Being a real estate broker in Indiana can be an incredibly rewarding journey, as well as a fulfilling career. Individuals who are interested in becoming a licensed real estate broker in the state of Indiana have a few steps to take in order to start their journey. First, those interested must ensure that they meet the basic eligibility requirements. These include a high school or high school diploma or equivalent degree, and being 18 years of age or older. Next, interested individuals will need to complete an approved pre-licensing course, and take and pass the Indiana Licensing Exam.
After passing the licensing exam, Indiana real estate brokers must complete 30 hours of post-licensing education within the first 2 years of obtaining their license. It’s important to understand that post-licensing education must be approved by the Indiana Real Estate Commission, where individuals can find approved courses such as Indiana Real Estate Institute. Fortunately, in addition to being a potentially rewarding experience, post-licensing education can be a smooth experience. To better understand how, let’s delve into the matter further.
What is a Post-Licensing Program?
In Indiana, real estate brokers who have passed the licensing test must complete certain post-licensing requirements. Within the first two years of being licensed, Indiana real estate brokers must complete 30 hours of Indiana Real Estate Commission (IREC) approved post-licensing education.
Post-licensing programs are programs that are approved by the IREC that are designed to equip recent licensees for their careers in real estate. These courses will cover important elements relevant to real estate and aim to ensure that Indiana real estate brokers are empowered to navigate the sometimes complex world of real estate business. Topics include agency, contracts, and how to run your real estate business to save taxes and increase your earnings.
Where to Find a Post-Licensing Program?
Even understanding that post-licensing education is a requirement for new real estate brokers in Indiana, you may be wondering how a new real estate broker can find an IREC approved course that will fit their unique needs. Fortunately, there are resources available to help you do just that.
The Indiana Professional Licensing Agency publishes lists of approved education providers, which can be extremely helpful to individuals looking for a commission-approved post-licensing course. Individuals can navigate to the updated list of CE education providers, where they can find numerous 30-hour post-licensing courses listed. Among these, for example, the Indiana Real Estate Institute’s 30-hour post-licensing class. Many of Indiana Real Estate Institute’s students find the course to be filled with useful information that is presented in an engaging and entertaining method that maintains their interest, compared to a typical, boring course filled with nothing but slides.
What to Look For in a Post Licensing Program?
While you can easily narrow your search to commission-approved courses, there are still a lot of options, and it can be important to determine which course might be right for you. Here are some considerations you might take:
- Do they offer various formats, such as online, in-person, and virtual? It can be important to seek out courses that suit your comfort level and learning style. So, consider the formats that are offered and how they line up with your needs.
- Do they offer additional resources to help you succeed, such as informative articles and other learning materials?
- Do they work to make the course engaging so that it’s easy to learn and retain the crucial information in the course?
Steps to Enroll in an Indiana Real Estate Post-Licensing Program
Now that we’ve covered what post-licensing programs are, where individuals can find them, and why they’re so important, it’s important to explore how to enroll in one. Fortunately, the process is very straightforward and typically consists of only a few steps:
1. Ensure that You’re Prepared for the Course
First, it’s important to ensure that you’re at the right step. Post-licensing courses are meant for new Indiana real estate brokers who have received their licenses for the first time within the last two years. This means that you should have completed your pre-licensing education and passed the Indiana Real Estate Broker Licensing Exam.
2. Choose Your Program
As we discussed, you can find a list including commission-approved post-licensing programs, which will be listed alongside other continuing education programs that have been approved by the commission. From there, you can narrow your search based on your own unique preferences, considering factors such as the formats that are available.
3. Register Online, by Phone, or In Person
While many real estate brokers likely prefer the convenience of online post-licensing courses, there are a number of ways to register for post-licensing education. Depending on the program, you may be able to register over the phone, in person, or even simply online. Once you’ve registered, you’ll be able to start your program. The staff at Indiana Real Estate Institute get rave reviews for their prompt and informative communication.
4. Start Your Program
This step may vary, depending on the program you choose. Some online programs, you may be able to get started on right away from the comfort of your home. Others, you may need to attend at a scheduled time. Indiana Real Estate Institute does a great job of communicating upcoming class dates and times.
Completing Your Post-Licensing Course
After you’ve successfully enrolled in your 30-hour post-licensing program, you’ll need to pay careful attention, do your
best to learn, and successfully complete the program. Remain mindful of your learning style, and consider practicing helpful habits such as note-taking and independent study. Try to avoid practices like cramming information or tuning out important information.
The Bottom Line
While becoming a licensed real estate broker in the state of Indiana can be a highly rewarding career path, there are some important steps that must be taken first. Taking a 30-hour post-licensing program can be an important one to be aware of completing in a timely manner. Fortunately, there are programs available online, in-person, and virtual that offer the knowledge and wisdom to help propel you forward into a rewarding career in real estate. Some important considerations to remember include: (1) ensuring that programs are IREC approved; (2) that they offer the services that you need in a format that you’re amenable to; and (3) that post-licensing education must be completed within the first 2 years of licensure.
If you’ve recently completed your exam and received your license, be sure to check out our post-licensure offerings. At Indiana Real Estate Institute, we offer post-licensing programs online, virtual, and in person! Be sure to reach out online today.
