In order to kickstart your real estate career in Kentucky, it’s essential to obtain a Kentucky 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 Kentucky 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.
Recommended: Interested in getting started? We recommend The CE Shop’s online study packages, which come with a money-back guarantee and a 30% discount (promo Code “TRUiC”).
Kentucky Real Estate License
In order to get your Kentucky real estate license and start working in the real estate industry, there are several key steps you’ll need to complete, including:
- Ensuring You Meet the Licensing Eligibility Requirements
- Completing the Mandatory Pre-Licensing Education
- Passing a Background Check
- Passing the Kentucky Real Estate Exam
- Obtaining Errors & Omissions (E&O) Insurance
- Submitting a License Application
In the sections below, we’ve explored each of these steps in more detail.
Step 1: Meet the Kentucky Real Estate License Requirements
Before continuing ahead with your application for a Kentucky real estate license, you’ll first need to confirm that you’re actually eligible for it by ensuring you meet the following prerequisites:
- You’ll need to be at least 18 years of age
- You’ll need to possess a high school diploma or a General Education Development (GED) certificate
Note: The Kentucky Real Estate Commission (KREC) maintains reciprocity agreements with Florida, Ohio, Tennessee, and West Virginia. If you hold a real estate license in any of these states and require further details, you should visit the Reciprocal Licensing section of the KREC website.
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 a Kentucky real estate license.
In particular, you’ll be expected to complete either 96 hours of pre-license education that’s approved by KREC or, alternatively, six academic credit hours in real estate courses from an accredited college or university.
You can fulfill these educational requirements through online courses online or via a traditional classroom setting.
Important
Even though completing the courses is mandatory, it would be a mistake to think of this step 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 better real estate agent.
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.
On top of this, some of the top courses also offer money-back guarantees in the event that you do not pass your exam on your first attempt after taking their course.
Recommended Course
Interested in getting started? We recommend The CE Shop’s online study packages, which come with a money-back guarantee and a 30% discount (promo Code “TRUiC”).
Step 3: Pass the Background Check
Prior to scheduling your real estate examination, you must obtain a national criminal history check. You can do this in one of two ways:
- FBI: You can request a criminal history check for a fee of $18 through the FBI’s website. Once requested, the report will be mailed to you and typically arrives within one week
- Kentucky State Police: Alternatively, you can schedule fingerprinting through IdentoGO for a $51.25 fee with service code 27GJR5. The Kentucky State Police will then send the results directly to KREC
Note: Your criminal history check will remain valid for 90 days from the date of issuance; do not don’t waste any time because you’ll need your criminal history check to be active for KREC to issue your license.
Step 4: Pass the Kentucky Real Estate Exam
The next step you’ll need to complete is to pass the Kentucky Real Estate Exam, which is administered by PSI and includes both a general and a state-specific section.
- General Section: This section evaluates your understanding of general real estate principles and practices, covering topics like property ownership, land use controls, valuation, and real estate financing. It consists of 80 questions, which you need to answer within a 150-minute time frame
- State-Specific Section: This section tests your knowledge of real estate laws and regulations that are unique to Kentucky. It includes 40 questions that you must complete in 90 minutes, focusing on topics like Kentucky property laws, agency relationships, contracts, and real estate brokerage operations
To successfully pass the exam, you must achieve a score of at least 75% on each section. If you fail one of the two sections, you will only need to retake the section you failed.
However, you must complete any retakes within four months of the initial passing score. If this timeframe is not met, you will have to retake both sections of the exam.
In order to schedule your real estate exam, you’ll need to head over to the PSI 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.
This exam has a $100 fee, which is payable online during the booking process.
Note: If you are required to retake any part of the exam, you will still need to pay the full fee of $100. This applies regardless of whether you are retaking one or both sections.
Step 5: Obtain Errors & Omissions (E&O) Insurance
All prospective real estate licensees in Kentucky must secure E&O Insurance before submitting their license application.
You can obtain this insurance either through the KREC Group E&O Program or from a private insurance carrier of your choice, provided that the minimum requirements outlined in 201 KAR 11:220 are satisfied.
- KREC Group E&O Program: You can enroll in the KREC Group E&O Program, which is administered by Rice Insurance Services Company, through RISC’s website. Should you have any questions about the group program, you may contact RISC directly at (502) 897-1876.
- Private Carrier: If you opt for a policy from a private carrier, you’ll need to complete KREC FORM 203 (Certification of Insurance Coverage) and submit it along with your Certificate of Liability Insurance to KREC. Keep in mind that KREC FORM 203 must be signed by an authorized representative from your insurance provider in order to confirm your policy meets KREC’s required standards
Regardless of the insurance provider you choose, you’ll need to update your coverage details on your eServices account with KREC and pay a $10 processing fee.
