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

Thinking about getting your Indiana real estate license?

Thankfully, getting your license is fairly simple in Indiana compared to many other states. You just have to complete 90 hours of pre-licensing education approved by the Indiana Real Estate Commission, pass the licensing exam, find a sponsoring brokerage, and submit your license application. We’re here to guide you through the step-by-step process of how to become a real estate agent in Indiana…

4 Simple Steps to Get a Real Estate License in Indiana

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

Costs: How Much Does It Cost to Get a Real Estate License in Indiana?

Classes: Find the Top Real Estate Schools

Choosing a Broker: How to Select the Best Brokerage

FAQs: Answers to Your Burning Questions

Sell luxury homes like this when you become a real estate agent in Indiana

4 Steps to Get a Real Estate License in Indiana

The Indiana Real Estate Commission requires that you must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or equivalent, and be lawfully present and able to work in the US in order to become a licensed real estate processional. If you meet the basic requirements, you’ll just have to complete the following steps:

01 | Complete the 90-Hour Real Estate Pre-License Course

The 90-hour Real Estate Pre-Licensing course in Indiana covers everything from Indiana real estate law to real estate contracts, mortgages/financing, agency, property management and more. You can take the course online, in-person or some schools also offer virtual or zoom-style classes.

Once you complete the 90 hours, you have to take an exam that’s given by your real estate school. If you pass with a minimum score of 75%, they will issue your official School Certificate of Completion, which you’ll need when it is time to apply for your Indiana real estate license.

FYI: After completing the pre-licensing course, you have one year to take and pass the state exam.

02 | Pass the Indiana Real Estate Exam

The Indiana real estate exam consists of 125 multiple-choice questions and you’ll have four (4) hours to complete the test. As of March 2025, Pearson VUE administers the licensing examination (replacing the previous provider, PSI), and testing is in-person only at an official Pearson VUE test center — remote or online proctoring is not currently available for this exam. Learn more and schedule your exam with Pearson VUE.

To pass the exam, you’ll need a minimum score of 75%. The average pass rate in Indiana is not published, but several unofficial online resources state that it is between 59% and 64%. We would highly recommend signing up for an exam prep course to make sure you are fully prepared and ready to ace the exam on the first try.

For more information on scheduling your exam, testing locations, and FAQs, please download the Pearson VUE Indiana Real Estate Candidate Handbook.

03 | Select a Sponsoring Broker

In order to activate your license, you’ll need to select a real estate brokerage. This is an important decision, so please keep reading below for tips on what to look for and what questions to ask when selecting the best brokerage firm for newly licensed agents.

04 | Submit Licensing Application

This final step is simple! Once you’ve passed your state exam and selected a brokerage, you just have to submit your application to the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA) within one year of passing the state exam. You can start your online application here, but before you do, make sure you have the following documents handy to submit with your application:

Course Completion Certificate: The real estate school will provide you with a copy after completing the 90 hour course and passing the school exam.
State Exam Score Report: Confirmation that you passed the Indiana licensing examination.
Brokerage Info: Your new broker will provide you with the company details and license number so you can add to the application.
Background Documentation: If you answered YES to having a criminal history, you will be required to fully explain and provide all documentation, including court records, if applicable.
Application fee: The cost to submit your application is $60. They offer several methods to submit payment in the application instructions.

FYI: It typically takes 2 to 5 business days for the IPLA to review and approve your application. Once approved, you have officially become a real estate agent in Indiana!

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

The time it takes to get your license will vary from person-to-person. The most time-consuming part of the process will be completing the 90 hours of pre-licensing education. Scheduling your state exam and the approval of your licensing application may take some time as well. Just to level set your expectations, the Indiana real estate licensing process averages about 3 to 4 months.

The good news is we have a few suggestions to expedite things:

First, enroll in an online course (vs a classroom style), so you’ll be able to learn at your own pace and get your hours in quickly.
Take an exam prep course to ensure that you pass the exam on the first attempt.
Start 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.

If you get through your pre-licensing course in a few weeks and pass the state exam on the first try, it’s definitely possible to become a real estate agent in Indiana in less than seven (7) weeks!

Aspiring real estate agent calculating costs to get licensed

How Much Does It Cost to Get a Real Estate License in Indiana?

