How to get a Salesperson license in North Dakota

North Dakota real estate agent licenses

North Dakota issues 3 real estate agent credentials. Each has its own section below; the table shows what each one covers and its headline requirements.

Applies to every license level

These rules are the same for several of the North Dakota real estate agent licenses on this page, so they are shown once here, with the licenses they apply to. Each license's own section lists only what differs.

1. Every license level (all 3)

How to apply

Apply online

services.realestatend.org³⁷

Renewal

How often

Every year⁴

When it expires

Licenses expire December 31 each year; the renewal application is due by November 15. Unrenewed licenses are canceled after the late-renewal period.⁴

Renew online

services.realestatend.org⁷

2. Every license level except Real estate brokerage firm license

Requirements

Minimum age

18 years old⁴

Background check

Background check required³
Fingerprints required³
State and FBI fingerprint check through the ND Attorney General, plus a credit history check; a conviction bars licensure only if it has a direct bearing on the ability to serve the public or the person is not sufficiently rehabilitated. Unpaid judgments, liens or bad checks can be grounds for denial.⁴

Residency or citizenship

ND residency not required; nonresident licenses are issued (reciprocal for residents of MN, IA and GA).³

Social Security number

Social Security Number required (used for credit and criminal history checks).³

Insurance minimum

$187 individual errors and omissions insurance (Rice Insurance, NDREC-negotiated rate)³ (Active licensees without firm coverage; any qualifying insurer may be used instead)

Insurance

Active licensees must carry errors and omissions insurance of at least $100,000 per claim and $500,000 annual aggregate (or be covered by a firm policy); proof is required before an active license is issued. NDREC negotiates an individual policy with Rice Insurance at $187 per calendar year.⁸

Business requirements

Licensees paid through their own corporation or LLC must register it with NDREC as an organization license (one-time $200 fee, no renewal); this is not a firm license.³

Also required

No real estate license revoked in any state within 2 years before applying.³

Fees

Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.

How to apply

1. Complete the NDREC-certified prelicensing course (residents only) and apply online at services.realestatend.org, uploading documents and paying the nonrefundable fees by Visa, Mastercard or Discover.³ services.realestatend.org⁷
2. Residents and non-reciprocal nonresidents: schedule the exam directly with PSI (no test code needed) and upload passing score reports.³
3. Get fingerprinted on two cards and mail them sealed, with the Fingerprint Verification Form, the Criminal History Record Check Request and a $43 check or money order to the Attorney General, to NDREC.³
4. NDREC reviews the application, credit report and criminal history (some go to a commission meeting).³
5. Submit the Request to Issue Real Estate License with the $20 recovery-fund payment and, for an active license, proof of E&O insurance; your broker approves it.³
6. NDREC issues the active or inactive license by email; display it at the brokerage or post your name and license number on the broker's website.³

Processing time

Depends on the applicant; fingerprint results usually take 1-2 weeks; application status can be checked online 7-10 days after submitting.³

Renewal

Continuing education

12 hours each renewal period⁵

Approved courses

Courses approved by NDREC (courses approved by other states' real estate commissions are also accepted); keep certificates of completion (90% attendance).⁹

If it expires

A license canceled for failure to renew requires a new application with fees and passing the exams again.⁴
Inactive licenses can be held indefinitely if renewed (fee paid) each year.³

From another state

Who needs a Salesperson license

Licensed to perform real estate activity for a broker/firm; an active license requires association with a broker and E&O coverage. ND does not issue residential- or commercial-only licenses.⁴

Work that does not need this license:

• No license needed by: the property owner; attorneys in specific situations; auctioneers at bona fide public auctions; banks/trust companies and their officers; holders of a power of attorney; receivers, trustees, executors, guardians or persons under court order; public officers on duty (NDCC 43-23-07).³

Other rules on who may do this work:

• Wholesaling (profiting from transferring an interest in residential property) requires a license and written disclosure.³
• An out-of-state license or an inactive ND license is not enough; an active ND license is required.³

Requirements for a Salesperson license

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1 and group 2 under Applies to every license level.

