Arizona real estate school: How to get your salesperson license
14 min read·
To get an Arizona real estate license, you must complete 90 hours of pre-licensing education at an ADRE-approved real estate school, obtain a Fingerprint Clearance Card from the Arizona Department of Public Safety, pass the Pearson VUE salesperson exam, and submit a license application to the Arizona Department of Real Estate (ADRE) within one year of passing. The process follows five sequential steps that most applicants spread over several months. The ADRE charges $75 for the combined exam application and examination fee, and $60 for the original salesperson license.
The five steps to an Arizona real estate license
The licensing process moves through five steps: education, fingerprinting, exam, application, and broker activation. You can work on the fingerprint clearance and the coursework at the same time, since the fingerprint card takes several weeks to arrive. The exam and application steps follow after you complete the education requirement.
Most people complete the Arizona real estate licensing process within a few months. Three tasks run in parallel: the 90-hour pre-licensing course, the Fingerprint Clearance Card from Arizona Department of Public Safety (which may take as long as eight to ten weeks per the Arizona Association of REALTORS®), and exam preparation. The 6-hour contract writing course takes about a day. After passing the exam, you must submit your license application within one year. The fingerprint card is the most common bottleneck, so applicants should begin that process as early as possible.See the answer for every state
Fixed state fees total $202: $75 for the salesperson examination (application and exam fees combined), $60 for the original license ($50 license fee plus $10 Real Estate Recovery Fund), and $67 for the Fingerprint Clearance Card from Arizona DPS. The 90-hour pre-licensing course and 6-hour contract writing course together typically cost $350 to $900 or more depending on the school and format chosen. Total cost to obtain an Arizona salesperson license generally runs approximately $550 to $1,500 or more, driven primarily by the education package selected.See the answer for every state
Arizona real estate license requirements
Arizona sets the minimum age for salesperson license applicants at 18 and requires authorized legal presence in the United States, with qualifications established in Arizona Revised Statutes (A.R.S.) §32-2124, as referenced by the ADRE licensing page[1]. Arizona does not require a high school diploma, GED, college degree, or prior real estate experience. The ADRE salesperson license page[2] lists the required documents for the application, none of which include proof of general education.
To become an Arizona real estate salesperson, you must complete a 90-hour pre-licensing course at an ADRE-approved school and a 6-hour Contract Writing course, obtain a Fingerprint Clearance Card from the Arizona Department of Public Safety, and pass the Pearson VUE licensing exam (both General and State-Specific portions, with a 75% minimum score). You must then submit your salesperson application, exam score reports, education certificates, Disciplinary Action Disclosure Form, fingerprint card, and proof of legal presence to ADRE within one year of passing the exam. Once licensed, the license remains in "eligible" status until a licensed broker agrees to supervise you and activates it.See the answer for every state
To obtain an Arizona real estate salesperson license, an applicant must be at least 18 years old, complete a 90-hour pre-licensing course and a 6-hour contract writing course from an ADRE-approved school, obtain a Fingerprint Clearance Card from Arizona DPS, and pass both the General and State-Specific portions of the Pearson VUE exam with a score of 75% or higher. The applicant must then submit a salesperson application, Disciplinary Action Disclosure Form, exam score reports, education certificates, fingerprint card, and proof of legal presence within one year of passing the exam.See the answer for every state
Criminal record and disclosure requirements
A criminal record does not automatically disqualify you from licensure. The ADRE Licensing Division[3] states that an individual with a felony or misdemeanor may apply as long as they are not on probation, parole, or community service, and all restitutions have been met and completed. Criminal convictions, adverse judgments, or disciplinary actions must be disclosed to ADRE in writing within 10 business days.
Complete your pre-licensing education
You must complete your education requirements at an ADRE-approved school before registering for the state exam. The ADRE Education Division[4] reviews and approves all schools, courses, and instructors eligible to offer pre-licensing education, and only ADRE-approved courses count toward licensure.
