Do you dream of selling luxurious single-family homes in Indianapolis? Or maybe you want to sell country club properties in Carmel? Since you’ve managed to find your way here, you must be thinking about getting your real estate license in Indiana. Assuming that’s the case, you’ve come to the right place! There’s never been a better time to get into the real estate industry, and the state of Indiana is being watched closely by real estate investors looking to establish roots there right now. 

If you’re anything like me, you’re looking for a career with no ceiling that allows you to be your own boss. That can all become a reality once you’ve learned how to get your real estate license in Indiana. So first, let’s get started with the list of basic requirements you’ll need to fulfill to get your real estate salesperson license in the Hoosier state.

1. Fulfill the pre-qualifications. 
2. Complete your pre-license course. 
3. Pass your education course exams. 
4. Pass the Indiana real estate exam. 
5. Choose a sponsoring broker to activate your license. 
6. Submit your real estate broker license application. 
7. Fulfill your continuing education requirements. 

Let’s take a deeper dive into each of these steps. 

 1. Meet all the pre-qualifications. 

Before you’ll be eligible to start on your coursework, the Indiana Real Estate Commission (REC) and Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA) require you to meet a few qualifications. For starters, all applicants must be at least 18 years of age and hold high school diploma or GED. 

As part of the application process, you’ll need to submit a criminal background check. If you answer “yes” to any criminal history or disciplinary action questions on your application, you’ll need to provide detailed information on each violation. Having misdemeanor convictions or felony convictions on your record doesn’t necessarily bar you from getting your real estate license, however. The IPLA and REC reserve the right to determine what crimes may affect your ability to practice real estate. 

2. Complete your required coursework. 

Once you’ve passed the prerequisites, the real first step is to start on your real estate education. First, you’ll need to complete 90 hours of coursework through an approved education provider, such as a real estate school or local community college. This 90-hour Broker Pre-Licensing Course covers general real estate practices as well as Indiana-specific real estate laws. You may take these courses in person or online.

Please note that passing your initial coursework does not ensure that you’ll pass the real estate license exam. It’s highly recommended that you study the mathematical concepts introduced in your course as much as possible since this is the area where most students tend to struggle. 

3. Pass your education course exams. 

The next step to complete your license education is to pass your course exams. Instead of having one final exam at the end of your pre-licensing course, like most states, the Indiana Broker Pre-Licensing Course has three exams spread throughout the course. Each of these consists of 100 multiple-choice questions, and you’ll need a minimum passing grade of 75% to get credit for each one. Assuming you pass all the exams, you’ll receive your certificate of completion for your course. Make sure to hold onto this to be eligible for the state exam and to complete your license application later. 

4. Pass the Indiana licensing exam.  

Once you’ve completed your required education, you’ll need to register to take the Indiana real estate licensing exam. You can schedule your exam with PSI Services Online, and you’ll also need to cover the $53 exam fee at this time. You can take the exam in person at the nearest PSI testing center, or you can schedule an online exam with a proctor. On your exam date, you’ll need to provide two forms of identification. Both IDs must have your signature, and at least one must be a photo ID. Appointments must be made at least 24 hours in advance. 

The broker’s exam is divided into two sections. One is a national portion, and the other is a state-specific portion. The national portion of the exam is comprised of 75 multiple-choice questions, and you’ll have 150 minutes to complete it. The state exam portion is comprised of 50 multiple-choice questions, and you’ll have 90 minutes to complete it. You’ll need to earn a passing score of 60 on the national portion and 38 on the state portion. 

You’ll receive your exam results in the form of “pass” or “fail”. If you pass, you’ll receive your score report and written instructions on how to complete your real estate license application. If you don’t pass, you’ll receive a diagnostic report to help you prepare better for your next attempt. You’ll need to cover the exam fee again for each additional attempt.

For more information on the real estate exam, please see the PSI Candidate Information Bulletin.  

