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Real Estate Agent
Some details on this page are not yet confirmed against an official source. See sources below or contact the licensing board to verify.
To get a Alabama real estate license in 2026, you must complete 60 hours of Alabama Real Estate Commission (AREC)-approved pre-licensing education, pass a background check, take and pass the Pearson VUE (now operating as Pearson Professional Assessments) licensing exam, and find a sponsoring broker. Most applicants finish in 8–16 weeks and spend $477.25–$828.25 including course tuition.
Pre-License Hours
$328.25
Total Gov Fees
140
Exam Questions
3.5 hrs
Exam Time
Renewal Cycle
Reciprocity
CE Required
Renewal Fee
19 years old
Min. Age
Alabama Real Estate Commission (AREC)
Authority
| Minimum Age | 19 years old Alabama's age of majority is 19 — higher than most states. |
| Education | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Residency | US residency required Must show proof of bona fide residency in any US state. |
| Citizenship | US citizen or permanent resident |
| Background Check | Required State and federal criminal background check with fingerprinting (~$48.25). Submitted with license application. |
| Sponsoring Broker | Required Must affiliate with an Alabama-licensed broker to activate license. |
Not sure if you need a real estate license? Check whether your state requires one.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Exam Fee Paid to: Pearson VUE | |
License Application Fee Paid to: AREC | |
Fingerprinting / Background Check Paid to: Fieldprint | |
Total Estimated Government Fees | $328.25 |
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
See the full cost breakdown with our License Cost Estimator →
Education Requirements
Mostly verifiedTotal Hours Required
Provider Type
AREC-approved education providers (classroom, online, and hybrid)
Required Courses
30-hour post-license course required within first 6 months (active) or within one year/12 months (inactive) of licensure.
See our picks for the best real estate programs in Alabama.
Exam Details
VerifiedExam Provider
Total Questions
140
Total Time
210 min
Format
Computer-based, multiple-choice. In-person at Pearson VUE test centers. Must schedule at least 24 hours in advance.
Exam Sections
| Section | Questions | Time | Passing |
|---|---|---|---|
| National | 100 | 150 min | 70% |
| State (Alabama) | 40 | 60 min | 70% |
Retake Policy
May retake multiple times within 6 months of completing pre-licensing course. Each retake requires exam fee. After 6 months, additional coursework required.
Test centers in 20+ Alabama cities including Birmingham, Montgomery, Mobile, Tuscaloosa, Huntsville, Auburn, Dothan.
For study strategies and what to expect on test day, see our guide to passing the real estate exam.
Take an AREC-approved 60-hour course.
Estimated time: 2–8 weeks
Register at Pearson VUE. Pay $70 exam fee. Pass both National (70/100 = 70%) and State (28/40 = 70%) sections. Must take within 6 months of completing education.
Estimated time: 1–2 weeks
Submit fingerprints for state and federal background check (~$48.25).
Estimated time: 2–4 weeks
Mail application with $210 fee and background check results within 90 days of passing exam.
Estimated time: 2–4 weeks processing
Secure sponsoring broker to activate license.
Estimated time: 1–4 weeks
Required within 6 months (active) or 12 months (inactive) of initial licensure.
Estimated time: Within 6–12 months
Renewal Details
Mostly verifiedRenewal Cycle
CE Hours
Renewal Fee
Deadline & Late Policy
September 30 of even-numbered years.
First Renewal Notes
Must complete 30 hours of post-licensing education within first 6 months (active) or 12 months (inactive).
Regulatory Board
For a deeper dive into CE requirements and deadlines, see our real estate license renewal guide or compare deadlines across all 50 states.
See full CE requirements in Alabama: Continuing education details →
Interstate Reciprocity
VerifiedHas Reciprocity
Yes
Type: Universal Conditional Reciprocity
Alabama reciprocates with virtually all states. Requirements: complete 6-hour Alabama Real Estate Law course, pass Alabama state exam portion, submit Certificate of Licensure from current state, background check, application fee.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare Alabama with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
Real Estate Agent Schools in Alabama
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Real Estate Agent requirements in Alabama verified against Alabama Real Estate Commission (AREC), April 2026.
All data on this page was verified against the following official sources. Last verified: 2026-04-02.
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