How to Get an Oregon Real Estate License

Are you considering a career in real estate? Does a flexible schedule, being your own boss, and earning a great income appeal to you? If you live in Oregon, the good news is that you can obtain your Oregon real estate license in just a few simple steps.

There are two basic prerequisites for becoming a real estate agent in Oregon: you must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED. If you meet these basic requirements, here are the steps you’ll need to follow to earn your Oregon real estate license, which is called a broker’s license.

How to Get an Oregon Real Estate License

In most states, a real estate broker is a professional who oversees the work of other real estate agents. In Oregon, that’s not the case.

Typically, a real estate agent becomes a broker after a minimum level of experience and following additional training. In most states, a broker has passed a higher-level licensing exam. In Oregon, a more experienced professional who manages other agents is called a principal broker.

As you follow the steps laid out here, you’ll be pursuing an entry-level Oregon real estate license, called a broker’s license. Here are the steps you’ll need to take to earn your Oregon real estate license and begin your new career.

Readers of The Close can save 30% on any of The CE Shop’s prelicensing and business-building courses. Use promo code TheClose30 at checkout.

1. Create an eLicense Account

Before you can enroll in real estate classes, you need to create an eLicense account online with the state. You’ll need to provide some personal information such as your address and contact information.

2. Apply for a Broker’s License

Fill out the real estate broker application through your eLicense account and pay the $300 fee. Once your request has been processed, you’ll receive an applicant ID number by email. You’ll need this number to sign up for prelicensing classes.

3. Complete a 150-Hour Prelicensing Course

Cost: $329 to $429
Time commitment: One to three months

As a broker, you’ll be helping clients with one of the most important financial decisions of their lives. Understandably, the state of Oregon takes real estate education seriously. To earn your Oregon real estate license, you’ll need to complete a 150-hour prelicensing program from an approved real estate school. The 150 hours of classes cover all the contractual and legal aspects of buying and selling properties. Courses are offered in a classroom, over livestream, or at-your-own-pace online. Learn more about the types of instruction below.

Readers of The Close can save 30% on any of The CE Shop’s prelicensing and business-building courses. Use promo code TheClose30 at checkout.

We recommend >The CE Shop if you’re looking for a comprehensive online school. They offer their Exam Prep Edge materials plus a Pass Guarantee with three of their four Oregon prelicensing packages to help you succeed when you sit the Oregon real estate exam.

We chose The CE Shop as one of our favorites in our review of Oregon real estate schools. Why? Their feature-packed program will not only help you pass the licensing exam, it also provides career resources to help launch your new profession. Their business-building courses are included The CE Shop’s two top-tier packages.

4. Pass the Oregon Real Estate License Exam

Once you’ve completed the 150 hours of coursework, you’ll be qualified to schedule and take the Oregon real estate broker exam. The exam is administered through PSI in cooperation with the Oregon Real Estate Agency. You’ll be charged a $75 fee for the exam when you schedule your exam online.

PSI has seven testing locations in Oregon, but you can also opt to take the Oregon real estate license exam from the comfort of your own home. Online, proctored exams are permitted if your computer meets compatibility requirements. Otherwise, you can take the exam in person in:

Baker City
Bend
Eugene
Independence
Medford
Portland
Wilsonville

You’ll need to bring two pieces of valid, government-issued photo identification to the in-person testing center. The exam is multiple choice and is comprised of 80 national questions and 50 Oregon-specific questions. Be sure to download the candidate information packet from their website to learn about common items you’re prohibited from bringing to the exam room, such as pens and cell phones.

Once you’ve finished taking the online exam at one of the testing centers listed above, your grade will be displayed on the screen at the end of the session. You can retake the broker exam if you fail it the first time, but you’ll need to wait at least a day to schedule any subsequent attempts.

You’ll need about a week or more to study for the exam. To help you prepare for the Oregon real estate license exam and pass it on the first try, we recommend investing in quality exam prep materials to help you study.

5. Get Fingerprinted

Helpful resource: PSI Candidate Information Bulletin

You’ll be fingerprinted as part of the process at the PSI testing center as soon as you pass the brokerage exam. Fingerprint processing may take up to four weeks.

