How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Nevada

How to Get Your Nevada Real Estate License in 6 Simple Steps

Looking to capitalize on Nevada’s dynamic property market—from the high-energy Las Vegas Valley to the growing Reno-Tahoe region? Earning your Nevada real estate license is a clear, achievable pathway to a high-earning career.

To become a licensed real estate “salesperson” in Nevada, you need to complete 120 hours of state-approved pre-licensing education. Once you clear a fingerprint background check, pass both parts of the Pearson VUE exam, and partner with a sponsoring broker, you’re ready to start closing transactions.

Whether you’re making a full career shift or building a flexible business, this 2026 guide covers everything you need to know about Nevada Real Estate Division (NRED) requirements, course costs, and exam prep.

We’ll cover:


6 Steps to Get a Real Estate License in Nevada

The Nevada Real Estate Division (NRED) has a few requirements to become a real estate salesperson. You must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma (or equivalent). If you meet the prerequisites, you can complete the following steps:

STEP 1 | Complete the 120-Hour Real Estate Salesperson Pre-License Course

  • Nevada requires 120 hours of pre-license education, broken into four parts: 45 hours of Real Estate Principles, 45 hours of Real Estate Law (including 18 hours of Nevada-specific law), 15 hours of Contracts, and 15 hours of Agency (including 3 hours on the broker-agent relationship and 3 hours on risk reduction). You can take the course online or in person through an NRED-approved school.

STEP 2 | Schedule + Pass the Nevada Real Estate Exam

  • Once you’ve completed your 120-hour course, you can schedule your state exam with PearsonVUE. The exam must be taken in person at a testing center in Las Vegas, Reno, or Elko, and the fee is $100 — the same fee applies whether it’s your first attempt or a retake.
  • The exam has 120 scored questions (80 national, 40 Nevada-specific) plus a handful of unscored pretest questions, and you’ll have 4 hours to complete it. You need a score of at least 75% on each portion to pass. See our FAQs section to learn more.

STEP 3 | Apply for a Nevada Fingerprint Clearance Card

  • After passing your exam, you’ll need to submit fingerprints through an NRED-approved vendor for a state and federal background check. Fingerprints are only valid for 2 months, so don’t get this done too far in advance of finishing your application.

STEP 4 |  Find a Sponsoring Broker

  • In order to activate your license, you’ll need to be hired by a licensed Nevada real estate broker. Keep reading below for tips on what to look for when picking a brokerage.

STEP 5 |  Submit Your Nevada Real Estate License Application

  • Once you have your exam results, fingerprint clearance, and a sponsoring broker lined up, you can submit your salesperson license application to NRED. You’ll pay a $140 license fee and submit your education certificates, exam results, and fingerprint documentation.

STEP 6 |  Start Selling Real Estate!

  • Once NRED processes your application, you’re officially a licensed Nevada real estate salesperson — congratulations!

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

Once you decide to become a real estate agent in Nevada, you’re probably excited and want to get started immediately.  Before you leave your current position, it’s important to understand how long the process can take.  Here is what an average timeline looks like:

  • 6 to 12 weeks to complete your 120-hour Nevada pre-licensing course
  • 1 to 2 weeks to get your state real estate exam scheduled
  • 1 to 2 weeks to get fingerprinted and receive your clearance card
  • 1 to 3 weeks to interview and select a sponsoring broker
  • 1 to 2 weeks for NRED to process your license application

While this timeline may seem a little daunting, there are a few ways to expedite things. First, taking an online course is the way to go.  Instead of attending scheduled in-person classes, you can learn at your own pace online.  We also highly recommend interviewing brokerages while you are finishing up your real estate course, so you are ready to hang your license with a broker as soon you pass the state exam.  All in all, it’s definitely possible to become a real estate agent in Nevada in about 3 to 6 months, since the 120-hour course is one of the more time-intensive requirements in the country.


Cost to Get a Real Estate License in Nevada

There are several fees involved when working to become a real estate agent in Nevada…

  • Pre-License Real Estate Course – $300 to $700
  • State Exam Fee – $100 (same fee applies to retakes)
  • License Application Fee – $140
  • Fingerprinting / Background Check – $40 to $80
  • State exam prep courses or materials – $25 to $150 (optional)

** Total Cost to Get Licensed = $580 to $1,020


More Costs to Expect as a Brand New Realtor

Getting a license is just the beginning! What many aspiring agents don’t always realize is that there are several other expenses to consider when you become a real estate agent in Nevada. Keep in mind you are officially opening your own business, so there are always start-up costs involved.

