Licensed Careers You Can Study for While Working Full-Time (2026)
March 17, 2026 · HowToGetLicensed Team
Switching careers does not always mean quitting your job first. Many of the highest-paying licensed professions can be studied for on evenings and weekends while you keep earning at your current position. Here are 9 licenses that are realistic for working adults, ranked by flexibility and time commitment.
1. Notary Public
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Study hours | 3–6 hours total |
| Study schedule | One evening or weekend afternoon |
| Time to license | 1–4 weeks |
| Cost | $58–$200 |
The fastest option on this list. Most states require fewer than 6 hours of education, and many require none at all. You can complete the entire process — study, exam, application — without missing a single day of work. Start earning as a loan signing agent on evenings and weekends immediately.
2. Insurance Agent
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Study hours | 20–80 hours (varies by state) |
| Study schedule | 1–2 hours/evening for 2–4 weeks |
| Time to license | 2–6 weeks |
| Cost | $145–$660 |
Pre-license courses are entirely online and self-paced. Study an hour or two each evening for a few weeks, then schedule your state exam on a day off. Once licensed, you can sell insurance remotely during evenings when clients are actually available. See our insurance agent career guide for the full breakdown.
3. Real Estate Agent
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Study hours | 60–180 hours (varies by state) |
| Study schedule | 1–2 hours/day for 1–3 months |
| Time to license | 1–3 months |
| Cost | $500–$1,500 |
Most real estate pre-license courses are available online and self-paced. States like Texas (180 hours) take longer than Florida (63 hours), but even the longest programs can be completed at 1–2 hours per evening. Many successful agents start part-time, showing homes on evenings and weekends while keeping their day job.
4. Tax Preparer
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Study hours | 0–80 hours (most states: PTIN only) |
| Study schedule | Self-paced online |
| Time to license | 1–4 weeks |
| Cost | $50–$300 |
At the federal level, you only need a PTIN (Preparer Tax Identification Number) from the IRS — there is no exam or education requirement. Some states like California and New York require a short course. The work itself is seasonal (January–April), so you can prepare taxes on evenings and weekends during tax season while working your regular job the rest of the year.
5. Personal Trainer
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Study hours | 80–120 hours |
| Study schedule | 1 hour/day for 2–4 months |
| Time to certify | 2–4 months |
| Cost | $400–$800 |
ACE, NASM, and ISSA all offer fully online, self-paced certification programs. Study at your own speed, then schedule your exam when ready. Most personal training clients want early morning (6–7 AM) or evening (5–8 PM) sessions — exactly the hours you are not at your day job. Start with 5–8 clients and scale from there.
6. Home Inspector
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Study hours | 60–120 hours |
| Study schedule | 1–2 hours/evening for 2–3 months |
| Time to license | 2–4 months |
| Cost | $500–$2,500 |
Pre-license courses are available online. The field training component (ride-alongs with experienced inspectors) can often be scheduled on weekends. Once licensed, inspections are frequently done on Saturday mornings when buyers are available. Charge $300–$600 per inspection and build a weekend side business.
7. CPA (Certified Public Accountant)
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Study hours | 300–400 hours (exam prep) |
| Study schedule | 15–20 hours/week for 6–12 months |
| Time to license | 12–24 months (education + exam + experience) |
| Cost | $2,000–$5,000 (exam + review course) |
The CPA exam is the most demanding on this list, but it is specifically designed for working professionals. You take 4 sections individually, scheduling each when you are ready. Most candidates study 15–20 hours per week (evenings and weekends) over 6–12 months. If you already have an accounting degree and work in the field, you can satisfy the experience requirement at your current job.
Requirements by state | CPA exam guide
8. Private Investigator
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Study hours | 0–60 hours (varies by state) |
| Study schedule | Self-paced online where required |
| Time to license | 1–3 months |
| Cost | $200–$1,000 |
Many states require only an application and background check — no formal education. Much of modern PI work is digital (background checks, skip tracing, asset searches, social media investigations) and can be done from a laptop in the evenings. Surveillance work pays $40–$85/hour but requires more flexible scheduling.
9. Security Guard
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Study hours | 8–40 hours |
| Study schedule | One weekend course in most states |
| Time to license | 1–3 weeks |
| Cost | $50–$200 |
Security guard training is one of the shortest licensing programs available. In many states, you can complete the required training in a single weekend. The work is available on nights, weekends, and holidays — the exact shifts your day job does not cover. Event security on weekends is a popular part-time option.
Quick Comparison
| License | Study Hours | Time to License | Cost | Part-Time Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notary Public | 3–6 | 1–4 weeks | $58–$200 | $20K–$75K |
| Insurance Agent | 20–80 | 2–6 weeks | $145–$660 | $15K–$50K |
| Real Estate Agent | 60–180 | 1–3 months | $500–$1,500 | $10K–$40K |
| Tax Preparer | 0–80 | 1–4 weeks | $50–$300 | $5K–$25K |
| Personal Trainer | 80–120 | 2–4 months | $400–$800 | $15K–$40K |
| Home Inspector | 60–120 | 2–4 months | $500–$2,500 | $20K–$60K |
| CPA | 300–400 | 12–24 months | $2K–$5K | $30K–$60K |
| Private Investigator | 0–60 | 1–3 months | $200–$1K | $10K–$35K |
| Security Guard | 8–40 | 1–3 weeks | $50–$200 | $10K–$25K |
For more options, explore our best licenses for side hustles, easiest licenses in 2026, and licenses without a degree.