Can I Get My Realtor License with AceableAgent?

Quick answer: Yes and no. AceableAgent helps you get your real estate license, which is step one. Becoming a "Realtor" (with a capital R) happens afterward when you join the National Association of Realtors.

Think of it this way: all Realtors are real estate agents, but not all real estate agents are Realtors. It's a common mix-up, but the distinction matters when you're planning your career path.

Here's what AceableAgent does for you:

Provides your required pre-licensing education (40-168 hours depending on your state)
Prepares you for the state licensing exam
Gets you ready to start working as a licensed real estate agent

What happens after you finish with AceableAgent:

You pass your state exam and receive your license
You find a sponsoring broker to work under
You choose whether to join NAR and become a Realtor (most agents do, and we'll explain why below)

The bottom line? AceableAgent is your starting point for getting licensed. Becoming a Realtor is a separate decision you'll make once you're officially a licensed agent. Let's break down exactly how this path works and what it means for your career.

What's the Difference Between a Realtor and a Real Estate Agent?

Sometimes people use the term "Realtor" to describe any real estate agent, but in the real estate world, being a Realtor has a specific meaning. A Realtor is a licensed real estate agent who has paid to join the National Association of Realtors (NAR).

In addition to NAR, almost every state and local market has its own Realtor association. When you become a Realtor, you're agreeing to follow a strict Code of Ethics that goes beyond your state's real estate laws. If you violate that code, your Realtor association can discipline you.

Why do agents join? Realtor associations offer valuable services like:

Access to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) — essential for finding properties and listing your clients' homes
Contract forms and templates (in states where they're not provided by the state)
Local market data and trends
Networking opportunities with other agents
Additional training and professional certifications
Legal support and advocacy

So while many agents choose to become Realtors, it's not a type of license. It's a membership in a professional organization that comes with benefits, responsibilities, and yes — annual dues.

Getting Your Real Estate License with AceableAgent

Before you can join a Realtor association, you need to earn your real estate license first. That's where AceableAgent comes in.

AceableAgent offers online pre-licensing courses that are approved by your state real estate commission. Our courses are designed to be flexible, mobile-friendly, and focused on helping you actually pass your state exam — not just check a box.

We currently offer courses in these states:

Each course includes everything your state requires: the right number of hours, all the topics your state commission wants covered, and practice exams that mirror the real thing.

How to Get a Real Estate License: The Full Process

The exact steps vary by state, but here's the general path from zero to licensed agent:

1. Make sure you qualify: Most states require you to be at least 18 years old. Some states also require U.S. citizenship, a high school diploma, or a clean background check. Check your state's specific requirements before you start — it'll save you time and headaches later.

2. Complete your pre-licensing education: This is where AceableAgent helps. Depending on your state, you'll need to complete anywhere from 40 to 168 hours of approved coursework. You'll learn about real estate law, contracts, financing, ethics, and how transactions actually work.

At the end of your course, you'll take a final exam. Once you pass, you'll get a certificate of completion to submit with your license application.

3. Submit your license application: Your state will have specific requirements. This usually includes:

Your pre-licensing course certificate
An application fee (typically $50-$200)
Fingerprints for a background check
Additional documentation if you have any past arrests or legal issues

4. Pass your state licensing exam: This is the big one. Your state exam will have two parts: a national portion (covering general real estate principles) and a state-specific portion (covering your state's laws and practices).

Most states charge a separate exam fee on top of your application fee. When you're choosing a pre-licensing course, pay attention to what kind of exam prep they offer. Some state exams have pass rates below 50%, so solid preparation matters.

5. Find a sponsoring broker: Even after you pass the exam, you can't practice real estate on your own right away. The license you earn is called a "salesperson license" or "sales associate license," and it only becomes active once you affiliate with a licensed broker.

Your broker supervises your work, provides training, and handles the legal and financial side of transactions. Interview multiple brokerages before you choose one — this relationship matters for your career growth.

