Can You Get a Real Estate License Without a College Degree?

If you’re thinking about starting a career in real estate but don’t have a college degree, you may be wondering: Is a degree required to become a real estate agent? The good news is that in nearly every state, a college degree is not a requirement for getting your real estate license. In fact, many successful real estate agents come from diverse educational backgrounds—and plenty begin their careers without a four-year diploma.

In this article, we’ll break down what education is required, what you’ll need to get licensed, and why a degree is not the most important factor in building a successful real estate career.

No Degree? No Problem

Unlike many professions that require a college education or advanced degree, real estate licensing is focused more on state-specific training and passing the licensing exam than on formal academic credentials.

Each state sets its own licensing requirements, but across the board, the typical steps include:

• Meeting age and legal residency requirements
• Completing a state-approved pre-license course
• Passing the state licensing exam
• Completing a background check
• Applying for your license and affiliating with a brokerage

None of these steps require a college degree. Instead, the emphasis is placed on completing the pre-license education—usually between 40 and 180 hours, depending on the state.

What Kind of Education Is Required?

While a college degree isn’t necessary, you do need to complete a real estate pre-license education program. These are specialized courses designed to prepare you for your state’s real estate licensing exam and to give you a solid foundation in real estate law, contracts, ethics, finance, and property management.

At License Classroom, we offer state-approved online pre-license courses that meet all your local requirements and are flexible enough to fit your schedule—even if you’re working full-time or balancing family responsibilities.

Which States Have No Degree Requirement?

None of the 50 U.S. states require a college degree to apply for a real estate license—including key markets like Texas, Alabama, Georgia, New Jersey, and Virginia. Instead, each state sets its own education and licensing requirements focused on pre-license coursework and exam readiness.

Here’s a quick look at what’s required in your state:

• Texas – 180 hours of pre-license education, covering principles, law of agency, contracts, and more
• Alabama – 60 hours of pre-license coursework
• Georgia – 75 hours of state-approved pre-license education
• New Jersey – 75 hours of approved pre-license education
• Virginia – 60 hours of state-approved pre-license coursework

As you can see, the focus is on completing targeted real estate training—not a college degree. These programs are designed to give you the practical knowledge and legal foundation you need to start working as a licensed agent.

Will Not Having a Degree Hold Me Back?

Not at all. In real estate, your success is measured more by your work ethic, communication skills, marketing ability, and local knowledge than by your academic background. Some of the top-producing agents in the country never attended college.

In fact, many aspiring agents choose real estate because it offers a faster and more affordable pathway to a new career than going back to school.

Advantages of a Career in Real Estate Without a Degree

Here are just a few of the benefits of choosing real estate as a career without pursuing a traditional college path:

• Low barrier to entry
• Flexible schedule
• Entrepreneurial opportunities
• High income potential with no salary cap
• Minimal upfront investment compared to college tuition

Real estate is one of the few fields where you can earn a professional license, start your own business, and potentially make six figures—all without spending four years and tens of thousands of dollars on a degree.

Final Thoughts

So, can you get a real estate license without a college degree? Absolutely. Your success in real estate depends more on dedication, professionalism, and people skills than any academic credential. With the right training and support, you can launch a rewarding and lucrative career—no degree required.

If you’re ready to take the next step, browse our state-approved real estate courses and get started today!