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Principal Broker Licensing

A licensed principal broker can conduct professional real estate activity as defined in ORS 696.010 individually or with other real estate licensees. 

Principal brokers can supervise brokers, property managers, other principal brokers, and timeshare sales agents if they are:
  • The managing principal broker for the registered business name; or
  • Authorized under a written supervisory agreement with the managing principal broker

You can only hold one real estate license (broker, principal broker, property manager, or timeshare sales agent) at a time.

If you are a current Oregon broker

Qualifications

Licensing steps

  1. Apply for a principal broker license and pay the $300 nonrefundable application fee by logging into your existing eLicense account.
    • Your User ID is your license number.
    • Do not register to create a new account.
  2. Complete the 40-hour Brokerage Administration and Sales Supervision (BASS) course from a certified continuing education provider.
    • Give your license number and full name to the education provider.
    • The BASS course provider will make you eligible to take the licensing exam upon successful completion of the course.
  3. Schedule and pay for license exam with PSI, our testing services provider:
  4. Pass both sections of the principal broker license exam (PDF).*
  5. Choose to work under:
    • An existing registered business name. The managing principal broker of the business must log in to eLicense and add your license to the business. This step must be taken even if you currently work for the business.
    • Your own registered business name. By registering the business, you become the managing principal broker of the business.

*Please note: License exam scores are each good for one year. The Agency can only issue a license while the relevant score is valid.

A license is issued when

  • The Agency clears your background check,
  • Your new principal broker adds your pending license into the business in eLicense or your registered business name application has been approved, and
  • The Agency completes a final review of your application.

You receive an email once your license is issued.

Please note: Your license expiration date is determined by the month of your birthday. This means your first license period will most likely be less than 24 months, but no less than 13 months. Subsequent license periods will be for 24 months.

If you are an out-of-state real estate licensee or have previously held an Oregon broker license

Qualifications

Licensing steps

  1. Register for an account in eLicense, the Agency's online license management system.
  2. Apply for a principal broker license and pay the $300 nonrefundable application fee through your new account in eLicense.
    • Upload a certified license history from the state where you obtained your active real estate experience.
    • When the application is processed, you will receive an Applicant ID number by email.
  3. Complete the 150-hour broker pre-license course of study from an Agency-approved real estate school.
  4. Complete the 40-hour Brokerage Administration and Sales Supervision (BASS) course from a certified continuing education provider.
    • Provide your Applicant ID number and your full name to your BASS course provider.
    • The BASS course provider will make you eligible to take the licensing exam upon successful completion of the course.
  5. Schedule and pay for the license exam online or at (833) 892-5441 with PSI, our testing services provider.
  6. Pass both sections of the principal broker license exam (PDF).*
  7. Pay and get fingerprinted for the required background check while at PSI testing center.*
  8. Choose to work for:
    • An existing registered business name. The managing principal broker with the business must log in to eLicense and add your license to the business.
    • Your own registered business name. By registering the business, you become the managing principal broker of the business.
*Please note: License exam scores and background check clearances are each good for one year. The Agency can only issue a license while the relevant scores and background check clearance are valid.

A license is issued when

  • Your background check clears,
  • Your new managing principal broker adds your pending license into the business or your registered business name application has been approved, and
  • The Agency completes a final review of your application.

You will receive an email once your license is issued.

Please note: Your license expiration date is determined by the month of your birthday. This means your first license period will most likely be less than 24 months, but no less than 13 months. Subsequent license periods will be for 24 months.

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