Can I Take the Real Estate Exam Without Classes?

If you’re looking to get a real estate license, this article will explain whether or not you need to enroll in a real estate school to take the classes required for the real estate exam. It will also cover alternative ways to meet the pre-licensing education requirement.

Are classes required to take the exam?

Yes, in most states you must complete pre-licensing, but some states offer limited waivers. This shows that they have completed the pre-licensing course requirements and are eligible to register for the exam. Each state has its unique pre-licensing requirements.

Pre-licensing courses usually have a minimum number of hours that must be completed, which varies from state to state. For instance, the required pre-licensing education totals 135 hours in California, while in Florida, it requires only 63 hours. 

Another requirement for pre-licensing education is that courses must be completed through a state-approved school or, in some states, through accepted college or university programs. For example, in California, you can take three 45-hour college-level courses. In Nebraska, accredited college courses and approved law school subjects can also satisfy the requirements.

Does license reciprocity help you skip pre-licensing classes?

License reciprocity is an agreement between two states that allows a licensed real estate agent from one state to practice real estate in another without fulfilling all the licensing requirements of the second state. In California, however, there is no license reciprocity with any other state—so reciprocity will not let you waive California’s pre-licensing courses or exam requirements.

Note that not all states have license reciprocity agreements. While some have no agreements with other states, some only allow reciprocity from limited states.

Even where reciprocity exists, it usually doesn’t waive everything.

Most states still require a state-law exam and/or state-specific coursework.

For example: ‍

Alabama requires a 6-hour Alabama-law course + the state exam;

‍Alaska’s endorsement route requires proof of 40 hours of education;

‍Colorado reciprocal candidates take the state portion only;

‍Georgia grants reciprocity but Florida licensees must pass a GA law exam;

‍Kentucky’s reciprocity is limited and includes a 40-hour reciprocal-law course + exam;

‍Missouri typically requires the 24-hour Missouri Real Estate Practice (MREP) course and the state portion.)

Do I need pre-licensing if I took the right college courses?

Some states accept specific college courses related to real estate as an alternative to a formal pre-licensing program. In these states, the college courses are seen to provide candidates with the necessary knowledge and background they need to be agents. 

Therefore, candidates who take such courses are exempted from taking the pre-licensing classes. However, not all states accept this arrangement. Check with the state's real estate department to find out if your state exempts you for the right college classes. 

An example of a state that allows this is California, where candidates can use college credits towards the 45-hour pre-education course if the credits are from a real estate or law-related course. Other examples include Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, and Nebraska. 

How does a pre-licensing course work?

A real estate pre-licensing course is an educational program designed to provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to prepare for your real estate career. The pre-licensing course content is set by the state’s real estate department.

These courses typically include content that covers the state's real estate laws and regulations. Additionally, they also cover some federal real estate topics, which include: 

• Real estate principles
• Laws and regulations
• Contracts
• Property ownership
• Financing
• Brokerage and law of agency
• Fair housing 
• Ethics
• Real estate calculations 

Once you complete the course and pass the final exam, your real estate school will award you a completion certificate. This certificate must be submitted in some states before registering for the real estate license exam. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1) Can I take the real estate exam without pre-licensing classes?‍

Usually no for first-time licensees. Most states require state-approved pre-licensing education (e.g., 60–180 hours) before you can sit for the salesperson exam. Limited education equivalency options exist in some states (e.g., certain college-level real estate coursework or attorney status), but these are the exception—not the rule.

2) Does license reciprocity let me skip classes?

Reciprocity/endorsement helps if you’re already licensed in another state. It often waives repeating full pre-licensing, but you’ll typically still need to pass the state-law portion of the exam, meet background/fingerprint checks, and sometimes complete a short state-specific course. If you’re not already licensed, reciprocity usually doesn’t apply.

3) Are there states where I can bypass education entirely?‍

A few states allow limited waivers (e.g., specific degree/attorney exemptions or mutual recognition with named states). Even then, expect to complete state-specific testing and compliance steps. Because rules change and vary widely, always verify the current policy on your state’s real estate commission site.

4) How do I find my state’s exact requirements?‍

Check your state real estate commission’s page for:

• Required hours and approved pre-licensing providers
• Whether education equivalency or mutual recognition/reciprocity is available
• Whether you must pass the national and/or state-law exam portions
• Application, fingerprinting, and post-licensing/CE steps

Final thought on whether you need classes to take the exam

In conclusion, all aspiring real estate exam candidates must take courses to meet the pre-licensing education criteria. However, there might be exceptions, such as license reciprocity and college credits. Always check with the state's real estate department to find out the specific licensing requirements of your intended state.