How to Get Your Real Estate License in Utah (2026)
Compare 10 Utah DRE-approved schools — including one that's completely free. Get your Utah real estate sales agent license faster with the right school and exclusive CertLaunch discounts.
Course Cost
$0 – $550
Time to License
5 – 16 weeks
Avg Salary
$75,000 – $95,000/yr
Required Hours
120 hours
Top 3 Utah Real Estate Schools at a Glance
1. Arti Academics
Completely free DRE-approved 120-hour course. MBA/CFA/PhD-designed curriculum with high pass rates — zero cost to get started.
FREE
$0 — no catch
2. Agent Professor
Local Salt Lake City school with a simple, streamlined 120-hour course. Utah DRE School License #9460164-RS00. Best value among paid options.
$345
3. Harman Real Estate Academy
Local Orem school with 30+ years of experience. Online textbooks included, affordable flat-rate pricing, 6-month access.
$399
Best Real Estate Schools in Utah
All 10 schools are Utah DRE-approved. Price: Low to High.
Quick Price Comparison (Course Only)
Arti Academics
Free CourseStarting at
$0
- FREE 120-hour pre-license course
- MBA/CFA/PhD-designed curriculum
- Utah DRE approved
- High pass rates
Available Packages (1)
Utah Real Estate Sales Agent Pre-Licensing
- 120-hr UT Pre-Licensing Course
- State & Federal exam prep
- Online access included
Agent Professor
Best ValueStarting at
$345
- Local Utah school (Salt Lake City)
- Simple, streamlined process
- Utah DRE School License #9460164-RS00
Available Packages (1)
120-Hr Utah Pre-Licensing Course
- 120-hr state-approved curriculum
- Online access
- Exam-focused content
Harman Real Estate Academy
Local FavoriteStarting at
$399
- Local Utah school (Orem)
- Online textbooks included
- 30+ years experience
- Affordable flat-rate pricing
Available Packages (1)
120-Hr Utah Pre-Licensing Course
- 120-hr state-approved course
- Online textbooks
- Exam preparation
Institute of Real Estate Education
Highest Pass RateStarting at
$445
- Local Utah school (Bountiful)
- 80%+ first-time exam pass rate
- Utah-owned & operated
- Live webinar classes included
Available Packages (3)
CORE
- 120-hr course
- Comprehensive practice exams
- Utah & National Real Estate Law PDFs
- Example contracts
Relink Institute
Starting at
$445
- Local Utah school (South Jordan)
- Available 24/7 online
- Live instructors available for questions
- High pass rates
Available Packages (1)
Utah Real Estate Sales Agent License Course
- 120-hr UT pre-license education
- Live instructor access
- Online 24/7 access
Salt Lake Board of Realtors
Starting at
$449
- Official Realtor® Board school
- Solicitation-free learning environment
- Online instructor mentoring
- Sandy, UT
Available Packages (2)
Utah Pre-Licensing 120-Hour Course
- 120-hr UT Pre-Licensing Course
- Online instructor mentoring
- Administrative & technical support
Kaplan Real Estate Education
Starting at
$579
- Live online class options
- Instructor-led content
- Exam prep included
Available Packages (3)
Utah Real Estate Principles Course
- 120-hr Pre-Licensing Course
- State-approved curriculum
Utah Real Estate School, TSG
Starting at
$599
- Local Utah school (Sandy)
- Approved since 1994
- Free live test prep monthly
- Free broker placement assistance
Available Packages (1)
120-Hour Agent Online Pre-Licensing Course
- 120-hr state-approved course
- Utah Real Estate Law PDF textbook
- Free live test prep classes
- Post-graduation support
The CE Shop
Top RatedStarting at
$629
- Available in Utah via Stringham Schools (DRE-approved)
- Interactive LEAP platform
- Pass Guarantee
- Business building courses
Available Packages (4)
Courses Only
- 120-hr UT Sales Agent Pre-Licensing Course
- State-approved curriculum
- Customer support
Colibri Real Estate
Starting at
$629
- Pass or Don't Pay guarantee
- Instructor support included
- Interactive course content
Available Packages (4)
The Basics
- 120-hr UT Pre-Licensing Course
- Instructor Support
- Study Guides
Prices verified March 2026. Prices may change. Always confirm current pricing on the school's website before enrolling.
