How long does it take to become a realtor?​

A realtor and a real estate agent are not the same thing. If you search online for “how long does it take to become a realtor,” you’ll get confusing answers because most people use the two words as if they mean the same job. But they don’t. One is a licensed profession, the other is a paid membership. And confusing them will give you the wrong timeline.

Here’s the short version: You must become a real estate agent first. That takes anywhere from 2 to 8 months. Then, if you choose to, you become a Realtor. That takes an extra day to a month. So when someone asks “how long to become a Realtor,” the real answer is “it depends on how fast you become an agent first”.

Real Estate Agent vs. Realtor: What’s the Difference?

A real estate agent is a profession. It’s someone who has a state license to help people buy, sell, or rent property. To get that license, you take the required courses, pass an exam, and find a broker to work with.

A Realtor is a membership. A Realtor is first a licensed real estate agent, then they decide to join the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the largest trade association in the U.S. for real estate professionals. When an agent joins NAR, they commit to following a stricter Code of Ethics than what state law requires.

In simpler words:

All Realtors are real estate agents, but not all real estate agents are Realtors.

Requirements to become a realtor if you are a real estate agent

An agent becomes a Realtor the moment they pay their membership dues to their local Realtor association. There is no additional exam or long course to get the title. According to NAR, you just need:

• An active and valid real estate agent license
• No official sanctions for unethical conduct
• To join your local Realtor association (which automatically signs you up for state and NAR membership)
• To complete the Code of Ethics training (2.5 hours)
• To pay annual dues. In 2026, NAR’s national dues are $156 plus a $45 consumer advertising campaign special assessment. The total annual cost (national + state + local) is usually between $600 and $1200, depending on where you live.

The NAR Code of Ethics is stricter than the basic rules any agent must follow. For example, a regular agent only has a fiduciary duty to act in their client’s best interest. A Realtor also has specific rules about how to treat other agents, how to advertise properties, and how to handle conflicts of interest.

There is no additional exam to become a Realtor. You just pay and sign a commitment to follow the Code of Ethics.

If you are not a real estate agent, you’ll need to become one first.

Requirements to become a real estate agent

If you are not a real estate agent yet, here’s what it takes:

• Minimum age: 18 or 19, depending on the state
• Complete the pre-licensing hours (60 to 180 hours)
• Pass the state exam (which includes a national section and a state section)
• Pass a background check and fingerprinting
• No college degree required. Just a high school diploma or GED.

Also, to keep your license active, most states require continuing education courses every 2 to 4 years. You can find more info in the following articles:
How to become a real estate agent with no experience
What education is required to be a real estate agent

How long does it take to become a realtor if you don’t have a real estate license?

In this case, the timeline depends mainly on how long it takes you to become a real estate agent first, which can be a lengthy process depending on your circumstances. Let’s look at each element separately.

Getting a Real Estate Agent License

To become an agent, you need to meet your state’s requirements. Even though each state is different, the steps are always the same.

• Pre-licensing courses: 60 to 180 hours
  • Full-time: 2 to 4 weeks
  • Part-time: 3 to 6 months
• Schedule the exam: 1 week to 1 month wait
• Study for the exam: 1 week to 3 months
• Submit your license application: 1 day to 2 weeks (paperwork preparation)
• State approves your license: 1 week (Florida) to 6 weeks (California)
• State processes your license: 1 week (Florida) to 6 weeks (California)

Total: 2 months (best case) to 8 months (part-time or retakes)

Are you considering becoming a real estate agent? Then you should check our Exam Prep.

Becoming a Realtor 

Once you are a licensed real estate agent, the process to become a Realtor is very short. Here are the steps:

• Choose your local association. Depending on where you live, there may be several. Some associations process your membership in 24 hours. Others take up to 4 weeks.
• Complete the Code of Ethics training. It’s 2.5 hours online. You can do it in one afternoon.
• Pay the dues.

Total: 1 day to 1 month, depending on your local association.

The processing time of your local association is the most variable factor. Large cities often have the process digitalized and automated, so it is considerably quicker. But some rural areas still process manually, which takes more time.

If you add both steps, the full range is 2 months (best case) to 9 months (if you study part-time and your local association is slow). Most people fall in the 4 to 6 month range.

Factors That Affect Your Timeline

The timeline is not the same for everyone. These are the factors that make the biggest difference.

• The state where you get licensed. Texas requires 180 pre-licensing hours. California requires 135 hours. Colorado requires 168 hours. But states like Florida let you take the exam with just 63 hours. 
• Full-time vs. part-time study. Someone who studies 40 hours a week can finish the courses in 2 weeks. Someone who studies 5 hours on Saturdays will take 6 months just for the courses.
• How many exam attempts are needed? Some people pass on the first try. Others need 2 or 3 attempts. Since each attempt requires scheduling a new appointment (and sometimes waiting weeks), this can add 1 to 3 months to the process.
• How fast does the local association process memberships? This factor only applies to becoming a Realtor. Some associations process memberships in 24 hours. Others take 4 weeks. Ask before you join if speed matters to you.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Let’s address some questions you might still have.

Do I need a college degree to become an agent or a Realtor?

No. For neither one. You only need to have finished high school or have a GED.

Can I call myself a Realtor as soon as I get my license?

No. You can only call yourself a Realtor after you join NAR and pay your dues. Having an agent license does not give you the right to use the Realtor brand.

How much does it cost to become a real estate agent or a realtor?

Becoming a real estate agent costs between $200 and $600 for courses, plus about $100 to $300 for the exam and license application. Becoming a Realtor costs an additional $600 to $1200 per year in dues. That is a recurring expense, not a one-time fee.

Can I take courses online?

Yes. Most states accept online courses from approved providers.

When can I start working with clients?

You can start working as soon as your agent license is active and you have a sponsoring broker. You do not need to be a Realtor to help buyers and sellers. Realtor membership does not give you additional permission to work. It only gives you access to certain resources and the Code of Ethics.

Is it worth becoming a Realtor?

It depends on you. If you want access to the MLS (Multiple Listing Service) in many markets, you need to be a Realtor because the MLS is operated by the local association. Also, if you want clients to see that “Realtor” seal as a sign of professionalism. The membership does not make you a better agent; it only makes you an agent with an extra membership.

Summing up

The short answer to “how long to become a Realtor” is 2 to 9 months. But that number is misleading because most of that time you will spend becoming a real estate agent, not a Realtor. Getting the real estate agent license could take you 2 to 8 months. On the other hand, becoming a realtor is only one day to one month extra.

The logical path is:

• Focus on getting your agent license. 
• Once you have it, decide if you want to pay for a Realtor membership. 

You do not need to decide on day one. You can be an agent for a year, see how it goes, and then join NAR if you think it is worth it. Or you can join immediately if in your local market, the MLS and NAR tools are essential from the first day.

First, become an agent, then a realtor (if it makes sense for you).