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How to get a real estate license in Arkansas. 60 pre-licensing hours required. Government fees: $236.25. 1-year renewal cycle. Verified 2026-03-22. Data verified 2026-03-22. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Real Estate Agent
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36% of data points are verified against official sources. 7 fields based on preliminary research. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
Pre-License Hours
$236.25
Total Gov Fees
110
Exam Questions
4 hrs
Exam Time
Renewal Cycle
Reciprocity
⚠ Recent Changes in Arkansas
Take AREC-approved education (at least 30 hrs in basic principles).
Estimated time: 2–8 weeks
Register and pay $75 exam fee. Pass National (scaled 70) and State (scaled 70) sections.
Estimated time: 1–2 weeks
Submit application with $50 fee, $75 license + recovery fund fees, and background check.
Estimated time: 2–4 weeks processing
Secure a sponsoring broker to activate license.
Estimated time: 1–4 weeks
Required within 6 months of initial licensure.
Estimated time: Within 6 months
| Minimum Age | 18 years old |
| Education | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Residency | Not required Non-residents may obtain an Arkansas license. |
| Citizenship | US citizen or permanent resident |
| Background Check | Required Fingerprint-based background check required (FBI + AR State Police). |
| Sponsoring Broker | Required Must affiliate with an Arkansas-licensed broker. |
Education Requirements
Mostly verifiedTotal Hours Required
Provider Type
AREC-approved schools or accredited post-secondary institutions
Required Courses
Post-licensing: 18 classroom hours required within 6 months of initial licensure.
Exam Details
Mostly verifiedExam Provider
Total Questions
110
Total Time
240 min
Format
Computer-based, multiple-choice. In-person only at Pearson VUE test centers (no online option).
Exam Sections
| Section | Questions | Time | Passing |
|---|---|---|---|
| National | 80 | 150 min | 70% |
| State (Arkansas) | 30 | 90 min | 70% |
Retake Policy
1-year authorization window. If one section passes, retake failed section within 6 months. If both fail, entire exam must be retaken. $75 per attempt.
5–10 unscored pretest questions. Scaled score of 70 required on each section. Test centers: Little Rock, Fort Smith, Texarkana, Jonesboro, Fayetteville, and others. 13 locations total.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee (with exam) Paid to: AREC ⚠ Conflict: AREC homepage announcement reports $50. Confirmed $50 for AR residents per AREC. $85 for non-residents. $160 for reciprocity (no exam). | |
Exam Fee (per attempt) Paid to: Pearson VUE | |
License Fee + Recovery Fund Paid to: AREC | |
Fingerprinting Paid to: Arkansas State Police (ASP) | |
Total Estimated Government Fees | $236.25 |
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Pre-license courses start at a fraction of the total licensing cost. Study online, at your own pace.
Compare top-rated schools: See our picks for the best real estate schools in Arkansas with pricing, reviews, and pass rates.
Renewal Details
Mostly verifiedRenewal Cycle
CE Hours
Renewal Fee
Deadline & Late Policy
December 31 each year.
First Renewal Notes
Must complete 18 hours of post-licensing education within 6 months of initial licensure.
CE topics change annually. 2025 includes mandatory Agency Representation & Compensation course reflecting NAR settlement changes.
Regulatory Board
Interstate Reciprocity
VerifiedHas Reciprocity
Yes
Type: Conditional Reciprocity
Reciprocal States
| State | Conditions |
|---|---|
| Alabama (AL) | State exam portion and Arkansas-specific requirements. |
| Colorado (CO) | State exam portion and Arkansas-specific requirements. |
| Florida (FL) | State exam portion and Arkansas-specific requirements. |
| Georgia (GA) | State exam portion and Arkansas-specific requirements. |
| Iowa (IA) | State exam portion and Arkansas-specific requirements. |
| Kansas (KS) | State exam portion and Arkansas-specific requirements. |
| Louisiana (LA) | State exam portion and Arkansas-specific requirements. |
| Mississippi (MS) | State exam portion and Arkansas-specific requirements. |
| Nebraska (NE) | State exam portion and Arkansas-specific requirements. |
| Ohio (OH) | State exam portion and Arkansas-specific requirements. |
| Oklahoma (OK) | State exam portion and Arkansas-specific requirements. |
| Pennsylvania (PA) | State exam portion and Arkansas-specific requirements. |
| South Dakota (SD) | State exam portion and Arkansas-specific requirements. |
| Washington (WA) | State exam portion and Arkansas-specific requirements. |
| West Virginia (WV) | State exam portion and Arkansas-specific requirements. |
Reciprocal applicants generally required to pass the Arkansas state exam portion and meet Arkansas-specific requirements.
4–16 weeks from start to active license.
Minimum with intensive study. Typical: 8–12 weeks.
2025-01-01
2025 CE requirements include mandatory 3-hr Agency Representation & Compensation course reflecting NAR settlement changes, plus 1-hr Required Safety course.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Arkansas.
How this state compares to 48 others for this profession
Timeline
#8 of 49
Salary
#47 of 49
Cost
#10 of 49
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Real Estate Sales Agents (SOC 41-9022)
Entry Level
$29,120
25th percentile
Median
$38,450
-32% vs. national avg ($56,320)Experienced
$60,510
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
1,630 employed in this state
Note: Real estate agent compensation is heavily commission-based. BLS OEWS data reflects base wages reported by employers and may undercount total earnings.
Source: BLS OEWS – Real Estate Sales Agents (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
+1.8%
Below AverageNew Jobs
+6,500
over 10 years
Annual Openings
42,900
per year (avg.)
359,300 currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Real Estate Career Ladder+21% salary growth potential
You are here
Real Estate Agent
$38,450
Pre-licensing education (40-180 hours) + state exam
You are here
Real Estate Agent
Pre-licensing education (40-180 hours) + state exam
$38,450
2-3 years experience + additional education + broker exam
$63,890
AQB courses + supervised experience (varies by tier)
$46,590
Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024 for this state. Career paths represent common advancement routes — actual progression may vary. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Source: AREC — New Applicant
Estimated total: 4–16 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: AREC — New Applicant
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All data on this page was verified against the following official sources. Last verified: 2026-03-22.
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