Real estate is a booming business in America. With millions of dollars worth of property being bought and sold every day, real estate is definitely a popular commodity. To deal in real estate, a person needs to acquire a real estate license. This could be considered a passport to a lucrative career in real estate.

The process of acquiring a real estate license is simple. There are a few eligibility criteria to be observed. Any applicant must be at least 18 years of age when applying for a real estate license. The applicant should not have had a real estate license denied within one year, or revoked within two years from the date of application. More importantly, if the applicant was originally licensed more than ten years ago, he may not be able to use his prior pre-licensure education unless he has worked in a related field. All new salesperson licensees must also take a six-hour continuing education course in contract law and contract writing before they activate their licenses. It is essential to verify that the applicant is honest, truthful, of good character and competent. Information and documentation relating to the applicant's background must be provided on an application. Additionally, all new salesperson licensees must have at least three years of experience as a salesperson or broker during the five years immediately preceding application for a broker's license.

There are various institutes and online education portals that help in guiding the applicant through the application process. They also provide adequate tutoring to enable applicants to prepare sufficiently for the examinations. There are fees required to take both the salesperson's and broker's exams. On passing the exam, the candidate may have to pay between $100 and $200 for the license.

Once the license is received, a person is fully eligible to practice in real estate as an authorized real estate broker.