How Much Do Real Estate Agents Make in Utah?
Average Annual Income
$75,000 – $95,000
ZipRecruiter Dec 2025 ($78,103) & Indeed 2025 ($94,017)
Top Earners
$130,000 – $250,000+
Salt Lake City metro, Park City luxury & Wasatch Front tech corridor
Commission Structure
Utah real estate agents typically earn 2.5%–3% commission per transaction. With a statewide median home value of $535,217, a 3% commission generates approximately $16,057 per sale. New agents on a 70/30 brokerage split keep about $11,240 per closed deal. Close 6–8 transactions in your first year and you're looking at $67,000–$90,000 in gross commission.
Top-Earning Utah Markets
Is a Utah Real Estate License Worth It?
👍 Pros
- + Free Course Available: Arti Academics offers a fully DRE-approved 120-hour course at zero cost — the lowest barrier to entry of any state.
- + High Home Prices: Utah's $535,217 median home value means larger commissions per transaction than many U.S. states.
- + Booming Tech Market: Silicon Slopes (Lehi/Draper tech corridor) drives strong demand from high-income tech workers, powering premium agent incomes.
- + Reciprocity Options: Utah has reciprocity with Georgia, Mississippi, and Alberta (Canada), making license expansion straightforward.
👎 Cons
- - Commission-Only Income: No salary — you don't get paid until you close a deal, which can take months for new agents.
- - 120-Hour Requirement: Utah requires more pre-license hours than many states (72–90 hours is common elsewhere), meaning more time before you can sit for the exam.
- - In-Person Exam Only: No remote proctoring — you must travel to a Pearson VUE test center to sit for the state exam.
- - 65–70% First-Attempt Pass Rate: Utah's exam is challenging; roughly 1 in 3 candidates fail on the first try. Strong exam prep is essential.
How to Get a Real Estate License in Utah
Meet the Eligibility Requirements
Confirm you are at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent. You must also demonstrate “honesty, integrity, truthfulness, reputation, and competency” as defined in Utah Code 61-2f-203. A criminal record is not an automatic disqualifier — DRE reviews each case individually. If you have a criminal history, consider requesting a pre-application review from the DRE before investing in coursework.
Complete 120 Hours of Pre-License Education
Enroll in a DRE-certified 120-hour salesperson pre-license course. The curriculum spans 13 topic areas including Utah Law (24 hrs), Contracts (16 hrs), Real Estate Finance (16 hrs), and more. Online self-paced courses are widely available — and Arti Academics offers a free option. Upon completion, your school issues a Candidate Education Certifying Document you must bring to the exam. You must pass the exam within 1 year of this completion date.
Schedule and Pass the Pearson VUE State Licensing Exam
Schedule your exam at home.pearsonvue.com/ut/realestate and pay the $59 exam fee. The 4-hour exam has 130 scored questions: 80 national and 50 Utah-specific. You need a scaled score of 70 on each section independently. No online testing — you must attend a Pearson VUE test center (Bountiful, Cedar City, Draper, Logan, Moab, Ogden, Orem, Richfield, Roosevelt, or St. George). Results display immediately. About 65–70% of first-time takers pass.
Complete Fingerprinting and Background Check
After passing the exam, submit fingerprints for a national and state criminal background check. At Bountiful, Draper, Ogden, or Orem Pearson VUE centers, you can complete digital fingerprinting on exam day. At other locations, use fingerprint cards. The DRE will email fingerprint instructions within 1–2 business days of application submission.
