Becoming a licensed real estate salesperson in North Dakota requires completing state-approved education, passing the licensing examination, submitting an online application, completing a fingerprint-based background check, and affiliating with a licensed North Dakota broker. The North Dakota Real Estate Commission (NDREC) requires resident applicants to complete a 90-hour salesperson prelicensing course before licensure.

If you want a flexible way to get started, a state-approved online program can help you complete the required education and prepare for the exam: North Dakota real estate prelicensing course.

This guide explains the current process, costs, education options, testing requirements, and career considerations for people who want to work in North Dakota real estate.

North Dakota Real Estate License Requirements

To qualify for a North Dakota salesperson license, an applicant generally must:

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Complete a 90-hour NDREC-certified salesperson prelicensing course if applying as a North Dakota resident.
• Pass the required North Dakota and national licensing examinations.
• Submit an online license application and supporting documentation.
• Complete a statewide and nationwide fingerprint-based criminal history record check.
• Meet the Commission’s credit-history and other qualification requirements.
• Obtain errors and omissions insurance before an active license can be issued.
• Have a North Dakota-licensed broker approve the request to issue an active license.

Applicants with a prior license revocation or criminal, financial, or regulatory history should contact the NDREC before enrolling or applying. The Commission reviews applications individually, and a course provider cannot guarantee that an applicant will be approved for licensure.

Step 1: Complete 90 Hours of Prelicensing Education

North Dakota resident applicants must complete a 90-hour salesperson prelicensing education course certified by the NDREC.

The curriculum is intended to provide foundational knowledge in areas such as:

• Real estate law and regulation
• Agency relationships
• Contracts
• Property ownership and transfer
• Financing and lending
• Fair housing
• Property valuation
• Real estate calculations
• North Dakota licensing rules and practices

Before enrolling, confirm that the provider and course are currently certified by the NDREC. Course approval, delivery methods, completion deadlines, testing procedures, and transfer policies can change.

Online Real Estate Courses in North Dakota

Online education can be a convenient option for students who need flexible scheduling. Leap Real Estate offers a North Dakota prelicensing course designed for prospective licensees: North Dakota real estate prelicensing course.

Students should review the course’s current format, technology requirements, attendance or engagement rules, final-exam procedures, customer support, and refund policy before purchasing. Completing an online course does not by itself grant a license; students must still satisfy the NDREC’s application, examination, background-check, insurance, and broker-affiliation requirements.

For a course option, visit the Leap Real Estate North Dakota licensing course.

Step 2: Apply Through the North Dakota Real Estate Commission

Applications for North Dakota real estate licenses are submitted online through the NDREC’s licensing system.

The application process generally involves:

1. Create an online application.
2. Upload the required documents.
3. Pay the applicable application and credit-history fees.
4. Submit the required criminal-history documentation and fingerprint materials.
5. Complete the required licensing examination.
6. Submit proof of education and passing examination scores.
7. Obtain errors and omissions insurance if the license will be active.
8. Have a sponsoring broker approve the request to issue the license.

The NDREC’s application instructions identify the documents and fees required for each applicant category. Resident applicants follow different requirements from reciprocal and certain nonresident applicants, so applicants should select the correct application type.

Step 3: Complete Fingerprinting and the Background Check

All applicants must provide fingerprints for a statewide and nationwide criminal history record check.

The NDREC sends or provides fingerprint instructions and requires the completed fingerprint materials to be submitted for processing. The North Dakota Office of Attorney General conducts the criminal-history analysis, and the Commission states that the report usually takes approximately one to two weeks after it receives and processes the fingerprints.

Applicants should:

• Follow the NDREC fingerprint-verification instructions exactly.
• Use an approved fingerprinting agency or business.
• Confirm whether the fingerprinting provider requires an appointment.
• Pay the fingerprint-capture charge directly to the provider.
• Submit the fingerprint-analysis fee and materials in the format specified by the Commission.
• Avoid assuming that a prior background check can be reused.

