How to Get a Broker License in Arkansas

Written by: Mary Gerardine

Last updated:

Obtaining an Arkansas Real Estate Broker License is crucial if you’re looking to advance your real estate career. Despite the streamlined online application process, many aspiring real estate brokers find the requirements and procedures complex and challenging.

This How to Get a Broker License in Arkansas article will guide you through each step of the process, ensuring you have a clear understanding of what it takes to achieve this license and elevate your real estate career as quickly as possible.

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Arkansas Real Estate Broker License

In order to get your Arkansas real estate broker license and take your career to the next level, there are several key steps you’ll need to complete, including:

  1. Ensuring You Meet the Eligibility and Experience Requirements
  2. Completing the Mandatory Pre-Licensing Education
  3. Applying for the Arkansas Real Estate Exam
  4. Passing a Background Check
  5. Passing the Arkansas Broker Licensing Exam
  6. Send Any Final Documents

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

Note: If you’re just starting out, you’ll need to check out our Arkansas Real Estate License guide instead.

Step 1: Meet the Arkansas Eligibility and Experience Requirements

Before proceeding with the application process for your Arkansas real estate broker license, you’ll need to first make sure that you meet the general prerequisites outlined under the A.C.A. §17-42-302:

  • Be of the age of majority (in Arkansas this is 18)
  • Have no record of unprofessional conduct
  • Be able to provide evidence that you possess the honesty, trustworthiness, and integrity required to protect the public’s interests

In addition to the general eligibility requirements outlined above, you’ll also be expected to have obtained at least 24 months of experience (within the last 48-month period) as either a salesperson or broker, under A.C.A. §17-42-303(b).

Be aware that, for the purposes of this requirement, the Arkansas statutes recognize experience gained both within and outside of this state as valid, as long as you held a valid license from the appropriate licensing authority when you obtained it.

Note: This experience requirement may be waived upon request if you’ve held an active real estate broker license for at least 18 months in another jurisdiction. However, you’ll need to provide an official license history from that jurisdiction to verify this experience.

Step 2: Complete the Mandatory Pre-Licensing Education

Beyond the general requirements mentioned earlier, you must also fulfill specific educational prerequisites under A.C.A. §17-42-303(a) to be able to apply for an Arkansas real estate broker license.

In particular, this will involve completing a minimum of 60 hours of pre-licensing education within the 36 months preceding your application to take the Arkansas broker examination (see Step 3).

Of this total time, at least 45 hours must be spent on the Commission-developed Broker Pre-License Education course administered by an accredited school or organization that’s been licensed by AREC.

After completing these hours and passing the pre-licensing course final exam, you will receive a Certificate of Completion — which you must present at the testing site in order to sit for your state licensing exam.

Once you’ve finished all these mandatory hours of pre-licensing broker education and pass your course’s final exam, you should receive a Certificate of Completion. Make sure to look after this certificate, as you’ll need to present it at the exam site to be able to take your broker licensing exam.

Unlike for real estate salesperson applicants in Arkansas, this Certificate of Completion will only remain valid for three years from the date it was issued for broker applicants — meaning you’ll need to pass the licensing exam within this time frame to avoid having to re-complete these hours.

Important

Even though completing a course is mandatory, it would be a mistake to think of it as just “checking a box”. This is because your pre-licensing education is what will prepare you to both pass your exam and become a licensed broker.

For this reason, we always encourage our readers to invest in high-quality and reliable courses, as their study materials (like real estate practice tests and flashcards) can be invaluable during the exam prep stage.

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Step 3: Apply for the Broker Licensing Exam

Once you have completed the required pre-licensing education, the next step in obtaining your real estate license is to submit an Application for Real Estate License Examination to the Arkansas Real Estate Commission (AREC).

After AREC has confirmed that you satisfy the education and experience requirements, Pearson VUE will send you an Authorization to Test letter via email.

Alongside the application form, you’ll need to provide AREC with the following documentation: 

  • A cheque/money order for $50
  • Proof your at least 18 years old (e.g., a copy of your driver’s license or birth certificate)
  • Background Check Acknowledgement Form
  • The official Certificate of Completion for your pre-licensing education

Once AREC approves your application, you’ll receive an authorization email allowing you to take both parts of the licensing exam. You may retake the exam as many times as needed within a one-year period to achieve a passing score.

Note: You’ll only be required to submit this application if it’s your first time applying for a broker license via examination.

Step 4: Pass the Background Check

After submitting the required information and being notified that you’re eligible to test, a state and federal criminal background check will be commenced, according to A.C.A. §17-42-315.

As part of this check, you’ll be required to submit your fingerprints to the Identification Bureau of the Division of Arkansas State Police. You may also be required to provide extra information/documentation depending on any findings this background check reveals.

