Becoming a licensed real estate salesperson in Delaware offers a flexible and entrepreneurial career path. The state’s unique geography, encompassing competitive suburban areas and high-demand coastal regions, presents varied opportunities. Launching this career involves navigating regulatory and educational milestones designed to ensure professional competency. The journey requires specific educational requirements, successful examination performance, and securing a professional affiliation.
Meeting the Initial Requirements
The first steps toward licensure require satisfying basic eligibility standards established by the Delaware Real Estate Commission (DREC). Aspiring agents must be at least 18 years old and hold a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent. Candidates are also required to be a legal resident of the United States.
A significant component involves a thorough background investigation. All applicants must obtain both a state and federal criminal history report from the State Bureau of Identification. Delaware law mandates the full disclosure of any past criminal convictions, particularly those related to felonies or crimes of moral turpitude, which the Real Estate Commission reviews on a case-by-case basis to determine eligibility.
Completing the Required Pre-Licensing Education
Qualification for the state licensing exam is contingent upon the successful completion of 99 hours of pre-licensing instruction. This curriculum must be taken through a school approved by the Delaware Real Estate Commission. The required coursework provides a foundation in general real estate practice and Delaware-specific law and regulations.
The 99 hours are divided into key subject areas: 36 hours dedicated to real estate sales, 33 hours focusing on real estate law, and 24 hours spent on real estate mathematics. The remaining three hours are allocated to course orientation and a review of the material. Delivery formats vary, ranging from traditional in-person classroom instruction to flexible, online interactive courses. Students must pass a final, school-administered exam, typically with a minimum score of 80%, before they are issued a certificate of completion needed to apply for the state exam.
Passing the Delaware Licensing Examination
After completing the 99-hour course, candidates must pass the Delaware Real Estate Salesperson Examination, administered by the state’s testing vendor, Pearson VUE. This computer-based, multiple-choice examination is divided into two sections: a national portion and a state-specific portion. Test-takers are allotted four hours to complete both parts of the exam.
The national section consists of 80 scored questions, while the state-specific section contains 40 scored questions. Both portions include a small number of unscored experimental questions. To pass the examination, candidates must achieve a scaled score of 70 or higher on both the national and state portions. Candidates who pass receive their score report immediately, which is required for the application process to the Delaware Real Estate Commission.
Affiliating with a Sponsoring Broker
The Delaware licensing process requires that a new salesperson affiliate with a licensed Delaware broker to activate their license and practice real estate. While the licensing exam can be taken before securing this affiliation, the license cannot be issued in an active status without a sponsoring broker. This broker assumes responsibility for the new agent’s actions and provides the necessary supervision and mentorship.
The search for a sponsoring broker involves interviewing various brokerage firms to assess their commission splits, training programs, and office culture. Once an agent is accepted, the broker plays a direct role in the final application process by signing a “Statement of Broker of Record” form. This signed document is submitted to the DREC via the DELPROS online portal, which finalizes the application for an active license status.
Understanding the Total Investment
The initial financial outlay for becoming a licensed real estate agent in Delaware is composed of several expenses. The largest variable cost is the pre-licensing course tuition, which typically ranges from $400 to over $600, depending on the school and the chosen format. The state licensing exam carries a fee of $69 to $85, payable to the testing vendor, Pearson VUE.
The state requires a background check, which involves fees for fingerprinting and the criminal history report, often costing around $65. Submitting the license application to the DREC includes an application fee of $131 and a $25 Guaranty Fund fee. The total estimated initial investment for a new agent can range from $680 to over $1,300, excluding optional study materials or business start-up costs.
Maintaining Your Delaware License
The obligations for a licensed agent continue beyond the initial issuance of the license through a structured renewal process. Delaware real estate licenses operate on a biennial renewal cycle, with an expiration date of April 30 in every even-numbered year. Maintaining an active license status requires the completion of Continuing Education (CE) hours during each two-year cycle.
Salespersons must complete a minimum of 21 hours of DREC-approved continuing education. These hours ensure agents remain current on industry standards and legal requirements, with 18 hours designated as core curriculum and three hours as electives. Newly licensed salespersons also have specific post-licensing requirements, which include completing 12 hours of specialized modules within the first year of licensure.