How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Delaware

Ready to get your Delaware real estate license?

While the prospect of going through the license procedure may seem intimidating at first, it’s really quite simple. You just have to meet some basic requirements, attend a 99 hour pre-license course, pass the exam and select a broker. We’ll walk you through it step by step and help you become a real estate agent in Delaware.


Process to get licensed and become a real estate agent in Delaware

Process to Get a Real Estate License in Delaware

The Delaware Division of Professional Regulation (i.e. the Delaware Real Estate Commission) requires that, in order to become a licensed real estate agent, you must be at least 18 years old, a legal resident of the US, and pass a background check. If you have any past or pending charges relating to providing real estate services or fraud, you may not be approved to get a Delaware real estate license. If you do meet the basic requirements, you’ll just have to complete the following steps:

01 | Complete the 99-Hour Real Estate Pre-License Course

Once you’ve met the prequalifications listed above, you can sign up for a pre-license course with an approved real estate school. You can take the course 100% online or several schools offer a combination of classroom and zoom meetings.

02 | Complete Your Fingerprint Background Check

This step genuinely matters, so don’t skip past it: Delaware requires every applicant to complete a state-and-federal digital fingerprint background check through IdentoGO before Pearson VUE will even let you schedule your exam. Once your DELPROS application is submitted, go to uenroll.identogo.com, enter the Real Estate Commission service code from your application, and book an appointment at any Delaware IdentoGO site (out-of-state sites are also approved). The fee is $72, and results typically post within 24 to 48 hours. Until the Division of Professional Regulation (DPR) marks you “CLEARED,” the Pearson VUE scheduling portal stays locked.

03 | Schedule + Pass the Delaware Real Estate Exam

Once you have a certificate of completion from your real estate school you can schedule your real estate exam with PearsonVue, the firm that administers the test. There is a fee of $85 payable to PearsonVue. Be sure to download a copy of the Delaware Real Estate Candidate Handbook for detailed information about testing locations, what to bring to the exam, and more.

Man taking state real estate exam

IMPORTANT!

In Delaware, only 62% of the aspiring real estate agents pass the state exam on the first try.

We would highly recommend enrolling in an exam prep course.

04 | Select a Sponsoring Broker

In order to apply for your Delaware real estate license, you’ll need to select a broker. Keep reading below for tips on what to look for when picking the best real estate brokerage for newly licensed agents.

05 | Submit Licensing Application

This final step is simple! Once you’ve passed your state exam and selected a brokerage, you just have to apply for your license on the Delaware Professional Regulation Online Services (DELPROS) website. Just select the option to “Apply/Manage a License and Service Requests” to get started. The cost to apply is $140 and you’ll be able to check the approval status by visiting the DELPROS e-License dashboard.

Woman wondering how much is costs to get a real estate license.

Cost to Get a Real Estate License in Delaware

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

  • Pre-License Real Estate Course – $550 to $950
  • Exam Application Fee – $85
  • Salesperson License Application – $140
  • Background Check / Fingerprinting – $72
  • Exam prep courses or materials – $25 to $150 (optional)
** Total Cost to Get Licensed = $847 to $1,247

What many aspiring agents don’t always realize is that there are several other expenses to consider when becoming a real estate agent in Delaware. Whether you’re building a new business and opening a clothing boutique, coffee shop, or your new real estate business, keep in mind there are always going to be licensing and start-up costs involved.

One requirement that’s easy to overlook: within 90 days of your license being issued (starting from when you affiliate with a broker), you must complete 12 hours of New Salesperson coursework — four separate 3-hour modules covering professional standards, agreement of sale/buyer representation, real estate documents/seller representation, and professionalism. Skipping this puts your license at risk, so don’t treat it as optional.