After the criminal background check is completed, the Identification Bureau of the Arkansas State Police will send all information gathered on you deemed relevant directly to the Commission — which will need to approve this check for your broker license to be granted.

That being said, you’re still permitted to sit the Arkansas broker examination before hearing back regarding the results of this check under A.C.A. § 17-42-302(a)(4); the only requirement is that this check has been initiated before you take the exam.

Note: Be sure to complete the application process quickly after having your background check approved, as you can only take the Arkansas broker exam up to a year after the date of approval.

Step 5: Pass the Broker Licensing Exam

In Arkansas, applicants must take the Unified Broker Examination, which is a one-part exam administered by Pearson VUE that’s made up of 120 scored questions and 10 “pretest” questions. 

In order to schedule your real estate broker exam, you’ll need to make an online reservation using the Pearson VUE website. Note that you’ll need to create an account for this service if this is your first time using it, after which you’ll be shown step-by-step instructions on how to complete your reservation.

Keep in mind that you’ll be required to pay a $75 fee when you make your reservation, as this cannot be paid at the exam center. 

In order to pass, you’ll need to obtain an overall scaled score of 70. However, don’t worry if you fail to obtain this score on your first attempt as once you’ve been authorized to take the exam you’ll have unlimited attempts for up to one year.

Note: For more information on the content you’ll be tested on in this exam, you can check out Pearson VUE’s Arkansas Content Outline.

Step 6: Send Any Final Documents 

After you successfully complete all of the above steps, you’ll have 90 days from the date you passed the Arkansas broker licensing exam to submit any final documents that you haven’t sent until now.

In particular, this could include, but is not limited to:

  • Your successful score report for the Arkansas broker exam
  • The $50 license fee
  • The $25 recovery fund fee
  • Proof of being over the age of majority
  • A Background Check Acknowledgement Form

If this 90-day period elapses and you still haven’t submitted all of the proper forms, it will result in your passing test score for the broker exam being voided — meaning you’ll need to sit it again to be able to apply.

Step 7: 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 from the Arkansas Real Estate Commission within seven to 14 days. You’ll need to check both your regular and spam inbox often for information regarding the status of your background check.

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, we recommend reaching out to AREC directly over the phone.

Arkansas Real Estate License Renewal

In order to keep your real estate broker license valid, you’ll need to renew it every two years. In Arkansas, this can either be done electronically through AREC’s Online Services portal or by mail using a paper form.

Regardless of how you decide to renew your license, it will cost you $120, and you’ll also be required to complete at least seven hours of continuing education (CE) each year according to A.C.A. §17-42-307.

It’s worth noting that while your CE hours should be reported automatically to AREC by your education provider, it’s ultimately your responsibility to ensure that it has all been reported by the deadline.

In addition to CE requirements, all newly-qualified real estate brokers in Arkansas must also complete 30 hours of post-licensing education within the first six months after they obtain their license, under A.C.A. §17-42-303(c).

We always encourage our readers to think of the post licensing course they take as an investment in their future career — higher quality, more reliable course content is a central part of ensuring you continue to grow professionally.

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Arkansas Real Estate Commission

Mailing Address:
612 South Summit Street
Little Rock, AR 72201-4740

Phone: (501) 683-8010

Fax: (501) 683-8020

Email: Must contact a specific member of staff by email here

Websitehttps://arec.arkansas.gov/licensing/

Arkansas Real Estate License FAQ

How to become a real estate broker in Arkansas?

With at least 24 months of experience (out of the last 48-month period) as an active real estate salesperson or broker, you’ll need to complete 60 hours of approved, broker-specific education, apply for your license online, pass the Arkansas Broker Exam, and have your background check approved.

Read more about this in our How to Get an Arkansas Real Estate Broker License guide.

How much does it cost to get your broker license in Arkansas?

The cost to get your broker license in Arkansas can vary depending on several factors, including real estate education and exam fees. Generally, the pre-license education courses can range from $300 to $600, though you’ll also be expected to pay a $125 broker licensing exam fee and a $50 application fee.

For more information, see our How to Become a Real Estate Broker guide.

How long does it take to get your real estate license in Arkansas?

The time it takes to become an Arkansas real estate agent depends on how quickly you complete the required 60 hours of pre-license education and how long it takes to pass the licensing exam. Overall, most people obtain their real estate licenses in two to three months from start to finish.

See our How to Get an Arkansas Real Estate License article for more information.

What is the commission for a realtor in Arkansas?

The commission for a realtor in Arkansas typically ranges from 5% to 6% of the home’s sale price. This commission is usually split between the buyer’s agent and the seller’s agent, meaning real estate agents might receive between 2.5% and 3% of the sale price.

However, commission rates can vary based on the realtor’s experience, the type of property being sold, and market conditions.

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