For me, I initially started with a small boutique brokerage and eventually left because the split wasn't favorable (50%) and the owners did not have a strong desire to train, mentor, teach or coach me. 

If you don't join anything, for example National Association of Realtors, your only cost is the NYS licensing costs (in NJ its $100 every 2years), the referal broker's fee (maybe another $100/yr), and cost to do CE every 2 years (usually than $100 online).Remember, the license doesn't actually teach you about being a real estate agent. 

Go to meetups and networking events, real estate is full of people who love what they do and are willing to teach.

Just like what @Bruce Woodruff said.Do--->gain experience---->teach and adviseThat being said without actual investing experience you can establish some credibility by knowing:-how to calculate cash flow-how to calculate ROI/cash on cash return-what a cap rate is-what are operating expenses and capital expenditures

I am a real estate investor, I help people invest in real estate passively and I coach students for Jake and Gino who teaches people to buy multifamily apartment buildings.  

Quote from @Jesse Goswick: thank you for the information I appreciate you, I will absolutely give them a call again first and I going to reach out to a few local CPAs to get the most accurate answer.Jesse, if you feel like it isn't sharing too much personal information, please return here and teach the rest of us what you learn. 

Seeking Advice / Feedback: A wise real estate friend of mine once said to work with people that are always teaching me something new.

@Ane Fifita my question to you would be how much of the nuts and bolts did they teach you? 

I'm in my 16th year teaching high school and take the Virginia salesperson exam 1 Oct.

There is literally nothing that a wholesaler can do that a competent Realtor cannot, including finding a buyer who is "all cash, quick close".There is an entire industry built up around teaching people to wholesale illegally.