How to Get a Real Estate License in Alabama

Real Estate Salesperson License Requirements

Infographic: Steps to Get Your Alabama Salesperson License

Getting a real estate license in any state can be a bit overwhelming, but earning a real estate license in Alabama is simple with our licensing guide.

The Alabama Real Estate Commission (AREC) requires individuals to complete the following 5 steps to receive a salesperson license.

Complete 60 Hours of Approved Pre-License Education
Pass the Course Final Exam
Pass the Alabama Salesperson License Exam
Find a Sponsoring Broker to Work Under
Complete Your Licensing Application

Purchase an Alabama
Pre-License Course 3 Monthly Payments of $88

Reasons to Get an Alabama Real Estate License

The requirements to get a real estate license vary in each state. However, it takes just a few simple steps to get a real estate license in Alabama. Hopeful licensees can have their real estate license in several weeks.

The average real estate salary is $48,930. Real estate agents in Alabama make an average of $50,300 a year, but the salary ranges from $36,000 to $100,000+ per year, depending on experience and expertise.

Different states require between 20 to over 200 hours of pre-license coursework before taking the exams and earning a license. Alabama requires 60 hours of pre-licensing education.

You need to be at least 18 years old and have at least two years of high school education or equivalent to get your Alabama salesperson license.

Did you know that you can get your Alabama real estate license entirely online? You can complete Alabama real estate education anywhere, anytime, and at your own pace!

Steps to Become a Real Estate Agent in Alabama

Prerequisites

You must be at least 19 years old
You must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident alien, or legally present in the U.S.
You must hold a high school diploma or have your GED
You must have proof of bona fide residency in any state in the U.S.
You must not have had a real estate application or license rejected or revoked in any state within the past two years

Complete 60 Hours of Approved Pre-License Education

The 60-Hour Alabama Pre-License Fundamentals Course will teach students about the various real estate careers, activities, companies, and the government agencies that regulate the industry.
Pass the Course Final Exam

After completing your 60-hour course, you must pass a course final exam. In Alabama, you must pass with at least a 70%. You are required to take this exam in the presence of a proctor.

Students are required to take the Alabama Real Estate Salesperson Licensing Exam within six months of passing the course final exam.
Pass the Alabama Real Estate Salesperson Licensing Exam

After completing all the Alabama course materials and passing the course final exam, you must pass the Alabama Real Estate Salesperson Licensing Exam.

There are two portions of the exam: state and national. You will have 60 minutes to complete the state portion and 150 minutes to complete the national portion. The state exam has 40 questions, and the national exam has 100 questions.

All exams require a "scaled" score of 70% to pass.

Once you feel confident enough to take your final exam, apply to take the Alabama Real Estate license exam. To register for an exam, use PSI's online portal.
Find a Sponsoring Broker to Work Under

A licensee needs to be sponsored by an active Alabama broker with a supervising broker endorsement. This person will serve as your mentor as you start your new career in real estate.

Here are some questions to consider during your search for a sponsoring broker:
- What is their overall reputation?
- Are they advanced in their specialty?
- Are they up to date with the latest rules and regulations?
- To what extent do they support their agents?
- What kind of commission structure do they offer? Are there benefits?
- What quality of leads and marketing material do they offer their agents?
- Is there potential to grow within the brokerage?
Complete the Licensing Application

Once you meet all the prior requirements, finalize your application online.

Submit the application, remaining fees, and fingerprint-based federal and state background check to get your license.

Applications must be sent within 90 days of passing the licensing exam.

Don't Forget Your Post-License Requirements!

Within your first six months of licensure, all Alabama salespersons are required to complete a 30-hour post-licensing course before they are issued a permanent license. Make sure you are registered with the Alabama Real Estate Commission before you start your post-license course.

How Much Does It Cost to Get an Alabama Real Estate License?

Depending on what real estate school a hopeful licensee decides to attend, it costs between $497 and $800+ to get an Alabama real estate license. The most expensive and vital purchase is that of real estate school. The cost of real estate courses depends on both the school and the package that a potential licensee chooses. Here are the required fees:

Total	$497 - $897
Course Tuition	$200 - $500+
Criminal Records Search Fee	$40
Salesperson License Fee	$150
Research and Education Fee	$30
Examination Fee	$77

How Long Does It Take to Get a Real Estate License in Alabama?

On average, it takes four (4) months to obtain your real estate license in Alabama. However, many students take far less or far more time to get their license. You can obtain a license in just a few weeks, or you can take your time and earn your license over the course of a year.

The amount of time it takes to obtain an Alabama real estate license depends on the type of pre-license coursework a potential licensee decides to take and the pace they take to complete the courses.

An individual completes courses at their own pace when completing their real estate school online. Online courses are helpful if an individual wants to complete their studies faster or if they need to take additional time on their coursework.

In a classroom setting, an individual must follow along at the pace of the class. This option is suitable for individuals who want to connect with classmates and are more motivated in a classroom setting.

Check out our blog post about whether online or classroom real estate classes are the best option for you.