Alabama Real Estate License
Alabama Real Estate License Requirements
Article Summary: This article provides useful information on how to obtain your Alabama Real Estate License. Information on license eligibility, training requirements, school information, tests and exams, and license renewals, along with links to necessary forms. This will help any person looking into information in regards to real estate licenses in Alabama or anyone who has a desire to become a real estate agent in the state.
The Alabama Real Estate Commission in Montgomery serves the state through licensing and regulating all real estate licensees. Their vision is to ensure all real estate professionals in Alabama have excellence and integrity throughout the industry. They have nine governing leadership commissioners across the state to ensure integrity is upheld. To get your Alabama real estate license, you will want to be sure to follow their procedures.
Eligibility for a real estate license in the state of Alabama is charged by law that people engaging in the business have not been convicted of a felony or crime involving moral turpitude, and they have a reputation of honesty, trustfulness, and truthful conduct. If someone does have any sort of criminal offense, they are able to apply for a Determination of License Eligibility to address a record with the Commission and receive a decision of eligibility before completing any education and examination requirements for a license.
Other requirements for eligibility to obtain an Alabama real estate license include being a U.S. citizen, being at least 19 years of age, proof of residency in a U.S. State, proof of high school graduation or the equivalent, and not having had a real estate application or license rejected or revoked in another state within a 2 year period.
All applicants are required to successfully complete 60 hours of approved pre-license course and pass the State exam within 6 months of completing the coursework. They also must finish 30-hour post-license courses within the first 12 months of licensure to be issued a permanent (original) license. The original license must be issued and the course must be complete within the first six months in order to have an active license maintained.
In order to obtain a Broker License in Alabama, a person must meet the requirement above. In addition, they must successfully complete 60 hours of pre-license course work that is approved and must have had an active real estate salesperson license for a minimum of 24 months of the 36 periods after the date of application in any state.
The Alabama Real Estate Commission provides a course search tool to look for either classroom courses or distance education. They also provide the pass rate of over 100 options for schools that provide real estate coursework within the state.
The requirement for license renewal can be found online. To remain current, both active and inactive licenses need to be renewed. Every two years, Continuing Education of a total of 15 hours (9 hours of approved courses and 6 hours of Risk Management) prescribed by the Commission is required for renewal. On every even year by September 30th, these hours must be completed. Electric Course Evaluation is provided on the Commission website.
The Real Estate Licensing Examination is administered by appointment only at one of five exam centers in Alabama. The exam fee is $73. An exam can be scheduled online, by phone or by mail. All the necessary forms you need can be found online.
Alabama Real Estate License Requirements
The requirements to become a real estate agent in Alabama make for a long list. Every salesperson who wishes to have an Alabama real estate license must meet each requirement. The Alabama Real Estate Commission does not make exceptions for anyone who doesn’t meet the eligibility requirements. Before you pay for courses to become an active realtor in Alabama, you want to be sure you meet the requirements and know what all is involved in obtaining a real estate license.
To obtain a real estate license in Alabama, you need to meet the following requirements:
- Age and Citizenship: You must be at least 19 years old, a citizen of the United States or a lawfully admitted alien, and have a US Social Security number.
- Pre-license Education: Complete 60 hours of approved pre-license real estate education.
- Post-license Education: After obtaining your temporary license, you must complete a 30-hour post-license training course within the first twelve months to be issued an original (permanent) license.
- Pass the Exams: After the pre-license education, you’ll need to pass the course final exam and the Alabama state and national licensing exams.
- Background Check: Applicants must submit to a fingerprint-based federal and state criminal background check.
- Sponsorship: After passing the state and national licensing exam, you must find a broker to sponsor you.
Please note that these requirements can change, so it’s a good idea to check the official Alabama Real Estate Commission (AREC) website or contact them directly for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
Education
Regarding an Alabama real estate license, no one can become a realtor without taking the pre-license coursework. These courses are offered at various locations around the state, but they have to be approved by the AREC to qualify you for a license. These courses must contain 60 hours of coursework, but those you take online can take as much or as little time as you need so long as the 60 hours of coursework are present. Once you pass this class, you have 6 months to take your state exam. The course fee is dependent on several factors, such as taking it in person or online, the location, and the materials you purchase.
It may be a good idea to simultaneously plan out your real estate business while you are studying for the exam. Be sure to check out our technology and budgeting advice.
Exam
You have six months to take your exam, and you have to pass. The fee for the exam is $73. You can pay at the approved testing center the day you take your test with a credit card, cashier’s check, or money order. If you do not pass the exam the first time, you can retake it as you need. However, you do have to pay for the test each time you take it.
Application
Once you’ve passed your state exam, you submit your application for a license to the AERC. This must be filled out in its entirety. It’s available on the AERC website, or you can pick one up at your local testing center upon exam completion. You’ll send in $235 with your application. Of that, $25 is for the AERC to perform a criminal record search on you, $30 is a research fee, $30 is a recovery fund fee, and the other $150 is the application fee. Once your application is approved, you receive your license.
To keep your license active, you must complete 30-hours of post-license education within one year. Your first license is a temporary one, and you won’t be issued a permanent license until you complete this coursework.
Disclosure: Sometimes, states update their licensing rules and laws. Be sure to check your state’s website for the latest information!
