requirements.

NREC will send you an enrollment form and additional information on NREC’s group plan, as well as an Errors and Omissions Fact Sheet and Certification of Coverage form available for download or online when you’ve been approved to take the exam.

Step 6: Application Review 

After you pass the examination, you will be given your official score report. This is available immediately following the test.

Once you receive it, you should submit it with your photo to NREC. You need to finish the licensing process within 30 days of passing the test.

If you fail the exam, you will get the option to retake the examination. You can set up a new exam through the Nebraska Real Estate Commission’s portal. You’ll need to pay the examination fee again.

Congratulations!

Now that you’ve successfully passed the broker licensing exam and obtained your license, there are a few things you need to do to keep your broker license active and updated.

Nebraska Real Estate Broker License Renewal and CE

As of July 1, 2020, all people with a broker’s license have to take an additional 12 hours of post-licensure education including the following topics before working as a designated broker:

  • Business ethics
  • Risk management
  • Real estate trust accounting
  • Brokerage finance

Applications for renewal need to be received before November 30, 2022, and cost $180 for a two-year renewal. Renewals are required every year but may be paid in two year intervals.

Nebraska Post-Licensing Education

Nebraska requires post-licensing education. To complete your licensing requirements, you need to complete course number 7000. You have 180 days from the date of licensure to complete the course, which is made up of 12 hours of coursework. If you don’t complete it and report it to the commission within 180 days, then your license will be inactivated until evidence of its completion is supplied.

If you have questions, you can reach out to the NREC Office at (402) 471-2004.

NEREC – Nebraska Real Estate Commission

Mailing Address:

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

Phone: (402) 471-2004

Fax: (402) 471-4492

Emailrealestate.commission@nebraska.gov 

Websitehttps://nrec.nebraska.gov/

Nebraska Real Estate Broker License FAQ

How much does it cost to get a real estate broker license in Nebraska?

The costs of getting a real estate broker license in Nebraska can range between $532 and $722.
The cost breakdown is as follows:
Pre-license education courses: $209-$399
Application fee: $135
Fingerprint-based background check: $38
Broker exam fee: $150

How long does it take to get a real estate broker license?

The steps that typically take the most time when getting a broker license include taking pre-license education courses and exams. The average amount of time to get a broker license is generally three to six months.

What is the difference between a real estate agent and a real estate broker?

Real estate agents focus on working with clients on individual real estate transactions, while real estate brokers have more experience with the added responsibility of managing a team of real estate agents or brokerage business. See our Real Estate Agent vs. Broker vs. Realtor page for more information.

How much does a real estate broker make?

Real estate brokers get paid just like real estate agents by earning commissions on their agents’ sales. Brokers can also charge the real estate agents they manage a fixed monthly fee or have the option to earn money on commission sales by helping their own clients buy and sell property. According to Payscale data, brokers earn $61,314 per year in base salary, with anywhere between $10,000 and $147,000 in commissions. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicates that the median broker salary is $62,010.

How do I get a job as a real estate broker in Nebraska?

Browse through available real estate broker jobs in your area using our StateRequirement Job Board!

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