Normal upfront costs to joining an agency

Hi, I have a friend who told me today that she approached an agency about getting her license and selling through them. They told her she would have to get her license plus pay for various things like a special computer she would buy from the agency and access to printers etc. The upfront costs are around $5000 from what she told me.

Is this normal? It just seems like a lot of money to start working.

I'm not familiar with the industry at all so was just wondering if I could get some info here. Thanks.