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 how to become a real estate agent in Arizona 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.

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).

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.

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.

Step 4. Real Estate License Application

Those who pass the state exam will be sent a Salesperson License Application and instructions by Pearson VUE. 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 Pearson Vue
• 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.

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/