North Dakota licensing guide
How to Get a Real Estate License in North Dakota
A practical step-by-step guide to North Dakota licensing requirements, estimated costs, timeline, official resources, and what to do after you pass.
North Dakota licensing snapshot
Last reviewed May 29, 2026
- License type
- Salesperson
- Minimum age
- 18
- Pre-license education
- 90 hours
- Exam provider
- PSI Services
- Estimated cost
- $600–$1,000
- Estimated timeline
- 3–6 months
- Renewal cycle
- Annual
North Dakota licensees must complete **12 hours of continuing education each year** and pay the annual renewal fee of $125. Licensees must also maintain errors‑and‑omissions insurance. Continuing education certificates must be submitted with each renewal.
Licensing path
Step-by-step licensing path
Use this as a planning sequence, then confirm each requirement with the official state source.
Complete 90‑hour pre‑licensing course
Take the NDREC‑approved 90‑hour pre‑licensing course. Applicants must apply for licensure within two years of completing the course.
Submit application, fees and background check
Submit your application with the $150 application fee, $13 credit‑history fee and $20 education/recovery fund contribution, and complete the required background check.
Schedule and pass the exam
Once approved, schedule and pass both national and North Dakota exams with PSI. The examination fee is about $134.
Obtain errors & omissions insurance and activate license
Provide proof of E&O insurance and pay the salesperson license issuance fee to receive your license.
Complete continuing education and renew annually
Each year, complete 12 hours of continuing education and pay the $125 renewal fee.
Budget planning
Estimated costs
Estimated total cost: $600–$1,000. Actual costs vary by provider, application path, exam retakes, and local business setup choices.
| Cost item | Estimated amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pre‑licensing course | $300–$600 | Estimated cost for a 90‑hour course. |
| Application fee | $150 | Non‑refundable application fee. |
| Credit‑history fee | $13 | Fee for processing the applicant’s credit report. |
| Recovery fund contribution | $20 | One‑time contribution to the North Dakota Real Estate Education, Research & Recovery Fund. |
| Exam fee | $134 | PSI exam fee for salesperson candidates (national + state). |
| Annual renewal fee | $125 | Annual renewal fee for an active salesperson license. |
| Continuing education | $100–$150 | Cost of 12‑hour CE each year. |
Renewal planning
Continuing education
Questions
FAQs
How often must North Dakota licensees renew their license?
Salesperson licenses in North Dakota are renewed annually. Licensees must pay a $125 renewal fee and complete 12 hours of continuing education each year.
What is the pre‑licensing requirement?
Applicants must complete a NDREC‑approved 90‑hour pre‑licensing course and be at least 18 years old before applying.
After you pass the exam
Passing the exam does not create an operating system. New agents still need to manage contacts, follow-ups, active deals, deadlines, client communication, partners, and daily priorities.
New Agent Checklist
Set up the business basics, contacts, partners, follow-up habits, and first-deal readiness.
First 30 Days
Build a practical launch rhythm for contacts, partners, client conversations, and daily work.
License Cost Calculator
Estimate state licensing costs, education, exam, application, background, and setup expenses.
First-Year Budget Calculator
Plan startup and operating costs before your first year gets noisy.
Agent Nook workflow
Licensed is only the beginning.
Agent Nook helps new agents keep deals, deadlines, clients, partners, and daily work organized from the first transaction forward.