A step-by-step walkthrough of the education, exam, fingerprinting, and application process for becoming a licensed real estate salesperson in Nevada, including current costs and typical timelines.
Reviewed for accuracy: August 2026 · Nevada Real Estate Division
Before beginning, review the Nevada Real Estate Division's current eligibility and application requirements. You must be at least 18 years old to apply for a Nevada real estate license. Nevada does not require applicants to be Nevada residents. Non-Nevada residents must submit a notarized Consent to Service of Process (Form 656).
The Nevada Real Estate Division requires 120 classroom hours of approved coursework: 45 hours of Real Estate Principles, 45 hours of Real Estate Law (including Nevada-specific law), 15 hours of Contracts, and 15 hours of Agency. Courses can be completed online or in person through an accredited school. Typical cost: $400 to $800. Summit 23 Realty students and agents receive 30% off Nevada-approved courses through Key Realty School with promo code SUMMIT23.
Get fingerprinted through an approved vendor. Prints are submitted to the FBI and the Nevada Department of Public Safety. Applicants with a criminal record are not automatically disqualified; the Division reviews on a case-by-case basis. Typical cost: $40 to $60.
Register and pay through the Nevada Real Estate Division, then schedule your examination with Pearson VUE after you receive authorization to test. You can test at a Pearson VUE test center or online through OnVUE proctoring. The exam has two portions: a national portion (80 scored questions, 150 minutes) and a Nevada state portion (40 scored questions, 90 minutes). You need 75% on each, and you can retake a failed portion without redoing the other. Exam fee: $100 for the salesperson combination exam.
Within one year of passing the exam, submit your application to the Nevada Real Estate Division with your course completion certificates, fingerprint receipt, and application fee ($140 original salesperson fee plus a $40 recovery fund fee).
A Nevada salesperson license is inactive until it is placed with a licensed real estate broker. You cannot legally practice or earn commissions until a broker signs on. This is when choosing the right brokerage matters most.
Your initial Nevada salesperson license is valid for one year, ending on the last day of the month in which it was issued. Most first-time licensees must complete 30 hours of post-licensing education for their first renewal; licensees exempt from post-licensing complete 36 hours of continuing education instead. Subsequent licenses renew every two years and generally require 36 hours of continuing education, with at least 18 hours through live instruction. Current salesperson renewal fee: $195.
Fees vary by school and vendor, but here is a realistic budget for a Nevada salesperson license from start to finish.
| Pre-license education (120 hours) | $400 – $800 |
| Fingerprinting / background check | $40 – $60 |
| Exam fee (per attempt) | $100 |
| Original license application | $140 |
| Recovery fund fee | $40 |
| Estimated total | $620 – $1,040 |
Summit 23 Realty hires and works with Nevada real estate salespersons and broker-salespersons. These are the NRED license types that match our brokerage model.
Entry-level Nevada license for representing buyers, sellers, landlords, and tenants under a sponsoring broker. 120 hours of pre-license education required (45 principles, 45 law, 15 contracts, 15 agency).
NRED pageFor licensees who have met broker qualifications but choose to work under another broker. Requires the broker exam plus 64 college credits or approved equivalent.
NRED pageDirect links to the Nevada Real Estate Division forms most relevant to salespersons and broker-salespersons applying for, changing, renewing, or terminating a real estate license.
| Form | Name | |
|---|---|---|
| 501 | Summary of Real Estate Licensing Requirements | |
| 549 | Original Licensing Application & Checklist (Salesperson, Broker-Salesperson, Broker) | |
| 504 | Real Estate License or Permit Change (Salesperson, Broker-Salesperson) | |
| 505 | License or Permit Termination | |
| 506 | Inactive Notice | |
| 544 | Application for Reinstatement | |
| 550 | Petition to Review Criminal History for Pre-Determination | |
| 580 | Application for Renewal of Real Estate License | |
| 619 | Authorized Fingerprint Vendors |
Forms are hosted by the Nevada Real Estate Division. Always download the latest revision from red.nv.gov before submitting.
Bookmark these pages for the current rules, testing information, renewal cycles, and license verification straight from the source.
Summit 23 Realty has partnered with Key Realty School to give our future agents 30% off Nevada-approved pre-licensing, post-licensing, and continuing education with promo code SUMMIT23. Begin the 120 hours you need online, at your own pace. New to this? Read our Nevada real estate school guide first.
Exclusive pricing for Summit 23 Realty agents
Most applicants complete the process in 3 to 6 months. The 120 hours of coursework can be done in as little as 8 to 10 weeks online, followed by fingerprinting, exam scheduling, and application review.
No. Nevada does not have a residency requirement, but you must complete Nevada-specific law coursework and pass the Nevada portion of the state exam.
Nevada does not issue a license by simple transfer, but the Real Estate Division publishes a list of qualifying states with recognition or reciprocity agreements, and California is not among the states with a full reciprocity agreement. Reciprocal salesperson applicants generally must pass the Nevada state portion of the examination, submit a certified license history from their licensing state, complete fingerprinting and a background check, and file the original license application with the required fees. Non-Nevada residents also file a notarized Consent to Service of Process (Form 656). Check the Division's current reciprocity page for your state before you apply.
The Nevada salesperson examination requires a passing score of 75%. The national/general portion contains 80 scored questions, while the Nevada state portion contains 40 scored questions. Candidates who do not pass one portion may retake only that portion, provided both portions are passed within 12 months.
No, but you cannot activate your license or earn commissions until you affiliate with a licensed Nevada broker. Many new agents interview brokerages during their coursework so they can activate immediately after passing.
Summit 23 Realty offers a 90/10 split with a $10,000 annual cap, world-class coaching, and technology built for new and experienced agents across Las Vegas and Reno.
This guide is provided as general information. Always confirm current fees and requirements with the Nevada Real Estate Division.
