Real Estate License Reciprocity and Portability

You just got going with your exciting new real estate career and are connecting with clients, building a strong professional reputation, and networking with others in the real estate industry. Everything that will set you up for a successful career!

Suddenly a change in plans means that you are planning your own move to another state. You are now the home buyer, looking for the best area to live in your new city. You worry that your path as a real estate agent has to come to a screeching halt. Don’t worry–the steps to transfer your real estate license to your new state are likely easier than you think.

Do Real Estate Licenses Transfer to Other States?

Yes, real estate licenses transfer to other states but you may still be required to complete paperwork, pass a real estate exam, or even retake real estate courses. The most important thing to learn is what the process is like in your new state.

The two main options include:

Reciprocity: A state allows a real estate licensee from another state to get a license in their new state as long as they meet all state requirements.

Portability: A state allows a real estate licensee from another state to conduct business in their state without being licensed in that state. There can be limitations on the specific circumstances when license portability is allowed. These are denoted by the terms cooperative state, physical location state, and turf state.

Because real estate licenses are given by each state, the steps to get a license when you move are determined by your new home state. Real estate license reciprocity and portability regulations can shorten or even eliminate some licensing requirements.

Real Estate License Reciprocity and Portability Guide

Find out the reciprocity and portability options available in your state. You should look for the requirements in the state where you want to get a license, not the state where you currently hold a license.

Can I transfer my real estate license to another state? This real estate license reciprocity chart can give you all of the information you need for your state and guide you to additional resources when you are ready to apply.

Reciprocity: States allow licensees from another state to apply for a license in their state with an expedited process.

Portability: States allow licensees from another state to conduct business in their state with their out-of-state license following certain provisions.