Education or training

At least 90 classroom hours¹
NDREC-certified salesperson prelicensing course (residents only); apply within 2 years of finishing it³
Who may teach it: Schools certified by NDREC (online-only asynchronous courses must be certified).³
Alternative: Not required for applicants already licensed in another (non-reciprocal) state, or for reciprocal MN/IA/GA licensees.⁴

Experience

Supervision: Must associate with a broker and firm for an active license; may not start work until the broker is notified of licensure.⁴

Exam

North Dakota real estate salesperson examination (national and state portions)²
Given by: PSI Services LLC²
Passing score: Salesperson: 70 of 100 (national) and 30 of 40 (state)⁶
When you can take it: No test code needed: candidates may test at any time (even before finishing the prelicensing course, though the license is not issued until it is done).⁶
National portion: 100 questions, passing score 70, 150 minutes⁶
State portion: 40 questions, passing score 30, 90 minutes⁶
Retakes: Unlimited retakes for 12 months; only the failed portion is retaken; the exam fee is paid each time.⁶
Time limit: A passed portion is kept if the other is passed within 12 months of the first exam; otherwise reapply with fees.⁴
Exam waived: Nonresidents licensed in a non-reciprocal state take only the state portion; reciprocal applicants (MN, IA, GA) take no ND exam.³

Also required

Good reputation for honesty, truthfulness and fair dealing; credit history must be acceptable.¹

How much a Salesperson license costs

Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.

Renewal and continuing education

Renewal fee

$125¹⁰

Exemptions

Salespersons who completed the 90-hour course are exempt from CE for their first renewal.⁵
Nonresident and reciprocal licensees meet CE in their state of residence only.⁹
Inactive licenses need no CE while inactive, but CE for up to 3 missed cycles is due to reactivate.⁴
Extensions or exceptions for health, military service or other good cause.⁵
No grace period: if CE is not done by Nov. 15, renew as inactive.⁹

Moving to North Dakota with a license from another state

These are the routes NDREC publishes for the Salesperson license. The other real estate agent licenses have their own routes in their sections below.

Broker

A designated broker runs a sole proprietorship or firm (and its trust account); a broker associate works under another broker and may not act independently.⁴

Requirements

Education or training

At least 60 classroom hours¹
Additional 60 hours of NDREC-approved broker prelicensing education (residents only), on top of the 90-hour salesperson course; apply within 2 years of finishing it¹
Who may teach it: Schools certified by NDREC.³
Alternative: Not required for nonresidents licensed as brokers in another (non-reciprocal) state, or reciprocal MN/IA/GA brokers.⁴
Alternative: Commission may set guidelines treating closely related coursework as meeting the education requirement (education itself cannot be waived).¹

Experience

At least 2 years¹
Actively engaged full time as a licensed real estate salesperson for at least 2 years before applying (certified by the broker), or experience the commission finds substantially equivalent; may be waived if salesperson employment was unavailable in the applicant's area.⁴
Supervision: Broker associates work under a designated broker and may not act independently.⁴
License you must hold first: Salesperson license (2 years), with a favorable broker assessment of the applicant's salesperson work.³
Substitute: Substantially equivalent experience, explained in an uploaded letter (average hours/week, listings, closed transactions, practice areas).³
Substitute: Experience requirement may be waived where salesperson employment could not be obtained locally.¹

