Alaska · AK
Alaska Real Estate License Checklist (2026)
Every step, fee, and deadline on one page — designed to print cleanly to PDF and check off as you go.
Before you start
- You are at least 19 years old
- You hold a high school diploma or GED
- You can pass a criminal background check / fingerprinting
Education
Alaska's 40 classroom hours of pre-licensing education is among the lowest in the nation — but there's a catch: every new licensee must also complete a 30-hour post-licensing education (PLE) course within one year of initial licensure, and file the PLE affidavit within 30 days after that year, or the license lapses (AS 08.88.095). Also mind the clocks: education certificates are valid only 18 months, and exam scores only 6 months.
- Confirm you're at least 19 years old — Alaska's minimum age is a year higher than most states.
- Complete 40 classroom hours of Commission-approved pre-licensing education (approved course list at commerce.alaska.gov under the Real Estate Commission's Education page).
- Register with Pearson VUE and pass the Alaska salesperson exam — your course certificate stays valid for 18 months from the date of application, so don't sit on it.
- Calendar your post-licensing obligation now: a 30-hour PLE course due within one year of licensure, on top of the 20 hours of CE you'll need to renew.
Application & exam
- Pass the Pearson VUE salesperson exam ($100), then apply for licensure within 6 months — exam scores expire after that.
- Submit the Real Estate Salesperson by Examination application (form 08-4179) with $370 in fees payable to the State of Alaska: $200 nonrefundable application fee, $120 biennial license fee, and $50 Real Estate Surety (Recovery) Fund fee.
- Include your 40-hour education certificate, exam score sheet, and — if you've ever held a real estate license anywhere — verification of licensure sent directly from each jurisdiction.
- Provide proof of errors & omissions insurance (AS 08.88.172), either through the RISC master policy or equivalent coverage.
- Submit the Employing Broker Information form (08-4972) — Alaska salespersons must work for a licensed broker, so you need your brokerage lined up at application time.
- Answer the professional fitness questions honestly (there's no fingerprint card requirement, but the application asks about convictions within the last 7 years and pending charges); once complete, the division issues the license, then complete your 30-hour PLE within one year.
Budget
| Item | Estimate | Actual |
|---|---|---|
| 40-hour pre-licensing course | $400 | |
| Pearson VUE exam fee | $100 | |
| Application + license + Recovery Fund fees ($200 + $120 + $50) | $370 | |
| E&O insurance (approx., RISC master policy or equivalent) | $250 | |
| 30-hour post-licensing course (due within first year) | $300 | |
| Estimated total | $1,420 |
Key deadlines
- Alaska's 40 classroom hours of pre-licensing education is among the lowest in the nation — but there's a catch: every new licensee must also complete a 30-hour post-licensing education (PLE) course within one year of initial licensure, and file the PLE affidavit within 30 days after that year, or the license lapses (AS 08.88.095).
- Also mind the clocks: education certificates are valid only 18 months, and exam scores only 6 months.
- Every 2 years — all Alaska real estate licenses expire January 31 of even-numbered years regardless of issue date (licenses issued within 90 days of expiration roll to the next cycle); renewal is $120 plus 20 hours of CE
- Confirm you're at least 19 years old — Alaska's minimum age is a year higher than most states.
- Register with Pearson VUE and pass the Alaska salesperson exam — your course certificate stays valid for 18 months from the date of application, so don't sit on it.
- Calendar your post-licensing obligation now: a 30-hour PLE course due within one year of licensure, on top of the 20 hours of CE you'll need to renew.
- Pass the Pearson VUE salesperson exam ($100), then apply for licensure within 6 months — exam scores expire after that.
- Answer the professional fitness questions honestly (there's no fingerprint card requirement, but the application asks about convictions within the last 7 years and pending charges); once complete, the division issues the license, then complete your 30-hour PLE within one year.