Get your Alabama Real Estate license for Just $99 — 100% online at your own pace

To obtain an Alabama salesperson license, an applicant must be at least 19 years old, a U.S. citizen or legally present, show proof of high school graduation or equivalent, and not have been convicted of a felony or crime of moral turpitude. The applicant must complete a 60-hour AREC-approved prelicense course, pass the state licensing exam within 6 months of course completion, submit a fingerprint-based background check through Fieldprint, file the license application within 90 days of the exam, and complete a 30-hour post-license course within the first 6 months of licensure to maintain active status.

The 60-hour prelicense course can be completed at varying paces depending on whether you study full-time or part-time, and whether you choose online or classroom instruction. After finishing the course, you must pass the licensing exam within 6 months and submit your complete application, background check, and fees to the Alabama Real Estate Commission within 90 days of the exam date. Background check processing and application review each take a couple of weeks, so most applicants complete the full process within a few months.

Alabama real estate salesperson license applicants pay a $73 exam fee per attempt to Pearson VUE and a $210 temporary license application fee, comprising a $150 license fee, a $30 research and recovery fee, and a $30 recovery fund fee. Applicants must also complete a fingerprint-based background check through Fieldprint, with the fee paid directly through Fieldprint's website. Education costs vary by provider, but all applicants must complete a 60-hour prelicense course and a 30-hour post-license course from an AREC-approved school.

Can a convicted felon get a real estate license in Alabama?

The Commission will not issue a license to any person convicted of a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude. If you have questions about if a prior conviction will impact your eligibility, you can submit a request for determination of licensing eligibility for individuals with a criminal history. The Alabama Real Estate Commission (AREC) will make a determination on your case. Alabama also will not issue a license if you have had a real estate application or license rejected or revoked in any state within the past two years.

First, you’ll have to fill out the Pre-Registration form and have a user identification number. You’ll also need to submit fingerprints to its background check processor, Gemalto.

Alabama’s Temporary Salesperson License Application will ask if you have been arrested, indicted, convicted of a criminal offense, fined, imprisoned, or placed on probation.

Do you need high school diploma for real estate license in Alabama?

A high school diploma or its equivalent general education diploma (GED) is required to get an Alabama real estate salesperson's license.

A sponsoring broker is a real estate broker who employs a salesperson and holds the salesperson's license. Alabama law requires all salespersons to work under a sponsoring broker, also called a qualifying broker, and the license is issued to the qualifying broker rather than to the salesperson. A salesperson may not engage in real estate business until the license has been issued to their qualifying broker.

Can you get a real estate license in Alabama if you dont live in the state?

Alabama does allow you to have a real estate salesperson license if you are not an Alabama resident. However, you must be a U.S. citizen or be legally present in the U.S. You’ll have to show proof of U.S. residency as part of your application. You’ll follow the same process as in-state applicants. For your fingerprint processing, request printed cards that you will mail to the state’s background check processor.

How to get fingerprinted for real estate license in Alabama?

Start by visiting the state’s background check processor Gemalto. Create an account, schedule your fingerprinting, and pay the fees through a credit card checkout. Visit any Gemalto Cogent fingerprint location, checking their hours first. Out-of-state applicants will need to submit a fingerprint card to Gemalto Cogent.

Alabama requires all applicants to submit their fingerprints for a state and federal background check.

You’ll need to have your fingerprints taken within 90 days after passing the Alabama state licensing exam. This is because the submission of your fingerprints must coincide with your temporary salesperson license application.