Here are some of the most common ongoing expenses in Delaware:

  • 12-Hour New Salesperson Course (due within 90 days of licensure) – $150 to $300
  • Continuing Education (21 hours, due every 2-year renewal cycle by April 30 of even years) – $150 to $300
  • License Renewal Fee (every 2 years) – $140
  • National and Local Board of Realtors / Examples:
  • Bright MLS – about $120 quarterly, plus a $250 activation fee
  • SentriLock or Supra eKey to show homes – $100 to $325 (varies by association)
  • 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 Delaware = $1,472 to $2,472


WHAT EXPENSES TO EXPECT AS A NEW AGENT >


Group of people learning how to get their real estate license

Find the Top Online + In-Person Real Estate Schools

To get your real estate license, you’ll have to attend a school that’s approved by the Delaware Real Estate Commission. There are at least a dozen 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 in Delaware, you’ll want to compare pricing, but there are a few other things you will need to take into consideration. If the course is 100% online, do they offer any phone support if you have questions or need help with a particular subject? Do they highlight their “pass rate” on their website so you can see how many students pass the state exam on the first try? Do they offer any guarantees, study guides, or practice tests?


How to Select a Delaware Real Estate Broker

In Delaware, you must affiliate with a real estate brokerage in order actively help home buyers and sellers. This is often referred to as the “sponsoring broker” or “managing broker.” Aligning with the right brokerage firm can be key to your success when you are a newly licensed real estate agent.

Keep in mind that many brokerages are independently owned franchises while researching and meeting with them. So a RE/MAX or Keller Williams Realty office 10 minutes away could be very different from another. From franchise to franchise, the culture, training, support team, and even the fees and commission splits may differ.

We also recommend that you investigate virtual or cloud-based brokers. Several brokerages are ideal for newly licensed agents, particularly those who are initially starting out as part-time agents. As a part-time agent, you can often get broker help and support outside of regular business hours, and many classes and training sessions are recorded so you can learn when your schedule permits.

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

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?



Frequently Asked Questions


How difficult is the state real estate exam?

The average passing rate is only 62%, so that may give you a clue that this licensing exam is very challenging! The examination includes a total of 120 questions, 40 are state-specific and 80 are national. You’ll have four (4) hours to take the Delaware Real Estate Salesperson Exam and need a minimum score of 70% to pass.


What if I fail the Delaware real estate exam?

As you read above, only 62% pass on the first try, so it’s not uncommon to fail the exam on the first try. Delaware’s rule is actually based on attempt count, not a fixed time window: you get up to 3 attempts to pass both the National and State portions. If you don’t pass both within those 3 attempts, you’ll be required to retake the entire 99-hour pre-licensing course before you can test again.

There’s a separate deadline to keep in mind too: your course completion certificate expires 12 months after you finish the pre-licensing course, so you’ll need to submit your license application within that window — even if you technically still have exam attempts left.

Please note that if you do not pass the exam, they will provide you with a numeric score that categorizes sections for improvement. This is a big help for many, as you’ll know what areas you need to focus on when studying to retake the examination.


Where do I take the real estate exam? Is it in person?

Yes, you are required to take the state examination in person. PearsonVue testing center locations are in Dover and Newark as well as Philadelphia, Atlantic City, and several other locations that are within a 2 hour drive. See the Candidate Handbook for additional testing centers.


I’m licensed in another state. Does Delaware have reciprocity?

Good news! Delaware has reciprocity with all other states. This means that if you are already licensed in another state, you won’t have to take the Delaware pre-license course. You will still be required to pass the state portion of the Delaware licensing exam or meet certain experience requirements. You can click here to apply for reciprocity in Delaware.


Can I get a Delaware real estate license if I have a felony or misdemeanor?

Having a criminal record doesn’t automatically disqualify you, though Delaware is stricter than some states about certain offenses — past or pending charges specifically related to fraud or providing real estate services can affect your approval. Every applicant goes through a fingerprint-based background check via IdentoGO as part of the process. If you have concerns about your background, it’s worth contacting the Delaware Real Estate Commission directly before investing in the 99-hour course.


How much do real estate agents make in Delaware?

According to Indeed.com, the average Delaware real estate agent makes about $102,898 a year, which is in line with the national average. 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 — coastal areas like Rehoboth Beach and Lewes tend to command some of the state’s highest home prices.