Due to the clear cooperation policy with NAR, all Realtors are required to put any listings they have on the MLS within 24 hours or any marketing efforts (that includes all phone calls, texts, ads, social media postings, signs in the yard, etc).

2022 Housing MarketHidden GemsNational Association of REALTORS® Research GroupHuntsville, Alabama. This metro area experienced the highest cumulative 3-year gain in
home prices, at 24.6%, outpacing wage gains of 13.4...

In my experience, admittedly in syndications buying very large Class B and A- properties, all reporting (NAR, Costar) are higher than what you would have to pay to get a deal.  

The state licensing fee is peanuts, but its the various dues and fees (to NAR, to the MLS and potentially more than one, your E&O, etc.). 

Pending listings have declined by 10% according NAR.  

We all need to pay for ongoing access too and we need to keep up our state license and our Realtor affiliation as well.Basically you pay to become an agent, then you pay to become a member of NAR, then finally you become a member of the local association of Realtors then you pay for the MLS.

Your going to have to learn things NAR does not teach or even speak of.

There are expenses there too - pre-licensing classes, license fees, continuing education, MLS fees, NAR fees (sometimes optional, sometimes not), marketing costs (business cards, signs, etc). 

In the State of Utah, you have to pay fees for the MLS and NAR which is over $2,000 a year.

You can actually take online courses through NAR, which offers a great experience as well.