6. Submit to a Background Check

Cost: $56.25
Time commitment: One month

You must submit to a background check before you can work as a real estate broker in Oregon. You’ll be unable to work as a real estate agent until you’re notified by the state licensing board that you passed the background check. You’ll be charged $56.25 for the fingerprinting and background check fees.

While waiting for your background check results, consider taking business-building courses through The CE Shop. Their three business accelerator course offerings can help you jumpstart your new career by teaching you about real estate marketing, developing leads, and the day-to-day operations of your real estate business in Oregon.

Readers of The Close can save 30% on any of The CE Shop’s prelicensing and business-building courses. Use promo code TheClose30 at checkout.

7. Find a Principal Broker to Hire You

Cost: Free
Time commitment: Two to four weeks

Oregon real estate brokers must work under a principal broker. A principal broker undergoes additional coursework and must pass a supplementary exam to manage Oregon real estate brokers.

Start your search with the big-name real estate agencies in your city or town to find a principal broker. But don’t ignore the smaller brokerages, as they may offer new real estate professionals more one-on-one guidance and training.

Oregon Real Estate Agent Compensation

As of this writing, Indeed indicates that Oregon real estate brokers make an average annual income of $92,840.

We recommend inquiring about several important topics with any principal broker you’re looking to work with, as these questions will impact your financial bottom line. Ask about your split, which refers to how you’ll share the commissions you earn. For example, some brokerages will ask for an even 50/50 split on commissions. Some brokerages will offer you a higher percentage for your split, but they may charge you a monthly desk fee.

You should also ask about your cap, the maximum amount that a brokerage will take from your commissions within a calendar year. Once you’ve met your cap, the rest of your commissions earned will be entirely yours to keep. Negotiating a low cap will mean more commissions will end up in your bank account.

While getting paid as a commissioned salesperson is unique from a salaried role, the benefit of commissioned sales is that it rewards people who work hard and provide excellent customer service to their clients. However, some Oregon real estate brokers prefer to ease their way into their new profession by working part-time instead of jumping in with both feet.

How Much Does It Cost to Get an Oregon Real Estate License?

It costs around $1,000 to get your real estate license in Oregon. While some costs are fixed, such as the state’s application, exam fee, and fingerprint fee, others can vary greatly, including the price of your prelicensing education, which ranges from $329 to $429 depending on the provider you choose.

Oregon Real Estate License Costs

Prelicensing Classes, Including Exam Prep (150 Hours)	$429 (through The CE Shop)
Oregon Broker Real Estate License Exam Fee	$75
License Fee	$300
Fingerprinting Fee	$56.25
Total Cost	$920.25

(*Oregon Real Estate License Costs as of July 2021)

Types of Real Estate Prelicensing Classes

Whether you live in Salem, Eugene, or the Portland area, you should be able to find an Oregon real estate school that offers in-person classes that meet during regularly scheduled sessions. Livestream classes are scheduled classes that are broadcast over Zoom or other video conferencing tools. Online classes are popular for those wanting to become real estate agents in Oregon. The course material may be presented in a series of slides, videos, and interactive content.

There are pros and cons for each type of instruction.

Types of Instruction	Pros	Cons
In-person Classes	Traditional classroom setting Get to know other students Easy access to the instructor	More expensive than online classes Commuting and traffic Finding class times to fit your schedule
Livestream Classes	No commute Ideal if you live far from in-person schools You can ask instructors questions in real time	Finding classes to fit your schedule No interaction with other students Technology doesn’t always work as it should
Online Classes	Work at your own pace anywhere w/ internet Take classes when convenient for you Least expensive option	Instructors can only be accessed via email or phone Little interaction with real estate pros Technology doesn’t always work as it should

How to Get an Oregon Real Estate License: FAQs

We’ve covered a lot of information in this article, but you may have a few more questions. Don’t worry—as a team of licensed real estate experts; we’ve got answers.

How much does a realtor in Oregon make?

According to Indeed, real estate brokers make an average of $92,806 per year.

