Should It Be Harder to Get a Real Estate License?

**Patrick Mc** · 06-27-2007, 09:04 AM

This is an ongoing discussion that I've been having with colleagues and I'd like to put it out to the forum.

Should states raise the minimum requirements for obtaining a license to sell real estate? If so, what should the requirements be? In Pennsylvania, they've made it very difficult to get an appraisers license. Should we do the same for real estate sales?

From personal experience, I have met and dealt with many wonderful, professional, and knowledgable agents. But on the other hand, I have also dealt with many unqualified, poorly trained, and unprofessional agents. The reputation of Realtors has been dragged through the mud by agents who are often compared to used-car salesmen. (no offense to used-car salespeople)

I've seen bad agents come and I've seen them go, but before they leave the screw up at least a transaction or two.

I know that most brokers will hire anybody with a pulse and a license. The hope is that they'll bring in one or two deals from their friends and family before they quit.

I am not complaining about the competition from these agents, but I am concerned about now they affect our industry and reputation .

What are your thoughts?

**Rich_in_CT** · 06-27-2007, 11:42 AM

I don't think it should be raised to the point that it's nearly impossible to pass but the bar could stand to be raised some. My cousin is an IDIOT and former drug addict and she passed with no problems.

**Codythebest** · 06-27-2007, 05:34 PM

Yes, I think we should increase price and level. If future agent have to pay $20,000 for courses and license, they will be more serious with they career...

**Patrick Mc** · 06-29-2007, 05:44 PM

It's amazing that a hair stylist must have 1,500 hours of class time before being licensed, but in Pennsylvania you only need 60 hours before you can take the test to obtain a real estate license.

**Rich_in_CT** · 06-30-2007, 06:33 AM

Originally Posted by Patrick Mc

It's amazing that a hair stylist must have 1,500 hours of class time before being licensed, but in Pennsylvania you only need 60 hours before you can take the test to obtain a real estate license.

It's about the same here, 60 hrs for agents and considerable more for hair stylists.

Edit: Just checked, it is the same here- 1500 hrs.

**tony s** · 07-01-2007, 07:26 AM

Originally Posted by Patrick Mc

It's amazing that a hair stylist must have 1,500 hours of class time before being licensed, but in Pennsylvania you only need 60 hours before you can take the test to obtain a real estate license.

in Ny its 45 hours, but you can miss 4 hours of class and you get 1 hour and 40 min in breaks everyday.
the test is def too easy

**HomeSurfer** · 07-01-2007, 12:39 PM

How many hours of education and what kind of test does a stock brokerage license require?

**tony s** · 07-01-2007, 01:00 PM

Originally Posted by HomeSurfer

How many hours of education and what kind of test does a stock brokerage license require?

not sure, I think its 250 questions on the series 7 exam

**Patrick Mc** · 07-01-2007, 05:17 PM

I know that those that want to sell financial instruments (other than life or health insurance) must take a rigorous exam. I've looked into it in the past. I don't remember if there is any class time required, but the knowledge required is extensive. I also know that the test isn't easy. (I was also a Finance major in college)

You don't often hear people say "I think I'll try out being a financial advisor part-time and see how it works out."

I met the mother one of my daughter's classmates at the playground today. She told me she's thinking about getting her real estate license. She's got no prior experience or qualifications that would help to make her a successful agent, but if she passes the test (most people pass) she will then be eligible to handle (and possible ruin) the most imporant transaction of someone's life. It doesn't make sense to me.

As a matter of law, we as agents have a fiduciary responsibility to our clients, just as a financial advisor or stock broker has to their cleints. Given this, I strongly believe that those who want to become real estate agents (or Realtors) should have to go through at least 500 hours of education and pass an exam that is much more challenging. They should also perhaps complete an apprenticeship of at least one to two years.

Can you tell I'm passionate about this? I believe we should all be held to a high standard. But I also believe that making it harder to get a license would screw up the recruiting stratgies of most brokers and over time would significantly thin the ranks of existing agents. As a result of this offices will have to be downsized or closed. I really don't see brokers getting behind this in the near future.

**KaterinaGasset** · 07-02-2007, 06:00 AM

It seems on the surface that the requirements to get into Real Estate should be tougher however I have met a lot of great agents who would not have been able to get into Real Estate had it been more hours,etc.

There are bad apples in every bunch. Look at attorneys and doctors; after 8 to 12 years of school and then a tough exam that many fail- how many bad attorneys have you met? How about bad doctors? I have met my share.