There are several fees involved when working to become a real estate agent in Indiana:

Pre-License Real Estate Course – $290 to $750
Exam Application Fee – $55 (for each attempt)
Salesperson License Application – $60
Background Check / Fingerprinting – $38.20
Exam prep courses, practice tests and/or study materials – $35 to $170 (optional)

** Total Cost to Get Licensed = $452 to $1,042

More Costs to Expect as a New Agent

There’s MORE? Sorry but yes, there are several other expenses to consider when you become a real estate agent in Indiana. Keep in mind that you are officially opening your own business, so there are always going to be licensing and other start-up costs involved.

Expense	Estimated cost
Post-license education	Approximately $100–$250
State license renewal	$60 every three years
Local, state, and national REALTOR® associations	Costs vary by location and organization. See examples below.
Multiple Listing Service (MLS)	Approximately $150–$175 per quarter
Supra eKEY or SentriLock access	Approximately $100–$150 per year
Brokerage joining fee	Typically $0–$700, with approximately $250 being common
Monthly brokerage fees	Approximately $30–$350 per month
Business cards and signage	Varies based on the brokerage and the materials purchased
Marketing and advertising	Varies based on how the agent chooses to promote their business

Examples of Indiana REALTOR® Association Dues

Association	Estimated dues
MIBOR REALTOR® Association (Indianapolis area)	Approximately $1,070, plus a $400 application fee
South Bend Area REALTORS®	Approximately $1,379
Upstate Alliance of REALTORS® (Fort Wayne area)	Approximately $934, plus a $150 joining fee
Southwest Indiana Association of REALTORS®	Contact the association for current membership options and pricing
North Central Indiana Association of REALTORS®	Approximately $379, plus a $210 application fee

The exact amount you’ll need to budget will depend heavily on your brokerage, local REALTOR® association, and MLS. Be sure to ask prospective brokerages which memberships and technology fees are required before deciding where to place your license.

** Est. Total Cost to Become a Real Estate Agent in Indiana = $2,100 to $3,040

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 Indiana Real Estate Commission. Most of the real estate courses are offered online, but there are a few that offer a classroom or virtual style setting. Please note that some of the school links below are affiliate links. If you enroll through one of these links, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

Here are a few of the most popular:

Colibri Real Estate – online
Kaplan Real Estate Education – online with instructor support
RealEstateU – budget-friendly online option
The CE Shop – online
Indiana Real Estate Institute – in person, virtual and online options
Wohrle Real Estate School

To find the course that works best for your life, budget and learning style, check this out next:

SCHOOL COMPARISON GUIDE >

PRO TIP: When shopping for the best online real estate schools in Indiana, 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? Here are a few more tips on what you should look for in a course.

How to Select an Indiana Real Estate Broker

In Indiana, you have to affiliate with a real estate brokerage in order to assist clients with buying and selling property. 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.

When researching and meeting with different brokers, keep in mind that many are independently-owned franchises. So one Berkshire Hathaway or Keller Williams Realty office could be completely different from another that’s just 10 minutes away. The culture, training, support team, and even the fees and commission splits can vary from franchise to franchise.

In addition to checking out local brokers, we also highly recommend looking into virtual or cloud-based brokerages. Several are perfect for new agents, especially those that are starting as part-time agents because they are typically open 12+ hours a day and offer the option to attend classes from your phone or watch recorded classes when it is convenient with your schedule.

Must Read: 20 IMPORTANT QUESTIONS TO ASK POTENTIAL BROKERS

PRO TIP: Don’t worry about commission splits, focus on SUPPORT.

While many freshly licensed Indiana brokers aim for the best commission splits when selecting a brokerage, we strongly advise you to put commissions as #2 or #3 on your priority list. The most crucial factor to consider when choosing a firm is how well they help newly licensed real estate agents. Is there a structured training program in place? Is it possible to reach the broker or support team outside of regular business hours? Do they have mentors, and if so, what will they do to help you get your business up and running?

woman asking questions about getting her real estate license in Indiana

Indiana Real Estate License: Frequently Asked Questions

How difficult is the real estate exam?

If you ask a dozen real estate agents or brokers, most would describe the real estate licensing exam as “not easy.” The Indiana Broker exam consists of 125 questions — 75 national questions and 50 questions that are state-specific. All are multiple choice, and you’ll have 4 hours to complete both portions of the exam. To pass, you’ll need a score of at least 75%.

What if I fail the Indiana real estate exam?

