Should I Hire a Licensed or Unlicensed Real Estate Assistant?

You’re ready to hire a real estate assistant, but there’s an important decision to make: Does your assistant need to be licensed?

Let’s clarify something right away: hiring a licensed assistant isn’t always the best choice. In fact, it can sometimes slow you down or create unexpected challenges. This article will guide you through the tasks that unlicensed assistants can perform, the situations in which hiring a licensed assistant makes sense, and how to make the best choice based on your current business needs and your future goals.

Hire With Future Growth in Mind — But Consider the Pros and Cons

If you're scaling your real estate business, every hire should support your long-term growth strategy. However, this doesn’t mean you need to overhire or bring someone with a license just in case. Typically, agents require operational, administrative, and marketing support — not necessarily someone to show homes or negotiate contracts. Although hiring a licensed assistant might seem appealing, there are key trade-offs to consider:

Pros of Hiring a Licensed Assistant:

- They can legally perform agent-level tasks (show homes, discuss property features, explain contracts, etc.).

- They may stand in for you when you're unavailable.

- They can grow into a more versatile role as your team evolves.

Cons of Hiring a Licensed Assistant:

- They’re harder to find and usually command a higher salary.

- Your candidate pool will be significantly smaller.

- Many licensed assistants aim to sell real estate themselves — either now or in the future.

- You’ll need to establish clear boundaries regarding their role.

Side note: Your assistant should not be expected or encouraged to sell. This can lead to blurred lines and conflicting priorities, which we’ll explore in a future post.

What Can an Unlicensed Assistant Do? (More Than You Think)

Most tasks performed by real estate assistants don’t require a license. If your goal is to delegate administrative and marketing responsibilities so you can focus on revenue-generating work, an unlicensed hire is often the best option. Here are typical tasks an unlicensed assistant can handle (varies slightly by state — check your local regulations):

Admin & Operations:

- Manage your inbox, calendar, and incoming calls.

- Screen inquiries to protect your time.

- Coordinate with vendors, stagers, photographers, etc.

- Track transactions and liaise with your transaction coordinator.

- Manage paperwork (but cannot explain contracts).

Marketing & Client Experience:

- Create and manage all your marketing (print, digital, social).

- Prepare listing materials and comparative market analyses (CMAs) for your review.

- Plan client events and handle gift-giving.

- Maintain and update your customer relationship management (CRM) system.

- Develop systems, checklists, and workflows.

Team & Business Support:

- Coordinate showings (they can schedule, but not host).

- Draft offers or contracts under your direction.

- Manage other staff or freelancers.

If most of your needs fall into these categories, start with an unlicensed assistant. You’ll have access to a wider pool of candidates, more flexibility on pay, and a higher likelihood of finding someone committed to long-term operations.

What If I Want Them to Get Licensed Later?

This can be a great strategy if approached intentionally. If you plan to hire an unlicensed assistant with the goal of them becoming licensed in the future, consider the following:

- Cover the cost of licensing, including study materials and exam fees.

- Compensate them for time spent preparing for and taking the exam.

- Understand the timeline (in California, it can take months just to secure a test date).

- Set clear expectations about their role after obtaining a license, and be prepared to adjust their compensation and responsibilities accordingly.

This “grow with me” approach works best when you’re focused on long-term success and when your assistant shares your mission.

Making the Right Decision for Your Business

Here are a few questions to help you decide:

- Do you want your assistant to handle agent-level tasks, such as showing homes or explaining documents?

- Will they be client-facing right away in situations where a license is required?

- Are you in a state with strict regulations regarding what unlicensed assistants can do?

- Do you have the budget and infrastructure to attract and retain a licensed assistant?

- Are you comfortable managing the career ambitions of someone who may want to sell real estate themselves?

If you're not ready to delegate at the agent level — or if you simply need someone to stabilize the backend of your business — start with an unlicensed assistant.

The Bottom Line

You don’t need to hire a licensed assistant to receive meaningful support. Hire based on your current business needs while keeping your future growth in mind. Start lean, stay focused, and build your team intentionally.

Need Help Defining the Right Role?

At Pro REA Staffing, we assist real estate agents in building thriving teams. Whether you’re hiring your first assistant or restructuring your organization, we’ll help you make the right hire the first time.

Schedule a call with us to discuss your hiring strategy!