Getting your Arizona Real Estate License is the first step to becoming a real estate agent in Arizona. Nowadays, this process can be done almost entirely online. You will still need to take your Arizona real estate license exam in person, but the rest of the process can be completed entirely online!
This article outlines the process to get your AZ Real Estate License in an easy to understand, step-by-step manner. You’ll learn how much it will cost, how long it will take, what is on the exam, and much more.
How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Arizona
Becoming a real estate agent in Arizona is as simple as getting your license, finding a broker sponsor, and getting to work selling real estate! As long as you fulfill the below requirements, you are already on your way to your goal.
Arizona Real Estate License Requirements
The requirements to become a real estate agent in Arizona are:
- Be a citizen of the United States or a lawfully admitted alien
- Be 18 years of age or older
How to Get Your Real Estate License in Arizona
Step 1. Real Estate Pre-Licensing Course
Arizona requires that real estate sales agents complete 90 hours of pre-license coursework prior to sitting for their exam. The Arizona Department of Real Estate also requires that licensees complete a 6-hour Contract Writing Class.
Most people choose to take their pre-license education course online. The majority of online courses are self-paced and include study materials like real estate practice exams and flashcards. Some also come with a “guarantee” that you will pass the exam on your first attempt if you complete their course. These benefits are all dependent on the education provider and package you choose, so be sure to get the course that best suits your needs.
Remember that the point of these courses isn’t just to check a box and complete a requirement, but rather to prepare you to pass your exam and become a better agent.
Recommended Course
For real estate license exam courses and study tools, StateRequirement recommends: The CE Shop
Arizona is one of the few states that require the final pre-license exam to be supervised by a proctor. This is not the same as the state exam. This test is provided by your pre-license education company and is an indication that you have completed and retained the information from your pre-license education course. Similar to the state exam, this test is closed-book and closed-note. You are allowed a basic-function calculator and scratch paper, but no cell phones or outside internet access.
In most cases, you can take this test in your own home, but you must have a proctor overseeing you when sitting for the test. When purchasing your real estate pre-license course, check to see if a proctor is included in your education package.
Step 2. Fingerprinting and Background Check
After submitting your pre-licensing hours, the next step is to complete your fingerprinting and background check. The Arizona Department of Real Estate requires that all applicants have a background check performed before they can become a licensed real estate agent in Arizona.
Fingerprint Clearance Cards (FCC) are issued by the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS). You will need to complete the application for a Fingerprint Clearance Card and get fingerprinted.
After you are fingerprinted, you will need to follow the instructions listed on the Regular (non-IVP) Fingerprint Clearance Application Form.
The fee to complete your fingerprinting services is $67.
Once you complete your fingerprints and turn them in, the background check process will begin. The Arizona Department of Real Estate will review any findings in your background report to ensure your eligibility. During this process, they may reach out to you to provide additional information or documentation to clear up any findings. Information and documentation relating to the applicant’s background must be provided upon application for licensure. For those who have criminal offenses or judgments against them, there’s a possibility that you may not be eligible for a real estate license in Arizona. If this is the case, you should complete and submit a Disciplinary Actions Disclosure Form (LI-214/244).
Note:
If you aren’t sure whether you are eligible for a real estate license based on your history, check out our article on Real Estate License Eligibility.
Step 3. Arizona Real Estate License Exam
After you’ve completed your fingerprinting and background check, it is time to take the Arizona Real Estate Salesperson Exam.
The fee to take the exam is $75 per attempt.
The Arizona Real Estate Salesperson Exam consists of 180 questions.
You will have 300 minutes (3 hours and 20 minutes) to complete the entire exam.
A passing score for the Arizona Real Estate Salesperson Exam is 135/180.
Immediately after completing your exam, you will receive a scoring document that states whether you passed or failed. If it is marked “Fail,” then you will see a breakdown of your score in the different areas of the exam. If you decide to retake the exam, use this as a guide for your studies.
How Hard is the Arizona Real Estate Exam?
