Nebraska requirements (2026)
Nebraska raised its pre-license requirement from 66 to 96 hours on January 1, 2026.
| Requirement | Nebraska salesperson |
|---|---|
| Age and education | At least 19, with a high school diploma or equivalent |
| Pre-license education | 96 hours: three 30-hour courses (Principles & Practices, Nebraska License Law, one approved elective) plus a 6-hour Professional Practice & Standards course |
| State exam | Administered by Pearson, $150 per attempt |
| Background check | Fingerprint-based criminal history check through the Nebraska State Patrol |
| Commission fees | $135 application fee and $70 original license fee |
| After you're licensed | 12 hours of post-license education (Course 7000) within 180 days |
| Sponsoring broker | You must be affiliated with a licensed broker to practice |
Iowa requirements (2026)
| Requirement | Iowa salesperson |
|---|---|
| Age | At least 18 |
| Pre-license education | 60 hours, plus three 12-hour live courses (Developing Professionalism & Ethical Practices, Buying Practices, Listing Practices): 96 hours total, all within 12 months |
| State exam | Administered by PSI |
| Background check | FBI fingerprint check, $51 |
| Other | Errors & omissions insurance; no separate post-license course (36 hours of continuing education per 3-year term) |
Licensed in one state, want to work both?
Council Bluffs and Omaha are one market, so many agents hold both licenses. Nebraska licensees can get an Iowa license by taking only the Iowa portion of the exam. Iowa licensees in good standing can apply for Nebraska license recognition, which requires a 3-hour Nebraska License Law & Agency course and fingerprints. Rules change, so confirm with each commission before you apply.
The step-by-step path
- Come to Career Night (free, every 3rd Wednesday) to see what the job really looks like before you spend money.
- Enroll in an approved school. Online is cheaper and flexible; in-person is more structured. We'll point you to schools our agents have used.
- Finish your 96 hours, usually 4–8 weeks.
- Schedule and pass the state exam.
- Complete fingerprints and your application, naming your sponsoring broker.
- Start your first 90 days. This is where most new agents get stuck, and where the brokerage you pick matters most.
The part nobody tells you: year one
Getting licensed is the easy part. NAR's 2026 Member Profile shows agents with two years or less of experience earned a median of $8,000, compared with $59,200 for all REALTORS®. In NAR's 2024 report, 62% of those newer members earned under $10,000. The license isn't the difference. Training, leads, coaching and accountability in your first 90 days are.
At The Briley Team, new agents get a 90-day launch course, team leads worked by ISAs, a transaction coordinator on every file and a full-time accountability coach. One of our agents started at 19 with no experience and closed 24 homes her first year.
Common questions
How long does it take to get a real estate license in Nebraska?
Most people finish in 2 to 3 months: about 4 to 8 weeks of coursework for the 96 required hours, then the Pearson exam, fingerprints and the commission application.
How much does it cost to get a real estate license in Nebraska?
State costs include a $135 application fee, a $150 exam fee per attempt and a $70 original license fee, plus fingerprinting and pre-license school tuition, which varies by school and format.
How many hours do you need for a real estate license in Iowa?
Iowa requires 96 hours: 60 hours of pre-license education plus three 12-hour live courses, all completed within 12 months.
Do I need a brokerage before I take the exam?
No. You need a sponsoring broker to activate your license and practice, but most people choose one while finishing their coursework. Career Night is a good place to compare.
- Nebraska Real Estate Commission: pre-license requirements, salesperson application checklist and fee schedule, nrec.nebraska.gov
- Iowa Real Estate Commission rule 193E-16.2 (ARC 7778C) and Iowa DIAL licensing pages, dial.iowa.gov
- NAR, “Experienced REALTORS® anchor the industry…” (2026 Member Profile), nar.realtor/newsroom
- NAR Economists’ Outlook, “The Feature Sheet: 2026 Member Profile” (Aug 2026)
- NAR 2024 Member Profile Highlights (PDF), nar.realtor