Note: Your E&O insurance must meet or exceed the minimum standards set by KREC, which includes a per-claim limit of liability of at least $100,000 and a deductible that doesn’t exceed $2,500.
Step 6: 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. This can be done in one of two ways:
- Mail Submission: After successfully passing both portions of the exam, you may apply for your license by mail. You can do this by collecting a paper application from the testing site, completing it, and mailing it to KREC at: Public Protection Cabinet, 500 Mero St., 218 NC, Frankfort, KY 40601
- Online Submission: If you prefer to apply online, you will have to monitor your email for a message from ppc.krec@ky.gov. This should arrive within 36 to 48 hours after you successfully pass both portions of the exam. This email will include a link to the online application platform along with step-by-step prompts to guide you through filling out your application.
In either case, you will need to pay an application fee, which will depend on if you’re issuing your license as active ($130) or inactive ($120).
Note: Kentucky doesn’t require you to have a sponsoring broker to issue your license. You can choose to add a sponsoring broker and activate your license whenever you’re ready, so take your time to make this decision.
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 a letter from KREC containing a license document within five business days (although this timeline can vary based on the Commission’s current workload).
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: For more information or to check on your license status, you can contact KREC directly by phone at (502) 564-7760.
Kentucky 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.
Within the first two years of obtaining your license, you must complete 48 hours of post-license education (PLE), which includes:
- 32 mandatory hours, covering topics like commission compliance, agency, contracts, finance, advertising, disclosure, fair housing, technology and data security, and risk management
- 16 elective hours that allow you to choose additional topics relevant to your interests and career goals within real estate, but they still have to be approved by KREC
Completing this PLE requirement also fulfills your continuing education (CE) requirements for the first two years.
After meeting these initial PLE requirements, all active licensees have to complete six hours of CE courses each calendar year. These will include three hours specifically approved by KREC for legal topics related to real estate while the remaining three hours can be in any approved real estate-related subjects.
Moreover, once every four years, you’ll also need to complete the Kentucky Core Course in addition to the aforementioned annual six-hour CE requirement. This six-hour course covers federal, state, and common laws relating to real estate and is offered online, via live webcam, and in a classroom format.
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.
You will be notified by ppc.krec@ky.gov when it’s time to renew your license, which you can do either online through your KREC eServices or via mail by completing KREC Form 208.
The renewal fee is $130 for an active license and $120 for an inactive license.
Recommended: Interested in getting started? We recommend The CE Shop’s online study packages, which come with a money-back guarantee and a 30% discount (promo Code “TRUiC”).
Kentucky Real Estate Commission
Mailing Address:
Mayo-Underwood Building
500 Mero Street 2NE09
Frankfort, KY 40601
Phone: (502) 564-7760
Email: terri.hulette@ky.gov
Website: http://www.krec.ky.gov/
Kentucky Real Estate License FAQ
How long does it take to become a real estate agent in Kentucky?
The time it takes for you to become a licensed real estate agent in Kentucky will ultimately depend on how quickly you complete the necessary steps, which include completing the required pre-licensing education, passing the state-mandated background check, and passing the real estate licensing exam.
Typically, most candidates will need at least three months to fulfill all requirements and obtain their license.
Interested in finding out more? Check out our state-specific How to Get a Real Estate License guide.
How much does it cost to get a real estate license in Kentucky?
To get a real estate license in Kentucky, you’ll need to pay approximately $18 to $51.25 for a background check through the FBI or Kentucky State Police, a $100 exam fee to PSI, and either $130 for an active license or $120 for an inactive license to the Kentucky Real Estate Commission (KREC).
You’ll also have to cover the cost of the required pre-licensing education. While this will vary by provider, it typically costs between $200 and $600.
How hard is it to pass the real estate exam in Kentucky?
The Kentucky Real Estate Exam is generally considered quite challenging due to its detailed focus on both state-specific and general real estate principles.
Having said that, by attending real estate classes and practicing diligently, you can significantly increase your chances of passing on your first attempt.
For more information, see our How to Get Your Kentucky Real Estate License guide.
What do you need to get your real estate license in Kentucky?
To obtain a sales associate license in Kentucky, you will have to complete the required pre-licensing real estate education, pass a background check and the state real estate exam, obtain Errors & Omissions (E&O) insurance, and submit a license application to KREC.
If you’re interested in a broker’s license instead, you can have a look at our How to Get a Kentucky Real Estate Broker License guide.
What post-licensing education do Kentucky real estate agents need?
Kentucky real estate agents must complete 48 hours of post-license education courses within the first two years of obtaining their license in order to meet the standards expected of real estate professionals in the state.
In addition, all new sales associate licensees will need to complete six hours of continuing education (CE) every year.