5. Select your sponsoring broker. 

You’re getting close now! But before you are to receive your real estate license, you’ll need to be associated with an active sponsoring broker in Indiana. This is because new real estate salespeople and brokers are not authorized to complete real estate transactions on their own. A sponsoring broker, however, can oversee a new broker or salesperson in real estate activities. 

Even if the state didn’t require you to find a real estate broker to work with, it’s an extremely good idea to do so. Not joining a team was one of the biggest mistakes I made early in my real estate career. So if there’s one important piece of advice I can give you, it’s to make sure the brokerage you select is a good fit for your needs.

To determine the best fit brokerage for you, start with the reputation of each different broker you’re considering. Do they seem to be on solid ground in your state? Do they offer training programs and continuing education options? How much room do you have to grow with them? You should also see what kind of technology or other advantages they offer. A multiple listing service (MLS), for example, is a great sign! Finally, be sure to look into their real estate commission package. The compensation in this business is likely different from anything you’ve seen before. Ask about desk fees, too.

6. Submit your real estate broker license application. 

Now that you’ve fulfilled your licensing requirements, there’s just one more step to becoming a licensee. You’ll need to complete your real estate application form and submit it with all the required documents. You may mail a paper application to IPLA’s office location, or you can submit it online through Indiana Licensing Expertise.  

You’ll need to cover the $60 application fee. And assuming you want to receive an active license, you’ll need to provide your sponsoring broker’s company information. If you don’t provide this information, you’ll receive a license with inactive status. If your application is in order, you’ll receive your initial license document in the mail. Congratulations on becoming a new licensee! 

7. Complete any additional education requirements. 

All agents and brokers must complete a 30-hour post-licensing course within two years of receiving their initial license. After this two-year period, you’ll begin a three-year cycle where you’ll need to complete an additional 12 hours of post-licensing education each year.  

One thing to note is that getting your first Indiana real estate license doesn’t automatically make you an Indiana Realtor. This is because “Realtor” is a copyrighted term owned by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) who have their own requirements for entry. Each member of NAR is also bound by specific ethical standards.  

FAQs

Does Indiana have license reciprocity with any other states? 

No, Indiana doesn’t have traditional reciprocity agreements with any state. You may still be able to expedite the licensing process or get an education waiver, however, if you’re a licensed attorney or have work experience or an educational background similar to what Indiana requires. Contact the Indiana Real Estate Commission for more information. 

 How much time does it take to earn your real estate license? 

This really depends more on you than anything else. How long do you want it to take? Students who treat their license coursework like a job can complete it in about three weeks. After that, passing your license exam and finding a sponsoring broker may take a few weeks, but most students complete the entire process in a few months. The only thing I can tell your for certain is that the best time to get started on your pre-licensing course requirements is RIGHT NOW. Only you can control how quickly you get started. 

Is there anything aspiring real estate professionals can do to gain an advantage? 

Absolutely! I’ve actually created the training program that I wish I had when I first started working toward my real estate license. With the Sell It Like Serhant: Pre-Licensing Accelerator course, you’re getting a full state-approved licensing education combined with the sales system that my team and I use at my top New York brokerage. This is the only pre-licensing program where you’ll get the 90 hours of coursework AND exam preparation you need while simultaneously learning what it takes to sell in the most competitive markets in the U.S.! 

This course package comes with support from state-approved expert instructors, ebooks on everything you’ll need to succeed in your courses, and my own “Quick Start Guide” that I’ve loaded with the latest information and tips you’ll need to pass the state exam.  You’ll also get exam prep materials and access to my Sell It Like Serhant: Real Estate Core video course. We’re actually so confident that you can pass your real estate exam on your first attempt that Indiana students even get our Pass or Don’t Pay guarantee. If you don’t pass your state exam on your first try, we’ll refund you! 

Real estate sales is one of the best careers in the world. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t. You already have what you need to earn your license and become a great salesperson inside you. Let us help you unlock that potential and start building a successful real estate career today! 

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