How to Obtain a Real Estate License in Indiana

In the State of Indiana, exams, licensing, and continuing education for real estate agents are governed by the Real Estate Commission, www.in.gov/pla/bandc/estate/.

There are two basic real estate licenses in Indiana, a broker's license and a salesperson's license. Generally, a salesperson's license allows the holder to sell real estate only under the auspices of a licensed broker. (Salesperson's licenses are generally what people refer to when they say they have a real estate license.)

To obtain the salesperson's license, a person must be at least 18 years of age and a resident of the United States. The initial questionnaire also asks whether a person, either directly or through a corporation or other entity, has ever had a professional or business license suspended or revoked, and whether they have ever been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony. Answering "yes" to any of the questions pertaining to personal conduct may either require additional documentation or can be grounds for rejection of an application.

Other requirements include taking three college-level courses by an accredited school, Real Estate Principles, Real Estate Practice, and electives totaling over 54 hours of classroom work from a state-approved school (available online). Indiana has reciprocal agreements with 15 other states, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Wisconsin. Anyone holding licenses from these states may apply for a reciprocal license, and may be able to forego some classroom work and other requirements.

Once the coursework is completed, applicants must take and pass an exam. Upon passing the exam, applicants have one year to apply for a real estate license by submitting an official application and the required proof of passing the exam and doing related coursework.