What Does it Take to Earn Your Indiana Real Estate License?
We’ve all heard horror stories about how hard the real estate exam is. Many test-takers don’t pass the first time. Real estate is a difficult profession, so it makes sense that the licensing exam is difficult too. But don’t be discouraged by this grim statistic. Taking Indiana real estate classes and studying hard can help improve your chances of success. If you’re new to real estate, you might not be familiar with all the requirements. Keep reading to learn more about the Indiana real estate classes you need to take to earn your Indiana real estate license.
How to Get Your Indiana Real Estate License
Obtaining an Indiana real estate license is a straightforward process. To be eligible, you must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED. You will have to complete a 90-hour pre-licensing course and pass the state licensing exam to get your real estate license.
Once you have your Indiana real estate license, you will need to take a 30-hour post-licensing course within two years. There is no real estate exam following the post-licensing course. You will also have to complete 12 hours of continuing education every year from July 1st to June 30th to maintain your license.
Pre-Licensing Course
To become a real estate agent in Indiana, you will need to complete an approved 90-hour pre-licensing course. This course will go over everything you will need to know for both the national and the state portions of the exam. Below are some of the topics found 
on the national section of the Indiana real estate license exam:
- Property ownership
- Valuation and market analysis
- Financing
- Principles of agency
- Disclosures
- Contracts
- Leasing
- Property management
- Transfer of title
- The practice of real estate
Here are some of the topics found on the state section of the real estate exam:
- The Indiana Real Estate Commission
- Licensing at the state level
- Regulatory requirements
- Office procedures
You can take either online classes or in-person classes for your pre-licensing course. Online real estate classes are great for people who want to work at their own pace. In-person Indiana real estate classes are great for people who want to work in a group setting and network with future colleagues.
Post-Licensing Course
Within two years of getting your real estate license, you will need to complete a 30-hour post-licensing course. This course counts as your continuing education requirement in the first two years.
The Indiana Professional Licensing Agency has specific requirements for the post-licensing course. They also specify how many hours need to be spent on each topic. Below are the requirements for the post-licensing course.
Real Estate Transactions
Brokers will learn about various aspects of real estate transactions in this section of the course. Education providers will cover specific topics, including:
- Unauthorized practice of law
- Contracts
- Listing and purchase agreements
- Required disclosures
- Offers and counteroffers
- The closing process
Brokers must complete 6 hours of continuing education on real estate transactions.
Financing
It’s important for brokers to have a solid understanding of financing to better serve their clients. Education providers will cover specific topics, including:
- Mortgages
- Different types of loans
- Determining credit scores
- Building credit
Brokers must complete 6 hours of continuing education on financing.
Sales and Marketing
Brokers need to know more than the basics of real estate to be successful. They also need to be well-versed in sales and marketing. Education providers will cover specific topics, including:
- Business planning
- Lead generation
- Networking
- Methods of growing your business
Brokers must complete 10 hours of continuing education in sales and marketing.
Negotiation
As with other business practices, negotiation is an important part of real estate. Brokers need to have good negotiation skills to better serve their clients. Education providers will cover specific topics, including:
- Negotiation principles
- Phases of negotiation
- Factors that affect the negotiation
Brokers must complete 5 hours of continuing education on negotiation.
Fair Housing
There are many laws that regulate real estate transactions, including the Fair Housing Act. It’s important for brokers to have an understanding of these laws to make sure they are in compliance. Education providers will cover specific topics including:
- State and federal laws
- Protected classes
- Prohibited practices
- Enforcement
- Diversity
Brokers must complete 1 hour of continuing education on fair housing.
Construction
Brokers need to know more about the process of buying and selling properties. They also need to be knowledgeable about the 
actual buildings and construction processes. Education providers will cover specific topics, including:
- Building codes and permits
- Blueprints
- Types of buildings
- Styles of buildings
- Foundations
- Framing
- Flooring
- Roofs, windows, and exterior doors
- Interior finishes
- Heating and cooling
- Plumbing
- Electricity
- Building inspections
- Sustainable building practices
Brokers must complete 2 hours of continuing education on construction.
Continuing Education
After your initial post-licensing course, you will need to complete 12 hours of continuing education every year. This is required to renew your real estate license. Unlike the first 30 hours, you will have the flexibility to learn about topics that interest you.
Each education provider will have different continuing education courses that you can take. Here are some of the courses that we offer:
- Title Cases You Won’t Believe
- Home Inspection Issues
- Agent Safety
- Ethics & Professional Standards
- Indiana License Law
- Running a Better Brokerage
- Home Designs & Square Footage
Whether you want to brush up on the basics or learn a new skill, our real estate classes will help you meet your goals.
Register for Indiana Real Estate Classes
No matter where you are in your career, Indiana Real Estate Institute can help get you to the next level. Our instructors are practicing real estate agents with plenty of real-world knowledge.
Ready to take the next step? Get in touch for more information or to register for Indiana real estate classes today.