Submit Your License Application and Pay the $157 Fee
Create a UtahID account and apply via utahdoc.mylicenseone.com within 90 days of passing the exam. The $157 total fee includes: $100 application fee, $12 real estate recovery fund, $40 fingerprinting, and $5 FBI RAPBACK enrollment. Upload all required documents in PDF format. Current processing time is approximately 30 days.
Affiliate with a Utah Principal Broker and Activate Your License
Before you can represent buyers or sellers in Utah, you must affiliate with a licensed Utah principal broker. Your broker activates your license through the DRE system. Once approved and visible in the public license lookup, you are a licensed Utah real estate sales agent. Choose a brokerage that offers strong training, mentorship, and commission splits — your first broker relationship is critical to building momentum.
Utah Real Estate License Requirements
Eligibility Requirements
- Must be at least 18 years old
- High school diploma or GED required
- No college degree required
- No Utah residency required
- Must pass criminal background check
- Must demonstrate honesty, integrity & competency
Education & Exam Requirements
- 120 hours of DRE-approved pre-license education
- Pass Pearson VUE exam within 1 year of completing course
- 130 questions: 80 national + 50 Utah-specific
- Score 70 on each section independently
- Submit application within 90 days of passing exam
- Affiliate with a licensed Utah principal broker
Utah Real Estate License Cost
Here's the complete breakdown of what it costs to get your Utah real estate sales agent license in 2026:
| Pre-License Course (120 hours) | $0 – $550 | Arti Academics is FREE; use CertLaunch discount on paid courses |
| State Exam Fee (Pearson VUE) | $59 – $59 | Paid to Pearson VUE when scheduling; $59 per attempt |
| License Application Fee (DRE) | $157 – $157 | Includes $100 application + $12 recovery fund + $40 fingerprinting + $5 FBI RAPBACK |
| Estimated Total | $216 – $766 | Start FREE with Arti Academics — or save up to 20% with CertLaunch |
The Utah Real Estate Exam
Exam Details
- Format: Multiple-choice (national + Utah-specific)
- Questions: 130 total (80 national + 50 Utah)
- Passing score: 70 scaled score on each section independently
- Provider: Pearson VUE
- Exam fee: $59 per attempt
- Time allowed: 4 hours
- Pass rate: ~65–70% first attempt
Exam Topics
- Property ownership, land use controls & legal descriptions
- Property value, appraisal & market analysis
- Real estate contracts & agency relationships
- Financing, mortgages & settlement/closing procedures
- Property disclosures, federal laws & environmental issues
- Utah real estate law, licensing law & DRE regulations
- Real estate math & closing statement calculations
- Property management & landlord-tenant law
💡 Exam Prep Tip
Utah's 50 state-specific questions are heavily focused on DRE regulations and Utah Code 61-2f — the same content covered in your 24-hour Utah Law module. Students who do practice exams consistently outperform those who only read materials. Schools like the Institute of Real Estate Education report 80%+ first-time pass rates from students who use their exam simulators. If you choose the free Arti Academics course, consider pairing it with a dedicated exam prep tool.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Utah Real Estate License?
5–7 weeks
Full-time
~8 hrs/day — course done in ~3 weeks, then exam + DRE processing
10–14 weeks
Part-time
~4 hrs/day — course done in ~5 weeks, then exam + DRE processing
16–24 weeks
Casual pace
~10 hrs/week — course done in ~12 weeks, then exam + DRE processing
Note: DRE application processing takes approximately 30 days after submission.
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Compare Real Estate Licensing in Other States
Utah's 120-hour requirement and $0 school option make it one of the most accessible licensing paths in the West. See how it compares to other states.
Oregon Real Estate License Requirements
150 hours · $631–$1,031 total · PSI exam
Oklahoma Real Estate License Requirements
90 hours · $369–$620 total · Pearson VUE exam
Connecticut Real Estate License Requirements
60 hours (live only) · $879–$1,229 total · PSI exam
Iowa Real Estate License Requirements
96 hours (hybrid) · $615–$915 total · PSI exam
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to get a real estate license in Utah?