Arizona requires a 90-hour Salesperson Pre-licensing Course and a 6-hour Contract Writing Course from an ADRE-approved school, college, or university. The 90-hour course certificate must have been completed within 10 years of the application date, and the 6-hour Contract Writing Course certificate must have been completed within 2 years of the application date.See the answer for every state
Yes, Arizona pre-licensing education can be completed online from an ADRE-approved school. The 90-hour pre-licensing course and the 6-hour contract writing course are both available in online self-paced formats, as well as in-person and livestream options. Schools may allow students to mix and match formats across the coursework.See the answer for every state
Real estate pre-licensing courses must be completed at an ADRE-approved school, college, or university, and are available in classroom, livestream, and online self-paced formats. The ADRE maintains a public database of approved schools where prospective students can verify a school's approval status. Arizona community colleges also offer the required real estate pre-licensing curriculum leading to a Certificate of Completion.See the answer for every state
After completing the coursework and passing the school's final examination, the school issues a Pre-licensure Education Certificate, per the Arizona Association of REALTORS®[5]. You include this certificate with your license application.
Obtain a Fingerprint Clearance Card
The Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) issues the Fingerprint Clearance Card, which must be included with your license application. The Arizona Association of REALTORS®[5] advises that obtaining the card may take as long as eight to ten weeks, so start this step early, ideally before or alongside your coursework.
Schedule your state licensing exam
After completing your pre-licensing education, you must pass the Arizona salesperson exam at a Pearson test center before applying for your license. Online testing is not available; all exams are administered in person at Pearson test centers, per the Pearson VUE Arizona real estate page[6]. You will receive two score reports from Pearson: one for the General (national) portion and one for the State-Specific portion, per the ADRE salesperson license page[2]. You can register for both portions as a combined exam, per the Pearson VUE page[6].
The Arizona real estate licensing exam is a computer-based, multiple-choice exam administered by Pearson VUE at a Pearson test center (online testing is not available). For salesperson candidates, the exam has two portions: a General (National) section with 80 scored questions plus 5 unscored pretest questions (150 minutes) and a State-Specific section with 60 scored questions plus 5 unscored pretest questions (90 minutes), for 150 total questions across 240 minutes. A score of 75% or higher is required on each portion to pass, and the combined examination application and exam fee is $75.See the answer for every state
Pearson VUE administers all Arizona real estate licensing examinations for both salesperson and broker candidates. Arizona real estate exams are not available through online proctoring (OnVUE) and must be taken in person at a Pearson test center. Appointments can be made up to one calendar day prior to the desired test date, subject to availability, and customer service is available at 888-405-5776.See the answer for every state
The Arizona salesperson exam consists of 140 scored questions (80 national plus 60 state-specific) plus 10 unscored pretest questions, with a passing score of 75% required on each section. Pearson VUE provides a free Candidate Handbook and Content Outlines as PDF downloads that detail the exam structure and topic areas, and offers practice tests for $19.95 covering general (national) real estate topics. The General portion allows 150 minutes and the State-Specific portion allows 90 minutes.See the answer for every state
Pearson VUE, the official testing vendor for Arizona real estate exams, offers Broker and Salesperson practice tests for $19.95 each covering general (national) real estate topics, though state-specific practice tests are not available. The Pearson VUE Candidate Handbook and Content Outlines are available as free PDF downloads and provide the exam structure and topic breakdowns for study preparation.See the answer for every state
Submit your salesperson license application
The ADRE salesperson license page[2] requires that your completed application reach ADRE no more than one year after your exam date. The original license fee is $60, consisting of a $50 license fee plus a $10 Real Estate Recovery Fund payment, per the ADRE fee schedule[7]. ADRE does not publish an official application processing time on its website.