State	Has Full, Partial, or Conditional Reciprocity With:	Portability Category	References
Alabama	All states	Cooperative	Alabama Real Estate Commission
Alaska	All states	Physical Location	Alaska Real Estate Commission
Arizona	No reciprocity	Cooperative	State of Arizona Dept. of Real Estate
Arkansas	Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Washington, West Virginia	Physical Location	Arkansas Real Estate Commission
California	No reciprocity	Physical Location	California Department of Real Estate
Colorado	All states	Cooperative	Colorado Dept. of Regulatory Agencies
Connecticut	Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island	Cooperative	Connecticut State Dept. of Consumer Protection
Delaware	All states	Physical Location	Delaware Division of Professional Regulation
Florida	Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Mississippi, Nebraska, Rhode Island	Physical Location	Florida Dept. of Business & Professional Regulation
Georgia	All states	Cooperative	Georgia Real Estate Commission & Appraisers Board
Hawaii	No reciprocity	Physical Location	Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
Idaho	No reciprocity	Physical Location	Idaho Real Estate Commission
Illinois	Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, Wisconsin,	Physical Location	Illinois Dept. of Financial & Professional Regulation
Indiana	No reciprocity	Cooperative	Indiana Real Estate Commission
Iowa	Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, North Dakota	Physical Location	Iowa Professional Licensing Bureau
Kansas	No reciprocity	Cooperative	Kansas Real Estate Commission
Kentucky	All states	Cooperative	Kentucky Real Estate Commission
Louisiana	Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Iowa, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania	Cooperative	Louisiana Real Estate Commission
Maine	All states	Physical Location	State of Maine Professional & Financial Regulation
Maryland	Pennsylvania, Oklahoma	Cooperative	Maryland Dept. of Labor
Massachusetts	Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Iowa, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, West Virginia, Oklahoma, New York, Maine, New Hampshire	Cooperative	Commonwealth of Massachusetts Division of Professional Licensure
Michigan	No reciprocity	Physical Location	Michigan Dept. of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
Minnesota	Colorado, Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Wisconsin	Physical Location	Minnesota Dept. of Commerce
Mississippi	All states	Cooperative	Mississippi Real Estate Commission
Missouri	No reciprocity	Cooperative	Missouri Real Estate Commission
Montana	No reciprocity	Physical Location	Montana Board of Realty Regulation
Nebraska	No reciprocity	Turf State	Nebraska Real Estate Commission
Nevada	Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Texas, Utah, West Virginia; Broker-only: California, Connecticut, Washington DC, Florida, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia	Cooperative	State of Nevada Dept. of Business and Industry, Real Estate Division
New Hampshire	Massachusetts, Maine, Vermont, Georgia	Cooperative	New Hampshire Real Estate Commission
New Jersey	No reciprocity	Turf State	State of New Jersey Dept. of Banking & Insurance
New Mexico	Massachusetts, Louisiana, Georgia	Turf State	New Mexico Real Estate Commission
New York	Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, West Virginia	Physical Location	New York State Dept. of State, Division of Licensing Services
North Carolina	No Reciprocity	Cooperative	North Carolina Real Estate Commission
North Dakota	Georgia, Iowa, Minnesota	Cooperative	North Dakota Real Estate Commission
Ohio	Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Mississippi, Nebraska, Oklahoma, West Virginia, Wyoming	Cooperative	Ohio Dept. of Commerce
Oklahoma	Alabama, Arkansas, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, West Virginia	Cooperative	Oklahoma Real Estate Commission
Oregon	Alabama, Georgia, Nebraska, South Dakota	Cooperative	Oregon Real Estate Agency
Pennsylvania	Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York	Turf State	Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission
Rhode Island	Connecticut, Massachusetts	Cooperative	State of Rhode Island Dept. of Business Regulation, Division of Commercial Licensing
South Carolina	Georgia	Cooperative	South Carolina Real Estate Commission
South Dakota	No reciprocity	Cooperative	South Dakota Dept. of Labor & Regulation
Tennessee	No reciprocity	Cooperative	Tennessee Dept. of Commerce & Insurance
Texas	No reciprocity	Cooperative	Texas Real Estate Commission
Utah	Georgia, Mississippi	Cooperative	Utah Dept. of Commerce, Division of Real Estate
Vermont	No reciprocity	Physical Location	Vermont Office of Professional Regulation
Virginia	All states	Physical Location	Virginia Dept. of Professional and Occupational Regulation
Washington	No reciprocity	Cooperative	Washington State Dept. of Licensing
West Virginia	All states	Physical Location	West Virginia Real Estate Commission
Wisconsin	Illinois, Indiana	Physical Location	State of Wisconsin Dept. of Safety and Professional Services
Wyoming	No reciprocity	Cooperative	Wyoming Real Estate Commission

How to Transfer a Real Estate License

If your new state offers reciprocity, they will provide the steps to transfer your real estate license through the reciprocity option as well as the documentation required. The most common supplemental materials that regulatory authorities ask for include:

• A copy of your current real estate license
• A notarized or official record of your real estate license history in all states where you have held a license
• Passing the state portion of the real estate license exam
• Course completion certificates from your initial real estate pre-licensing education

To apply for reciprocity, complete each step of your state’s reciprocal application process, such as the below step-by-step guide.

Step 1:

Research your new state’s requirements. These requirements will dictate your follow-on steps, which often include the ones listed below.

Step 2:

Complete a reciprocal license application. You will need to provide information such as your full legal name, social security number, and residency information.

Step 3:

Submit all required supplemental documentation. Some states use an online portal, while others rely on mail-in or email applications.

Step 4:

Pay applicable fees.

Step 5:

Take the state-specific portion of your real estate license exam, if required by your new state. Make sure that your scores are reported to your new state’s licensing authority.

Step 6:

Receive your reciprocal license in your new state and get to work as a real estate agent!

Some states do not have standing reciprocal agreements with other states but do have a waiver application process. If your current real estate education and license credentials satisfy their state requirements, the state authority may agree to waive certain requirements for you to apply for a new license.

You may also see the term “equivalent real estate license” or “license recognition.” In these cases, you can get a real estate license in your new state without retaking all of your pre-licensing education. You may need to take an abbreviated course, provide additional references, or pass an exam instead.

Can I Have a Real Estate License in Two States?

