How to Get an Oregon Real Estate License
Jay Gallagher
Real Estate Broker (Advice from an agent like you, not some tech nerd who never sold a home!)
This is a Step by Step guide on how to get your Oregon Real Estate License. No matter where you live, from Ashland to Portland or Eugene to my favorite town, Bend, or anywhere in between, becoming a real estate broker may be the best decision you ever make.
Note: Oregon issues new real estate licensees a broker license. This broker license is similar to what most states call a real estate salesperson or agent license.
All the information, documents and links you’ll need to get your Oregon real estate broker license are below.
I also answer the most common questions at the bottom of the page.
Click on a question to see the answers:
- How much does a Oregon realtor make?
- How long is Real Estate School in Oregon?
- How hard is the Oregon Real Estate Exam?
- What’s the best Oregon real estate brokerage to join?
- How much does it cost to get a Oregon real estate license?
Meet the State Prerequisites
Learn exactly what the State of Oregon requires before you can get a Real Estate Broker License.
Register Online
Create an account online with the Oregon Real Estate Agency (OREA) to obtain an Applicant ID number and start the process.
Take Pre-Licensing Courses
Oregon requires 150 hours of Real Estate Education to get licensed. Find the best Real Estate School for you.
Pass the State Exams
Learn the fastest and easiest way to pass the Oregon Real Estate Broker License Exam the very first time.
Get Fingerprinted
You can get fingerprinted by PSI at the same place you take the exam making this step quick and easy to check off your list.
Submit the Application
Make sure you get it right the first time. Check the list, make sure you jumped through all the right hoops and hit send.
Pass Background Check
It takes a few weeks to process your background check once you submit your application for review.
Pick a Principal Broker
Meet the new boss! The good news is you get to pick the broker you want to work with. Learn how to pick the best.
Launch Your New Career
Now the fun begins. Learn how to get your new Real Estate Career off on the right foot by doing the right things to get business.
So, How Do You Get Your Oregon Real Estate License?
1. Meet The State Prerequisites
To get your Oregon Real Estate Broker License you must meet the following requirements:
- Must be 18 years of age.
- Have a High School Diploma or GED.
- Must pass a background check.
- Complete 150 class hour Oregon approved Real Estate Pre-Licensing Course.
- Pass the National Portion of the Real Estate Salesperson Exam
- Pass the Oregon State Portion of the Real Estate Salesperson Exam.
Print out the Oregon Real Estate Salesperson Application Instructions here.
2. Register Online
The Oregon Real Estate Agency (OREA) requires all applicants to first create an account online in eLicense, the Agency’s online license management system. You also need to apply for a broker license and pay the $300 nonrefundable application fee. When the application is processed, you’ll receive an Applicant ID number by email.
This Applicant ID is needed to register for both your Pre-Licensing Education and State Exams so the Real Estate School and Real Estate Testing Company can submit your test results to OREA.
3. Complete Pre-Licensing Education
Oregon has 7 courses that have a minimum of 150 hours of coursework that must be completed before you can apply for your Oregon Real Estate License:
- Real Estate Law Course – 30 Hours
- Real Estate Practice Course – 30 Hours
- Oregon Agency Law Course – 15 Hours
- Oregon Contracts Course – 15 Hours
- Real Estate Finance Course – 30 Hours
- Oregon Property Management Course – 10 Hours
- Oregon Real Estate Brokerage Course – 20 Hours
They have 4 levels of instruction.
I don’t recommend the basic level at all because it doesn’t included the most valuable part, the Real Estate License Practice Tests.
These practice tests actually guarantee you will pass the Real Estate Exam. Just take the practice tests until you consistently score 90 or higher and you are guaranteed to pass the Oregon Real Estate Exam on your first try. I think these practice tests are the easiest way to ensure you pass.
4. Pass the Real Estate Exams
Oregon has two exams you must be pass before you can apply for your Oregon Real Estate License:
- Real Estate Salesperson National Exam
- Real Estate Salesperson Oregon State Exam
If you’re already licensed in another state, you only have to take the Oregon State portion of the exam.
You can download the OREA Real Estate Broker Candidate Information Bulletin here to get all the details on the real estate exams.
PSI has testing centers nationwide so even if you are out of state you will be able to find a testing center near you to schedule the exams. PSI even offers remote online proctored exams is you want to take the test in the comfort of your own home. Personally, I think its easier to just go to a testing center than go through the process of setting up the remote testing.
5. Get Fingerprinted
OREA makes it easy to get fingerprinted. They have contracted with PSI, the testing vendor to take your fingerprints.
You can download the PSI Fingerprinting Instructions here.
Your fingerprints will be taken at the PSI exam center after you take and pass the license exam. PSI will then digitally submit your fingerprints to the Oregon State Police and the FBI. You pay the fingerprinting processing fee directly to PSI.
If you are taking the license exam via PSI’s remote online proctoring, you may have your fingerprints taken before or after you take and pass the license exam. Fingerprint processing takes 3-4 weeks. If you are concerned about this timeline and don’t want to wait after you submit your final application, you can be fingerprinted before you take your license exam.
