How to Get a Real Estate License in Alabama

In order to kickstart your real estate career in Alabama, it’s essential to obtain an Alabama Real Estate License. However, despite the fact that the application process is mainly completed online nowadays, many applicants can still find it quite confusing and complicated.

For this reason, this How to Get a Real Estate License in Alabama article will break down the main steps involved in the licensing process, covering everything from educational requirements to exam preparation and having your fingerprints taken.

Alabama Real Estate License

In order to get your Alabama real estate license and start working in the real estate industry, there are several key steps you’ll need to complete, including:

1. Ensuring You Meet the Licensing Eligibility Requirements
2. Completing the Mandatory Pre-Licensing Education
3. Passing the Alabama Real Estate Exam
4. Passing a Background Check
5. Submitting a License Application
6. Finding a Qualifying Broker

In the sections below, we’ve explored each of these steps in more detail.

Step 1: Meet the Alabama Real Estate License Requirements

Before continuing ahead with your application for an Alabama real estate license, you’ll first need to confirm that you’re actually eligible for it by ensuring you meet the following prerequisites:

You must be a U.S. citizen, a permanent resident, or legally present in the United States.

• Must either be legally present in the US, or a citizen/permanent resident alien in the country
• Be 19 years or older
• Demonstrate proof that you possess bona fide residency in any US state
• Provide evidence of high school graduation (or equivalent)
• Must not have been convicted of a felony or crime involving moral turpitude
• Must not have had any real estate license rejected or revoked in any US state in the two years prior to your application

It’s worth being aware that your application for an Alabama real estate license won’t be automatically rejected on the basis that you have a criminal record, though you’ll need to appear before the Commission.

If you’re concerned that the nature of your crime may render you ineligible for a real estate license, you can check this before applying by filing an Application for Determination of Licensing Eligibility with the Commission.

Note: In order to fill out the above form, you’ll need a user identification number, which can only be obtained by conducting a Commission Pre-Registration.

Step 2: Complete the Mandatory Pre-Licensing Education

In addition to the general requirements outlined above, there are certain educational prerequisites you’ll be expected to meet in order to be able to apply for an Alabama real estate license.

In particular, you’ll be expected to complete 60 hours of pre-licensing education that’s approved by the Alabama Real Estate Commission (AREC).

After finishing this course, the education provider will notify the Commission that you’ve completed it, which will then contact Pearson VUE to let them know you’re eligible to take the state licensing exam (see Step 3).

It’s worth noting that you’ll only be eligible to take the real estate exam within six months of completing this course — if you wait any longer than this period, you’ll be required to satisfy this pre-licensing education requirement all over again.

Step 3: Pass the Alabama Real Estate Exam

The next step you’ll need to complete is to pass the Alabama real estate exam. This exam lasts three and a half hours, in which time you’ll need to answer 120 scored questions divided across two sections: general and state.

You should receive an Authorization to Test email from Pearson VUE shortly after completing the required pre-licensing education above. Be aware that you won’t be able to schedule your real estate exam until after you receive this authorization.

In order to schedule your real estate exam, you’ll need to head over to the Pearson VUE website and make an online reservation. If this is your first time using the platform, you’ll be required to create an account, after which you’ll be shown step-by-step instructions on how to complete the reservation.

Each attempt at the real estate salesperson exam costs $70 and you’ll need to obtain an overall scaled score of at least 70 in order to pass. However, you can attempt this exam an unlimited number of times during the six months following the completion of your pre-licensing education.

Note: Since passing exam scores are only valid for 90 days, you’ll need to quickly move on to the next step of the licensing process if you want to avoid having to redo the exam.

Step 4: Pass the Background Check

One of the last steps you’ll need to complete before you can obtain your real estate license is to undergo a background check of both state and federal criminal records under 34-27-32 Code of Alabama.

To do this, you’ll need to register on the Fieldprint website and follow the instructions for scheduling and payment. Remember to bring along proper identification to the fingerprinting site, as you’ll need to present it in order to have your prints scanned and processed through Fieldprint Alabama.

Once your fingerprints have been delivered, the background check process will begin — AREC will review all relevant findings in your background report (and may even reach out to you if necessary) in order to determine your eligibility for this license.

If you can’t find a nearby fingerprint scanning site because you’re not an Alabama resident, contact the Licensing Division of the Alabama Real Estate Commission for assistance on how to complete this requirement.

Note: If you have been convicted of a felony, you must provide court documents related to your conviction — this is separate from the FBI report and is your responsibility to obtain. We generally recommend gathering these documents as early as possible to avoid delays in your application.

Step 5: Submit a License Application

After passing the state real estate exam and satisfying all other licensing requirements, you’ll be ready to move onto submitting your license application.

Within the score report you’ll receive after passing your licensing exam, you’ll find a URL linking to the most up-to-date version of the application form you’ll need to complete.

This form must be submitted, alongside your Fieldprint background check and a $210 application fee, to the Alabama Real Estate Commission at the following address:

1201 Carmichael Way
Montgomery AL 36106

Note: As mentioned in Step 3, this must all be submitted within 90 days of the date you passed your real estate license exam. Failure to meet this deadline will result in you having to retake the exam.

Step 6: Application Review

If you’ve managed to get this far, congratulations! With your application submitted and all the other licensing requirements satisfied, in most cases you should receive an email from the Alabama Real Estate Commission confirming the issuance of your license within a few business days.

Be sure to take some time to celebrate your accomplishment. You’ve put in a lot of work and effort and deserve a celebration!

Note: If you’re not sure what’s happening with your license and it’s been longer than expected, you can reach out directly to the Alabama Department of Business and Professional Regulation by phone or email.

Step 7: Find a Qualifying Broker

While your license has been approved at this stage, you won’t be able to take part in any real estate dealings until you find a qualifying broker to receive your license.

In addition to issuing your license, these real estate professionals are also responsible for supervising and mentoring you, ensuring you comply with the essential legal and ethical standards of this profession.

While it’s a legal requirement for new real estate licensees to work under a sponsoring broker in Alabama, it’s important you don’t treat this as just a rule you need to follow. This is because these real estate brokers provide essential training, support, and access to valuable networks that will help you to learn the industry, avoid pitfalls, and grow your business effectively.

Alabama Real Estate License Renewal

In order to keep your license valid and continue working as a real estate sales agent, you’ll need to renew your license every two years by August 31 of every even-numbered year.

Alongside this renewal requirement, you’ll also be required to complete a total of 15 hours of continuing education (CE) in order to keep your license active.

In particular, this CE must be broken down as follows:

• Risk Management: Initial Contact to Accepted Offer (3 hours)
• Elective CE Courses (12 hours)

Starting June 2024, you’ll be able to submit your renewal through AREC’s Online Services portal. While you’re supposed to do this by August 31, in reality this deadline extends up until September 30 — if you haven’t renewed by this later date, your license will be placed on “inactive status”.

In addition to the CE requirements outlined above, new real estate salesperson licensees will also be required to complete a 30 hours of post license real estate courses. For active licensees this must be completed within the first six months of receiving your license, while inactive licensees have a year.

Alabama Real Estate Commission

Mailing Address:
1201 Carmichael Way
Montgomery, AL 36106

Phone: (334) 242-5544

Fax: (334) 270-9118

Email: arec@arec.alabama.gov

Website: https://arec.alabama.gov/arec/