This is different with certain states however, in Virginia, a real estate sales agent must be licensed and practicing real estate for 3 of the last 4 years, successfully complete a curriculum of classes including but not limited to: Real Estate Brokerage, Real Estate Law, Real Estate Financing… and pass the broker test.

A Real Estate Broker may either open a franchise (Century 21, Re/Max…) or open their own business. Brokers are also able to have real estate agents or brokers working in their firm.

As a real estate agent, you must hang your license up with a broker and cannot practice real estate on your own.

To find schools in real estate search for your Professional licensing department in Michigan.

A Broker can have sales people working for him/her (earning a commission from their sales. There is a separate licensing test and I believe you have to have at least one year of real estate sales experience.