6. Submit Your Application
Oregon requires all applications to be submitted online using their eLicensing Website Portal.
To get your Oregon real estate license create an online account here:
- Complete the Application Form.
- Answer the Background check questions
- Proof of completion of the 150 hour Pre-Licensing Course
- Passing grade report for National Portion of the Exam or proof of license in another state.
- Passing grade report for Oregon State Portion of the Exam.
- Pay the Application Fees.
7. Pass The Background Checks
You’re required to pass a criminal records background check for both the State of Oregon and the FBI. The background checks are started after you filled out your license application and answered the background check questions in the Oregon eLicense website portal.
Having a criminal or adverse history does not automatically prevent you from getting a license. In these cases, the application must be reviewed by the Agency, which will delay the process. The Agency will contact an applicant if further information is necessary to complete the review.
The law does not list specific criminal offenses, or other circumstances, which would prevent a person from receiving a license. If you’re concerned about the possible outcome of a background check, you can submit your license application and get fingerprinted before you take the required pre-license education. You must complete the background check process, including the license application and fingerprints, for the Agency to make a determination. If you have further questions about the background check process, call the Licensing Division at (503) 378-4170.
8. Pick a Principal Broker
All Brokers in Oregon must work under the supervision of a Principal Broker who’s responsible for monitoring their activities. The good news is that you get to pick a broker to place your real estate salesperson license under.
If you’re a new agent, I recommend you go with one of the big box real estate brokerages. ReMax, Keller Williams and Century 21 are a good place to start. The reason I recommend these brokerages for new agents is because the big box brokerages have training programs in place to help you make the transition from Rookie Agent to seasoned pro.
Once you pick the Principal Broker you want to work with, your Principal Broker has to go into the eLicense system to add you as one of their licensees. For new applicants being transferred, the OREA must review the application before final licensure. This typically occurs within 1-2 business days and the license is backdated to the date all required steps are complete.
9. Launch Your New Real Estate Career!
Now the real fun (and work) begins. The best thing about being a Real Estate Agent is the freedom it gives you. You’re your own boss and you get to decide how to move your real estate career forward.
Books
Continuous learning is the hallmark of all successful agents. Here are some resources to get you going in the right direction.
Below are my best suggestions:
- Best Books to Learn Principles of Success.
- Best Books for Real Estate Agents.
- Best Books for Real Estate Agent Social Media Marketing
Tools
You’ll need some tools to get the job done. At the very least, you’ll need a good Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software and a Real Estate Agent Website.
10. Jay Answers Your Questions...
The best (and worst) thing about being a realtor is the freedom you have. Many agents just work part-time and only do 1-3 transactions a year. Other agents work 60+ hours a week and sell hundreds of homes a year.
The best way to answer the question of how much a Oregon realtor makes is to show how much you are likely to make per transaction.
The average price of a home in Oregon is $512,000. Say the average commission per side of the transaction is 5.5% and the average broker/agent split is 15/85. That means you will earn, on average, about $10,900 per transaction. Not bad.
Of course this number will vary based on the average cost of real estate in your area, your commission rate and your broker split but that’s a good number to start with. Now you can dial up your income based on how hard and how effectively you work.
Oregon requires 150 hours of coursework. If you elect to take these courses in a classroom setting, you’ll have to go to a designated place and sit for the entire time.
For this reason, most people take the courses online so they can take the courses at their own pace and any time they wish.
Most people find they can complete the online coursework in a fraction of the 150 hours. A motivated person can complete it in as little as one month but most people will take 2 months or more if they do a little bit every day.
The Oregon Real Estate Exam is not difficult IF you buy a test prep course.
The best test prep courses include practice tests that you can take over and over again until you know the material. If you can consistently take a practice test and score a 90 or higher, then you are practically guaranteed to pass the actual exam.
If you’re someone who gets nervous and their mind goes blank during testing, then maybe you should wait until your score on the practice tests is consistently 95 or better.
The best brokerage is the one that’s the best fit for you.
Call up a few local brokerages and schedule a time to sit down and talk to them. Discuss things like E&O insurance, commission splits, leads and don’t forget to find out about any desk fees, tech fees or insurance fees.
Remember, if you don’t like the brokerage, you can easily change brokers.
I don’t recommend that you use any brokers CRM or email address because those things are the heart of YOUR real estate business and if your clients information is locked into your broker’s CRM, then it will be harder to make the move. That’s why the tools are “free” or included in a tech fee, to make it difficult for you to leave.
Let’s break it all down.
- Fingerprint/Background check – $61.25
- Pre-licensing Educational courses – $337.00 – $945.00
- Exam Prep Courses – $0.00 – $99.00 – (Some Pre-Licensing Includes Exam Prep)
- Exam costs – $75.00
- Oregon Application Fee – $300.00
The cost of getting your Oregon real estate license can vary depending on your situation and your needs. The cost for most agents will be as low as $750.00 to as high as $1190.00.
Most agents who follow my recommendations will pay about $811.00
