True Talk from a Real, Live Agent
Let's get real here. There are several time-consuming steps when you're in the process of becoming a Real Estate Agent in Michigan — take it from me, a licensed REALTOR!
The amount of time some of the steps take directly depends on your own personal choices, priorities and schedule, which means the length of the entire process can vary.
I put together this guide to give aspiring Real Estate Agents a baseline idea of how long it takes to get licensed and become a practicing Real Estate Salesperson in Michigan.
Click the links below to jump to a section:
1. Complete the 40-Hour Approved Real Estate Prelicensure Course
There are many options to choose from when you're selecting a Michigan Real Estate Prelicensure Course, both in-person and online.
For the in-person courses, there are different providers, different locations throughout the state and different course lengths. Most in-person courses, however, tend to be 1 to 5 weeks in length.
There are a few different providers for the Online Prelicensure Course, too, but they all enjoy the flexibility making your own schedule. If you were really motivated, you could finish the entire course in a single week just like many of the in-person classes.
I personally took Kaplan's 100% online Michigan Real Estate Fundamentals course three years ago and found it very thorough and easy to use.
Time: 1-5 weeks
2. Apply for your license and register for the Exam
Once you've completed your Prelicensure Course and received your Certificate of Completion, you can apply for your Michigan Real Estate Salesperson License.
After you've applied and been approved by the State, you'll receive an email that gives you permission to register for the exam and instructions on how to do so.
Exams are offered throughout the year, so it's easy to move quickly on this step if you please.
Time: A week or two
3. Study, study, study!
Depending on how studious you were while you were taking your Prelicensure Course, you may feel that you don't need to study any further and that you're ready to take the exam. In that case, just skip over this step!
But, I recommend setting aside a couple hours each day for a few weeks to go over all your course material again, memorize vocabulary & take practice tests.
Time: 3-4 weeks
4. Take the Real Estate Salesperson Exam
This part goes by in a blink of an eye! The exam is a 180-minute test on a computer at a predetermined facility.
Time: 1 day
5. Find a Broker Sponsor
Once you've passed the exam, you have to find a Real Estate Broker who will sponsor you in order to legally practice Real Estate in Michigan.
Need help finding a Broker to sponsor you?
You can, of course, do some legwork BEFORE you get to this point and already have a Broker lined up. But, if you don't, reach out to some of the Brokers in your area and get a feel for how they conduct business and what they can do to help you succeed. Then, make your choice!
Once you're sponsored, you'll receive your License and become an official Real Estate Agent in Michigan! WOO-HOO! Congrats!
Time: 1-2 weeks
The final verdict: how long does it take to become a Real Estate Agent in Michigan?
It can take anywhere from 3-6 months (or more) depending on the Prelicensure Course you choose, how long you study for, and how motivated you are to finish quickly.