Do you need a real estate license to be a leasing agent?

In most cases, yes. Almost every U.S. state requires some form of real estate license to legally lease apartments on behalf of others ( aceableagent.com ). For example, Pennsylvania law mandates a real estate license if you “assist in the purchase, sale, rental or lease of real estate” for someone else ( aceableagent.com ). A few states offer a specialized leasing agent license (Illinois being a prime example) as an alternative path ( work.chron.com ). In Illinois, you can obtain a Residential Leasing Agent license with a shorter 15-hour course, instead of the full broker course ( allpropertymanagement.com ). But even then, you must be sponsored by a broker to practice ( allpropertymanagement.com ). Many other states (Georgia, Colorado, Texas, etc.) do not have a separate leasing license; there, you must get the standard real estate agent license to work as a leasing agent. One notable exception is if you are a salaried employee of a property owner or manager performing limited tasks (like showing units or signing leases under the owner’s authority); some states allow that without a license ( aceableagent.com ). However, the safest bet for anyone looking to become a leasing agent in a brokerage capacity is to plan on obtaining a real estate license (or a state-specific leasing license if available). This ensures you can legally advertise rentals, negotiate leases, and collect commissions for helping tenants, which unlicensed individuals are generally prohibited from doing ( aceableagent.com ).

What is the difference between a leasing agent and a real estate agent?

The difference comes down to focus and credentials . A leasing agent typically dedicates their work to rentals : finding tenants for landlords, showing rental properties, and handling leasing paperwork. In many cases, “leasing agent” implies the person is an on-site property employee or a specialist working for a leasing brokerage, often with a more limited license or no involvement in sales. A real estate agent is a broader term for a licensed professional who can facilitate buying, selling, and renting of real estate. Real estate agents have met their state’s full licensing requirements and can represent clients in home purchases and sales, not just rentals ( investopedia.com ). Practically, a leasing agent’s day-to-day involves apartment tours and tenant screening, while a real estate agent might be hosting an open house for a home sale one day and negotiating a purchase contract the next. Independence and responsibility level differ as well – leasing agents (especially those with leasing-only licenses) usually work under a managing broker and often have less autonomy. Real estate agents, while also under a broker’s supervision, tend to have more independence in building their business and clientele , and they carry the weight of advising on major transactions (large sales contracts, inspections, mortgages, etc.). In terms of compensation, a leasing agent might earn a salary or smaller commissions per deal (particularly if they’re an employee of a property), whereas a real estate agent is commonly paid on larger commission splits per transaction ( aceableagent.com ). It’s worth noting that the same individual can be both – for instance, a fully licensed real estate agent could choose to act as a leasing agent (focusing on rentals) or pivot to sales as opportunities arise. In summary, all real estate agents can do leasing, but not all leasing specialists are full real estate agents. If a “leasing agent” lacks a full license, they cannot sell property, while a “real estate agent” has the credentials to handle all types of real estate deals , leasing included.