Real estate school to broker: how to get an Alabama real estate license

Getting an Alabama real estate license requires completing a 60-hour pre-licensing course at a real estate school approved by the Alabama Real Estate Commission (AREC), passing the state licensing exam, submitting an application with a background check, and affiliating with a sponsoring broker. AREC regulates every step from course approval through license issuance, and applicants who follow the process in order can move from enrollment to an active license within a few months.

Who qualifies for an Alabama real estate license

Alabama's salesperson license requirements cover age, citizenship, residency, education, and criminal history. Applicants must also have no real estate application or license rejected or revoked in any state within the past two years (AREC — Become a Licensed Real Estate Professional^[1]).

Attorneys and CPAs are not exempt from the pre-licensing course or the licensing exam. They must meet the same requirements as every other applicant (AREC FAQ^[2]).

Complete the 60-hour pre-licensing course

Before sitting for the state exam, you must complete AREC-approved pre-licensing education.

Enrollment gives you one year to finish the coursework and pass the course final exam (AREC FAQ^[2]). After passing the course final, you have six months to pass the state licensing exam. If that deadline passes, you must retake the entire pre-licensing course (AREC — Course Requirements^[3]).

Both classroom and online formats are available for the pre-licensing requirement.

Schedule and pass the state licensing exam

The state licensing exam is the second major step in the Alabama licensing process, and Pearson VUE administers it at testing centers statewide.

The exam consists of two portions with a combined 120 scored questions and a passing score of 70% on each section:

(Pearson VUE — Alabama Real Estate Content Outlines^[4])

An exam fee is charged per attempt, payable through Pearson VUE when scheduling. You can find exam locations and schedule your exam through the AREC exam scheduling page^[5] or by calling Pearson VUE at 888-926-9488. There is no limit on the number of exam retakes (AREC FAQ^[2]).

Apply for your license and pass the background check

After passing the exam, you must submit a completed license application, all supporting materials, and fees to AREC within 90 days of your examination date. The 90-day window is measured by postmark for mailed applications, and missing it means your exam score becomes null and void (AREC — License Application Instructions^[6]).

Background check and fingerprinting

Alabama requires a fingerprint-based federal and state criminal background check through AREC's processing vendor, Fieldprint, at fieldprintalabama.com. A fee applies for fingerprinting, paid directly to Fieldprint. Criminal history records are available to AREC for 30 days, so AREC recommends submitting your license application on the same day you complete fingerprinting (AREC — License Application Instructions^[6]).

License application fees

The current AREC application form lists the following fees for an original salesperson license:

Total fees paid to AREC for an active license are $200 in the first year of the license cycle or $115 in the second year. Applications must be mailed or delivered to AREC at 1201 Carmichael Way, Montgomery, AL 36106, with a check or money order enclosed. AREC does not accept credit cards in the office (AREC — Application for Real Estate Salesperson's Original License^[7], published October 2, 2024; AREC — License Application Instructions^[6]).

Required documents

Your application must include proof of age (a copy of both sides of a valid driver's license, U.S. passport, or birth certificate) and proof of high school graduation (a copy of your diploma, GED certificate, college transcript or diploma, or equivalent documentation). If applying for an active license, you must also list an Alabama-licensed qualifying broker on the application (AREC — License Application Instructions^[6]).

Activate your license through a sponsoring broker

In Alabama, your salesperson license is held by your qualifying broker, not by you personally. You cannot practice real estate until the license is issued to your broker (AREC — License Application Instructions^[6]).

You can submit your application as either active or inactive. An active application requires you to list an Alabama-licensed broker; an inactive application does not, but you cannot practice until you affiliate with one and activate the license.

Complete post-license education for your permanent license

Once AREC accepts your application, you receive a temporary salesperson license. To convert it to a permanent license and maintain active status, you must complete additional education.

Completing this course also fulfills your initial CE obligation, eliminating the need for separate CE credits before the first renewal (AREC FAQ^[2]).

A lapsed license cannot be reactivated. If you let the temporary license expire without completing the post-license course and obtaining your permanent license, you must retake all courses and exams as if never licensed (AREC FAQ^[2]).

Next steps after getting licensed

After receiving your permanent license, three areas keep your career on track: continuing education, REALTOR® membership, and the broker upgrade path.

Continuing education and renewal

Alabama requires 15 hours of continuing education every two years, completed by September 30 of each even-numbered year. Salespersons must complete a 3-hour Risk Management course plus 12 hours of elective courses (AREC — Course Requirements^[3]). Renew without penalty by August 31; licenses not renewed by September 30 are placed on inactive status (AREC — License Renewal^[8]).

Joining a REALTOR® association

REALTOR® membership is a voluntary professional designation, distinct from the state license.

Upgrading to a broker license

Broker licensure requires additional education and experience beyond the salesperson level. Candidates must complete a broker pre-licensing course and demonstrate prior active salesperson experience to qualify (AREC — Become a Licensed Real Estate Professional^[1]).

To begin the licensing process, verify your eligibility against AREC's requirements and enroll in an approved pre-licensing course.