How To Get A Real Estate License In Az

HOW TO GET YOUR REAL ESTATE LICENSE IN AZ AND BE SUCCESSFUL

Becoming a real estate agent can be a smart, fulfilling, and, often, lucrative career choice.

After all, nothing beats the feeling of being able to help someone find the home of their dreams.

You're the person that helps individuals, couples, and families navigate the often complicated real estate process, weigh their options, and secure the property that will be their future home.

But the journey to getting your real estate license can be a bit complicated, especially if you are new to the process.

Fortunately, we've created this straightforward, in-depth guide outlining the essential steps to getting your license in Arizona.

We also include tips for finding a brokerage, launching a successful career as a real estate agent, marketing yourself effectively, and finding the best ongoing education options online.

Let's dive in.

Table of Contents
- Why Get Your Real Estate License in AZ?
- How Much Do Real Estate Agents Make?
- What are the Different Types of Real Estate Jobs?
- Can You be a Successful Part-Time Real Estate Agent?
- What is the Process of Becoming a Real Estate Agent?
- What are the Pros and Cons of Getting a Real Estate License?
- Real Estate License Overview

Table of Contents
- Why Get Your Real Estate License in AZ?
- How Much Do Real Estate Agents Make?
- What are the Different Types of Real Estate Jobs?
- Can You be a Successful Part-Time Real Estate Agent?
- What is the Process of Becoming a Real Estate Agent?
- What are the Pros and Cons of Getting a Real Estate License?
- Real Estate License Overview

Why Get Your Real Estate License in AZ

You may be considering getting your real estate license to expand on your existing passion for real estate. Perhaps you have positive memories of working with an agent in the past, have been dabbling in real estate investing for a while, or just think working in real estate sounds interesting and exciting.

No matter the reason, there's no doubt that becoming a realtor brings many fulfilling benefits. Here are just a few of the many reasons why you might consider becoming an agent:

Help People Find Their Dream Home

You'll have the unique opportunity to help families, young couples, entrepreneurs, or even celebrities find their dream home.

You'll be able to walk them through the real buying or selling process step-by-step, negotiate a fair price, and land the best deal possible. It's an amazing feeling!

Tons of Networking Opportunities

There are many perks to bumping elbows with other real estate agents and professionals. Your career can skyrocket – earning you recognition as an expert in your unique market.

You'll be able to partner with other agents and brokers who can open doors to near-endless opportunities. These partnerships can prove beneficial in terms of finding appraisers, lenders, and even affordable continuing education options.

Control Over Deals and Negotiations

When you are a licensed agent, you have more control over your own deals when selling your home or buying a new home. You can work directly with the lender, inspectors, etc., and set the sales price and terms. Having this education will empower you to negotiate better and get the best deal possible.

Potentially Hefty Commissions

You can even earn commissions on your own investment properties. Compared to going through a selling agent's office, you get to pocket a higher % of the commissions. You also cut out the hassle of having another agent involved in the process.

Continuous Educational Opportunities

There are near-infinite opportunities to expand your knowledge, sharpen your expertise, and scale up your real estate business. You'll learn new selling techniques, negotiation skills, marketing strategies, and more. This education will help you land more clients and earn yourself a reputation as a highly-skilled real estate professional.

Phoenix Metro Real Estate Market Offers Best Long Term Success

Everyone knows that the Phoenix Metro market has historically been subject to major boom and bust cycles. However, since the last crash in 2008 the game has changed in Arizona. What was historically considered a construction and agriculture-based economy is now fully diversified. Companies like Intel, USAA, State Farm, Microsoft, and Redbull, have made major investments and created thousands of new jobs.

Phoenix is now the 6th largest city in the country. It's the fastest-growing city in America and enjoys vast undeveloped land, affordability, and great climate. The combined effect will ensure its status as a top growth city for decades to come. That is why getting an Arizona Real Estate License is a great idea!

How Much Do Real Estate Agents Make?

According to Indeed.com, the average salary for a Real Estate Agent in Arizona is $89,229 per year. This is on par with the national average.

However, the minimum and maximum salary for AZ Real Estate ranges widely; from $23,000 to $198,000 per year. Salaries typically differ based on location, skill level, and years of experience.

ZipRecruiter ranks Arizona at 22 out of 50 states in terms of Real Estate Agent salaries.

Want to bump up your salary? Read on to learn about continuing education opportunities and the best ways to market yourself as a real estate agent.

What are the Different Types of Real Estate Jobs?

There are many types of real estate jobs available, and not all of them involve becoming a licensed agent. It's worth researching some of these career options to determine whether getting your license is the right path for you.

REAL ESTATE LICENSE REQUIRED:

Real Estate Broker
Real Estate Salesperson
Leasing Agent
Property Manager

Real Estate License Not Required:

Showing Assistant
Real Estate Inspector
Real Estate Appraiser
Escrow Officer
Loan Officer
Real Estate Assistant
Real Estate Investor or Entrepreneur
Real Estate Developer
Marketing Specialist for Real Estate Companies

These are just a few of the many real estate jobs available. To find more, you can search online for "real estate jobs" or check out your local newspaper or job boards.

