To get an Arkansas real estate license, you must complete 60 hours of pre-licensing education at an AREC-approved real estate school, pass a two-part exam administered by Pearson VUE, and affiliate with a sponsoring broker to activate your license. The Arkansas Real Estate Commission (AREC) oversees licensing for salespersons and brokers, from application review through license issuance and renewal. The process involves five main steps: meeting eligibility requirements, completing pre-licensing coursework, submitting an application with a background check, passing the state exam, and activating your license with a broker.
Eligibility requirements for an Arkansas real estate license
Arkansas requires salesperson license applicants to be at least 18 years old, complete 60 hours of pre-licensing education, pass a state and federal background check, and receive AREC application approval. Arkansas license law does not require a high school diploma or GED for salesperson licensure, according to AREC Regulations, Section 4.1 (April 2024), corroborated by the AREC New Applicant page[1] and the Arkansas Candidate Handbook (July 2024).
Requirement
Detail
Minimum age
18 years (age of majority)
Pre-licensing education
60 classroom hours, 30 in basic principles of real estate
Education provider
Accredited postsecondary school or AREC-licensed school
Background check
State and federal, processed by Arkansas State Police
High school diploma or GED
Not required
Application fee (resident)
$50 (cashier's check or money order to AREC)
Application validity
1 year from date of submission
The education must come from an accredited postsecondary school or a school licensed by AREC. The background check includes an FBI check through the Arkansas State Police. AREC does not impose prerequisites for enrolling in a pre-licensing course; any enrollment restrictions come from the course provider.
Non-resident applicants who must take the exam pay an $85 application fee; non-residents not required to take the exam pay $160 for a salesperson license or $180 for a broker license. Qualifying applicants may request a waiver of the initial licensing fee under the Workforce Expansion Act, including recipients of SNAP, WIC, TANF, Medicaid, or unemployment benefits within 12 months. Military members, veterans, and spouses may qualify for expedited application processing under Act 725 of 2021.
Complete the 60-hour pre-licensing education requirement
The pre-licensing certificate does not expire, so you can finish the coursework before or after you apply to AREC. Courses labeled as "exam prep" do not satisfy the pre-licensing requirement, per the AREC Education page[2]. The AREC provider directory[3] lists all approved schools, from Arkansas-based institutions to national online platforms.
Salesperson applicants must complete 60 classroom hours of real estate education, of which 30 hours must be in the basic principles of real estate, from an accredited postsecondary school or a school licensed by AREC. The 60-hour certificate has no expiration for salesperson applicants. Broker applicants must complete 60 hours of real estate education, of which 45 hours must be the Commission-developed Broker Pre-License Education course, within 36 months immediately preceding the application date. Courses identified as "Exam Prep" generally do not fulfill the pre-license requirement.See the answer for every state
Yes, Arkansas real estate pre-licensing courses are available in both classroom and distance (online) formats from AREC-approved providers. All distance education courses must be ARELLO certified, and the Arkansas Real Estate Commission maintains an approved course list identifying which providers offer each format. The 60-hour salesperson pre-licensing requirement can be satisfied through either delivery method.See the answer for every state
AREC maintains a list of approved education providers on its website, and pre-licensing courses are offered in both classroom and distance (online) formats. All distance education courses must be ARELLO certified. The approved course list, effective as of August 14, 2026, includes all courses currently approved by the Commission, and prospective students should contact schools directly for availability.See the answer for every state
Some AREC-approved education providers offer payment plan options for their pre-licensing courses, though AREC does not regulate course pricing or payment structures. Availability and terms depend on the individual provider, so applicants should contact schools on the state's approved-education list to compare options.See the answer for every state
Submit your application and background check to AREC
Submit your application to AREC with the required application fee, payable by cashier's check or money order; personal and business checks are not accepted, per the AREC New Applicant page[1]. A separate background check fee is paid directly to the Arkansas State Police through an online portal. All applicants must complete a state and federal criminal background check, with fingerprints processed by the Arkansas State Police including an FBI check.
You can submit your application before completing the pre-licensing course, but AREC will not issue a Certificate of Exam Eligibility until it receives proof of course completion and the background check acknowledgment. The application is valid for one year from the date of submission, per Commission Regulation 4.1(h). Once AREC processes the application, you receive an Authorization to Test email that allows you to register for the exam with Pearson VUE.
