Transfer Your Real Estate License to North Dakota: Reciprocity & Endorsement (2026)
Does my real estate license transfer to North Dakota?
North Dakota recognizes real estate licenses from 3 named states (Georgia, Iowa, Minnesota). Licensees from those states apply to the North Dakota Real Estate Commission (NDREC) under the agreement — Reciprocal applicants whose primary residence is in Minnesota, Iowa, or Georgia take NO North Dakota exam. Nonresident applicants from any other state have the national portion waived and must pass only the ND state portion of the PSI exam. From any other state, you apply as a new applicant. Fee: $150 (Nonrefundable application fee (same for resident/nonresident/reciprocal). Separate: ~$11.25 credit history check; $40 criminal-history analysis paid to the ND Attorney General; $20 one-time Recovery Fund; fingerprint and PSI exam fees vary and are not published by NDREC.).
Moving to North Dakota from a specific state?
Pick your current state — the checker returns your exact pathway.
Verdict
Reciprocity with 3 states
North Dakota's agreement is a list, and the list is the law: if your state appears on it, the streamlined track below applies; if not, no amount of experience substitutes — you use the new-applicant track. Check the list before anything else, and remember it describes states North Dakota recognizes, which says nothing about the reverse direction.
North Dakota runs two out-of-state pathways. (1) True reciprocity with Minnesota, Iowa, and Georgia: a licensee whose primary residence is in one of those states takes NO ND exam and no course (NDAC 70-02-01-06; NDREC 'How To Apply'). (2) Nonresident non-reciprocal endorsement open to a licensee from ANY other state: the 90-hour pre-license course is waived and the applicant need only pass the ND state portion of the PSI exam (NDAC 70-02-01-06(5)). Resident applicants must complete the 90-hour course and pass both exam portions. Application fee $150 (plus ~$11.25 credit check, $40 criminal-history analysis to the ND Attorney General, and a $20 one-time Recovery Fund); fingerprint and PSI exam fees vary and are not published. End-to-end processing time not published (applicant-dependent).
North Dakota requirements at a glance
| Pre-license education | 90 hours of pre-license education |
|---|---|
| Fees | $150 (Nonrefundable application fee (same for resident/nonresident/reciprocal). Separate: ~$11.25 credit history check; $40 criminal-history analysis paid to the ND Attorney General; $20 one-time Recovery Fund; fingerprint and PSI exam fees vary and are not published by NDREC.) |
| Processing time | NDREC states timing is applicant-dependent and publishes no end-to-end range; criminal-history results run ~1-2 weeks and application status is viewable 7-10 days after submission |
Step by step
- Confirm North Dakota's current requirements on the North Dakota Real Estate Commission (NDREC) website — rules change.
- Submit the reciprocity/endorsement application to the North Dakota Real Estate Commission (NDREC) (application linked on this page).
- Arrange license verification from your current state.
- Be at least 18 years old and licensed in good standing in another state.
- Complete a statewide and nationwide fingerprint-based criminal history record check and a credit history check.
- Submit an original Certificate of Licensure (less than 3 months old) from each state where licensed.
- Pass only the ND state portion of the PSI exam (nonresident non-reciprocal); reciprocal MN/IA/GA applicants take no ND exam.
- Associate with a North Dakota broker/firm and carry Errors & Omissions (E&O) insurance to hold an active license.
- Pay the fees listed above, and allow for the processing time shown there.
Official links
Coming from a specific state?
Direction matters — these guides cover the exact move into North Dakota:
Nearby states
Real Estate license transfer into the states bordering North Dakota:
North Dakota for other professions
- Nursing in North Dakota
- Cosmetology / Barber in North Dakota
- Contractor in North Dakota
- Teaching in North Dakota
- CPA / Accounting in North Dakota
- Electrician in North Dakota
- Plumber in North Dakota
- Engineering in North Dakota
- Pharmacy in North Dakota
- Physical Therapy in North Dakota
- Psychology in North Dakota
- Counseling in North Dakota
- Social Work in North Dakota
- Occupational Therapy in North Dakota
Frequently asked questions
Which states does North Dakota have real estate reciprocity with?
Georgia, Iowa, Minnesota (3 states, verified 2026-07-21 against the North Dakota Real Estate Commission (NDREC)). Licensees from all other states use the standard application.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-07-21.
- NDREC — How To Apply (Salesperson/Reciprocal tabs; names GA/IA/MN; fees; 90-hour course; exam) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- NDAC 70-02-01-06 — Nonresident brokers and salespersons (official ND Administrative Code, amended eff. 2022-07-01; state-portion-only exam for nonreciprocal nonresidents) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- NDREC — Guidelines for Reciprocity (names Georgia/Iowa/Minnesota; certified license history under 3 months) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
Reviewed by the License Reciprocity Editorial Team · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21
How we verify · All sources · Corrections log · spot an error? hello@licensereciprocity.com