Becoming a Utah real estate agent can open many doors and be a very lucrative career. However, like most valuable jobs, it won’t happen overnight. You’ll first need to undergo extensive training and certification to ensure that you have what it takes to sell homes in your area. You can choose to go to a real estate school in person, but nowadays, there are also many different online real estate schools that will walk you through all of the necessary Utah real estate license requirements.
To become a real estate agent in Utah, it’s not a very complicated process. However, there are quite a few different pre-requisites you’ll need to obtain and you’ll also need to be at least 18 years old, and possess a high school diploma or equivalency. Additionally, you’ll need to be in good legal standing, meaning no outstanding charges or felonies, convictions, etc.
Taking a Pre-Licensing Course
One of the first Utah real estate license requirements includes enrolling in a pre-licensing course, to ensure that you meet all of the basic requirements to eventually test and become a licensed real estate agent. Each pre-licensing course is approximately 120 hours and consists of a wealth of useful information and hands-on training to help you when you’re a new real estate agent.
Some of the most common topics covered in pre-licensing courses, both online and in-person, include:
- Utah homeowner’s rights
- Federal real estate laws
- How to value and appraise properties
For those who’ve already obtained a real estate license in another state, the Utah Division of Real Estate may agree to waive certain hours or portions of your course. However, you’ll still be required to enroll and pass a pre-licensing course before you’re able to take your licensing exam.
To pass your real estate licensing course, you’ll need to obtain a 70% or higher score on your final exam.
Taking Your Pre-Licensing Exam
Once you’ve successfully completed your pre-licensing course, it’s time to take the exam and put all of that specialized knowledge to the test. Your final test will be administered by Utah’s approved testing provider and consist of two different sections, one that deals specifically with national real estate requirements and one that focuses on Utah’s unique real estate requirements.
Every pre-licensing exam is made up of 130 multiple-choice questions and each student will have four hours to complete the test. The exam is administered online and requires a minimal fee.
Applying for Your Utah Real Estate License
After successfully completing your pre-licensing training and passing the test, it’s time to begin your Utah real estate license application process. The first thing you’ll need to do is submit your application. It’s important to note that your Utah real estate license application MUST be submitted within 90 days after completing your licensing course.
Here’s what you’ll need for your application, according to the Utah Division of Real Estate:
- A sales agent application fee ($15)
- Certification of Legal Presence
- A Qualifying Questionnaire with signed responses and all proper legal documentation
- Two fingerprint cards and a signed Fingerprint Waiver from your testing center
- Your original school certificates from your real estate school or a signed education waiver
- An application from the testing center that’s been completed and signed
Beginning Your Career as a Utah Real Estate Agent
Once you’ve met all of the Utah real estate license requirements and obtained your very own Utah real estate license, it’s time to hit the ground running. But where do you start? Well, here are some of the first things you’ll need to do:
- Join a Brokerage: This is step one for new real estate agents. You’ll need to join a brokerage that’s been licensed by the state of Utah to begin your career. This is required by the state to promote legal and ethical transactions for new agents.
- Get Organized: You’ll need to keep track of everything from leads to running social media accounts, so getting organized early on is a must. The more organized you are, the better you’ll be able to help your clients find what they need.
- Track Down Leads: This is arguably the most important component of being a new real estate agent: attracting clients! These days, most reputable leads are generated online, so be sure to have a great, user-friendly, and informative website. You can also ask for advice from your fellow real estate agents on some of the best tactics they use for attracting leads.
- Turn Those Leads Into Sales: People want to work with someone they trust, so be sure to always be open to speaking with them face to face. Having honest conversations with your clients about their needs and expectations is one of the best ways to close the deal. Follow up with them frequently to make sure they don’t have any reservations and if they do, put their mind at ease by setting up a meeting and walking them through the process.
