How Do I Become a Realtor in Indiana?

My original plan for this article was to dramatically tell the tale of how I personally drove our school and course applications to Indianapolis and almost had a flat tire.  Thanks to the wonderful workers at the Steve’s Sunoco on exit 164 on I-74, who graciously gave me 75 cents to fill up my tires when my tire light came on.  That story ends, of course, with not having a flat tire, finishing the drive to Indy only to learn we could have applied online, and our Indiana courses getting approval by the Real Estate Commission! 

Onto why you clicked on the title.  This article is meant to serve as a guide to getting your real estate license in Indiana.  If you have been following our Career Corner, you know we have been hyping up Indiana with a post about how much Indiana Realtor’s make. 

This blog will cover the qualifications and steps to getting an Indiana Broker’s and Managing Broker’s license, as well as post-license requirements and getting a license through reciprocity. 

Qualifications & Steps 

To qualify to become a real estate agent is not terribly difficult on paper.  You must be 18 years of age and have a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent.  The harder part is the pre-license education and knowledge check. 

Indiana requires that all new applicants must complete a 90-hour pre-license course that includes everything, with a heavy emphasis on real estate law.  “What other kind of law would it cover?”  That’s a good question.  You’ll learn about contract and real estate law, as well as licensing law and how a broker must operate in Indiana.  (Our Indiana Pre-license course is available now!)  You will also take a final exam for the course that must be proctored and passed with a score of at least 75%. 

After completing the pre-license course, you will then apply to the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency and take the state licensing exam.   The state licensing exam covers a national portion and a state law specific portion.   

You will take the licensing exam through PSI exams.  They publish a booklet every year with steps to take the state licensing exam and an outline of material which will be on the test.  (A good course like ours will cover all this material in depth). 

Real Estate Commission or Professional Licensing Agency? 

It can be pretty confusing on how to apply to get your real estate license.  The Real Estate Commission is most often referenced because they are the regulatory body for real estate professionals.  However, you will apply through the Professional Licensing Agency for your broker’s license. 

Here is a brief breakdown: 

When it comes to applying for a new license, renewing your license, or changing your license status, you will most likely go through the PLA’s website to either file the appropriate application or print it off and mail it to the PLA.   

Indiana Post-License Education Requirements 

Like every other state, Indiana requires continuing education courses for Real Estate professionals.  For a broker, that means taking a 30-hour post-license course that covers topics like transactions, financing, business planning, and negotiations.  

You can buy the 30-Hour Post-License Course individually or you can purchase it as part of our Broker Package that includes the pre-license course and the post-license course to save some money.   

All Brokers must complete the 30-hour post-license requirements within 2 years of becoming licensed.  This covers the continuing education requirements for the first renewal period.  There is no state exam after this course, just reporting the completion of the course to the IREC will get your credit.   

Getting an Indiana Managing Broker’s License 

Getting the next level of real estate license is much easier than getting your initial Broker’s license.   

So long as you have had your Broker’s license for at least 2 years, the only thing you need to do to be licensed as a Managing Broker is complete the 24-hour Managing Broker Course and apply to the IREC.  There is no state exam to get your Managing Broker License. 

Indiana Reciprocity 

Some of the biggest markets outside of Indianapolis all sit close to the borders such as South Bend, Evansville, Terra Haute, and Fort Wayne.  Neighboring states will likely have agents interested in getting licensed in Indiana so they can dip into those markets.  Also since Indiana is projected to be a hot market, agents from other states will be looking to dip into that market as well. 

Indiana has one of the more friendly licensing processes for people who are already licensed in other states.  You will first apply to the commission for a reciprocal Broker’s license with proof of licensure in the other state.   

The IREC will review your license information and if they deem the pre-license education and experience to be substantially similar, they will approve you for a Broker’s license through reciprocity.  Then you will only have to take the Indiana state law portion of the licensing exam.  (We are building a prep course for those approved for a reciprocal license!)   

If approved, you will not have to take the 90-hour pre-license course.  If you are not approved, you will have to take the 90-hour pre-license course and the full state licensing exam.   

If you have any questions about getting licensed in Indiana, do not hesitate to contact our License Law specialists.