Best States to Get a Real Estate Broker License (2026)
March 3, 2026 · HowToGetLicensed Team
Thinking about getting your real estate broker license? The cost and time commitment varies dramatically by state — from as low as $750 and 40 hours to over $1,500 and 900 hours. We ranked all 50 states to help you find the most affordable path. The national median salary for real estate brokers is $55,530/yr.
10 Cheapest States at a Glance
| # | State | Education | Total Cost | Renewal CE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arkansas | 60 hrs | $750 | 14 hrs / 2 yrs |
| 2 | Florida | 72 hrs | $750 | 14 hrs / 2 yrs |
| 3 | Massachusetts | 40 hrs | $750 | 12 hrs / 2 yrs |
| 4 | Mississippi | 60 hrs | $750 | 16 hrs / 1 yrs |
| 5 | Missouri | 48 hrs | $750 | 12 hrs / 2 yrs |
| 6 | North Carolina | 75 hrs | $750 | 8 hrs / 1 yrs |
| 7 | Vermont | 60 hrs | $750 | 24 hrs / 2 yrs |
| 8 | Indiana | 90 hrs | $800 | 36 hrs / 3 yrs |
| 9 | Kansas | 72 hrs | $800 | 12 hrs / 2 yrs |
| 10 | Maine | 60 hrs | $800 | 21 hrs / 2 yrs |
Detailed State Breakdown
1. Arkansas
Arkansas requires 60 hours of pre-license education with a total cost of approximately $750. Complete Arkansas broker guide →
2. Florida
Florida requires 72 hours of pre-license education with a total cost of approximately $750. Complete Florida broker guide →
3. Massachusetts
Massachusetts requires 40 hours of pre-license education with a total cost of approximately $750. Complete Massachusetts broker guide →
4. Mississippi
Mississippi requires 60 hours of pre-license education with a total cost of approximately $750. Complete Mississippi broker guide →
5. Missouri
Missouri requires 48 hours of pre-license education with a total cost of approximately $750. Complete Missouri broker guide →
6. North Carolina
North Carolina requires 75 hours of pre-license education with a total cost of approximately $750. Complete North Carolina broker guide →
7. Vermont
Vermont requires 60 hours of pre-license education with a total cost of approximately $750. Complete Vermont broker guide →
8. Indiana
Indiana requires 90 hours of pre-license education with a total cost of approximately $800. Complete Indiana broker guide →
9. Kansas
Kansas requires 72 hours of pre-license education with a total cost of approximately $800. Complete Kansas broker guide →
10. Maine
Maine requires 60 hours of pre-license education with a total cost of approximately $800. Complete Maine broker guide →
Most Expensive States
For comparison, here are the 5 most expensive states for a real estate broker license:
| State | Education | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado | 168 hrs | $1,200 |
| Oregon | 150 hrs | $1,200 |
| Washington | 90 hrs | $1,200 |
| California | 360 hrs | $1,400 |
| Texas | 900 hrs | $1,500 |
Texas stands out as the most demanding, requiring 900 hours of pre-license education — significantly more than any other state.
What Affects the Cost?
Total licensing cost includes pre-license education courses, exam fees, application fees, and background check fees. The biggest variable is education hours — states requiring more hours naturally cost more in course tuition. Some states also require prior experience as a real estate salesperson before you can apply for a broker license.
Related Guides
Compare all states side-by-side on our Real Estate Broker hub page. For a broader look at affordable licensing, see Cheapest Professional Licenses by State.