In order to kickstart your real estate career in North Dakota, it’s essential to obtain a North Dakota 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 North Dakota 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.
Recommended: Interested in getting started? We recommend The CE Shop’s online pre licensing education packages due to their high-quality study resources, money-back-guarantee, and flexible pricing.
North Dakota Real Estate License
In order to get your North Dakota real estate license and start working in the real estate industry, there are several key steps you’ll need to complete. These include:
- Ensuring You Meet the Licensing Eligibility Requirements
- Completing the Mandatory Pre-Licensing Education
- Passing a Background Check
- Passing the North Dakota Real Estate Exam
- Obtaining Errors & Omission (E&O) Insurance
- Submitting a License Application
In the sections below, we’ve explored each of these steps in more detail.
Step 1: Meet the North Dakota Real Estate License Requirements
Before continuing ahead with your application for a North Dakota 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 not have had a real estate license revoked in any state within the past two years
Note: North Dakota has reciprocal real estate licensing agreements with Minnesota, Iowa, and Georgia. This means licensed professionals from these states can obtain a North Dakota license without having to take the state licensing exam.
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 North Dakota real estate license.
In particular, you’ll be expected to complete 90 hours of pre-licensing education that’s approved by the North Dakota Real Estate Commission (NDREC).
Candidates may complete these courses either online or in a traditional classroom setting, which offers flexibility to fit various schedules and learning styles.
Important
Even though completing the courses is mandatory, it would be a mistake to think of this step as just “checking a box”. This is because your pre-licensing education is what will prepare you to both pass your exam and become a better real estate agent.
For this reason, we always encourage our readers to invest in high-quality and reliable courses, as their study materials (like real estate practice tests and flashcards) can be invaluable during the exam prep stage.
On top of this, some of the top courses also offer money-back guarantees in the event that you do not pass your exam on your first attempt after taking their course.
Recommended Course
Interested in getting started? We recommend The CE Shop’s online pre licensing education packages due to their high-quality study resources, money-back-guarantee, and flexible pricing.
Step 3: Pass the Background Check
All applicants for a North Dakota real estate license must undergo a statewide and nationwide criminal history record check as part of the licensing process. To do this, you’ll need to visit a local law enforcement agency or a state-approved fingerprinting service and have your prints taken.
In addition, you’ll need to complete the Fingerprint Verification Form and the Criminal History Record Check Request Form from the NDREC’s website, and then mail these documents to:
North Dakota Real Estate Commission
1120 College Dr., Suite 204
Bismarck, ND 58501-1225
In order to complete this step, you’ll also be required to pay two non-refundable processing fees:
- $41.25 to the North Dakota Attorney General for fingerprinting
- $9.60 to the NDREC for the credit history report
Step 4: Pass the North Dakota Real Estate Exam
The next step you’ll need to complete is to pass the North Dakota real estate exam, which is administered by PSI and consists of two sections:
- National: This section includes 100 scored questions, covering general real estate information and principles
- State: This section includes 40 scored questions, focusing on North Dakota-specific real estate laws and practices
You can take both sections together in a combined exam, which you’ll have four hours to complete.
In order to schedule your real estate exam, you’ll need to head over to the PSI 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. Alternatively, you may schedule your exam by calling PSI directly at (855) 834-8747.
In either case, you’ll need to pay a $131 examination fee to PSI for each attempt that you take, any additional retakes you may require will also cost the same amount.
Step 5: Obtain Errors & Omission Insurance
North Dakota requires all licensees to carry E&O insurance and provide proof of this coverage to the NDREC before it’ll issue your license.
According to North Dakota Administrative Code (NDAC) 70-02-05, you can obtain this from one of two types of providers:
- State-Approved Insurance Provider: You can purchase individual E&O insurance through Rice Insurance Services Center (RISC), the state-approved provider. The NDREC negotiates an annual rate with RISC to offer coverage that meets all NDAC 70-02-05 requirements, which, as of 2024, costs $187 per calendar year
- Other Qualified Insurance Providers: Alternatively, you can get E&O insurance from another qualified provider — either individually or through your firm — as long as the insurance coverage meets these minimum requirements:
- $100,000 single-limit liability coverage per licensee per occurrence or claim, excluding investigation or defense costs
- An annual aggregate limit of not less than $500,000 per licensee, excluding investigation and defense costs
Note: If you choose to use an alternative provider, the insurance must be from an admitted carrier in North Dakota or an approved surplus lines carrier in the licensee’s state of residence, and the coverage must include all activities listed from NDCC 43-23-19 to 43-23-23.
