How To Become a Real Estate Agent in Oklahoma

The Oklahoma real estate industry is booming. Thanks to tax breaks, an upswing in the real estate industry blossomed in 2017.

These benefits made buying a home affordable for most people.⁵ In fact, there was a 17.5% increase in new sales.

As the industry thrives, the need for licensed real estate agents in the region has also skyrocketed. Real estate jobs are many in OK, and becoming a real estate agent in this state is a perfect career move.

Read on to explore the key steps to acquiring a real estate license in Oklahoma and how much you can make in this profession.

Getting a Real Estate License in Oklahoma

How hard is it to get a real estate license in OK?

Well, getting a license as a real estate agent in Oklahoma is straightforward. You only need to follow these steps:

1. Apply and complete the Pre-licensing Course.
2. Pass a background check.
3. Pass the Licensing Exam.
4. Submit your license application.
5. Get a sponsoring broker.

Must Haves For Becoming a Real Estate Agent in Oklahoma

What does it take to be a real estate agent in Oklahoma?

Simple, a real estate agent license. However, to qualify for a real estate license in Oklahoma, you must meet the following requirements:

• Be over 18 years
• Be a US citizen or lawfully allowed alien and prove your citizenship with a valid passport, birth certificate, or permanent resident card (green card).
• Have good morals and be determined. Applicants with criminal records may be denied.

Like most other states, you do not need a real estate degree to apply. A high school diploma is all you need.

Obtaining a real estate license is the major step to becoming a real estate agent in Oklahoma. According to OREC (Oklahoma Real Estate Commission),¹ the license can be for:

• Provisional Sales Associate: If you are completely new in the industry, this is the type of license to opt for. This entry-level license suits you if you have no prior experience and have not held any active real estate license in the last five years.
• Sales Associate: This license is ideal if you have or, in the recent past, not past five years, held an active real estate license in another state.
• Broker Associate: Select this license if you currently hold or have held an active broker or broker associate in the past five years in another state.
• Branch Broker: Pick this type of license if you have another state’s broker license or have held it in the past 5 years. This license helps you manage a legal business entity or a branch office.
• Broker: Opt for this license type if you have held, in the past five years, a broker license in another state or currently have one. This license lets you be a corporation, proprietorship, or LLC/association.

Minimum Age and Fundamental Education Prerequisites

Before applying for the OK real estate license, you must be of legal age

Like most other states, the legal age in OK is 18 years and over. If you are below that age, you cannot apply for the Oklahoma real estate license course.

In essence, you must pursue a pre-licensing course and pass the Oklahoma state exam test. After that, you must maintain a valid license.

In Oklahoma, you need to renew your license after 3 years. The renewal cost of an active sales license is $165.

To renew a broker’s license, you pay $225. On the other hand, the cost of renewing a suspended or inactive license is $90 for sales and $140 for brokers.

This requires 21 hours of continuing education after every 3 years, approved by OREC. The education covers real estate industry topics, including contracts, fair housing, ethics, and agency.

The essence of these continuing education requirements is to ensure that you remain up to date with the industry changes and state regulations. Also, it helps uphold professionalism in the industry.²

Failure to adhere to these requirements can result in suspension or revocation of your license.

You can adopt an online course, live class, or join a professional organization to fulfill those continuing educational requirements. Join professional bodies by finding state, local, or National Associations of REALTORS®.³

Prescribed Pre-License Course Duration

The pre-licensing course, which helps you qualify as a real estate agent in Oklahoma, takes 90 hours.

The duration to complete this course varies from person to person. Some can take as little as three weeks, whereas others take up to 6 months.

The duration may also vary due to the background check requirement.

You must pass a background check before you are approved as an applicant. This check takes around 60 days or more.

After you complete your course, you have to do a licensing exam. You are given up to 3 years to pass the Oklahoma state exam.

Charges for Real Estate School Pre-Licensing

The cost of the pre-licensing course tuition varies from school to school. However, the average range is $450.

After course completion, you must pay for the exam, background check, and application fees.³ This increases the charges to around $699.

Essential Real Estate Background Check (Fingerprinting Location Requirements)

Oklahoma State carries out a background check of each and every person who wants to pursue a real estate agent career.

To perform this national criminal history check, you must submit your fingerprints to the Real Estate Commission.

You can use the IdentoGo electronic fingerprinting services by Idemia.⁴ This means you must schedule an appointment at an IdentoGo center near you for fingerprinting services.

What Disqualifies You From Being a Real Estate Agent?

If you are a convicted felon, the Oklahoma Real Estate Commission might disqualify your application.

However, this depends on the type of crime you are convicted of. Disqualifying offenses are detailed in Section 13.1 under Title 21 of the Oklahoma Statutes.