Real Estate License in Multiple States

There are many reasons why you might find yourself tempted to expand your business to a different state. However, possibly different laws and the fear of starting from scratch can make this a daunting task. To help you along, we have decided to explain how to get a real estate license in multiple states.

Portability

Let us first discuss the states which, interestingly enough, do not require you to get a real estate license. Tied into this is the concept of ‘portability.’ Meaning the extent to which your current license will allow you to be acknowledged as a proper real estate agent and work in the state freely. You will find portability particularly useful when working with or for a client not from your state or looking to move somewhere. However, know that portability will not allow you to set up your own business anywhere in the other state.

Physical location state

This is an interesting one. The state technically acknowledges your status as a independent contractor. However, you are not allowed to go into the state yourself and do business. Instead, you would have to deal with the impact of remote work on real estate. Something we have all grown uncomfortably used to with the effects of the pandemic still being so prevalent. This, in practical terms, means you can send your client to viewings. You can negotiate on their behalf and even submit offers. So long as you, yourself, are not in the state or meeting with people in it.

Cooperative state

Cooperative states, on the other hand, are the peak of convenience for any real estate agent. They do not require you to get a real estate license in multiple states to do your business. Instead, so long as you have a co–brokerage agreement with a licensee of that particular state, you are free to conduct your business as you would have at home. You will have access to all physical aspects of a real estate sale. Access to properties. The right to bring your client on a tour of the property. Meeting with and negotiating in person. You will be able to relax and do your job.

Turf state

Finally, we have the so-called ‘turf states.’ Unfortunately, these do not allow real estate agents that do not hold a local license any rights to work at all. It means that, in these states, you would be forced to knuckle down and get a local license. There are currently six turf states in the U.S.: Kentucky, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Utah.

Reciprocity

Now we are getting to the part of obtaining an actual license! This is likely what you will be aiming for if you are planning to move your business or do regular work in other states. Just remember there are people to notify when moving your business. It is critical to let everyone know in a timely manner and help them adjust to your future absence! When the time to get a real estate license in multiple states comes, the good news is that you will not be learning from scratch. Admittedly, laws in most states have at least some differences. So you will want to take the time to look into them! However, there are ways to expedite getting your hands on a license. Without going through all the many procedures complete beginners would have to endure, that is.

Full Reciprocity is Misleading

The term ‘full reciprocity’ is somewhat misleading. Yes, the states which feature full reciprocity will allow you to transfer your license relatively easily. However, before you set off to find the right office location, there is one wrinkle you will likely need to straighten out. And that is the state-specific portion of the real estate exam. Thankfully, this does mean you will not need to bother with any other exams or licensing issues. And it is, of course, only wise to insist real estate agents get acquainted with the laws and regulations unique to the state before working in the field. The full license reciprocity states are: Alabama, Kansas, Virginia, Colorado, Mississippi, Alaska, Washington, Missouri, Georgia, Delaware, Kentucky, and Maine.

Partial reciprocity

Partial reciprocity is the middle ground between doing everything from scratch and getting by with just one exam. Your previous status and education will be acknowledged. However, you will still need to go through a limited additional education before being allowed to take further exams that will confirm the legitimacy of your practice. Again, though, your experience and former legitimacy will significantly help with the process. Florida does not require you to take the entire state exam, just a 40-question test regarding Florida real estate law. You might be able to qualify for the reciprocity, or you might be denied even though the state has partial reciprocity agreements with states other than yours. Florida offers real estate reciprocity, known as “mutual recognition agreements’ with eight states: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Mississippi, Nebraska and Rhode Island. Sorry New York, regardless of your position in the real estate realm, you need to start as a Real Sales Associate

No reciprocity

Finally, we have the worst-case scenario. States that support no types of reciprocity at all. In such a case, you would have to bear all the costs to consider when starting a career in real estate from scratch. The classes, the exams, the licensing. All of it. In other words, this will make your attempt to get a real estate license in multiple states a lot harder than it otherwise would have been. The states that do not offer license reciprocity include Arizona, Vermont, California, Texas, Indiana, Wyoming, Hawaii, South Dakota, Montana, Michigan, New Jersey, and Kentucky.

Reminder and advice

This marks the end of our answer to how to get a real estate license in multiple states. We hope you now have a better grasp of the task ahead of you. Just remember: before settling on a state to expand into, take a close and careful look at the reciprocity and portability policies they subscribe to. Every state has some combination of the two. And, interestingly, you can run into states that allow realtors to work freely in them while allowing no reciprocity. Finally, if you are looking into this for just a single client or a recent uptick in the interest of your clients in a particular state, there are other options. You can form a partnership with a real estate licensee there and recommend each other to clients in your respective states. Whatever you decide to settle on, we wish you luck in your endeavors!