Broker and real estate agent: Arkansas Real Estate Broker License Guide

To become a real estate broker in Arkansas, you must hold an active salesperson license for at least 24 months, complete 60 hours of broker pre-license education, pass the Arkansas Unified Real Estate Broker Examination, and submit your license application to the Arkansas Real Estate Commission (AREC) within 90 days of passing. The terms broker and REALTOR® are not interchangeable: a broker holds a state-issued license with expanded authority, while a REALTOR® is a licensed agent or broker who has joined the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). Arkansas recognizes three broker tiers with distinct supervisory authority.

What is a real estate broker in Arkansas?

In Arkansas, a real estate broker license is issued by AREC and authorizes the holder to represent clients in transactions, manage real estate properties, and oversee other licensed professionals. The license is governed under A.C.A. §17-42-303^[1], and AREC recognizes three broker tiers with distinct levels of authority.

An Associate Broker holds a broker license but has no supervisory authority assigned or recognized. Associate Brokers work under the oversight of an Executive or Principal Broker, similar to salespersons.

An Executive Broker has authority to approve contracts and oversee Salespersons and Associate Brokers in an office. A licensee must complete the post-licensure education requirement before requesting Executive Broker status.

A Principal Broker is responsible for all activities of licensed persons in an office. Every Arkansas real estate office must have a Principal Broker.

Arkansas does not issue a separate license for commercial real estate brokers; the broker license covers all property types.

Experience requirements for Arkansas broker applicants

Arkansas requires broker applicants to demonstrate active real estate experience before qualifying for the broker exam, according to the AREC new applicant page^[1]. The applicant must show experience in the real estate business equivalent to full-time engagement over the Commission's required period.

AREC offers two paths to reduce or replace the standard experience prerequisite. An applicant who has already held an active broker credential for 18 or more months can request a waiver in writing. As an alternative, the Commission can accept comparable experience in a real estate-related field, provided it falls within the applicable lookback window.

If the experience was gained in another jurisdiction, the applicant must furnish an official license history from that state's real estate commission.

Broker pre-license education in Arkansas

Broker applicants must complete AREC-approved real estate education from an accredited postsecondary institution or a school licensed by the Commission, per the AREC education page^[2]. The coursework must be finished within 36 months before the application date.

The Broker Pre-License Education course covers broker-specific topics beyond the salesperson curriculum, including broker operations, supervision, and Arkansas license law. Courses identified as "Exam Prep" do not fulfill the pre-license requirement.

Distance education courses, including online formats, must be ARELLO certified to count toward the requirement.

Applying for AREC approval to take the broker exam

Broker applicants must submit a broker application to AREC that includes information required for state and federal background checks, along with a $50 application fee for Arkansas residents, paid by cashier's check or money order. Effective January 1, 2006, all original broker license applicants must complete both a state and federal criminal background check, per the AREC new applicant page^[1].

AREC accepts applications before the pre-licensing course is complete, but will not issue a Certificate of Exam Eligibility until proof of course completion and the background check authorization form are on file.

Non-resident applicants pay different fees: $85 if required to take the exam, or $180 if not required to take the exam. Applicants licensed in another state may request a waiver of the general portion of the examination if they passed a uniform or multi-state exam in that state with a minimum score of 70.

Military members, veterans, and their spouses may qualify for expedited application processing or automatic licensure under Act 725 of 2021^[1]. The Workforce Expansion Act of 2021 provides a waiver of the initial licensing fee for qualifying applicants receiving public assistance or with income at or below 200% of federal poverty guidelines.

Once AREC approves the application, the candidate is authorized to test for one year from the date of approval, with unlimited attempts to pass the exam.

The Arkansas unified broker licensing exam

The Arkansas Unified Real Estate Broker Examination is a one-part comprehensive test administered by Pearson VUE^[3]. According to the Pearson VUE Candidate Handbook, the exam consists of 120 scored items and 10 pretest (unscored) items, for a total of 130 items covering both general real estate knowledge and Arkansas-specific content. The exam cannot be divided into portions for reexamination.

The passing scaled score is 70, set by AREC in conjunction with Pearson VUE. The exam fee is $75 per attempt, paid at the time of reservation by credit card, debit card, or voucher. Exam fees are non-refundable and non-transferable and are not accepted at the test center.

The Pearson VUE Candidate Handbook states that candidates have two to four hours to complete the exam, presented as a general range for all Arkansas real estate exams rather than a broker-specific time limit. Candidates should confirm the exact time allotted when scheduling.

The exam covers 10 major topic areas, with Broker Operations and Responsibilities weighted highest at 18%.

Reservations must be made at least 24 to 48 hours in advance through the Pearson VUE website. Walk-in examinations are not available. After a failed attempt, candidates must wait 24 hours before scheduling a retake. Retake reservations may not be made at the test center.

The Pearson VUE website provides a free Candidate Handbook and Exam Content Outline for download, which detail the topics covered and sample questions.

Getting your broker license after passing the exam

After passing the broker exam, you must submit your successful score report, required forms, and fees to AREC no later than 90 days after the examination date. If you are a currently active salesperson, you must return your current license and pocket card along with the score report, a $70 license fee, and a signed post-license requirement notice, per the AREC licensing FAQ^[4].

Score reports and license issuance forms are available through the Pearson VUE portal after the exam. The $70 broker license issuance fee is separate from the application and exam fees already paid.

If you were not previously licensed as a salesperson in Arkansas, contact AREC for specific license issuance instructions.

The broker application is valid for one year from the date of application, per Commission Regulation 4.1(h). An Associate Broker must affiliate with a Principal Broker to activate the license; the Principal Broker signs the score report and verifies sponsorship with AREC.

Post-license education and broker tier advancement

New Arkansas brokers must complete an AREC post-licensure course after initial licensure to remain active, according to the AREC education page^[2]. The broker post-licensure course is a separate requirement from the salesperson post-license course; one cannot substitute for the other.

Credit will not be given if the post-licensure course is taken before the broker license is issued. The course may be completed through classroom instruction, online delivery, or an AREC-approved Alternative Method of Instruction.

The post-licensure course must be completed before an Associate Broker can request Executive Broker or Principal Broker status. The Executive Broker designation requires a $30 processing fee.

What to do next

After completing the post-licensure course, decide whether to pursue Executive Broker or Principal Broker status based on your career goals. Brokers who want to open their own office must obtain Principal Broker designation, which requires the post-licensure requirement to be completed first. The AREC existing agent page^[5] provides forms for tier changes, transfer requests, and license renewal.