The cost of having fingerprints taken is set by the independent fingerprinting provider and is not established by the NDREC. A criminal record does not necessarily mean automatic denial, but applicants should disclose information honestly and contact the Commission if they are concerned about eligibility.

Step 4: Pass the North Dakota Real Estate Exam

North Dakota resident applicants must pass both the state and national portions of the salesperson licensing examination.

The examination is administered through PSI. Current application instructions state that salesperson applicants can schedule the examination through PSI and no longer need test codes from the Commission. The official PSI candidate handbook lists an examination fee of $130, but examination fees and scheduling procedures can change. Confirm the current fee directly with PSI before registering.

What to Expect

The exam tests knowledge of general real estate principles and North Dakota-specific law and practice. Preparation should include:

• Reviewing the course textbook and learning objectives.
• Studying North Dakota license law and Commission rules.
• Practicing real estate math.
• Taking timed practice tests.
• Reviewing agency, contracts, disclosures, financing, and fair-housing concepts.
• Learning the examination-provider rules for identification, scheduling, cancellations, and retakes.

A failed portion may require a retake and an additional examination fee. The current retake rules, waiting periods, and score requirements should be confirmed in the latest PSI handbook and NDREC instructions.

Step 5: Find a Sponsoring Broker

A North Dakota salesperson must work under the supervision of a licensed broker. Applicants seeking an active license must have a broker approve the application or request to issue the license.

When comparing brokerages, ask about:

• Commission splits and transaction fees
• Desk, technology, or marketing fees
• Training and mentoring
• Lead distribution
• Office and transaction support
• Errors and omissions insurance arrangements
• Contract review and compliance procedures
• Minimum production expectations
• Independent-contractor or employee classification
• Local market coverage

A salesperson may complete education and testing before selecting a brokerage, but an active license generally requires broker approval and appropriate insurance documentation.

Current North Dakota Licensing Fees and Costs

The NDREC currently lists the following charges for a standard resident or nonresident application:

| Expense | Current amount or description |
|---|---:|
| Broker application fee listed by NDREC | $150, nonrefundable |
| Credit-history fee listed by NDREC | $13, nonrefundable |
| Fingerprint analysis | $40, paid to the North Dakota Office of Attorney General |
| Fingerprint capture | Varies by the independent provider |
| Real Estate Education, Research and Recovery Fund | $20 one-time contribution unless already paid |
| PSI examination fee | $130 in the cited PSI handbook; verify the current amount before scheduling |
| Prelicensing education | Varies by school and course |
| Errors and omissions insurance | Varies by coverage and provider |
| Active-license renewal | Confirm the current amount with NDREC |

The NDREC’s fee information should control if it differs from older study materials or third-party websites. The total cost will depend on tuition, fingerprinting, exam attempts, insurance, transportation, and brokerage-related expenses. Because fees can change, applicants should calculate their expected total using the current NDREC and PSI fee schedules rather than relying on an older cost estimate.

How Long Does It Take to Get a North Dakota Real Estate License?

The process can take several weeks to several months, depending on the student’s schedule, course format, exam preparation, fingerprint processing, application review, and broker selection.

A realistic sequence may look like this:

1. Complete the 90-hour course.
2. Prepare and submit the online application.
3. Complete fingerprinting and submit the required materials.
4. Allow time for the criminal-history check and application review.
5. Schedule and pass the PSI examination.
6. Obtain errors and omissions insurance.
7. Select a sponsoring broker.
8. Submit the request to issue the active license.

The NDREC indicates that criminal-history reports usually take about one to two weeks after processing, but that is only one part of the overall timeline. Delays can occur if an application is incomplete, fingerprints are rejected, records require additional review, documents are missing, or the applicant needs to retake an examination.

Step 6: Complete Post-License Education

New North Dakota salespersons must complete 15 hours of post-licensure education within the first year after being licensed, according to the NDREC’s application information.

This requirement is separate from the 90-hour prelicensing course and from annual continuing education. New licensees should confirm the exact deadline, approved course format, and reporting procedure directly with the Commission and their sponsoring broker.

