Property management licensing requirements vary significantly by state. Some states require a full real estate broker's license, others have dedicated PM licenses, and a few states don't require any license at all. This guide covers every state so you know exactly what you need.
All 50 States + DC
| State | License Required | Estimated Cost | Major Market |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | real estate license | $500-$900 | Birmingham |
| Alaska | real estate license | $600-$1,000 | Anchorage |
| Arizona | real estate license | $500-$1,200 | Phoenix |
| Arkansas | real estate license | $400-$800 | Little Rock |
| Colorado | real estate license | $800-$1,500 | Denver |
| Connecticut | real estate license | $500-$900 | Bridgeport |
| Delaware | real estate license | $600-$1,000 | Wilmington |
| Georgia | real estate license (with exemptions) | $500-$1,000 | Atlanta |
| Hawaii | real estate license | $700-$1,200 | Honolulu |
| Idaho | real estate license | $500-$900 | Boise |
| Illinois | real estate license (with community association manager license option) | $600-$1,200 | Chicago |
| Indiana | not strictly required | N/A (voluntary) | Indianapolis |
| Iowa | real estate license (with PM exemptions) | $400-$800 | Des Moines |
| Kansas | real estate license (with PM exemptions) | $350-$700 | Wichita |
| Kentucky | real estate license | $500-$1,000 | Louisville |
| Louisiana | real estate license | $500-$1,000 | New Orleans |
| Maine | real estate license | $500-$900 | Portland |
| Maryland | real estate license | $500-$1,000 | Baltimore |
| Massachusetts | real estate license (with exemptions for owner-managers) | $500-$1,000 | Boston |
| Michigan | real estate license (with exemptions) | $400-$800 | Detroit |
| Minnesota | real estate license | $500-$1,000 | Minneapolis |
| Mississippi | real estate license | $400-$700 | Jackson |
| Missouri | real estate license (with exemptions) | $400-$800 | Kansas City |
| Montana | not strictly required | N/A | Billings |
| Nebraska | real estate license | $500-$900 | Omaha |
| Nevada | property management permit (or RE license) | $800-$1,500 | Las Vegas |
| New Hampshire | real estate license | $400-$800 | Manchester |
| New Jersey | real estate license | $600-$1,100 | Newark |
| New Mexico | real estate license | $500-$900 | Albuquerque |
| New York | real estate license | $700-$1,500 | New York City |
| North Carolina | real estate license | $500-$1,000 | Charlotte |
| North Dakota | real estate license | $400-$700 | Fargo |
| Ohio | real estate license | $500-$1,000 | Columbus |
| Oklahoma | real estate license | $500-$900 | Oklahoma City |
| Oregon | property management license | $600-$1,000 | Portland |
| Pennsylvania | real estate license | $500-$1,000 | Philadelphia |
| Rhode Island | real estate license | $500-$900 | Providence |
| South Carolina | property manager-in-charge license | $500-$1,000 | Charleston |
| South Dakota | not strictly required | N/A | Sioux Falls |
| Tennessee | real estate license (with exemptions) | $500-$900 | Nashville |
| Utah | property management license | $500-$900 | Salt Lake City |
| Vermont | not strictly required | N/A | Burlington |
| Virginia | real estate license | $500-$1,000 | Virginia Beach |
| Washington | real estate license | $600-$1,200 | Seattle |
| West Virginia | real estate license | $400-$800 | Charleston |
| Wisconsin | real estate license | $500-$900 | Milwaukee |
| Wyoming | not strictly required (recommended) | N/A | Cheyenne |
| District of Columbia | property manager license | $700-$1,300 | Washington DC (all neighborhoods) |
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Download Free SOPs →Key Takeaways
- ✅ Most states require a real estate license for property management
- ✅ Oregon, Utah, Nevada, South Carolina have dedicated PM licenses
- ✅ Indiana, Montana, South Dakota, Vermont, Wyoming don't strictly require a license
- ✅ California requires a broker's license (highest bar)
- ✅ Average cost to get licensed: $500-$1,200 depending on state