It’s not uncommon for people not to pass the exam on the first try, so don’t be too hard on yourself! There is no set limit on the number of times that you can retake the Indiana real estate exam. However, if you do not pass both parts of the exam (national + stage) within 1 year from the first attempt, you must resubmit a new license application. Pearson VUE charges $55 for each attempt to pass the real estate exam.

How do I become a real estate broker in Indiana?

In most states, there are real estate agents and real estate brokers. In Indiana, all licensed real estate professionals are referred to as real estate brokers. If you would like to manage your own office or open a brokerage, you’ll need to upgrade your license to “managing broker.” To do this Indiana only requires that you have held your real estate license for at least three years and then successfully complete a 24-hour Managing Broker Course.

Why is the entry-level real estate license in Indiana called a “Broker” license?

Indiana eliminated the traditional “Salesperson” license back in 2014. In Indiana, your very first license is an entry-level Broker license. However, until you accumulate 2 years of experience and earn a “Managing Broker” designation, you must work under the supervision of an active Managing Broker who holds and oversees your license.

How long do I have to activate my license after passing the state exam?

You have one full year (365 days) from the date you pass your state licensing exam to secure a Managing Broker, submit your application to the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA), and activate your license. If you miss the one-year window, your exam scores expire, and you must retake the test.

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

Considering moving to Indiana? Or want to help clients in other states? Indiana no longer has reciprocity agreements with any specific state, but you may qualify for reciprocity if your current state has licensing requirements that are very similar to those in the state of Indiana.

If the real estate commission approved you for reciprocity, you will just have to take the Indiana state law portion of the broker licensing exam. If you aren’t approved, you’ll have to go through the full 90 hour course and pass both sections of the examination.

FYI: Previously, Indiana had reciprocity agreements with Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Wisconsin. Now each agent needs to go through an approval process, based on the state and level of experience.

Can you do real estate part time in Indiana?

Yes. Indiana law allows part-time real estate work, provided your Managing Broker agrees to supervise you. Part-time agents should keep two main factors in mind:
– Fixed Overhead Costs: Fixed costs—including MLS dues (like MIBOR or Indiana Regional MLS), IPLA fees, and local Realtor board dues—run $1,500 to $2,500 annually, regardless of your sales volume.
– Brokerage Alignment: Choose low-fee or cloud-based brokerages (like eXp, Fathom, or local independent offices) that don’t charge high monthly desk fees, making it easier to break even on 1 to 2 deals a year.

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

Administered by Pearson VUE, the exam consists of 125 scored questions across two sections. You must earn a scaled score of at least 75 on both sections independently: National Section: 75 questions (150-minute time limit) and Indiana State Section: 50 questions (90-minute time limit)

If you pass one portion but fail the other, you only need to retake and pay for the section you failed.

What is the 30-hour Post-Licensing requirement for new Indiana brokers?

Within your first two years of holding a license, Indiana requires all new Brokers to complete 30 hours of Post-Licensing Education. This course replaces standard continuing education (CE) for your first licensing cycle and covers practical topics like transaction procedures, financing, negotiation, and construction basics.

What are the ongoing continuing education requirements after my first renewal?

Once you’re past your first 2-year post-licensing cycle, Indiana requires 12 hours of CE every year (July 1 to June 30), which adds up to 36 hours across each 3-year renewal cycle. Managing Brokers must include 4 of those 12 annual hours as Managing Broker-specific coursework.

Are there any free practice tests I can take?

Most Indiana-approved pre-licensing courses include practice exams as part of the coursework. Pearson VUE also sells an official $19.95 practice test covering the general portion of the exam (state-specific practice tests aren’t available directly from Pearson VUE). For additional free practice questions, check YouTube for study walkthroughs, or ask your course provider whether sample questions are available before purchasing standalone exam prep.

What are some tricks to pass the Indiana real estate exam?

Take as many practice exams as you can, since repetition is what turns recognition into recall. Since you need to pass the national and state sections independently, don’t let a strong national score lull you into skimping on the 50-question state section. Pearson VUE gives you a topic-by-topic breakdown on your score report if you don’t pass, so if you need a retake, focus your review on whichever category you scored lowest in rather than restudying everything from scratch.

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

Having a criminal record doesn’t automatically disqualify you, but you will need to fully disclose it on your license application, including court records if applicable. The Indiana Professional Licensing Agency reviews these on a case-by-case basis, weighing factors like the nature of the offense and how much time has passed. If you’re concerned about your background, it’s worth reaching out to the IPLA directly before investing in the 90-hour course.