Step 6: 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. You must complete this process online through the NDREC services website as paper submissions are no longer accepted.
Once there, you must submit a “Request to Issue Real Estate Salesperson License” and a $150 application fee plus a one-time $20 fee to NDREC for its Real Estate Education, Research, and Recovery Fund.
If you choose to have the NDREC issue your license in “active” status, you’ll also need to include your sponsoring broker’s or sponsoring firm’s details in your application.
Note: You can monitor the status of your application through the NDREC’s Online Services portal.
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 be able to check the status of your licensing application through the NDREC Online Services platform within seven to 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!
Note: The time from your initial application submission to licensure depends on several factors, including how quickly your fingerprints are processed by the ND Office of Attorney General and whether there are any issues that require additional review by the NDREC.
North Dakota Real Estate License Renewal
In order to keep your license valid and continue working as a real estate sales agent, you’ll need to renew your license every year.
To do this, you must complete 12 hours of continuing education (CE) courses per renewal period. Of these 12 hours, at least three need to focus on mandatory topics chosen by the NDREC.
It’s important to be aware that you’ll be responsible for documenting your CE course completion. You’ll receive a certificate from the provider after each course, which you’ll need to look after in order to be able to present during random audits by the NDREC.
You can complete the renewal process, which incurs a $125 processing fee, through the NDREC Online Services website.
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.
Recommended: Interested in getting started? We recommend The CE Shop’s online post licensing education packages due to their high-quality study resources, money-back-guarantee, and flexible pricing.
North Dakota Real Estate Commission
Mailing Address:
1120 College Dr. Ste 204
Bismarck, ND 58501
Phone: (701) 328-9749
Email: Contact Us Form
Website: https://www.realestatend.org/
North Dakota Real Estate License FAQ
How long does it take to become a real estate agent in North Dakota?
The time it takes to become a real estate agent in North Dakota typically spans a few months, depending on how quickly you complete the 90 hours of pre-licensing education, pass the background check and real estate exam, and submit all necessary documentation for your license application.
How can I get my real estate license in North Dakota?
To get a real estate license in North Dakota, you must complete 90 hours of pre-licensing education, pass the state licensing exam, submit to a background check, obtain E&O insurance, and apply for a license online through the NDREC website.
Interested in finding out more? Check out our state-specific How to Get a Real Estate License guide.
How much does it cost to get your real estate license in North Dakota?
To become a licensed real estate salesperson in North Dakota, you’ll need to pay $131 for the state licensing exam, $150 for submitting your license application, $41.25 for the background check, $20 for the Real Estate Education, Research, and Recovery Fund, and $9.60 for a credit history report.
You’ll also need to cover the cost of the required pre licensing education course and obtain professional liability insurance. The costs for both will vary, depending on the provider you choose.
What states have reciprocity with the North Dakota real estate license?
North Dakota maintains reciprocal real estate licensing agreements with Minnesota, Iowa, and Georgia. This allows real estate agents from these states to obtain a North Dakota license without having to take its licensing exam.
For more information on this topic, see our How to Get a Real Estate License in North Dakota guide.
What do I need to work in a real estate brokerage in North Dakota?
To work in a real estate brokerage in North Dakota, you’ll need to secure the relevant real estate licenses per by the state’s educational and examination requirements.
If you’re interested in the detailed steps required to obtain a broker license, check out our How to Get a North Dakota Real Estate Broker License guide.
Do I need an active license to practice commercial real estate?
Yes, to practice commercial real estate in ND, you must have an active license.
This involves completing pre-licensing education, which culminates in a final exam, and fulfilling all other state licensing requirements in order to activate your license.