Can You be a Successful Part-Time Real Estate Agent?

A "part-time" real estate agent is an agent who works less than 40 hours per week. And as with any career, there is typically less income potential when it comes to working part-time vs full-time. However, that doesn't mean you can't be successful.

If you are willing to put in the time and energy that's required to complete your coursework, take the state exam, and market your business, you can find much success as a part-time real estate agent.

In fact, many people choose this option to have an additional income stream (along with their existing job) until they are ready to take their real estate business full-time.

To be a successful part-time real estate agent, you must:

Weigh your existing obligations to determine how much time you can commit to being an agent
Consider your financial goals and whether you can make do with one or two income streams
Complete your pre-licensing coursework
Take and pass the AZ real estate licensing exam
Apply for a license in Arizona
Market your business effectively in order to land clients

Becoming a part-time or even full-time real estate agent is made easy when you take real estate license courses online. With this option, you are able to study on your own time, even if you have an existing job or other obligations.

Will a Broker Hire/Contract a Realtor Who Works Part-Time?

Once you become a real estate agent, you are technically an independent contractor who, by law, is required to work under a broker. Therefore, the question of whether a broker will hire a part-time agent is kind of a loaded one.

Brokers really just want to make sales and are inclined to hire realtors who bring something to the table.

If you have already obtained your license, can showcase a strong work ethic, and (preferably) have existing sales experience, this will "sweeten the deal" a bit and make brokerages more confident in hiring you. The unfortunate reality is that some brokers will hire anyone with a license and a pulse. Great companies have a local hands-on broker, who has established hiring practices, exhaustive training, open door management style, clearly stated values, and ethics above reproach.

What is the Process of Becoming a Real Estate Agent?

If you're wondering how to get your real estate license in AZ, you've landed in the right place.

We've broken down this process into 8 simple steps to help you go from aspiring realtor-to-be to professional real estate agent in no time.

Read: Online Real Estate School AZ: How to Choose the Best One for You

Step 1: Research & Understand State Specific Licensing Requirements

First, you should check with the real estate commission to determine the required steps to obtain your license. The pre-licensing courses and applications differ state-to-state, so it's important that you have this information on-hand before starting the process.

In Arizona, aspiring realtors are required to get 90 hours of real estate education. This includes college-level coursework on real estate contracts, deeds, titles, selling/buying real estate, owning property, and more.

After completing your education, you will be required to take and pass an exam, and then submit an application to receive your license.

Step 2: Take a Pre-Licensing Course

The 90 hours of required education is available via in-person classes in your state or online. Note that your chosen program MUST be fully accredited and approved by the real estate licensing authority in Arizona.

REQUIRED REAL ESTATE CLASSES:

Property Rights – Private & Governance
Real Estate Interest and Ownership
Transfer of Title & Title Insurance
Liens & Encounters
Foreclosure – Carryback Documents & Financing
Real Estate Investment and Taxation
Residential Financing
Math & Equal Opportunity
AZ Landlord Tenant Act & Property Management
Law of RE: Rules & Regulators of the RE Department
REZ Brokerage:Law of Agency and Public Protection
Real Estate Contracts
Listings of Contract Forms and Procedures
Real Estate Appraisal
Legal Land Description
Escrow and Closing
Broker Practices, Legal Procedures & Bankruptcy
Disclosures – Warranties, Construction, & Land Development

HOW LONG ARE REAL ESTATE CLASSES?

Each of the above courses are 3 hours long and can be taken in-person or online.

Your real estate education will consist of 18 sessions. Classes are all standalone and do not need to be completed in any specific order. All coursework must be completed within 6 months after enrollment

The CE Shop ( an approved real estate school in Arizona) offers a 90-hour program that can be completed in as little as 3 weeks if taken as a 40-hour per week course.

Note: If you already have a real estate license, that doesn't necessarily mean all of your courses or hours carry over. Check with your state to see if there is a "reciprocity agreement" available that would allow you to skip a few steps in the licensing process due to your existing license or education level.

HOW MUCH DO REAL ESTATE COURSES COST?

The CE Shop is a fully accredited continuing education program and offers all of the 18 required real estate courses. Their 90-Hr. AZ Salesperson Pre‑Licensing Premium Package

is $606.75 and includes:

90-Hr. AZ Salesperson Pre‑Licensing Course*
Unlimited Practice Exams
Business Building Courses
Continuing Education Package

*Real estate license applicants must also attend a 6-hour contract writing class.

Other options are available which include the contract writing course, other supplemental courses, additional practice exams, and career placement services.

Step 3: Pass the State Licensing Exam

Once you have satisfied your state's education requirements, you will be eligible to take the licensing exam. Be sure to get a certificate of completion from your school.

You can schedule your real estate license exam online by visiting your state's real estate commission website (for Arizona, this would be the Arizona Department of Real Estate). Complete the online registration form and you will be scheduled for an exam date and time. The exam typically takes about 3 hours to complete.

The exam consists of about 100 multiple choice questions related to state and national real estate laws and procedures. You must get a score of 75% or better in order to "pass" in Arizona.

