Getting your Arkansas Real Estate License is the first step to becoming a real estate agent in Arkansas. Nowadays, this process can be done almost entirely online. You will still need to take your Arkansas 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 Arkansas 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.
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How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Arkansas
Becoming a real estate agent in Arkansas 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.
Arkansas Real Estate License Requirements
The requirements to become a real estate agent in Arkansas 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 Arkansas
Step 1. Real Estate Pre-Licensing Course
You must successfully complete 60 hours of real estate education. You should also note that 30 of those hours must be in the basic principles of real estate.
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.
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Arkansas does not 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.
Step 2. Fingerprinting and Background Check
After submitting your pre-licensing hours, the next step is to complete your fingerprinting and background check. The Arkansas Real Estate Commission requires that all applicants have a background check performed before they can become a licensed real estate agent in Arizona.
The Arkansas Real Estate Commission requires all applicants for original licensure as a real estate salesperson to complete a state and federal criminal background check. The federal criminal background check requires applicants to provide fingerprints on fingerprint cards provided by AREC.
The Arkansas State Police conducts the criminal background check on each applicant, including an FBI check, which requires the taking of fingerprints and submits the report to the Commission.
The fee for your fingerprinting services is to be submitted together with your real estate license application.
Once you complete your fingerprints and turn them in, the background check process will begin. The Arkansas Real Estate Commission 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 Arkansas. If this is the case, you should submit required documentation and explanation of your conviction.
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. Real Estate License Application
All first-time exam applicants must submit the Application for Real Estate License Examination to the Arkansas Real Estate Commission. If the application is complete and all education and experience requirements are met, the applicant will be mailed a Certificate of Examination Eligibility.
Applicants must have this certificate before they contact Pearson VUE to make an examination reservation. Once they receive the certificate, it must be presented on the day of the exam.
You must complete the application form and send it to the address listed below at least 30 days before you want to take your exam. Make sure to include a cashier’s check or money order payable to “AREC” in the total amount of $86.25.This is the $50 application fee, $22 Arkansas criminal background check fee, and $14.25 FBI criminal background check fee.
Salesperson License applicants must submit all pages of a successful score report from the test, a license fee of $50, a recovery fund fee of $25, and a signed post-license requirement notice. The score report and fees must be received within 90 days of the examination date.
Arkansas Real Estate Commission
612 South Summit Street
Little Rock, AR 72201-4740
Step 4. Arkansas Real Estate License Exam
After you’ve received your exam eligibility, it is time to take the Arkansas Real Estate Exam.
The fee to take the exam is $75 per attempt.
The Arkansas Real Estate Exam consists of 110 questions. This includes 80 for the National section and 30 for the State section.
You will have 240 minutes (4 hours) to complete the entire exam. The National section time is 150 minutes (2.5 hours) and the State section time is 90 minutes (1.5 hours)A passing score for the Arkansas Real Estate Salesperson Exam is 56/80 on the National section and 21/40 on the State section.
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 Arkansas Real Estate Exam
The passing rate for the Arkansas Real Estate Salesperson Exam is 70%. 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 Arkansas Real Estate page. On this page, you will find some other helpful resources, including the Candidate Handbook and Content Outline.
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 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 5-7 business days. After this, you should receive an email from AREC with a license document. If you have any questions at this point, you should contact AREC at (501) 683-8010.
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 Arkansas, your license will be in an “inactive” status. This means that you cannot sell real estate yet.
In order to “activate” your license, you will need to be sponsored by a licensed real estate broker in Arkansas.
If you don’t have a broker to work with yet, check out StateRequirement Jobs for a real estate salesperson opening in your area.
Arkansas Post-Licensing Education
New salespersons must complete an 18-hour AREC post-licensure course by the end of the 6th month following their initial date of licensure.
Note
There’s a chance that your pre-license education package came with the post-license courses in the package, so be sure you check before you buy another course.
Check out StateRequirement’s recommended post-license course provider for access to these courses.
AREC – Arkansas Real Estate Commission
Mailing Address:
Arkansas Real Estate Commission
612 South Summit Street
Little Rock, AR 72201-4740
Phone: (501) 683-8010
Fax: (501) 683-8020
Email: Contact Us
Website: https://arec.arkansas.gov/licensing/
Arkansas Real Estate License FAQ
How Much Does it Cost to Get a Real Estate License in Arkansas?
The total estimated cost to obtain a real estate license in Arkansas, including the real estate license examination, ranges from $570 to $785. This sum includes all Arkansas fees, which are approximately $240, and the real estate pre-licensing education, estimated to cost between $329 and $544.
How Long Does it Take to Get an Arkansas Real Estate License?
To become an active real estate salesperson in Arkansas, the most time-consuming steps are pre-license education and test preparation, mostly taking three to six months. If you’re committed to a full-time study, you could complete this process in about two months. Do not rush through your study as thorough preparation can help you achieve success in the exam.
How to Get an Arkansas Commercial Real Estate License?
To sell commercial real estate in Arkansas, 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?
If you’re a real estate salesperson or real estate broker applicant in Arkansas, you should check out StateRequirement Jobs. We provide a comprehensive list of open real estate positions in your area, especially to those with Arkansas real estate licensing qualifications. It’s a great resource to start or advance your real estate career.