Real estate agents are allowed to hold licenses in multiple states. Often, real estate agents who have multiple licenses work in areas that closely boarder other states. This gives them freedom to sell properties in neighboring states. Many states have reciprocity agreements, meaning if you're licensed in a state with a reciprocity agreement with neighboring states, you can sell property outside of your state of residence, provided you meet your neighboring state's requirements.
Real estate agents can hold licenses in multiple states, and there's no restriction in place to prevent multiple licenses. This makes sense because real estate agents are required to know the fundamentals of selling real estate, and these fundamentals do not vary drastically by state. If you're a licensed real estate agent, your state might have reciprocity with other states. Reciprocal states usually border each other.
Reciprocity
Reciprocity is often offered to real estate agents in states that border a large number of other states. Reciprocity simply means that a real estate agent can sell real estate in another state -- usually one that borders the real estate agent's state of residence -- because real estate agents are not expected to stay within their state borders.
Requirements
Each state has its own real estate licensing requirements. In states that offer reciprocity to agents in other states, usually all the agent is required to do is to pass the state-specific portion of the reciprocal state's real estate agent's exam. This means an agent interested in holding a license in a reciprocal state is not required to take the entire real estate agent's exam, only that part which is state-specific.
Additional Considerations
If you're interested in holding a license to sell real estate in multiple states, there is no restriction on doing so. Depending on your state of residence, and reciprocity rules, you might only be required to pass a state-specific portion of an exam. Check with your state's division of real estate licensing to obtain reciprocity details.
References
- Real Estate Express: Real Estate License Reciprocity
- ABC Real Estate School; Can I Get Licenses in Multiple States?; April 2009
- Real Estate License Direct: How to Get a Real Estate License in Different States
- Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Real Estate Brokers and Sales Agents." Accessed July 15, 2020.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Real Estate Brokers and Sales Agents: Pay." Accessed July 15, 2020.
- New York Department of State Division of Licensing Services. "Real Estate Reciprocity." Accessed July 15, 2020.
- California Department of Real Estate. "Requirements to Apply for a Real Estate Salesperson License." Accessed July 15, 2020.
- New York Department of State Division of Licensing Services. "FAQ - Real Estate Salesperson and Broker." Accessed July 15, 2020.
- The Association of Real Estate License Law Officials. "Membership Options." Accessed July 15, 2020.
- National Association of Realtors. "About NAR." Accessed July 15, 2020.
- National Association of Realtors. "History." Accessed July 15, 2020.
- Realtors Property Resource. "A Look Back: RPR 5 Year Anniversary." Accessed July 26, 2020.
- National Association of Realtors. "Realtors Property Resource (RPR)." Accessed July 15, 2020.
Writer Bio
Andrine Redsteer's writing on tribal gaming has been published in "The Guardian" and she continues to write about reservation economic development. Redsteer holds a Bachelor of Arts in history from the University of Washington, a Master of Arts in Native American studies from Montana State University and a Juris Doctor from Seattle University School of Law.