Yes, you can use the states’ reciprocity agreement to do business in additional states and get a real estate license. Some agents choose to pursue licenses in multiple states, while others opt to specialize in their local area. In cities that span two states, such as Washington, DC (Maryland and Virginia) and Kansas City (Kansas and Missouri), it is more common for real estate agents to be licensed and do business in both states.

Real estate is a customizable career, offering options to real estate agents who want to build their business and client list.

Getting a Real Estate License in a State without Reciprocity

Most states offer a version of reciprocity or an abbreviated application process for those with a valid real estate license from another state. A few states, however, require all new licensees to pass their state real estate exam and complete their real estate pre-licensing education. For example, Texas real estate license reciprocity is not offered. Instead, all applicants “must satisfy all current Texas licensing requirements,” according to the Texas Real Estate Commission. 

Whether you just need to take the state portion of the real estate exam or complete all licensing steps, you likely already have a lot of the required knowledge to be an outstanding agent in your new state. It can be helpful to spend additional time preparing for the state portion of the real estate exam, however, since local and state laws can vary.

If your state does require that you retake certain courses or you need to take additional courses, you can use your practical experience to get the most from your required classes. You will be able to ask in-depth questions from experienced instructors and apply your new knowledge to your real estate career right away.

What Does Reciprocity Mean in Real Estate?

Reciprocity applies to those currently holding a real estate license in one state who want to get a new real estate license from another state. Reciprocal states will recognize the licenses granted by another state. The license holder may need to take some additional steps to get licensed, such as filing paperwork, paying state fees, or taking a state exam. In a few cases, they need to take shortened versions of the state real estate courses.

Not all states offer reciprocity. Among the states that do, most offer partial reciprocity or only offer reciprocity to licensees from certain states. A few do have reciprocity agreements with all states. These are often states that are nearby or states that have similar licensing requirements.

Reciprocity is most often pursued by those moving to a new state permanently. For example, Realtor Joe Smith lives in the Washington D.C. metro area. He is considering a move from Bethesda, Maryland to nearby Fairfax, Virginia. As a real estate agent, he is worried that he will need to complete extensive coursework to get his license in his new home state of Virginia.

Virginia offers reciprocity with all states. All Joe needs to do to become a licensed real estate agent in his new home state is pass the state portion of the Virginia real estate license exam, provide course completion certificates documenting his 60 hours in his “Principles of Real Estate” course that he took to get his license in Maryland, and provide a letter certifying his Maryland license.

What is Real Estate License Portability?

For real estate agents interested in representing a client on one transaction in another state, getting a new state license may not make sense. It can be costly and take time, even in those states that do offer reciprocity. Another option is to use state’s license portability procedures.

Portability allows real estate agents licensed in one state to conduct business in another state, as long as they follow specific provisions. The three types of portability setups are:

Cooperative: The state allows out-of-state licensed real estate agents to represent a client in the state. Out-of-state agents usually need to have a written agreement with an agent licensed in that state.

Physical Location: The state allows out-of-state licensed real estate agents to represent a client in their state as long as they remain remote and do not physically come to the state to conduct the transaction.

Turf State: The state does not allow out-of-state licensed real estate agents to represent any clients in their state. Real estate agents can pursue a state license or refer clients to agents licensed in that state.

The state real estate regulatory authority determines which type of portability is allowed in their state. Make sure that you research the real estate license requirements for the state where you would like to do business, not just the state where you currently hold a license.

Portability is a great way for experienced agents to continue working with clients even when they move to another state. In our example, Real Estate Agent Joe Smith is now licensed in Virginia. He has worked with a couple to buy and sell multiple homes as he grew his business. They decide to move to nearby North Carolina, which does not have reciprocity with any state. Joe still wants to live and work in Virginia, but would also like to help his long-time clients find their next home. Under the portability regulations in North Carolina, Joe is able to work with his clients as long as he has a written agreement with a real estate agent licensed in North Carolina.

How to Transfer Your Real Estate License to Another State

Becoming a successful real estate agent takes time and skill. As your real estate business grows, you may find additional opportunities in nearby states or even across the country. Your know-how of real estate license reciprocity and portability regulations will ensure that you are ready to take the next step in your real estate career.