Becoming a Realtor: Is It Right for You?

Once you've completed your pre-licensing course, passed the state exam, and connected with a broker, you're officially a licensed real estate agent. At that point, you can decide whether to join NAR and your local Realtor association.

While it's not required, most agents do join. In many markets, you'll struggle to succeed without it because MLS access and approved contract forms are only available to Realtor association members.

Talk to your broker about which association(s) to join. They'll have recommendations based on your market and can often help you understand which membership tier makes sense for your budget and business goals.

How Much Does Realtor Membership Cost?

Realtor membership involves paying dues to multiple levels of associations: national, state, and local. Here's what to expect in 2025:

National Association of Realtors (NAR) dues: $150 per year, plus additional assessments that can range from $30-$50 depending on the year.

State Realtor association dues: These vary widely by state, but typically range from $50-$200 per year.

Local Realtor association dues: This is where costs can really vary. Most local associations charge between $150-$500 per year, but in major metro markets, annual dues can climb as high as $1,000 or more.

Total first-year cost estimate: Plan on $400-$1,500 for your first year of Realtor membership, depending on your location. Some associations also charge a one-time initiation fee.

Is it worth it? For most agents, absolutely. The access to MLS alone is worth the investment. Being able to list properties, search for homes for your buyers, and access real-time market data is essential to doing your job effectively. Plus, clients often recognize and trust the Realtor designation.

The NAR Code of Ethics: What You're Agreeing To

When you become a Realtor, you're committing to uphold the NAR Code of Ethics — a set of standards that goes beyond state real estate law.

The Code covers how you should treat clients, customers, and other agents. It includes rules about:

Honesty in advertising and marketing
Fair competition with other agents
Protecting client confidentiality
Following fair housing laws
Disclosing conflicts of interest

One notable detail: NAR includes sexual orientation and gender identity as protected classes in their Code of Ethics, even though these aren't protected classes under the federal Fair Housing Act. This means Realtors are held to a higher standard than what federal law requires.

If you violate the Code of Ethics, your local Realtor association can investigate and potentially discipline you — even if you didn't break any state laws.

Timeline: From AceableAgent Student to Active Realtor

Wondering how long this whole process takes? Here's a realistic timeline:

Week 1-4: Complete your AceableAgent pre-licensing course (faster if you go full-time, longer if you're studying part-time)

Week 5-6: Submit your license application and schedule your state exam

Week 7-8: Pass your state exam (you can usually retake it if needed, but plan for extra time and fees)

Week 8-10: Find and affiliate with a sponsoring broker, complete any onboarding requirements

Week 10-12: Join NAR and your local Realtor association, get your MLS access set up

Total time: 2-3 months from starting your course to becoming an active Realtor (assuming no major delays)

Some people move faster, some take longer. The key is staying consistent with your studying and not letting the process drag out unnecessarily.

Should You Join NAR Right Away?

This depends on your market and your broker's requirements.

Join right away if:

Your broker requires it (some do)
You need MLS access to start working with clients
You want to use approved contract forms from the association
You're trying to build credibility quickly with clients

Wait a bit if:

You're still learning the business and shadowing other agents
You want to confirm your market before committing financially
Your broker provides some resources without requiring immediate membership

When in doubt, ask your broker what they recommend. They'll have the best insight into what makes sense in your specific market.

Getting Started with AceableAgent

Ready to start your journey from aspiring agent to licensed Realtor? The first step is completing your state-required pre-licensing education.

AceableAgent makes it easy to learn on your schedule with:

Mobile-friendly courses you can complete anywhere
Exam prep tools that mirror real state exam questions
State-approved curriculum that meets all your requirements
Flexible pacing so you can finish as quickly or slowly as you need

Once you're licensed and affiliated with a broker, you'll be ready to decide if Realtor membership is the right next step for your career.

Updated 11/12/25