Becoming a real estate agent in Utah might not be easy, but it is a straightforward process. The basic requirements are that you must be at least 18 years old, possess a high school diploma or equivalent/higher academic qualifications, and be in good standing with the law. That means that you should not have any felony, fraud, theft charges, convictions, prison sentences, or misdemeanors involving misrepresentation and dishonesty for at least 5 years prior to your application.
The Pre-Licensing Course
If you meet all the basic requirements, the next step is to enroll in a pre-licensing course. This is a 120-hour course where you can gain tons of information you can use once you have your license.
Some of the topics covered under the pre-licensing course are:
- How to appraise and valuate properties
- Federal real estate laws
- Utah water rights
If you already have an active real estate license from another state, the Utah Division of Real Estate can waive a few of the required hours to shorten your course period. Contact them before registering for a pre-licensing course to see if you are eligible for reduced hours.
The Course Final
When you have completed 120 hours, you must sit for a final course exam. This will not be your final exam, but the minimum passing score is 70%. The exam will test your knowledge of the material you have learned during the course.
The Pre-Licensing Exam
The final exam will be the Utah real estate sales exam, which is administered by Utah’s state-approved testing provider Pearson VUE. The test is divided into two sections: one that tests state requirements and the other that tests national requirements.
The exam consists of 130 multiple-choice questions that must be completed within 4 hours. A fee of $59 is required to reserve the exam, which is administered online.
License Application
When you pass your pre-licensing exam, you will be able to submit an application for a real estate license. This must be done within 90 days. According to the Utah Division of Real Estate, these are the requirements for your application:
- An application from the testing center (completed and signed)
- Original school certificates from your real estate school or Education Waiver (must be signed too)
- A Qualifying Questionnaire with signed responses and all the supporting documentation
- Two fingerprint cards and a signed Fingerprint Waiver from the testing center.
- Certification of Legal Presence
- A sales agent application fee ($157)
Getting Started as a Real Estate Agent in Utah
Step 1 – Brokerage
Having a licensed broker by the state of Utah is a legal requirement, so this is the obvious next step. Once you have your license, you will be able to join a supervising brokerage. The state mandates this to promote proper legal and ethical real estate transactions.
Step 2 – Organization
A career in real estate requires strong people skills, but it is also dependent on your organization level. Tracking leads is a fundamental part of the job, so you need to have an up-to-date calendar and note-taking/recording tools at the ready.
You also need to be proactive when it comes to getting new clients. That means running active social media accounts, interacting with potential clients regularly, and responding to feedback quickly.
Step 3 – Leads
Today, most of your leads will be generated online, so you need a professional website. It is possible that the bulk of your clients will be converted through face-to-face interactions, however. To generate leads, you can start by talking to fellow real estate agents. More importantly, you must make a habit of following up on your prospective clients.
Step 4 – Conversions
Finally, you must turn your leads into clients. The most effective way to do so is through personal communication, be it a face-to-face meeting, a phone call, or an email. Most of your prospects will be looking to sell or buy property anyway, so it will be up to you to help them get the best deals and ultimately provide valuable services to secure repeat business.
That’s All it Takes!
You can become a real estate agent starting today at of the Institute of Real Estate Education. We offer a comprehensive catalog of real estate courses as well as tons of tips and advice on how to become a real estate agent in Utah. Call us today to get started! 801-797-9870