The fixed mandatory fees total $236.25: a $50 application fee paid to AREC, a $36.25 background check fee paid to the Arkansas State Police, a $75 exam fee, a $50 license fee, and a $25 recovery fund fee. Course tuition is not regulated by AREC and varies by education provider. The total cost depends on the provider selected for the 60-hour pre-licensing course.See the answer for every state
AREC processes completed applications in 7 to 14 business workdays, assuming no delays. The 60-hour pre-licensing course can be completed in a few weeks to a few months depending on the format and pace. After passing the exam, applicants must submit license forms and fees within 90 days, and new salespersons must complete an 18-hour post-licensure course within 6 months of initial licensure. Most people complete the full process within a few months.See the answer for every state
Schedule and pass the licensing exam
Both portions of the salesperson exam require a scaled score of at least 70 to pass. The national portion contains 80 scored items plus 5 pretest items, and the Arkansas state law portion contains 30 scored items plus 10 pretest items, for a combined 125 items per the Pearson VUE Candidate Handbook[4].
You must register through Pearson VUE after receiving an Authorization to Test email from AREC. The exam fee is $75, paid at registration by credit card, debit card, or voucher. If you schedule both portions in the same transaction, the fee is $75 total; if scheduled separately, the fee is $75 per component. Reservations must be made at least 24 hours in advance online or 48 hours in advance by phone; walk-in examinations are not available.
You may retake exam portions as many times as needed within one year of approval. A 24-hour waiting period applies between attempts.
Pearson VUE administers the Arkansas Real Estate License Examinations for both salesperson and broker candidates. The exams are computer-based and offered at test centers across Arkansas, including Little Rock, Fayetteville, Fort Smith, Jonesboro, and Texarkana, as well as in Shreveport, Louisiana, and Memphis, Tennessee. Exams are also available at select Pearson test centers on military installations worldwide.See the answer for every state
The Arkansas real estate licensing exam is administered by Pearson VUE and requires a passing scaled score of 70 for all exam types. The salesperson exam has two portions: a national/general section with 80 scored items plus 5 pretest, and an Arkansas state law section with 30 scored items plus 10 pretest, while the broker exam is a single unified exam with 120 scored items plus 10 pretest. The exam fee is $75, and candidates are authorized for unlimited attempts for one year from the date of Commission approval.See the answer for every state
What happens if you fail the exam
If you pass one portion of the salesperson exam and fail the other, you need to retake only the failed portion within six months. If both portions are not passed after six months, you must retake the entire exam. The retake fee is $75 per attempt. The broker exam is a single comprehensive exam and cannot be divided into portions for reexamination.
Activate your license after passing the exam
After passing the exam, you must submit your score report, a $50 license fee, a $25 recovery fund fee, and a signed post-license requirement notice to AREC no later than 90 calendar days after the exam date, per the AREC Licensing FAQ[5]. AREC does not grant extensions on this deadline. After passing, you must affiliate with a licensed principal broker in Arkansas. The broker's signature on your score report confirms sponsorship, which AREC verifies before issuing the license.
In Arkansas, a licensee must affiliate with a principal broker to activate a real estate license. The principal broker signs the score report, verifies sponsorship with AREC, and provides supervision. Licensees typically research brokerages, interview multiple firms, and consider factors such as training programs, mentorship opportunities, commission structures, and lead generation resources before selecting a broker. A licensee cannot be licensed with more than one real estate company and can only receive compensation from the principal broker under whom they are licensed.See the answer for every state
A real estate salesperson must work under the supervision of a licensed broker, while a broker has completed additional education and experience requirements that allow independent practice and the supervision of other licensees. Arkansas recognizes three broker tiers: Associate Brokers, who have no supervisory authority; Executive Brokers, who may review contracts and supervise salespersons and Associate Brokers; and Principal Brokers, who are responsible for all activities of the licensed persons in their office. The distinction is set by Arkansas license law and carries different levels of authority and responsibility.See the answer for every state
Post-license education requirement
New salespersons must complete required post-licensure education within 6 months of their initial license date to remain active. This coursework cannot be started before the license is issued.
New Arkansas salespersons must complete an 18-hour AREC post-licensure course within 6 months of initial licensure to remain active, and the curriculum consists of three 6-hour modules. New brokers must complete a 30-hour AREC post-licensure course within 6 months of initial licensure, and this requirement must be met before an Associate Broker can become an Executive or Principal Broker. Post-license education cannot be completed before the license is issued, and it is separate from the annual 7-hour continuing education requirement.See the answer for every state
Renew your license and meet continuing education requirements
Arkansas real estate licenses expire on December 31 each year. The penalty-free renewal deadline is September 30; salesperson renewal costs $60 before that date, with a $20 late penalty after. Broker renewal costs $80 before September 30, with a $30 late penalty. If a license is not renewed by December 31, it automatically expires, and the licensee must reapply.