HOW LONG SHOULD I PREPARE FOR THE REAL ESTATE EXAM?

How much you study for the real estate licensing exam depends on how well you retain information and how proactive you are about keeping up with your coursework.

Most aspiring agents find the exam to be low-stress with proper preparation and practice. Note that your courses with equate to at least 90 hours, which already adds up to a lot of practice.

We recommend taking practice tests, finding a study partner, and staying on top of course assignments in order to feel as prepared as possible

Step 4: Apply for Your Real Estate License

Success! You've passed the exam. Now what?

After you get your exam scores, be sure to get a copy of your scores plus the certificate of completion from your school/course. You'll be required to submit this information when you apply for your license.

Note that you must be at least 18 years old and have either a high school diploma or GED in order to apply for your real estate license.

You will also be required to get a fingerprinted Level One clearance card as part of the real estate licensing process. This requires submitting an original set of fingerprints, the clearance card application, and the application fee of $67.00 paid to The Arizona Department Of Public Safety

HOW TO GET AN AZ REAL ESTATE LICENSE ONLINE

You can find all Arizona real estate license pre-licensing education requirements, fees, required documents, and application steps online at www.azre.gov

Simply fill out your license application and pay the application fees: $75 plus an additional $60 for a first-time license.

You may also be required to undergo a background check at an additional cost. Note that criminal convictions, civil judgments, or disciplinary action in Arizona or any other state may result in your license being denied.

Once submitted, your application should take 1 week to 2 months to process.

Step 5: Find a Brokerage

In the state of Arizona you are required by law to work for a licensed broker. A brokerage is simply an office or agency that hires real estate agents.

Here are a few factors to consider before choosing the right brokerage for you:

Commission Split – Most agents get paid on commission. Shop around to find a brokerage that offers a fair commission split based on the training, leads, resources and brand strength that you'll need.
Franchise vs Independent– Big-name franchise brokerages can present a lot of opportunities. They bring instant credibility and confidence to new relationships. They also tend to have better established training, tools, and leads. On the flip side, small independent brokerages may have limited resources and notoriety, but you'll likely have more freedom.
Niche – Try to find a brokerage that has a strong (positive) reputation and is doing the work you want to do. Evaluate a brokerage based on how much long-term potential you could see yourself having at the company.
Company Culture – As with any job, it's usually a good idea to consider "character fit". Are you looking for a cutthroat style or something a little more "mom and pop"? You'll be spending a lot of time with the company, and you want your experience to be a positive one.

Step 6: Join the National Association of Realtors

To be able to call yourself a true "realtor", be sure to join the National Association of Realtors (NAR).

If you hope to one day participate in Multiple Listing Services (MLS), this designation will be a requirement. Without it, your income potential may be limited if you don't have access to MLS.

Step 7: Market Yourself

Once you have selected a brokerage (and have been hired by said brokerage), it's time to market yourself and land some sales.

Doing so will make you a valuable asset to the brokerage, help you earn some hefty commissions, and open a lot of doors for your growing career in real estate. As your experience grows, you can skyrocket your income even brush shoulders with some of the big-name players in your industry.

There are many ways to market yourself as a real estate agent. We dive into some of these strategies in

Chapter 6: How to Get Real Estate Leads.

Step 8: Renew Your License & Take Additional Courses as Needed

Getting your real estate license isn't just a one-and-done thing. You'll need to renew it regularly (typically every 2-4 years)to stay up-to-date and licensed to practice in your state.

Further, many states require a certain number of course hours for you to be able to renew your license. This is where continuing educations courses come in. These courses help you stay on top of the latest trends, marketing strategies, real estate laws, and so much more.

Visit Chapter 8: Online Realtor Continuing Education to learn all about continuing education requirements, in-person options, online courses, and fees.

What are the Pros and Cons of Getting a Real Estate License?

Getting your real estate license in AZ does take time, patience, and a bit of an investment, but it's well worth it if you're wanting to jump start your real estate career.

Before taking a pre-licensing course and taking the licensing exam, it's best you consider the pros and cons of obtaining a license. That way, you can be sure you're making the best decision for you.

Pros of Getting Your Real Estate License

The satisfaction of helping people find their dream home or helping them get the best deal in selling their home
Flexibility in being able to set your own schedule
Potential to make major commissions and scale your income over time
Ability to connect with major players in the real estate industry
Freedom of being able to negotiate your own property sells and buys
The chance of becoming a reputable and notable real estate agent in your niche

Cons of Getting Your Real Estate License:

Up-front investment for pre-licensing education and application fees
Limited safety net during slow selling periods
Occasional stress of negotiating difficult deals on behalf of clients
Possible inconvenience of renewing your license and taking additional courses

Real Estate License Overview

Obtaining your real estate license can be incredibly fulfilling and presents the opportunity for you to scale your income to new heights. Fortunately, the application process is easier than most would imagine; you can get your license in as little as 4 months.

Check out the following sections below to learn how to find the best online real estate school, generate real estate leads, and much.

Read Chapter 2: What's the Difference Between a Commercial vs Residential Real Estate Agent?

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