Post-license education can help new agents develop practical skills in:

• Listing and buyer representation
• Transaction management
• Risk reduction
• Professional conduct
• Negotiation
• Disclosure obligations
• North Dakota-specific brokerage procedures

For a flexible study option that can help you start on the education requirement, see the Leap Real Estate North Dakota licensing course.

Continuing Education and License Renewal

North Dakota licensees must complete 12 hours of continuing education annually, including required mandatory and elective topics.

Continuing education is necessary to maintain an active license. Licensees should monitor the Commission’s renewal deadlines and confirm that each course is approved for the applicable education cycle. Missing the education or renewal deadline can affect license status and the ability to practice.

Because education cycles, topic requirements, and renewal procedures may be updated, licensees should use the current NDREC continuing-education instructions rather than relying on outdated course descriptions.

Potential Earnings for North Dakota Real Estate Salespersons

Real estate income varies substantially. Compensation commonly depends on transaction volume, commission arrangements, market conditions, experience, brokerage fees, business expenses, and whether an agent works full time or part time. Gross commissions are not the same as take-home income.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes wage and employment information for real estate brokers and sales agents, including state-level data where available. Applicants should review the latest BLS figures for North Dakota and understand that reported wage data may not capture every form of self-employment income or the expenses incurred by independent contractors.

New agents should budget for business costs such as:

• License renewal and continuing education
• Association or multiple-listing-service dues
• Marketing and advertising
• Transportation and vehicle expenses
• Insurance
• Brokerage fees
• Technology and telecommunications
• Professional services and taxes

A careful financial plan should assume that building a client base may take time and that income can be irregular, especially during the early stages of a real estate career.

Career Opportunities in North Dakota Real Estate

A North Dakota salesperson license can support several career paths, including:

• Residential buyer representation
• Residential listing services
• New-construction sales
• Commercial real estate
• Farm and ranch transactions
• Property management, where separately permitted
• Relocation services
• Leasing and tenant representation
• Real estate investment support
• Development and land sales
• Transaction coordination and brokerage operations

Salespersons must practice under the supervision of their sponsoring broker and comply with North Dakota law. Additional education, experience, licensing, or employer requirements may apply to specialized roles.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Enrolling in a course without confirming current NDREC certification.
• Using an outdated fee schedule.
• Waiting too long to complete fingerprinting.
• Submitting incomplete or inconsistent application information.
• Assuming a prior background check will satisfy the Commission.
• Scheduling the wrong examination portion.
• Failing to verify PSI’s current fee and identification rules.
• Choosing a sponsoring broker based only on the commission split.
• Confusing post-license education with annual continuing education.
• Treating gross commission income as personal earnings.
• Failing to disclose prior criminal, licensing, or financial issues honestly.

North Dakota Real Estate License Process: Quick Summary

1. Confirm that you meet the basic eligibility requirements.
2. Complete a 90-hour NDREC-certified salesperson prelicensing course.
3. Submit the online application and required fees.
4. Complete fingerprinting and the state and national criminal-history check.
5. Schedule and pass the North Dakota and national portions of the PSI exam.
6. Obtain errors and omissions insurance.
7. Select a North Dakota sponsoring broker.
8. Submit the request to issue an active license.
9. Complete 15 hours of post-license education within the required first-year period.
10. Complete 12 hours of continuing education each year and renew on time.

Requirements, fees, examination procedures, and deadlines can change. Before applying, verify every current requirement with the North Dakota Real Estate Commission and PSI.

Authoritative Sources

• North Dakota Real Estate Commission — How to Apply — application steps, education, fingerprints, fees, examinations, broker approval, and continuing education.
• North Dakota Real Estate Commission — Online Application Instructions — online application workflow, fingerprint submission, background-check processing, and request to issue a license.
• PSI — North Dakota Real Estate Examination Candidate Handbook — examination provider information and examination fee listed in the handbook.
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Real Estate Brokers and Sales Agents — occupation information, employment conditions, and earnings context.