Exam

North Dakota real estate broker examination (national and state portions)²
Given by: PSI Services LLC²
Passing score: Broker: 75 of 100 points (national) and 30 of 40 (state)⁶
When you can take it: No test code needed: candidates may test at any time (even before finishing the prelicensing course, though the license is not issued until it is done).⁶
National broker portion: 90 questions (100 points), passing score 75, 150 minutes; some scenario questions worth up to 2 points⁶
State portion: 40 questions, passing score 30, 90 minutes⁶
Retakes: Unlimited retakes for 12 months; only the failed portion is retaken; the exam fee is paid each time.⁶
Time limit: The broker exam must be passed within 12 months of the first exam; otherwise reapply with fees.⁴
Exam waived: Nonresidents licensed in a non-reciprocal state take only the state portion; reciprocal applicants (MN, IA, GA) take no ND exam.³

Also required

Designated brokers with a trust account submit a bank-certified Consent to Examine Trust Account; those without one request a trust account waiver.³

Also required

A broker who will run a firm must also file a separate firm license application.³

Fees

Each line is a separate charge as the board lists it. The board does not publish a combined total, so none is shown here.

How to apply

1. NDREC emails your designated broker a form to assess your salesperson work (2-year experience requirement).³

Renewal

Renewal fee

$150¹¹ (Broker and broker associate)

Exemptions

New brokers are exempt from CE for the CE period in which they passed the broker exam.⁵
Nonresident and reciprocal licensees meet CE in their state of residence only.⁹
Inactive licenses need no CE while inactive, but CE for up to 3 missed cycles is due to reactivate.⁴
Extensions or exceptions for health, military service or other good cause.⁵
No grace period: if CE is not done by Nov. 15, renew as inactive.⁹

From another state

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1 and group 2 under Applies to every license level.

Real estate brokerage firm license

License for a corporation, LLC or partnership providing brokerage through its licensees; it must have a licensed designated broker, and every employee acting as a salesperson must be licensed.¹

Requirements

Experience

Designated broker with an active ND broker license; all brokers/salespersons working in ND must hold active ND licenses and E&O coverage.³
License you must hold first: Active ND broker license for the designated broker.³

Background check

Discloses legal proceedings charging fraud or misrepresentation, and judgments or liens, against the entity.³

Business requirements

Formation documents and a good-standing certificate from the ND Secretary of State (or Certificate of Authority for out-of-state companies); registered trade name if used.³

Business requirements

Trust account consent (bank-certified) or trust account waiver.³

Business requirements

Firms located outside ND file a Consent to Suit by Non-resident Applicant for Real Estate Corporate License.³

Also required

If the designated broker goes inactive and no other broker is designated, the firm license is canceled and a new firm application with fees is needed.⁴

Fees

How to apply

1. Register the entity (and any trade name) with the ND Secretary of State.³
2. Apply online with the firm documents and pay the $200 fee by Visa, Mastercard or Discover.³ services.realestatend.org⁷
3. NDREC reviews the firm (and designated broker) application and issues the firm license.³

Processing time

Depends on completeness, the designated broker's license status and whether the commission must review it at a meeting.³

Renewal

Renewal fee

$200¹¹ (Renewed together with the designated broker's license)

From another state

More rules for this license are shared with other levels: group 1 under Applies to every license level.

City and county rules

Broker (designated broker or broker associate)State license only; no county or municipal real estate license identified.³

Check a license or report a problem

Before you hire a real estate agent in North Dakota, you can confirm the license is current on the board's own search. Every board we cover in North Dakota is on the North Dakota license lookup page.

Look up a license

services.realestatend.org⁷

File a complaint

realestatend.org¹²

Laws and rules

The requirements above come from these laws and board rules.

• N.D. Cent. Code ch. 43-23 (incl. 43-23-05, 43-23-08, 43-23-08.4, 43-23-13, 43-23-13.1)
• N.D. Admin. Code ch. 70-02-01 (licensing, exams, renewal, nonresidents)
• N.D. Admin. Code ch. 70-02-04 (continuing education)
• N.D. Admin. Code ch. 70-02-05 (errors and omissions insurance)

Common questions

Real estate agent licenses in other states

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• District of Columbia
• Florida
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Missouri
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• North Carolina
• Oklahoma
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Texas
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming