Have you ever thought about how to become a real estate agent in North Dakota? The question only occurs to many people after they consider what a real estate agent does.
‘Why should you hire a real estate agent?’ Well, most people know real estate agents connect people looking to buy or rent property with potential opportunities by assisting with search, negotiation, and the legal complexities of the operation.
But have you ever wondered, ‘Why do I need a real estate agent? Should I become a real estate agent?
How do I become a real estate agent?’ You might have realized that it can be a very profitable business to get into.
But how do you become a real estate agent in the state of North Dakota? This guide provides an outline to answer that very question.
Earning a North Dakota Real Estate License
It may seem obvious, but the main qualification required to practice real estate in North Dakota is a North Dakota real estate license. The main obstacle to obtaining the license is education.
You must attend real estate school and finish the full educational program and its number of prescribed hours. So the answer to the question “Do you have to go to school to be a real estate agent?” is a definite yes, at least in North Dakota.
Real estate pre-license courses are basic courses that introduce you to the real estate profession. They have a minimum of 90 hours of coursework.
Courses address topics from property laws to ethics and professional behavior. Completion of these courses is at the top of the list when asked what you need to become a real estate agent.
The course requires a final exam and then the state does after that. Many people wonder, “Is being a real estate agent worth it?”
This usually is asked in a financial sense, and the answer is almost usually yes.
The real estate industry offers tremendous returns on educational investment.2 It is known for making millionaires.1
Core Standards for Real Estate License Eligibility
Some of the first items to check are age and basic educational criteria. To be eligible, you must be at least 18 years old.
Many people question whether they can work in real estate while still in college. Yes, in fact pursuing a North Dakota real estate license throughout your college years might be a smart choice if you match the age minimum and can balance real estate education with college.
The state requires a 90-hour pre-license training which may seem like a lot, but compared to the average college degree it can be a much better investment!
North Dakota’s Real Estate Background Verification Conditions are applied to each application. This involves fingerprinting, which prompts many people to wonder, “Where can I get my fingerprints done for real estate?”
To help with this procedure, the state publishes a list of authorized fingerprinting sites. They can also mail you a fingerprinting kit.
These first became popular after 2020 when COVID-19 pushed many operations to remote status. Fingerprinting is used primarily to check your criminal history.
This is something to consider, as certain felonies could disqualify you from obtaining your real estate license.
Age and Primary Educational Conditions
Age is one of the most basic key conditions. You must be at least 18 years old.
This means that it is a potential career path from an extremely young age, with some prospects getting real estate licenses right out of high school. A common question might be, do you need a high school diploma to get a real estate license?
It varies from state to state. Currently, the state of North Dakota does not require a high school degree for a real estate license.
Education is another critical prerequisite. “Do you have to go to school to be a real estate agent?”
The answer is yes. As mentioned, the educational process starts with a real estate school that provides the required pre-licensing courses designed to offer a general knowledge of the real estate landscape.
If you’re wondering, how long does it take to become a real estate agent?
The answer is that it relies mainly on the amount of hours you can devote to your specific course. Each course will have its own exam, and everyone is required to take the State Exam.
Essential Education Hours for Licensing
First and foremost, the state requires a rigorous 90-hour pre-licensing course. The hours are methodically organized to cover every aspect of the real estate industry.
After completion of the course, although you will not have hands-on experience, you should have an excellent general knowledge of the field. If you are wondering ‘How hard is it to get a real estate agent license?’ or ‘What does it take to be a real estate agent?’
The main answer is found in the difficulty of this course. The exact difficulty depends on many factors.
One of them is the course provider. Here are some Pre-Licensing Course Providers or schools for real estate licenses in North Dakota:
| Providers | Contacts |
| Cooke Real Estate School | 800.943.9993 |
| Academy of Real Estate Professionals | 701.409.4700 |
| North Dakota School of Real Estate | 701.446.8150 |
| The CE Shop | 888.827.0777 |
| University of North Dakota (UND) | 701.777.0488 |
Which one you should choose generally depends on individual learning preferences. In particular these days there is a strong division between in-person and online.
It is recommended to reach out to the schools in advance to make sure you are a good fit for their program. One of the biggest determinants will be whether you prefer to complete the coursework in person or online.
Fee Structure for Pre-Licensing Real Estate Education
The pre-licensing course has an associated fee which depends on the institution or platform used. It can be a couple of hundred dollars.
After the course, a test is required which comes with another fee. Other expenses to consider, apart from the basic charges, are background checks, fingerprints,3 and application processing.
In general, the fees associated with a real estate license are considered much less than those of other high-paying professions. An estimated total for the coursework would be around $700, and for all other elements of the application process, around $300.
Real Estate Background Verification Conditions (Fingerprinting Locations)
As mentioned, to become a real estate agent in North Dakota, a background check is required. Fingerprinting is part of this procedure.
North Dakota maintains a list of authorized fingerprinting sites around the state, ensuring that all candidates have access to them. You can also apply by mail with your application.
When you mail the North Dakota Real Estate office a Salesperson License Application, Criminal History Record Check Request (SFN 60688), and the $158 fee, they will mail you a fingerprinting kit. You can complete this yourself, and mail them back your fingerprints and a money order for around $40.
Using this they will complete the background check process. They may reach out to you for further communication during this time.
References
1North Dakota Office of State Tax Commissioner. (2022). “Assessor Training” ND Tax North Dakota. Retrieved November 2, 2023, from <https://www.tax.nd.gov/local-government/resources-assessors/assessor-training>
2U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2023, November 8). Industries at a Glance Search Industries at a Glance. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved November 10, 2023, from <https://www.bls.gov/iag/tgs/iag531.htm>
3West Fargo Police Department. (2022, June 1). Fingerprinting. West Fargo, ND. Retrieved November 10, 2023, from <https://www.westfargond.gov/189/Fingerprinting>
4Screenshot of Criminal History Record Check Request form by the Bureau of Criminal Investigation. (2024). Office of Attorney General. Retrieved April 16, 2024, from <https://www.realestatend.org/image/cache/Criminal-History-Record-Check-Request.pdf>