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Real Estate licenses in the United States are awarded through each state's
board, commission or department that oversees real estate. Members of these
institutions come together nationally through the National Association of
REALTORS® (NAR), which has the widest membership of any trade organziation in
North America.
Because NAR has trademarked the term "REALTOR®" using all
upper case letters, the term is used exclusively by NAR professionals to indicate
NAR membership. Non-members are not allowed to use the term to describe themselves
professionally. NAR also governs many of the information exchanges known as Multiple Listing
Services (MLSs) that are accessed by real estate brokers throughout the nation.
REALTORS® are real estate brokers and salespersons, although it is not necessary
to be associated with NAR in order to become a real estate broker or salesperson.
In most states there are separate licenses for brokers and salespersons. A real estate
agent can be a licensed broker or salesperson. While California and New York have
similar requirements (at least age 18, enroll in an accredited real estate school,
take an exam) the requirements are different from state to state. There are different
requirements in every state for agents, brokers and appraisers.
Some states
such as California and New York are very restrictive of applicants with criminal
backgrounds. Neither of these two big states require industry experience prior
to licensure. Accredited schools are usually those that are recognized by either
the U.S. Department of Education or the State Real Estate Department, Board or
Commission.
