License guide

How to get a North Dakota real estate license

North Dakota licenses real estate professionals through the North Dakota Real Estate Commission (NDREC). Here is the path in plain steps, checked against the official sources in October 2026.

Step by step

Apply online
Applications are online only at the NDREC services portal; paper is not accepted. Upload the required documents and pay the fees. Residents submit a prelicensure course completion certificate; a course is valid for 2 years from completion.
Pass the PSI exams
Schedule the exams with PSI and send passing scores to NDREC. If you pass one portion (national or state), you have 12 months from your first exam to pass the other.
Get fingerprinted
Print the Fingerprint Verification Form, get fingerprinted and mail the cards with the fee to NDREC. The Attorney General's office runs the criminal history check, usually in 1 to 2 weeks, and NDREC also reviews your credit history.
Request your license
After approval, submit the Request to Issue Real Estate License with a one-time $20 payment to the Education, Research and Recovery Fund and, for an active license, proof of errors and omissions insurance and your broker's approval.

Keeping your license

Resident licensees complete CE each cycle, which runs November 16 through November 15. For the 2025-2026 cycle that is 12 hours of elective topics, with no mandatory topics.
There is no grace period. If CE is not done by November 15, renew as inactive; you can transfer to active once CE is complete.
Keep your own course certificates; you must attend at least 90% of classroom hours.

Renewal and CE rules

Questions

Do I need a website on day one?

No, but a simple page with your photo, brokerage and contact info helps clients find you. Property Landing Pages has a free plan with one listing page and an agent site.