Kentucky · KY
Kentucky 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 18 years old
- You hold a high school diploma or GED
- You can pass a criminal background check / fingerprinting
- Confirm you meet the basics: at least 18 years old with a high school diploma or GED before you start.
Education
Kentucky gives you two paths: complete the 96-hour Commission-approved pre-license course, OR show six (6) academic credit hours in real estate courses from an accredited college or university. Either way, plan on 48 hours of post-license education within your first two years of active licensure.
- Confirm you meet the basics: at least 18 years old with a high school diploma or GED before you start.
- Complete the 96-hour sales associate pre-license course from a KREC-approved provider (typically $400-$800), or use six college credit hours in real estate from an accredited college or university instead.
- Pass your course final exam and get your completion certificate — you'll need it to register for the PSI licensing exam.
- After licensure, complete 48 hours of post-license education within your first two years as an active licensee (required for everyone licensed after January 1, 2016).
Application & exam
- Get your national criminal history check FIRST — Kentucky invalidates exam scores if the background check isn't completed before you test. Two options: order your FBI Identity History Summary yourself at edo.cjis.gov ($18, mailed to you in about a week) or get fingerprinted through Kentucky State Police via IdentoGO with KREC service code 27GJR5 ($51.25, sent directly to KREC). Reports expire after 90 days, so time it carefully.
- Register with PSI, pay the $100 exam fee, and pass both the national and state portions (75% each).
- Apply for your license within 60 days of passing the exam — miss that window and your scores expire.
- Pay the initial license fee: $130 if you're activating with a sponsoring principal broker, or $120 if you're going straight into inactive status (yes, Kentucky lets you park the license inactive with no broker).
- To go active, you'll need an actively licensed Kentucky principal broker to accept your license and current errors & omissions insurance coverage.
- Keep your E&O current and complete your 48 post-license hours within two years — KREC can cancel licenses for missing either.
Budget
| Item | Estimate | Actual |
|---|---|---|
| 96-hour pre-license course | $550 | |
| FBI criminal background check (edo.cjis.gov; $51.25 if via KSP/IdentoGO) | $18 | |
| PSI exam fee (per attempt) | $100 | |
| Initial license fee (active; $120 if inactive) | $130 | |
| E&O insurance, first year (estimate — varies by carrier) | $175 | |
| Estimated total | $973 |
Key deadlines
- Either way, plan on 48 hours of post-license education within your first two years of active licensure.
- Biennial — renewals are due by March 31 of every even-numbered year ($130 active / $120 inactive, with a $200 late fee).
- Many sites still describe Kentucky renewal as annual — the current KREC fee schedule shows the two-year cycle.
- Active licensees also complete 6 hours of CE per year, including the Kentucky Core Course once every four years.
- Confirm you meet the basics: at least 18 years old with a high school diploma or GED before you start.
- After licensure, complete 48 hours of post-license education within your first two years as an active licensee (required for everyone licensed after January 1, 2016).
- Get your national criminal history check FIRST — Kentucky invalidates exam scores if the background check isn't completed before you test.
- Reports expire after 90 days, so time it carefully.