The passing rate for the Arizona Real Estate Salesperson Exam is 75%. This test is purposefully difficult, but not impossible. Be sure to pay attention during your pre-license course and take studying seriously. If you put the proper effort forth, we know that you can pass on your first attempt!You can register to take your exam on the Pearson Vue Arizona Real Estate page. On this page, you will find some other helpful resources as well, including the Candidate Handbook and Arizona Real Estate Salesperson Exam Content Outline.
Salesperson license applicants must apply for a license within one year of passing the examination.
Before taking the exam, check out StateRequirement’s guide on how to pass the real estate exam. This in-depth guide works as a great partner to your pre-license course to prepare you to pass on your first attempt!
Step 4. Real Estate License Application
Those who pass the state exam will be sent a Salesperson License Application and instructions by PearsonVue. Then, the application and required supporting documentation will be submitted to the Arizona Department of Real Estate through their online message center for review.
The fee for this application is $50. Along with your application fee, there will be an additional $10 fee that goes to the Arizona Real Estate Recovery Fund.
You can fill out your application online using the Arizona Department of Real Estate’s Licensing system.
You must also submit the following documents:
- Original Salesperson Application & Fee
- Original Arizona Exam Score Report(s) from PearsonVue
- 90-hour Pre-Licensure Education Certificate
- Disciplinary Actions Disclosure Form (LI-214/244)
- Disclosure Document Checklist Form (LI-400) & Documentation, *if applicable*
- DPS issued AZ Fingerprint Clearance Card (Front & Back)
- 6-hour Contract Writing Course Certificate
Step 5. Application Review
Once you’ve passed your exam, you will only need to wait for your background report to come back as a pass. In most cases, this process should take between 5-10 business days. After this, you should receive an email from ADRE with a license document. If you have any questions at this point, you should contact ADRE at (602) 771-7700 or through their online message center.
Congratulations!
Be sure to take some time to celebrate your accomplishment. You’ve put in a lot of work and effort and deserve a celebration!
Step 6. Real Estate License Sponsorship
When you receive your initial Real Estate License in Arizona, your license will be in an “inactive” status. This means that you cannot transact real estate yet.
In order to “activate” your license, you will need to be sponsored by a licensed real estate broker in Arizona. You can hire a broker when you complete your applications (Salesperson/Associate Broker Change Form LI-202) or you can hire one after licensing online for a reduced fee. The Designated Broker must access the ADRE online system to approve the hire prior to the licensee legally being able to conduct work.
An inactive license does not require that form. If you don’t have a broker to work with yet, check out StateRequirement Jobs for a real estate salesperson opening in your area.
Arizona Real Estate License FAQ
How Much Does it Cost to Get a Real Estate License in Arizona?
All Arizona fees: $203
Real Estate Pre-Licensing Education (Estimated): $465-$629
The total estimated cost to get an Arizona Real Estate license is $670-$835.
How Long Does it Take to Get an Arizona Real Estate License?
The two steps that take the most time when getting your license are pre-license education and test preparation. The average amount of time that people take from start to finish is generally 3-6 months.
If you dedicate a full-time schedule to this process and study hard, you could possibly complete this process in 2 months. We wouldn’t recommend trying to go any faster than this. Take your time to study and prepare yourself for the exam.
How to Get an Arizona Commercial Real Estate License?
To sell commercial real estate in Arizona, a standard Salesperson or Broker license is all that you need. There is no specific “commercial real estate license”.
If you wish to take on a career selling specifically commercial real estate, choose a broker that handles the types of deals that you want to be a part of.
Are There any Real Estate Jobs Open Around Me?
Check out StateRequirement Jobs to find open real estate jobs in your area!
ADRE – Arizona Department of Real Estate
Mailing Address:
Arizona Department of Real Estate
100 N 15th Ave #201
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Phone: (602) 771-7700
Email: Online Message Center
Website: https://azre.gov/
Information on this page has been gathered by a multitude of sources and was most recently updated in July 2022.
Any Information on this site is not guaranteed or warranted to be correct, accurate, or up to date. StateRequirement and its members and affiliates are not responsible for any losses, monetary or otherwise. StateRequirement is not affiliated with any state, government, or licensing body. For more information, please contact your state's authority on insurance.
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