
The Nebraska real estate exam consists of 130 questions divided into two parts. The first part is the general portion with 80 multiple-choice questions.
All candidates should complete this portion in 2.5 hours. The general portion section of the exam tests on the following topics:
- Contracts
- Financing
- General Principles of Agency
- Land Use Controls and Regulations
- Leasing and Property Management
- Property Disclosures
- Practice of Real Estate
- Real Estate Calculations
- Property Ownership
- Valuation and Market Analysis
- Transfer of Title
You must score at least 60 points out of 80 to pass this first part of the exam. Once done with the general portion, you get 90 minutes to complete the state portion.
The state portion focuses on Nebraska laws and practices governing the real estate space. You are tested on your knowledge of the duties of the NREC, licensing requirements, state fair housing laws, and other statutory requirements governing the activities of licensed agents.
To pass the second section of the Nebraska Real Estate exam, you must get at least 38 points out of the possible 50 points.
Once you receive a letter from the commission allowing you to proceed with the exam, you have one year to take the exam. It’s important to do it as soon as possible, just in case you fail and need to retake it before the year lapses.
5-Step Method for Nebraska Real Estate Commission License Application Submission
Are you wondering how hard is it to get a real estate license in Nebraska? Well, the NREC has listed a 5-step method to complete your license application and submit it for evaluation.
Step 1: Ensure you meet the state’s minimum requirements before you start the process. You need to be at least 19 years old with a high school diploma, GED, or any other acceptable foundational education background.
Step 2: If you meet all the basic requirements, the next step is to enroll for pre-licensing training at any approved real estate school. It’s okay to start with free real estate courses before enrolling for the pre-licensing program and familiarize yourself with the field.
Step 3: Completing the pre-licensing training qualifies you for the next step, where you can submit your application forms to the NREC. You may need to submit proof of completing the training from any of the schools for a real estate license.
To apply, find the application form from NREC’s website and ensure that you pay the application fee.
Step 4: After submitting your application, the NREC will require you to undergo a background check from the Nebraska State Patrol. Visit any of the listed addresses for fingerprinting and submit your fingerprints.
The Nebraska State Patrol submits the report of your background check to the NREC to continue your application.
Step 5: After reviewing your background check report, the NREC will notify you of your qualification status so you can do the exam. The exam consists of 130 questions that must be completed within four hours.
If you fail the exam, you have a chance to retake it and get a license.
Nebraska Real Estate Commission Fees and Expenses
Whether you send your application online or in person, the NREC requires that you pay an application fee of $135.
After your application is approved, you’ll need to pay an examination fee of $150 so that you can do the qualification exam.
The application and examination fees paid to NREC are non-refundable. If you fail the exam and need to retake it, you have to pay again to do the exam.
There are other fees and expenses that you may incur in your application process. For example, the amount you pay for background checking at the Nebraska State Patrol, including printing services, is all non-refundable.
Other fees and expenses at the Nebraska Real Estate Commission include:
- Reinstatement fee: $150
- Salesperson original license fee: $70
- Certificate of Licensure: $25
- Photocopying per age: $0.10
- Not-accepted fee: $30
National Association of Realtors® (NAR) Membership Application (Discretionary)
The National Association of REALTORS® brings real estate brokers together to promote professional behavior among members of the industry. All the Realtors® in the organization must adhere to a code of ethics to promote the real estate profession.
While the NAR is an organization for Realtors®, real estate agents can also join the organization and benefit from it. However, an agent intending to join the NAR must be working in a registered firm where they are under a Realtor®’s supervision.
Once the firm’s principal joins the NAR, anybody under their supervision has the option to join the NAR as an agent. Conversely, if the firm’s principal doesn’t join the National Association of REALTORS®, none of those affiliated with him/her can join.
To become a member of the NAR, you can browse the NAR’s website for a list of local associations that you can join. If you can’t find a suitable association on NAR’s website, you can contact NAR through email with details such as your name, address, company/firm, and other contact information and get suitable suggestions.
How Long Does It Typically Take To Complete the Real Estate Application?
If the application goes smoothly without delay at any stage, the average time for licensing may be six to eight weeks. Of course, there may be many reasons for delay, and it may take longer to get licensed.
To ensure that the commission starts working on your application right away, you should submit a complete application, including the application fees, before you visit the State Patrol for fingerprinting.

After submitting your fingerprints, take a few weeks to complete the pre-licensing training as you prepare for the exam. Once the State Patrol sends the background check report to the NREC, you are likely to get a go-ahead email within 48 hours.
The email notifies you to proceed with the exam or not, depending on their assessment of your background check report.
If you do the exam and meet the pass mark, the license can be issued within 24 hours. Keep in mind that these time frames can vary significantly, especially if you have a criminal record.
What Are the Ways on How To Find a Real Estate Agent?
You can find a good real estate agent from the NAR’s website using the Find a Realtor® form or using the location feature. Another option would be to get referrals from friends and family, depending on their experience with real estate agents in Nebraska.
References
1Nebraska Real Estate Commission. (2023). License Issuance Checklist Nebraska Resident. Nebraska Real Estate Commission. Retrieved December 13, 2023, from <https://nrec.nebraska.gov/pdf/forms/Residentlicenseissuechecklist.pdf>