To follow are some of the most common expenses in Nevada:

  • Post-License Continuing Education Fee (30 hours, due within your first 2-year cycle) – $100 to $250
  • License Renewal Fee (every 2 years) – $195
  • National and Local Board of Realtors / Examples:
  • Multiple Listing Service (MLS) – about $150 to $175 quarterly
  • SentriLock or Supra eKey to show homes – $100 to $200 annually
  • Business cards and signage – varies
  • 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 Nevada = $1,580 to $3,170

WHAT EXPENSES TO EXPECT AS A NEW AGENT >>

Find the Top Real Estate Schools

To get your real estate license, you’ll have to attend a school that’s approved by the Nevada Real Estate Division. There are dozens of approved real estate schools throughout the state. Some are online, others in person, and a few do a combination of the two.

Here are a few of the most popular:

When shopping for the best online real estate schools, you’ll want to compare pricing, but there are a few other things you will need to consider:

  • Do they share their “pass rate”? This will tell you what percentage of their students passed the state exam on the first try.
  • Does the school offer any guarantees if you don’t pass? For example, one school will pay the fee for you to retake the state exam.
  • Are practice tests given to the students or is there any additional charge?
  • Do they offer a separate exam prep course or a weekend cram course?

How to Select a Nevada Real Estate Broker

In Nevada, you must be hired by (and hang your license with) a real estate broker in order to legally help home buyers and sellers. Picking the right brokerage to work with can be key to your success as a newly licensed agent.

IMPORTANT QUESTIONS TO ASK WHEN CHOOSING A BROKER >>

While many newly licensed agents are looking for the best commission splits when shopping for brokers, we would highly recommend that you make that #2 or #3 on your list.

The most important thing you should look for in a brokerage is how they support brand new real estate agents. Do they have a formal training program? Will you have at least 3 people you can reach out to if you have questions? Are they available outside traditional business hours? Do they have mentors – and what exactly will the mentors do to assist you? All important things to consider when you are ready to become a real estate agent in Nevada!

Geting a NV Real Estate License: Commonly Asked Questions

How long does it take to get a Nevada real estate license?

Most students complete the process in 8 to 12 weeks. If you study full-time online, you can finish the mandatory 120-hour coursework in as little as 4 to 6 weeks. Background check processing through the Nevada Real Estate Division (NRED) typically adds another 2 to 4 weeks.

How difficult is the NV real estate licensing exam?

Nevada’s real estate exam is one of the tougher ones in the country — the first-time pass rate is around 52%.  There are 120 scored questions (80 national, 40 state-specific), and you’ll need to score at least 75% on each section. You’ll have 4 hours to complete the exam.

What score do I need to pass the Nevada real estate exam?

You must score at least 75% on both the National and Nevada State-specific portions of the exam. The test is administered by Pearson VUE and includes 80 national questions (150 minutes) and 40 state-specific questions (60 to 90 minutes).

What if I fail the real estate exam in Nevada?

It’s not uncommon for people not to pass the exam on the first try. If you pass one section but not the other, you’ll still need to reschedule and pay the full $100 exam fee again — Nevada doesn’t offer a discounted retake for just the failed section. There’s no limit on how many times you can retake the exam.

Can I get a Nevada real estate license if I have a misdemeanor or felony on my record?

It depends on the conviction. NRED reviews every applicant’s criminal background individually. Violent felonies, fraud convictions, and recent (within the last 7 years) financial-crime convictions are typically disqualifying. Older, non-financial felonies may still be approved if you can document rehabilitation. We’d recommend contacting NRED directly before investing in a pre-license course if you have concerns about your background.

What happens if I fail one or both parts of the Nevada exam?

If you fail one portion, you only need to retake that specific section. You can reschedule your exam through Pearson VUE after a 24-hour waiting period, provided you pay the $100 retake fee. Passing scores on individual sections remain valid for up to 12 months.

Can I complete the 120-hour Nevada real estate course online?

Yes, the Nevada Real Estate Division allows you to complete the required 120 hours of pre-licensing education through state-approved online providers. However, the official Pearson VUE licensing exam must be taken in person at an authorized testing center or via an approved remote-proctored online exam session.

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

Yes, but only for a salesperson-level license, and only if you’re coming from one of these states: Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Texas, Utah, or West Virginia. If you qualify, you can skip most of the pre-licensing education and the national portion of the exam — you’ll just need to pass the Nevada-specific section. Reciprocity does not extend to broker or broker-salesperson licenses.

How much do real estate agents make in Nevada?

According to Indeed.com, the average Nevada real estate agent makes about $101,455 a year. Keep in mind real estate agents are commission-based, so your actual earnings depend heavily on how many homes you sell and the price points in your market — the Las Vegas and Reno areas can vary quite a bit.
PRO TIP: To calculate how many homes you’ll need to sell, look up the average home sales price in your city (just google it!). For example, if the median sales price in your area is $450,000 and you earn 2.5% commission on a sale, your gross commission would be about $11,250 per sale. To earn the Nevada average, you’d have to sell about 9 homes.