@Jonathan Johnson I just went through the process of becoming licensed and there's a lot of "start up fees" such as test fees, new licensee fees, office fees, pre-licensing course, finger printing fees, realtor dues, marketing expenses, MLS dues, continuing education requirements, ect and let me tell you.. it all adds up.  

I like this site for price ($125) and speediness: California Real Estate LicenseGet your Live Scan (aka finger printing) done. $49 for processing and $20 for service fee.

Lending criteria from private lenders are generally as different as fingerprints.10) I don’t care how big they seem, until they’ve proven themselves 110% reliable, do make sure your lender has the cash available to lend.

So I passed my brokers exam and got finger printed.

I highly recommend checking out Shane Woods post titled "A TX Real Estate License Journey', it has really helpful information about finger printing, submitting broker paperwork, etc....just the whole timeline on when you should do what. 

First you go to school or take a class online, couple hundred bucks, then you have to get fingerprints, then take a test that a one eyed seeing dog could pass.

Getting your license and not affiliating as a realtor with NAR, in most markets will cost about $300-500 for the course (usually 2 weeks), $200 for the exam and background check and fingerprinting, and $100-1200/year with a real estate brokerage in fees to hang your license.

HereYour all in cost will be just shy of $600 for all classes, fingerprint card & state test.

Oh and go and get your finger prints at arapahoe community college.

Fingerprints, water streaks, etc.