How Long Does it Take to Get a Real Estate License?

If you are thinking about starting a career in real estate, one of the first questions you will ask is: How long does it actually take to get licensed?

The answer depends on your schedule, your consistency, and how quickly you move through each step. But in Delaware, the process is more predictable than most people think. Most students can complete the full process in a few months from start to finish. This guide breaks that timeline down step by step so you know exactly what to expect.

How long does it take to get a Delaware real estate license?

Step 1: Completing the 99 Hour Pre-Licensing Course

Before anything else, Delaware requires you to complete a 99 hour pre-licensing course through an approved provider. This is a non-negotiable step. You must complete all 99 hours before you are eligible to take the licensing exam.

What can impact your timeline:

• Your course format (in-person, hybrid, or self-paced)

• Your weekly schedule

• How consistently you attend or complete lessons

What most students experience:

• Instructor led programs are typically structured over several weeks. Many run 3 days per week for 3 hour sessions in the evenings to accommodate working adults. This structure allows you to: stay consistent, retain information better, balance work and family responsibilities.

• Self paced programs can be faster in theory, but often take longer in reality if consistency drops.

Step 2: Preparing for and Taking the Licensing Exam

Once you finish your course, the next step is to take the Delaware and national real estate licensing exam. The exam includes a National portion and a Delaware specific portion. Both sections must be passed.

What impacts your timeline:

• How confident you feel after the course

• Whether you schedule your exam right away

• Availability of testing dates

You will receive your results immediately after completing the exam, so there is no waiting period for scores.

Step 3: Choosing a Sponsoring Broker

To activate your real estate license in Delaware, you must be sponsored by a licensed real estate broker. This step is often misunderstood. You do not need to wait until after your exam to start this process.

What most successful students do:

• Begin conversations with brokerages during the course

• Attend career nights or informational meetings

• Evaluate training, support, and culture early

This allows you to move quickly once you pass your exam. If done proactively, this step adds no extra time to your overall timeline.

Step 4: Submitting Your Application Through DELPROS

After passing your exam and selecting a sponsoring broker, you will submit your application through Delaware’s licensing system, DELPROS. Your application will include:

• Proof of course completion

• Exam results

• Sponsoring broker information

What most students experience: Once submitted, applications are typically processed within a few weeks.

What Slows People Down?

The timeline is not usually delayed by the process itself. It is delayed by inconsistency. Common slowdowns include:

• Falling behind in a self paced course

• Waiting too long to schedule the exam

• Overthinking broker selection

• Delaying application submission

The biggest factor is not difficulty. It is momentum.

What This Means for You

Getting your real estate license in Delaware is not a years long process.It is a short, structured path that can realistically be completed in a few months when you stay consistent. The key is choosing a learning format and schedule that you will actually follow through on.

If you are serious about getting into real estate, the timeline should feel manageable. You are not committing to years of schooling. You are committing to a focused, step by step process that builds quickly. And once you are licensed, you are in a position to build a business, create income, and grow a career on your terms.

Ready to See the Full Process?

This blog focused on timing. If you want a complete breakdown of every step, requirement, and decision along the way and more details about getting your Delaware real estate license, check out How to Become a Delaware Real Estate.

About the Author

Danielle Smith is a Delaware native and the Owner of Central Delaware Real Estate Academy. She started her real estate journey in 2007 with a local brokerage where she continues to serve today. As a local real estate leader, she helps professionals build profitable businesses through the right relationships, clear strategies, and proven systems.