At first glance, buying a house in Utah seems like a pretty simple task. Browse listings, attend open houses on the weekend, and make an offer on the property with the right number of bedrooms to fit your family.
Sounds easy, right? But have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes once an offer has been made?
While you might think the job is done once you’ve found your dream home, the real work is only just beginning.
Real estate agents are the people who handle the countless financial, legal, and administrative tasks associated with transferring ownership of a property from one person to another. They know what paperwork to fill out, what decisions must be made, and all the details that should be confirmed to keep a dream home from turning into a case of buyer’s regret.
Of course, not just anyone can act as a real estate agent. In Utah, anyone who wants to work in real estate must first obtain a Sales Agent License from the state’s Department of Commerce.
The state has some of the most robust licensing requirements of any state, but this article will guide you through each step of the process, from real estate coursework to testing requirements and beyond.
Obtaining a Real Estate License in Utah
Real estate licensing is managed by the state’s Division of Real Estate, which is part of the state’s Department of Commerce.
This government agency has partnered with a private company called Pearson to administer real estate exams required for licensing.
Essential Conditions for Real Estate Professional Licensing
All new real estate sales agents in the state must complete the same basic steps to obtain a license:
- Complete required real estate coursework
- Pass an exam
- Get fingerprinted
- Submit an application
- Pay a fee
No one should conduct any real estate transactions or work in the industry without first obtaining a license.
Age and Primary Educational Qualifications
All applicants seeking a real estate license must meet just two preliminary requirements; they must be 18 years of age and must have either a high school diploma or a GED1
Obligatory Pre-License Course Hours
The very first step toward earning a sales agent real estate license in the Beehive state is to complete a 120-hour real estate education course.1 Applicants must select from a list of approved programs,2 which can be found at community colleges and career training facilities across the state.
Expenditure on Pre-Licensing Education for Real Estate
The cost of pre-licensing education can vary depending on the school you choose,2 but most publish pricing information on their websites to make it easier to compare programs. As an example, one private career training facility charges $345 if the program is taken online, or $445 if applicants wish to attend live classes.3
Mandatory Background Assessment for Real Estate License (Fingerprint Center Locations)
All applicants for a real estate license in the state must undergo fingerprinting to allow the state to conduct a criminal background check. To make the licensing application process as simple as possible, testing center Pearson offers fingerprinting services to anyone who takes the exam at their Bountiful, Draper, Ogden, or Orem locations.
- Pearson Professional Centers-Bountiful (SLC) UT
1551 South Renaissance Towne Dr
Suite 560
Bountiful 84010 - Pearson Professional Centers-Draper (Salt Lake City)
11820 South State Street
Suite 300
Draper 84020 - Pearson Professional Centers-Ogden UT
1150 South Depot Drive
Suite 130
Business Depot Ogden
Ogden 84404 - Valley University Testing Services
1165 West 800 South
Orem 84058
The cost of fingerprinting at Pearson is $12,4 and applicants must make an appointment in advance for fingerprinting services.
Those who take the test at a Pearson test center other than the four listed above must arrange to have their fingerprints taken elsewhere.5 This can include a private fingerprinting facility or a local police station.
Pearson will provide fingerprint cards to exam takers, and these cards can be taken to the selected fingerprinting site to record the prints.
Can I Get a Real Estate License if I Have a Criminal Record?
The state Real Estate Division will not issue real estate licenses to applicants who have been convicted of a felony within the past 5 years,6 or of a misdemeanor related to fraud or theft within the past 3 years. All criminal activity must be disclosed when applying for a real estate license, and will also be verified during the licensing criminal background check.
References
1Utah Division of Real Estate. (2023). Real Estate – Apply for a Sales Agent License. Utah Division of Real Estate. Retrieved November 15, 2023, from <https://realestate.utah.gov/real-estate/licensing/sales-agent/>
2Utah Division of Real Estate. (2023). Real Estate – Pre-License Schools. Utah Division of Real Estate. Retrieved November 15, 2023, from <https://realestate.utah.gov/real-estate/education/pre-license-schools/>
3Institute of Real Estate Education. (2020). Utah Real Estate Pre-Licensing Course Online. Institute of Real Estate Education. Retrieved November 15, 2023, from <https://realestateonlinelearning.com/courses-and-classes/sales-agent-licensing-course/#pricetable>
4Pearson VUE. (2023, January). Utah Real Estate Candidate Handbook. Pearson VUE. Retrieved November 15, 2023, from <https://home.pearsonvue.com/getattachment/2eee821d-bff2-4cde-8fe4-437c850a327e/Utah%20Real%20Estate%20Candidate%20Handbook.aspx>
5Pearson VUE. (2023). Test-taker home. Pearson VUE. Retrieved November 15, 2023, from <https://home.pearsonvue.com/Test-takers.aspx>
6Utah Division of Real Estate. (2023). Real Estate – Reciprocity Agreement. Utah Division of Real Estate. Retrieved November 15, 2023, from <https://realestate.utah.gov/real-estate/licensing/reciprocity-agreement/>