How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Vermont (2026 Guide)

Ready to get your Vermont real estate license?

Vermont keeps things refreshingly lean: it’s tied for the lowest education requirement in New England at just 40 hours, and it has a quirk you won’t find almost anywhere else — the state-specific portion of your exam isn’t taken at a testing center at all. It’s an open-book exam built right into your online license application. We’ll walk you through everything, start to finish, so you know exactly what to expect on your way to becoming a Vermont real estate agent.

Sell historic homes like this gem when you become a real estate agent in Vermont

5 Simple Steps to Get a Vermont Real Estate License

The Vermont Office of Professional Regulation (OPR) keeps the bar straightforward: you need to be at least 18 years old, hold a high school diploma or equivalent, and be lawfully able to work in the US. From there, here’s exactly what’s involved.

01 | Complete the 40-Hour Real Estate Pre-License Course

Vermont’s pre-license course runs 40 hours — among the shortest in the country — and covers real estate principles, agency, contracts, financing, fair housing, and property valuation. You’ll need to pass a final exam through your school to earn your Certificate of Completion, which stays valid for 5 years.

02 | Pass the National Portion of the Exam

PSI administers the national portion of the exam, which runs about 90 to 100 questions. You’ll need a scaled score of 75 to pass, and the fee is $110, paid directly to PSI when you schedule.

03 | Complete Vermont’s State-Specific Exam (No Testing Center Required)

Here’s where Vermont does things differently: instead of sitting for a second exam at a testing center, the state-specific portion is an untimed, open-book exam you complete on paper as part of your online OPR application. It’s 50 questions worth 2 points each, and you’ll need a score of 75 out of 100 to pass. There’s no separate fee for this portion.

04 | Find a Sponsoring Broker

Vermont salespersons can’t activate a license without a supervising broker. Your hiring broker will need to complete and sign an employment/supervision form as part of your application. Keep reading below for tips on choosing the right brokerage.

05 | Submit Your License Application

Once you’ve passed the national exam, completed the state exam inside your application, and lined up a sponsoring broker, submit everything through OPR’s online portal (paper applications aren’t accepted) along with the $100 application fee. OPR typically processes applications within 3 to 5 business days. Within your first 90 days as a licensed agent, you’ll also need to complete 8 hours of post-license education.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Real Estate License?

Once you’ve decided to become a real estate agent in Vermont, you’re probably eager to get moving. Before you leave your current job, it helps to know what the timeline actually looks like:

  • 3 to 6 weeks to complete your 40-hour pre-licensing course
  • 1 to 2 weeks to get your national exam scheduled and completed through PSI
  • A few days to complete the state-specific exam inside your OPR application
  • 1 to 2 weeks to complete a background check
  • 1 to 3 weeks to interview and select a sponsoring broker
  • 3 to 5 business days for OPR to process your license application

A few things can speed this up considerably. Taking your pre-license course online lets you move at your own pace instead of waiting on a classroom schedule. Starting your background check early avoids it becoming a bottleneck. And lining up broker interviews while you’re still finishing coursework means you’re ready to activate your license the moment you pass. Given Vermont’s 40-hour requirement is one of the lightest in the country, it’s realistic to go from a standing start to a licensed agent in as little as 6 to 8 weeks.

Aspiring real estate agent calculating costs to get licensed in Vermont

Cost to Get a Real Estate License in Vermont

Here’s what to budget for as you work toward becoming a licensed Vermont real estate agent:

  • Pre-License Real Estate Course – $300 to $600
  • National Exam Fee (PSI) – $110
  • License Application Fee (OPR) – $100 (covers both the application and the state-specific exam, taken online)
  • Background Check – $40 to $75
  • State exam prep courses or materials – $25 to $150 (optional)
** Total Cost to Get Licensed = $550 to $870

More Costs to Expect as a New REALTOR

Getting licensed is just the starting line. Most new agents don’t realize how many additional dues, fees, and marketing costs come with actually running a real estate business — the same way you’d budget for start-up costs opening any small business.

Some of the most common costs you’ll run into as a Vermont agent:

  • 8-Hour Post-License Education (due within 90 days of licensure) – $100 to $200
  • License Renewal Fee (every 2 years, plus continuing education hours) – $220
  • National and Local Board of Realtors / Examples:
  • Business cards and signage – varies
  • Multiple Listing Service (MLS) – about $150 to $175 quarterly
  • SentriLock or Supra eKey to show homes – $100 to $150 annually
  • Marketing materials and advertising – varies
  • Brokerage joining fee – $0 to $500 (average is about $250)
  • Monthly Brokerage fee – ranges from $0 to $350 monthly
** Total Cost to Become a Real Estate Agent in Vermont = $1,330 to $2,630
Real estate broker teaching pre-licensing class to aspiring Vermont Realtors

Find the Best Real Estate Schools

You’ll need to complete your 40-hour course through a school approved by Vermont’s Office of Professional Regulation. Some run fully online, some are in-person, and a handful blend the two — here are a few worth a look.

When you’re comparing schools, price isn’t the only thing worth weighing. Ask whether they publish a pass rate, whether they’ll cover a retake fee if you don’t pass the first time, and whether practice exams and study guides are included or cost extra.

How to Select a Vermont Real Estate Broker

You can’t legally represent buyers or sellers in Vermont without affiliating with a licensed brokerage — often called your “sponsoring broker” or “principal broker.” Who you choose here matters more than most new agents expect.

Keep in mind that a lot of brokerages are independently owned franchises, so two offices under the same national brand name can feel completely different to work for. Training, support, culture, and commission splits can all vary significantly from one office to the next, even within the same company.

We’d also encourage you to look into virtual or cloud-based brokerages. They tend to be a strong fit for new or part-time agents, since support is often available outside standard business hours and live training gets recorded so you can catch up on your own schedule.

IMPORTANT QUESTIONS TO ASK WHEN INTERVIEWING BROKERS >>
PRO TIP: Don’t worry about commission splits, focus on SUPPORT.

It’s tempting to chase the best commission split when you’re new, but we’d put that at #2 or #3 on your priority list. What actually determines your first-year success is how well a brokerage supports brand-new agents: Is there a real training program, or are you on your own? Can you reach a few different people if you get stuck on something? Is help available outside a 9-to-5 window? Do they pair new agents with a mentor, and what does that mentor actually do?

Frequently asked questions about becoming a real estate agent in Vermont

How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Vermont: Frequently Asked Questions

How difficult is the state real estate exam?

Vermont’s exam has a reputation for being tougher than its short 40-hour course might suggest — the first-time pass rate runs around 60%. The national portion (through PSI) has roughly 90 to 100 questions and requires a scaled score of 75. The state-specific portion is genuinely unusual: it’s an open-book, untimed exam you complete on paper as part of your online application, with 50 questions worth 2 points each, and you’ll need 75 out of 100 to pass.

What if I fail the real estate exam in Vermont?

It’s not uncommon to miss it on the first attempt, so don’t be discouraged. For the national exam, you’ll just reschedule and pay the $110 PSI fee again. Since the state-specific portion is open-book and untimed, most candidates who prepare using their course materials pass it without much trouble — it’s the national exam that tends to be the bigger hurdle.

How do I become a real estate broker in Vermont?

Vermont’s broker license is a separate, higher-level credential from the salesperson license this page covers. It generally requires a period of active experience as a licensed salesperson plus additional broker-level coursework and a separate exam. If you’re interested in eventually becoming a broker, ask your sponsoring brokerage what experience and mentorship they offer toward that path, and contact OPR directly for the current broker-specific requirements.

I have a real estate license in another state. Does Vermont offer reciprocity?

Vermont offers a genuine shortcut called Fast Track Endorsement. If you’ve held an active license in another state for the past 3 years, you may be able to skip the 40-hour pre-license course entirely. There’s a notable exception, though: Indiana and Rhode Island licenses are not currently considered equivalent, so agents coming from those two states don’t qualify for this waiver. You’ll still need to pass Vermont’s exams regardless of where you’re licensed. Contact OPR directly to confirm your eligibility.

How much do real estate agents make in Vermont?

According to Indeed.com, the average real estate agent in Vermont earns around $134,639 a year, though this varies widely based on location and experience — Vermont’s mix of ski-town luxury markets and smaller rural areas creates a wide range of outcomes. As with any commission-based role, your actual income depends heavily on transaction volume and price points in your market.

To get a rough sense of your own earning potential:
– Look up the average home sales price in your town and Multiply that by 2.5%
– Multiply that by the number of homes you realistically expect to sell
– Then factor in your broker’s commission split to see your net

Quick example:
If the average sales price in your area is $450,000: $450,000 x 2.5% = $11,250 per sale
Sell 4 homes in your first year: $11,250 x 4 = $45,000
With a 70/30 commission split in your favor: $45,000 x 70% = $31,500 (your net)

Your location, experience level, and broker commission split will all play a major role in what you actually take home as a Vermont agent.

Is Getting a Real Estate License Worth It?

Honestly, it depends on your goals. If you’re only planning to help a few friends or family members buy or sell each year, it’s worth running the numbers above to see if the licensing and upkeep costs actually make sense for you.

If you’re serious about building a real estate career, though, Vermont has real advantages: a genuinely low barrier to entry, a housing market that draws both year-round residents and second-home buyers, and one of the lightest pre-license education requirements in the country. Just remember that moving from a steady paycheck to commission-based income is a real adjustment — having roughly six months of living expenses saved up before you make the leap will give you a lot more breathing room while you build your business.

Do I have to live in Vermont to get a Vermont real estate license?

No — Vermont doesn’t require you to be a state resident to hold a salesperson license. That said, you’ll still need to affiliate with a Vermont-licensed principal broker and registered office to activate it, so this route tends to make the most sense for agents near the border or planning to do business in Vermont regularly.

Can I complete the 40-hour pre-license course entirely online?

Yes — several OPR-approved schools, including The CE Shop, Colibri Real Estate, and McKissock, offer the full 40 hours online and self-paced. If you’d rather have live instruction, in-person and blended options are available too (see our school list above). Either way, you’ll need to pass your school’s final exam to earn the Certificate of Completion required for your application.

Can I get a Vermont real estate license if I have a criminal record?

A past conviction won’t automatically disqualify you — Vermont’s OPR reviews criminal history case-by-case, weighing the nature of the offense, how long ago it happened, and evidence of rehabilitation. There’s no fingerprinting required for salespersons; instead, you’ll self-disclose any convictions with a written explanation and court documentation as part of your application.

If you want peace of mind before investing time and money in a pre-license course, OPR offers an optional $25 “second chance” review where they’ll tell you in advance whether your record would be a problem — and that $25 gets credited toward your application fee if you move forward.

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