How Much Does It Cost to Get a Real Estate License in Delaware?
One of the first questions many future real estate professionals ask is: How much does it cost to get a real estate license in Delaware?
There is not one single fee that covers the entire process. Your total investment includes the required 99 hour pre-licensing course, the licensing examination, the Delaware salesperson application fee, and potentially additional business expenses after you become licensed.
Some costs are set by the state or testing provider. Others vary based on the real estate school, brokerage, professional memberships, and tools you choose.
This guide explains which expenses are required, which may vary, and which generally begin after licensing.
Fee notice: The amounts in this article were verified in July 2026. State, testing, school, and professional membership fees can change. Confirm current pricing before enrolling or applying.
How much does it cost to get a real estate license in Delaware?
Quick Answer: What Does a Delaware Real Estate License Cost?
Before considering brokerage, MLS, REALTOR® association, and business expenses, a new Delaware salesperson should budget for:
Tuition for an approved 99 hour pre-licensing course
Any books, study materials, or exam preparation resources may not be included with tuition
The required 12 hours of new salesperson education completed after licensing
1. Delaware’s 99-Hour Pre-Licensing Course
Before applying for a Delaware salesperson license by examination, a candidate must complete an approved 99 hour Delaware salesperson pre-licensing course. The Delaware Division of Professional Regulation requires applicants to submit their course completion certificate when applying for a license.
The cost of this course is established by each approved education provider, so Delaware does not have one standard statewide tuition amount.
When comparing course prices, determine what the tuition includes. Depending on the school, the advertised price may or may not include:
Textbooks
Printed study materials
Digital resources
Exam preparation sessions
Practice questions
School testing
Registration or administrative fees
Course retakes
Payment plan fees
A lower advertised price does not necessarily mean the total cost will be lower. Ask the school for a complete list of included materials and any additional charges before registering.
2. Delaware Real Estate Examination Fee
After completing the required education, candidates must pass the salesperson examination administered by Pearson VUE.
As of July 2026, the examination fee is $88. Pearson’s Delaware Real Estate Candidate Handbook states that the fee must be paid when the reservation is made. The fee is generally nonrefundable and nontransferable, subject to Pearson’s cancellation and rescheduling policies.
The examination includes:
A general or national portion
A Delaware law portion
The $88 fee covers the examination reservation. Candidates who do not pass both portions may need to pay another examination fee when scheduling a retake.
Pearson states that a candidate who fails one portion needs to retake only that portion, provided both portions are passed within the required timeframe. Candidates who cannot pass both portions in three or fewer attempts must retake the pre-licensing course.
That makes preparation important for both educational and financial reasons.
3. Delaware Salesperson License Application Fee
After passing the required examination, the candidate applies for a salesperson license through DELPROS, Delaware’s online professional licensing system.
As of July 2026, the initial application fee for a Delaware real estate salesperson license is $149. Delaware states that its application processing fees are nonrefundable.
The application requires more than payment. An examination applicant must also provide documentation that includes:
The 99 hour pre-licensing course certificate
The official Pearson VUE score report
A Statement of Broker of Record signed by the employing Delaware licensed broker
Any other documentation required for the applicant’s circumstances
The Delaware Division of Professional Regulation instructs candidates to apply after passing the required examination.
4. Sponsoring Brokerage Costs
A Delaware salesperson cannot complete the standard licensing process entirely independently. The application requires a Statement of Broker of Record signed by the Delaware licensed broker for the office where the salesperson will be employed.
Delaware does not establish one standard fee for joining a brokerage. Each brokerage determines its own financial arrangement, services, and business model.
Possible brokerage related expenses may include:
Monthly office or technology fees
Transaction fees
Errors and omissions insurance
Training or coaching costs
Marketing services
Website or customer relationship management software
Signs, business cards, and other branded materials
Some brokerages include these resources. Others charge separately. Candidates should request a written explanation of all recurring and transaction based expenses before choosing a brokerage.
5. MLS, REALTOR® Association and Lockbox Expenses
After licensing, an agent may join a local REALTOR® association and multiple listing service.
These costs can include:
Local, state, and national REALTOR® dues
MLS participation or subscriber fees
Application or orientation charges
Electronic lockbox access
Key or mobile access fees
These expenses vary according to the association, MLS, brokerage, location, and time of year. New member dues may also be prorated.
Holding a Delaware salesperson license is not the same as being a REALTOR®. The term REALTOR® identifies a member of the National Association of REALTORS®. An agent should therefore separate the state’s licensing costs from the professional memberships and services used to conduct business.
6. Required Education After Licensing
New Delaware salespersons licensed by examination must complete 12 hours of specified newbsalesperson education within 90 days of the license issuance date.
The required modules cover:
Professional standards
Agreement of sale and buyer representation
Real estate documents and seller representation
Real estate professionalism
These hours are separate from the original 99 hour pre-licensing course and are also separate from the continuing education required for license renewal.
The cost varies by education provider. Candidates should connect with their partnering brokerage for more details about this requirement.
Which Delaware Real Estate Costs Are Required?
The following are part of the standard licensing path:
Approved 99-hour pre-licensing education
Pearson VUE examination fee
Delaware salesperson application fee
Sponsorship by an employing Delaware licensed broker
Required shortly after licensing:
Delaware’s 12 hours of new-salesperson education within 90 days
Variable or business dependent:
These costs depend on the student, school, brokerage, memberships, and tools selected:
Textbooks and supplemental study materials
Examination preparation
Examination retakes
Brokerage fees
Errors and omissions insurance
REALTOR® association dues
MLS access
Electronic lockbox access
Marketing, technology, signs, and business supplies
Questions to Ask
Before registering for a course, ask:
What is included in tuition?
Are textbooks and study materials included?
Are there payment plan or administrative fees?
Is exam preparation included?
Before selecting a brokerage, ask:
What fees are due when I join?
What recurring monthly or annual fees should I expect?
Are MLS and REALTOR® association memberships required?
Is errors and omissions insurance included?
Does the brokerage provide the required new-salesperson education?
Which technology, training, and marketing resources are included?
Your Next Step
The cost of getting a real estate license in Delaware includes more than real estate school tuition.
At a minimum, candidates should plan for the cost of an approved 99 hour course, the current $88 examination fee, and the $149 salesperson application fee. After licensing, additional expenses may include required new salesperson education, brokerage fees, professional memberships, MLS access, lockbox services, and business tools.
Understanding these costs before enrolling allows you to create a realistic budget and compare programs and brokerages based on their complete value.
For a full explanation of the licensing process, read: How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Delaware
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.