How to Get a Real Estate License in Nevada

In order to kickstart your real estate career in Nevada, it’s essential to obtain a Nevada Real Estate License. However, despite the fact that the application process is mainly completed online nowadays, many applicants can still find it quite confusing and complicated.

For this reason, this How to Get a Real Estate License in Nevada article will break down the main steps involved in the licensing process, covering everything from educational requirements to exam preparation and having your fingerprints taken.

Nevada Real Estate License

In order to get your Nevada real estate license and start working in the real estate industry, there are several key steps you’ll need to complete. These include:

1. Ensuring You Meet the Licensing Eligibility Requirements
2. Completing the Mandatory Pre-Licensing Education
3. Passing a Background Check
4. Passing the Nevada Real Estate Exam
5. Submitting a License Application

In the sections below, we’ve explored each of these steps in more detail.

Step 1: Meet the Nevada Real Estate License Requirements

Before continuing ahead with your application for a Nevada real estate license, you’ll first need to confirm that you’re actually eligible for it by ensuring you meet the following prerequisites:

• You must be at least 18 years of age
• You must be a US citizen or a permanent resident
• You must show proof of high school graduation or its equivalent

Note: The Nevada Real Estate Division (NRED) and its members are prohibited by state law from assisting in preparing your license application. Do not seek their help or expect any guidance in this process.

Step 2: Complete the Mandatory Pre-Licensing Education

In addition to the general requirements outlined above, there are certain educational prerequisites you’ll be expected to meet in order to be able to apply for a Nevada real estate license.

In particular, you’ll be expected to complete a total of 120 hours of mandatory pre-licensing education, which you can take through in-person classes or online courses.

This will need to include the following training modules:

• 45 hours or three college credits in real estate principles
• 45 hours or three college credits in real estate law, which must include 18 hours of Nevada law
• 15 hours or one college credit related to real estate transactions; this module is specifically designed to cover what real estate licensees are legally allowed to handle in contracts
• 15 hours or one college credit in agency, which must include three hours on the foundation of the relationship between brokers and agents and three hours focused on risk reduction

Note: If you hold a current real estate salesperson license or higher in Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Washington, or West Virginia, you may qualify for the reciprocal Nevada salesperson license. For more information, contact the NRED directly.

Step 3: Pass the Background Check

To move forward with your Nevada real estate license application, you will need to successfully pass a fingerprint-based background check that’s conducted by the Nevada Department of Public Safety.

• Complete Fingerprint Background Waiver: Download and complete the Fingerprint Background Waiver form, and then mail it to the NRED
• Obtain Your Fingerprints: Once you’ve submitted your Fingerprint Background Waiver form, you will need to visit a state-approved fingerprinting vendor and have your fingerprints taken
• Submit Your Fingerprints: After getting your fingerprints taken, you’ll need to mail the completed fingerprint verification form issued by the vendor to the NRED. Some vendors may offer to send this form on your behalf

The results of your criminal background check will remain valid for six months. If you haven’t completed the licensing process by then, you’ll need to obtain a new background check.

Step 4: Pass the Nevada Real Estate Exam

The next step you’ll need to complete is to pass the Nevada real estate agent examination, which is administered by Pearson VUE.

This examination consists of two sections: a general portion and a state portion. You can take them together as a combined test.

The general portion includes 80 questions and five to 10 pretest questions, and you’ll have 150 minutes to complete it. The state portion includes 40 questions, and you’ll have 90 minutes to complete it.

In order to schedule your real estate exam, you’ll need to head over to the Pearson VUE website and make an online reservation. If this is your first time using the platform, you’ll be required to create an account, after which you’ll be shown step-by-step instructions on how to complete the reservation.

Remember that you’ll need to pay a $100 exam fee to Pearson VUE when scheduling your test.

Note: You must complete the licensing process within 12 months of passing your exam or your results will become invalid and you’ll need to start over.

Step 5: Submit a License Application

After passing the state real estate exam and satisfying all other licensing requirements, you’ll be ready to move onto submitting your license application.

To do this, you’ll need to download and complete the Original Licensing Application Form 549, and then mail it along with all the required documents and a licensing fee of $140 to the NRED at 3300 W. Sahara Ave., Suite 350, Las Vegas, NV 89102.

You’ll also need to provide your sponsoring broker’s details on the form, including their name, license number, and contact information or NRED won’t process your license application.

Note: You also can drop off your application in person at the NRED office on business days between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Step 6: Application Review

If you’ve managed to get this far, congratulations! With your application submitted and all the other licensing requirements satisfied, in most cases you should receive a letter from the NRED containing a license document within 10 business days.

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

Nevada Real Estate License Renewal

In order to keep your license valid and continue working as a real estate sales agent, you’ll need to complete a 30-hour post-licensing education course that’s been approved by the NRED within your first year of licensure.

Once you complete that, you’ll need to download Form 580 and mail it to the NRED along with a $195 renewal fee.

We always encourage our readers to think of the post licensing course they take as an investment in their future career — higher quality, more reliable course content is a central part of ensuring you continue to grow professionally.

After your first renewal – and for all subsequent renewals — you will instead need to complete 36 hours of continuing education (CE) every two years.

These hours must include:

• Three Hours in Agency
• Six Hours in Contracts
• Three Hours in Ethics
• Three Hours in Law and Legislation
• Three Hours in Risk Reduction
• 18 Hours in General Education

Importantly, at least 18 of the required 36 CE hours must be completed through live instruction. Once you fulfill this requirement, you may renew your license using the same form (Form 580) and pay the $195 fee.

Nevada Department of Business and Industry

Mailing Address: 

Nevada Real Estate Division
3300 W. Sahara Avenue, Ste. 350
Las Vegas, Nevada 89102

Phone: (702) 486-4033

Email: realest@red.nv.gov

Website: http://red.nv.gov/