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How to get a real estate license in Kentucky. 96 pre-licensing hours required. Government fees: $481. 2-year renewal cycle. Verified 2026-03-22. Data verified 2026-03-22. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Real Estate Agent
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18% of data points are verified against official sources. 8 fields based on preliminary research. 1 field needs verification. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
Pre-License Hours
$481
Total Gov Fees
130
Exam Questions
4 hrs
Exam Time
Renewal Cycle
Reciprocity
⚠ Recent Changes in Kentucky
Take a KREC-approved 96-hour course (Parts A & B). Max 9 hours of study per day.
Estimated time: 3–12 weeks
Schedule via IdentoGO (service code 27GJR5). Cost: $51.25. Must be completed BEFORE exam. Results sent to KREC.
Estimated time: 1–2 weeks
Schedule at psiexams.com. Pay $100 exam fee. Pass both National (60/80 = 75%) and State (38/50 = 75%) sections.
Estimated time: 1–2 weeks
Submit within 60 days of passing exam. Pay $130 (active) or $120 (inactive). Receive application at PSI testing site upon passing.
Estimated time: ~5 business days processing
RISC group policy (~$256/2 years) or independent coverage.
Estimated time: 1–3 days
Secure affiliation to activate license and begin practicing.
Estimated time: 1–4 weeks
| Minimum Age | 18 years old |
| Education | High school diploma or GED |
| Residency | Not required Non-residents must submit KREC Form 205 (Consent to Jurisdiction & Service of Process). |
| Citizenship | US citizen or permanent resident alien |
| Background Check | Required National Criminal History Check (FBI) via IdentoGO (service code 27GJR5). Must be completed BEFORE taking the exam. Results valid for 90 days. |
| E&O Insurance | Required Errors & Omissions insurance required for active licensees. RISC group policy or independent coverage. |
| Sponsoring Broker | Required to activate Not required to obtain the license itself, but must affiliate with a principal broker to activate and practice. |
Education Requirements
Mostly verifiedTotal Hours Required
Provider Type
KREC-approved education providers (proprietary schools, community colleges, universities, online)
Required Courses
Course cost typically $249–$884 depending on provider and format.
Exam Details
Mostly verifiedExam Provider
Total Questions
130
Total Time
240 min
Format
Computer-based, multiple-choice. In-person only at PSI test centers (no remote proctoring).
Exam Sections
| Section | Questions | Time | Passing |
|---|---|---|---|
| National | 80 | 150 min | 75% |
| State (Kentucky) | 50 | 90 min | 75% |
Retake Policy
Unlimited retakes. Can retake as soon as 24 hours after failing. $100 per attempt. Must pass both portions within 4 months or all scores expire. Only failed section needs retaking.
5–10 unscored pretest items included. National and state questions are intermingled (not separately labeled). Test centers: Bowling Green, Lexington, Louisville, Maysville, Paducah, Somerset. Non-programmable calculators permitted.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Exam Fee (per attempt) Paid to: PSI Services | |
License Application Fee (Active) Paid to: KREC | |
Fingerprinting / Background Check Paid to: IdentoGO ⚠ Conflict: Colibri/Mbition (may include additional FBI Identity History Summary fee of $18) reports $69.25. $51.25 is the IdentoGO/KSP fee alone. Some sources cite $69.25 which may include the separate $18 FBI Identity History Summary. Different components, not conflicting data. | |
E&O Insurance (2-year group policy) Paid to: RISC or approved E&O provider | |
Total Estimated Government Fees | $481 |
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Compare top-rated schools: See our picks for the best real estate schools in Kentucky with pricing, reviews, and pass rates.
Renewal Details
Mostly verifiedRenewal Cycle
CE Hours
Renewal Fee
Deadline & Late Policy
March 31 of each even-numbered year. CE must be completed by December 31 annually.
First Renewal Notes
New licensees exempt from CE during first 2 calendar years. Must complete 48-hour post-licensing education (32 mandatory + 16 elective) within 2 years of activating license.
Kentucky Core Course is mandatory once every 4 years — no substitutions accepted. E&O insurance must be arranged before renewal.
Regulatory Board
Interstate Reciprocity
VerifiedHas Reciprocity
Yes
Type: Conditional Reciprocity
Reciprocal States
| State | Conditions |
|---|---|
| Florida (FL) | Must complete 40-hr KY Reciprocal License Law course, pass KY state exam portion, background check. |
| Illinois (IL) | Must complete 40-hr KY Reciprocal License Law course, pass KY state exam portion, background check. |
| Tennessee (TN) | Must complete 40-hr KY Reciprocal License Law course, pass KY state exam portion, background check. |
| Ohio (OH) | Memorandum of Understanding. Must complete 40-hr KY Reciprocal License Law course, pass KY state exam portion, background check. |
West Virginia reciprocity status uncertain — some sources indicate it may have been discontinued due to statutory changes. All reciprocal applicants must complete 40-hour KY Reciprocal License Law course, pass course final (75%), pass KY state exam, complete background check, and obtain license history from all states where licensed.
4–20 weeks from start to active license.
Minimum with intensive full-time study. Typical: 8–12 weeks. Background check now processes in 1–2 weeks via electronic IdentoGO.
2024-04-01
HB 88: Amended KY Consumer Protection Act to impose new restrictions on residential real estate 'service agreements' including listing agreements.
2026-02-03
eServices portal opened for 2026 biennial renewal. E&O insurance moved to 2-year RISC group policy ($256 + surcharge/taxes).
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Kentucky.
How this state compares to 48 others for this profession
Timeline
#8 of 49
Salary
#45 of 49
Cost
#48 of 49
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Real Estate Sales Agents (SOC 41-9022)
Entry Level
$34,730
25th percentile
Median
$39,270
-30% vs. national avg ($56,320)Experienced
$59,050
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
1,320 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+19% salary growth potential
You are here
Real Estate Agent
$39,270
Pre-licensing education (40-180 hours) + state exam
You are here
Real Estate Agent
Pre-licensing education (40-180 hours) + state exam
$39,270
2-3 years experience + additional education + broker exam
$64,210
AQB courses + supervised experience (varies by tier)
$46,910
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: KREC — Licensing Requirements
Estimated total: 4–20 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: KREC — Licensing Requirements
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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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