Active licensees must complete annual continuing education to renew. New licensees do not face a continuing education obligation until their second renewal cycle.
Arkansas requires 7 hours of continuing education annually to renew an active real estate license. The 7 hours include a 1-hour safety course and additional required and elective hours that AREC determines each year. Continuing education is not required for the first renewal cycle after initial licensure; the requirement begins at the second active renewal. CE hours do not carry over to future renewal cycles.See the answer for every state
Yes, Arkansas real estate continuing education courses can be completed online, and there is no limit to the number of CE hours that may be taken through distance education. All distance education courses must be ARELLO certified and offered by a provider approved by the Arkansas Real Estate Commission (AREC). Most education providers report CE completion electronically to AREC, but the licensee remains responsible for ensuring that CE is reported by the renewal deadline.See the answer for every state
Continuing education courses must be taken from a provider approved by the Arkansas Real Estate Commission (AREC), which maintains a list of approved education providers on its website. Most providers report CE completions electronically to AREC, but if a provider does not report electronically, the licensee must mail CE certificates to AREC. Courses may be completed online or in person.See the answer for every state
Becoming a real estate agent in Arkansas
REALTOR® status is reserved for licensees who become NAR members and agree to follow its Code of Ethics. NAR stands for the National Association of REALTORS®[6]. Membership requires joining a local REALTOR® association, which automatically enrolls you in the Arkansas REALTORS® Association[7] and NAR.
First, obtain an active real estate license, then join a local REALTOR® association, which also provides membership in the state and national associations. The principal of a real estate firm must join a REALTOR® association before any non-principal affiliated with that firm can join. NAR national dues are $156 per member for 2027, plus a $45 Consumer Advertising Campaign special assessment, totaling $201 annually, with state and local association dues billed separately. Only NAR members may call themselves a REALTOR®.See the answer for every state
A real estate agent is anyone licensed by a state to help clients buy, sell, or rent properties. A REALTOR® is a licensed real estate agent or broker who has joined the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) and agreed to abide by NAR's Code of Ethics. Only NAR members may use the title "REALTOR®." Joining NAR begins at the local association level, and membership requires paying annual dues at the national, state, and local levels.See the answer for every state
What to do next
Start by enrolling in a pre-licensing course from an AREC-approved provider[3] and submitting your application to AREC[1]. While waiting for your Certificate of Exam Eligibility, review the Pearson VUE Candidate Handbook[4] and take practice tests. After passing, identify principal brokers in your area who can sponsor your license.
If you are already licensed in another state, AREC has reciprocity agreements with 15 states[8] that may waive portions of the exam. If you aspire to become a broker, Arkansas requires 24 months of active salesperson experience and additional education to qualify.
To get an Arkansas real estate salesperson license, you must be at least 18 years old and complete 60 classroom hours of pre-licensing education (30 hours in basic principles) from an accredited postsecondary school or an AREC-licensed school. You submit an application to AREC with a $50 fee (for residents) and complete state and federal criminal background checks; AREC processes completed applications in 7 to 14 business days and issues a Certificate of Exam Eligibility. You then register with Pearson VUE to take the licensing exam ($75 fee), and after passing, you must submit your score report, $50 license fee, $25 recovery fund fee, and signed post-license notice to AREC within 90 days. Within 6 months of receiving your license, you must complete an 18-hour post-licensure course to remain active.See the answer for every state
Pearson VUE offers Broker and Salesperson practice tests for $19.95 each, covering general real estate topics only; state-specific practice tests are not available from Pearson VUE. The Candidate Handbook and Exam Content Outlines are available for free download from the Pearson VUE website. Once purchased, candidates have 30 days to start the practice test, which is self-administered online.See the answer for every state
Broker applicants must be at least 18 years old, complete 60 hours of real estate education (of which 45 hours must be the Commission-developed Broker Pre-License Education course) within 36 months preceding the application date, and have been licensed as an active real estate salesperson or broker for at least 24 months within the previous 48-month period. Applicants must submit an application with fee, pass a background check, receive exam approval from AREC, pass the broker licensure examination, and submit forms and fees within 90 days of passing. The experience requirement may be waived upon written request for an applicant who has held an active broker license for at least 18 months.See the answer for every state