To obtain an Arizona real estate salesperson license, you must be at least 18 years old and complete 90 hours of pre-licensing education at an ADRE-approved school, plus a 6-hour Contract Writing course. You must also obtain a Fingerprint Clearance Card from the Arizona Department of Public Safety and pass the Pearson VUE salesperson exam, which includes a General (National) portion and a State-Specific portion, each requiring a score of 75% or higher. After passing, you must submit your license application within one year, including exam score reports, the application form, Disciplinary Action Disclosure Form, education certificates, fingerprint clearance card, and proof of legal presence. The license is issued for a two-year term, and you must be hired by an employing broker to activate it.See the answer for every state
Required documents for the salesperson application
Two reports from Pearson: General and State-Specific
Salesperson Application Form
Submitted to ADRE
Disciplinary Action Disclosure Form (LI-214/244)
Requires date of birth and Social Security Number
90-hour Pre-licensing Course Certificate
Completed within 10 years of application date
6-hour Contract Writing Course Certificate
Completed within 2 years of application date
Fingerprint Clearance Card
Issued by Arizona Department of Public Safety
Proof of authorized legal presence in the U.S.
Required for all applicants
Fee Waiver Request Form
Only if requesting a fee waiver
Activate your license through a sponsoring broker
A new salesperson license starts in "eligible" status, meaning it cannot be used to practice real estate until you associate with a licensed broker who holds your license and provides supervision. The ADRE Licensing Division[3] defines "eligible" status as meeting all continuing education requirements and being ready to be hired by an employing broker. The license can stay in this status without a time limit, provided continuing education requirements are met and renewal fees are paid on schedule. A separate "inactive" status allows a licensee to maintain their license for up to 15 years without broker association, provided they continue to renew. The license is issued for a two-year term, per the ADRE licensing page[1].
Arizona law requires every real estate salesperson to work under a licensed broker, who holds the agent's license and provides supervision and compliance oversight. The license remains in "eligible" status until a broker agrees to hire the agent and activates the license through the ADRE online system. To find a sponsoring broker, research brokerages in the area, reach out to several, and schedule interviews. Ask about training and mentorship programs, commission splits, desk fees, lead generation, and company culture. Factors to evaluate include the broker's training quality, commission structure, availability, technology tools, and reputation. The license cannot become active until the sponsoring broker submits approval to the Arizona Department of Real Estate.See the answer for every state
A real estate salesperson (agent) must work under a licensed broker and cannot practice real estate independently. A broker has completed additional education and experience requirements and can work independently, hire agents, and manage a real estate business. In Arizona, salespersons must complete 90 hours of pre-licensing education and a 6-hour Contract Writing course, while brokers must have at least 3 years of experience as a licensee within the last 5 years, complete a 90-hour broker pre-licensing course, and attend 9 hours of Broker Management Clinic courses. Brokers assume supervisory and compliance responsibility for the agents they employ.See the answer for every state
A licensed real estate agent becomes a REALTOR® by joining a local REALTOR® association, which provides membership to the state and national associations. Principals of a real estate firm must join before any non-principal agents at the firm can become members. For 2027, NAR national dues are $156 per member plus a $45 special assessment, billed through the primary local association and due by January 1, and REALTORS® must complete ethics training every three years.See the answer for every state
Out-of-state license recognition
The ADRE licensing page[1] outlines a recognition pathway for licensees already practicing in another state. Applicants must have held a salesperson or broker license in another state, completed approved education in that state, and passed a licensing exam there. Non-Arizona residents must complete 27 hours of pre-licensing education and the Contract Writing Course, per the ADRE out-of-state recognition page[9].
Arizona does not have formal reciprocity agreements with any state, but offers Out-of-State License Recognition under A.R.S. Section 32-4302 for licensees from any state who meet specific requirements. Applicants must be Arizona residents, have held a real estate license in another state for at least one year, have a current license in good standing, and must pass the Arizona state-specific exam and apply within one year. Applicants must not have had a license revoked or surrendered in any other jurisdiction, and must not have any pending disciplinary actions or complaints.See the answer for every state
What to do next
Begin your pre-licensing education at an ADRE-approved real estate school and start the Fingerprint Clearance Card process at the same time, since both take weeks to complete. Once you finish the coursework and receive your fingerprint card, schedule your Pearson VUE exam. After passing, submit your license application with all required documents, then connect with a sponsoring broker to activate your license and start practicing.
