How to Get a Real Estate License in Indiana

Indiana’s real estate industry offers a wide range of opportunities for professionals interested in residential, commercial, or rural property markets. With a growing population and diverse housing needs across cities like Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Bloomington, and Lafayette, the demand for knowledgeable real estate agents continues to rise. A career in Indiana real estate allows you to guide clients through major life decisions while building a flexible and rewarding career path.

In Indiana, all new real estate professionals are licensed as brokers—even those just starting their careers. This means that individuals who would be considered salespersons in other states begin as brokers in Indiana. The Indiana Real Estate Commission (IREC) oversees the licensing process, ensuring that all agents meet state education, examination, and continuing education requirements to maintain professional standards.

Here’s how you may pursue your real estate license in Indiana:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Hold a high school diploma or equivalent (GED)
• Complete 90 hours of approved pre-licensing education
• Pass the Indiana real estate broker licensing exam
• Apply for your Indiana broker license
• Affiliate with a managing broker
  

Table of Contents

• Steps to Getting Your Real Estate License in Indiana
• Indiana Broker Post-Licensing and Continuing Education Requirements
• Indiana Real Estate License Reciprocity
  

Steps to Getting Your Real Estate License in Indiana

Starting a real estate career in Indiana requires meeting specific education, exam, and sponsorship requirements outlined by the IREC. Below is a clear, step-by-step guide to help you understand how to get your Indiana real estate broker license and begin working legally in the state. 

Step 1: Confirm You Meet the Eligibility Requirements

Before starting the licensing process, make sure you meet Indiana’s basic requirements:

• Be at least 18 years old
• You must have a high school diploma or equivalent (GED)
  

Step 2: Complete 90 Hours of Pre-Licensing Education

Indiana requires all prospective brokers to complete 90 hours of approved pre-licensing coursework through a state-approved education provider. This education must be completed before you can apply to take the state licensing exam.

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Step 3: Submit a Criminal Background Check

To qualify for licensure, you must complete and pass a background check conducted by the Indiana State Police. You cannot have any felony convictions on your record. The background check is typically completed after finishing your pre-licensing course.

Step 4: Pass the Indiana Real Estate Broker Licensing Exam

After completing your 90-hour pre-licensing course and background check, the next step is to pass the Indiana real estate broker licensing exam. This exam is administered by Pearson VUE and includes both national and state-specific sections designed to assess your knowledge of real estate law, principles, and practices. 

To stay on track toward licensure:

• You must apply for your real estate license within one year of completing the pre-licensing education
• Exam fees are required and must be paid when registering through Pearson VUE

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Step 5: Find a Sponsoring Managing Broker

Before your license can become active, you must be sponsored by a currently licensed managing broker in Indiana. Your sponsoring broker will supervise your activities as you begin your real estate career.

Step 6: Apply for Your Indiana Broker License

After passing the exam and securing a managing broker, you can apply for your Indiana broker license through the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA). Be prepared to submit proof of:

• Completed pre-licensing education
• Passing exam results
• Sponsorship by a managing broker
• Background check clearance
  

Indiana Broker Post-Licensing and Continuing Education Requirements

To maintain an active real estate broker license in Indiana, licensees must complete specific education requirements set by the IREC. These include a one-time post-licensing course for new brokers, followed by ongoing annual continuing education (CE).

Post-Licensing Education for New Brokers

If you are newly licensed in Indiana, you must complete 30 hours of post-licensing education within the first two years of receiving your broker license. This is a one-time requirement that helps new brokers transition into professional practice.

Key details:

• Must be completed through an IREC-approved provider
• Covers topics such as license law, contracts, agency, ethics, Fair Housing, and business planning
• Satisfies your CE requirements during the first two years—no additional CE is required during this time
  

Once you complete the post-licensing education, you will begin the standard annual CE cycle in your third year of licensure.

Annual Continuing Education Requirements

After completing post-licensing, all Indiana brokers must fulfill ongoing CE requirements to maintain their license:

• You must complete 12 hours of CE annually, regardless of when your license is up for renewal
  
• The CE cycle runs from July 1st to June 30th
  
• These hours must be completed through a state-approved education provider
  

License Renewal Process

At the end of the three-year cycle (license expiration is always June 30th):

• Confirm CE completion for each of the three-year CE cycles
• Renew your license online via lndiana’s licensing portal—renewal notices are typically issued approximately 90 days before expiration
• Pay the required renewal fee
• Retain your CE completion certificates, as the IPLA may audit you after renewal
  

Indiana Real Estate License Reciprocity

Indiana does not have formal reciprocity agreements with any other state for real estate salesperson or broker licenses. This means that if you’re licensed in another state and want to practice real estate in Indiana, you must meet all of Indiana’s licensing requirements.

However, out-of-state licensees may be eligible to waive the national portion of the Indiana licensing exam if they hold an active license in good standing in another state. In this case, applicants are only required to take and pass the state-specific portion of the Indiana real estate broker exam. You must still complete a background check, affiliate with a managing broker, and apply through the IPLA. 

For the most accurate and up-to-date information, contact the IREC or visit the IPLA website before applying.