How to become a real estate agent in Arkansas
Getting your real estate license in Arkansas is more straightforward than you might think, and it can open the door to a flexible, rewarding career.
Table of contents
Step 1: Meet the basic requirements and complete your pre-licensing education
Step 2: Submit your application and complete your background check
Step 3: Pass the Arkansas real estate exam
Step 4: Secure a sponsoring brokerage
Step 5: Complete your post-licensing education for a permanent license
How to get your real estate license in Arkansas
Ready to start your journey to a successful real estate career? Here are the five key steps and license requirements to become a real estate salesperson in Arkansas.
Step 1
Meet the basic requirements and complete your pre-licensing education
Before you can dive into your new career, you must meet the state’s licensing requirements established by the Arkansas Real Estate Commission (AREC) and complete pre-licensing education.
You need to meet the following criteria:
- Age requirement: You must be at least 18 years old.
- Residency requirement: Arkansas offers both resident and nonresident licenses with specific application processes for each.
Once you meet these criteria, you must complete your pre-licensing real estate education from an accredited post-secondary school or an AREC-approved provider. Your classes will cover everything from property laws to fair housing regulations, ensuring you’re fully prepared to serve your future clients.
- Total hours: 60
Colibri Real Estate empowers aspiring agents to start their careers by offering easy-to-follow, flexible pre-licensing courses backed by a Pass or Don’t Pay Guarantee. Join over 1.5 million students who have trusted us to help them find success.
Step 2
Submit your application and complete your background check
Once you’ve completed your pre-licensing education, the next step is to apply for the real estate exam and complete the required background check. The Arkansas Real Estate Commission requires all applicants to complete a state and federal criminal background check, which involves submitting digital fingerprints.
Here’s your checklist for the application process:
- Submit a completed application to take the real estate examination.
- Provide proof of age.
- Pay the $50 application fee via cashier’s check or money order payable to “AREC” (No personal or business checks).
- Submit the Background Check Acknowledgment Identity Form (BCA).
- Provide your Certificate of Course completion for pre-license education.
Important: Do NOT have fingerprints made until you receive an email from AREC authorizing you to do so. Applicants should frequently check their email (including spam folders) for information on the criminal background check process. The criminal background reports must be received and approved by the Arkansas Real Estate Commission before you can receive your exam approval.
Step 3
Pass the Arkansas real estate exam
After AREC approves your application, you will need to register for and pass the Arkansas real estate exam, which is administered by Pearson VUE.
The examination fee is $75.
To prepare for exam day, make sure you feel confident in both national real estate concepts and Arkansas-specific laws.
Step 4
Secure a sponsoring brokerage
To activate your Arkansas real estate license, you’ll need to select a licensed Arkansas broker to sponsor you.
Choosing the right brokerage is a huge decision. You should interview a few different brokerages and ask them about the following:
- Mentorship programs: Do they offer ongoing education or hands-on support for new agents?
- Commission splits: Make sure you understand how commissions are divided.
- Company culture: Visit the office to ensure the professional environment aligns with your values.
Once you pass the exam and your application is approved, AREC will issue your license, which must be activated under a sponsoring broker.
Step 5
Complete your post-licensing education for a permanent license
There is one final educational step to ensure you are set up for long-term success.
The AREC post-license requirement for a new salesperson is 18 classroom hours.
You must complete this post-license education within six months after the date you were initially licensed. Completing this ensures you have the practical knowledge to build a thriving, compliant, and long-term business.
Start your journey as a real estate agent today
Ready to get started? Colibri Real Estate has helped more than 1.5 million aspiring agents launch their careers with confidence. Our Arkansas courses are designed by industry experts and built for flexibility, so you can learn at your own pace while staying on track.
With built-in exam prep, realistic practice tests, and Rubi, your AI-powered study assistant, you’ll have the tools and support you need to prepare effectively and walk into exam day ready. Plus, with our Pass or Don’t Pay Guarantee, you can enroll knowing we stand behind your success every step of the way.
FAQs
Starting a real estate business is incredibly affordable compared to some career switches.
Here’s a breakdown of the costs to get your Arkansas real estate license:
Arkansas real estate license costs
– Pre-licensing courses $380 – $770
– Exam fee (per attempt) $75
– Application fee $50
– Background check and fingerprinting $40 – $50
– Total approximate cost $545 – $945
On average, the entire real estate licensing process in Arkansas takes about three to six months. Your personal timeline depends on your schedule. If you treat your online courses like a full-time job, you can complete the required coursework quickly and move on to the application and exam process.