Oregon real estate brokers are only paid when they earn a commission after a sale. To help you figure out your earning potential as an Oregon real estate broker, we pulled together a list of median home prices in various cities in Oregon

Median Oregon Home Prices by Region & Typical Commissions per Sale

Region	Median Home Price	Typical 3% Commission
Portland	$544,136	$16,324
Salem	$363,829	$10,915
Eugene	$414,246	$12,427
Bend	$641,497	$19,245
Medford	$362,576	$10,877
Klamath Falls	$240,919	$7,228

(Source: Zillow Home Values, July 2021)

How long does it take to get a real estate broker in Oregon?

It takes from four to six months to become a real estate broker in Oregon.

The actual time varies on how many hours per week you can dedicate to the process. Some companies offer in-person classes and have accelerated sessions that cover the material in 10 weeks.

Of course, you also need to consider how long you’ll need to study for the test and how long it will take for the Oregon Real Estate Agency to process your background check.

How much does it cost to get a real estate license in Oregon?

It costs around $1,000 to get your real estate license in Oregon. Some of these costs are fixed, such as the application, exam, and fingerprint fees. The cost of your prelicensing course varies depending on which provider you choose.

To save money, check out the promo codes throughout this article for online Oregon real estate schools. For example, our readers can save 30% on any of The CE Shop’s Oregon prelicensing courses by using promo code TheClose30 at checkout.

Is the Oregon real estate exam hard?

The national part of the broker exam has 80 questions, and the state-specific part of the exam has 50 questions. All of the questions are multiple-choice. To pass the test, you must receive a 75% or higher.

If you don’t pass the exam, you’ll receive a diagnostic report indicating your strengths and weaknesses on particular subject matters. You can use this information to help you study before retaking the exam.

Can I use my California real estate license in Oregon?

The short answer to this question is “no,” you can’t use your California real estate license in Oregon.

However, an out-of-state real estate agent can perform work on a “nonresidential real estate” transaction (defined as property that has or could have commercial development or a property with five or more residential units) in Oregon if the out-of-state real estate agent enters into a written cooperative agreement with an Oregon licensee.

What if I have a real estate license from another state?

Oregon has reciprocity with the following states and Canadian provinces:

Alabama
Alberta
Georgia
Nebraska
South Dakota

There’s also special consideration given to the spouses and domestic partners of the members of our Armed Forces. To learn more about those agreements, visit the out-of-state licensee page on the Oregon Real Estate Agency website.

On the other hand, if you have your real estate license in Oregon, you can work as an agent in one of these states without going through the entire licensing process:

Alabama
Alaska
Colorado
Delaware
Georgia
Idaho
Kansas
Kentucky
Maine
Missouri
Nebraska
Nevada
North Carolina
Virginia
Washington

Can I get my Oregon real estate license online?

You can complete almost all of the Oregon real estate license requirements from the comfort of your own home. Here’s how it works. Enroll in your prelicensing courses (you can save 30% when you choose The CE Shop), then sign up for a remote, online proctored exam with PSI. You’ll have to go to a testing location to be fingerprinted, but you can complete the exam at home.

More Career Resources From The Close

Now that you’ve learned how to become a real estate agent in Oregon, you may have more questions. Drop any questions in the comments section below.

Here at The Close, we are a resource for those new to the profession. Subscribe to our newsletter, and join The Close Pro and our Facebook Mastermind Group. You’ll get the latest news, actionable real estate strategy, and insight from (and for) the world’s best real estate agents.

Chris Linsell Reply
September 1, 2021 at 12:47 pm
Hi Darlene –
Thanks for the question. Applications are reviewed individually and on a case-by-case basis. According to the state of Oregon, “The law does not list specific criminal offenses, or other circumstances, which would prevent a person from receiving a license. If you are concerned about the possible outcome of a background check, you may submit your license application and get fingerprinted before you take the required pre-license education.”
In my experience, there are a handful of criminal convictions that often disqualify a person from holding a license, including violent offenses, and sort of home invasion or property-related convictions, and certain financial crimes involving wire or check fraud. I would check with your local professional association and the state of Oregon real estate commission to be sure.
Good Luck!
Chris

How to Get an Oregon Real Estate License