Total costs typically range from $216 to $766. This includes the 120-hour pre-license course ($0–$550 — Arti Academics offers a completely free course), the Pearson VUE exam fee ($59), and the DRE license application fee ($157, which includes fingerprinting). Using a CertLaunch discount code can save you up to 20% on paid courses — putting more money in your pocket before your first commission check.
How long does it take to get a real estate license in Utah?
Most candidates complete the process in 5–16 weeks, depending on study pace. The 120-hour pre-license course can be finished in as little as 3–4 weeks full-time or 8–10 weeks part-time. After passing your course, you schedule the Pearson VUE exam, complete fingerprinting, and wait for DRE approval — currently about 30 days. The entire process from enrollment to licensed agent typically takes 6–14 weeks.
What are the requirements to get a real estate license in Utah?
You must be at least 18 years old, hold a high school diploma or GED, complete 120 hours of DRE-approved pre-license education, pass the Pearson VUE exam with a scaled score of 70 on both sections independently, pass a criminal background check, and affiliate with a licensed Utah principal broker. No college degree or Utah residency is required.
Is the Utah real estate exam hard?
Utah's exam has a first-attempt pass rate of approximately 65–70%, making it moderately challenging. The 130-question exam covers both national real estate principles and Utah-specific law, with a scaled score of 70 required on each section independently. Well-prepared candidates who invest in quality exam prep materials — especially practice exams — pass at significantly higher rates. Don't underestimate the Utah Law section, which accounts for 24 of the 120 pre-license course hours.
Can I take the Utah real estate pre-license course online?
Yes. DRE-approved online courses are widely available and allow you to study at your own pace from anywhere. All schools listed on CertLaunch offer online options that fully satisfy Utah's 120-hour requirement. Note that the actual Pearson VUE licensing exam must be taken in person at a test center — no remote proctored option is available for the state exam.
How much do real estate agents make in Utah?
Utah real estate sales agents earn an average of $75,000–$95,000 per year. ZipRecruiter (Dec 2025) reports $78,103; Indeed reports $94,017 statewide. Agents in the Salt Lake City metro, Park City luxury market, and the Wasatch Front tech corridor consistently earn $130,000–$250,000+. With Utah's median home value around $535,217, a 3% buyer's agent commission on a typical sale generates roughly $16,057 per transaction.
Do I need a college degree to get a Utah real estate license?
No. Utah only requires you to be 18 years old and hold a high school diploma or GED. No college degree, prior real estate experience, or Utah residency is required. The 120-hour pre-license course is the only formal education needed before taking the exam.
What is the best real estate school in Utah?
The best school depends on your learning style, budget, and schedule. Arti Academics offers a completely free 120-hour DRE-approved course — an exceptional value. For local Utah schools with strong pass rates, the Institute of Real Estate Education (Bountiful) boasts 80%+ first-time pass rates. The CE Shop and Colibri Real Estate are popular national options with strong exam prep tools. Compare all schools on CertLaunch to find your best fit.
How do I choose between online and in-person real estate classes in Utah?
Online courses offer flexibility and are typically 20–40% less expensive — ideal if you're balancing a job, family, or other commitments. In-person classes (available in Salt Lake City, Provo, and other cities) provide live instruction and a structured schedule. Both fully satisfy DRE's 120-hour requirement. Online is by far the most popular choice for Utah students. Remember: regardless of how you take the course, the state licensing exam must be taken in person at a Pearson VUE test center.
Can I get a Utah real estate license with a criminal record?
Possibly. Utah does not automatically disqualify applicants with criminal records — DRE reviews each application individually. The DRE specifically considers felony and misdemeanor convictions within the 5 years prior to application, as well as any past acts related to honesty or truthfulness. You must disclose all criminal history honestly; failure to disclose is itself grounds for denial. Consider requesting a pre-application review from the DRE at (801) 530-6747 before enrolling in courses.