A course + state exam get you licensed in months — no degree. Start part-time while keeping your day job; every happy client feeds referrals that grow your income. Top 10% earn $143K+.
Gold = credential gate. Each turn: more skill → more pay → the next step.
1
Pre-licensing course
State hours (40–180 hr), ~$300–800, online in weeks. No degree.
◆ GMA Careers mentor + leads
2
Pass the state exam → licensed
Pass your state's exam; the state issues your salesperson license. Total ~3–6 months.
3
Join a brokerage · start part-time
Work under a broker, join the MLS; keep your day job at first.
4
Close deals, build referrals · $56K
~2.5–3% per side. Your book of clients is the compounding asset.
5
Upgrade to Broker · $73K (top 10% $143K)
After 1–3 yrs + a broker exam: work independently, run a team, earn on your agents' deals.
The flywheel: every happy client sends referrals, referrals become closings, closings build a book — and a broker license turns that book into a business that earns on other agents' deals.
