To become a real estate professional, you must fulfill your state’s guidelines. While you do not need a bachelor’s degree, you must complete real estate courses and pass your state’s licensing exam. The exact timeline to become a real estate professional varies by state. For example, in California, you must pass three real estate-related classes, with each class being 45 hours apiece. Alternatively, in Florida, candidates must complete 63 hours of education. On top of education, to become a broker you may need a certain number of years of experience. Additionally, to keep your real estate license, you must complete a certain number of hours of continuing education according to your state’s laws. Most states require real estate professionals to renew their license every 2 years.