Real Estate License from Alabama to Arkansas: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: Arkansas Real Estate Commission (AREC) ↗
Yes — Arkansas has a reciprocity arrangement covering Alabama license holders. Apply to the Arkansas Real Estate Commission (AREC) under its reciprocity/endorsement track; typically you skip the national exam and complete state-specific requirements only.
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Verdict
Reciprocity agreement
Alabama is on Arkansas's recognition list, which puts this move on the streamlined track: your education and national exam are credited, and the requirements below are what Arkansas still insists on — typically its own law exam and a background check. One caution: agreements are directional and revocable. This page's verification date tells you when we last confirmed Alabama on the list; the commission link is the live truth.
What changes, Alabama → Arkansas
| Alabama (current) | Arkansas (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| Training hours | 60 | 60 |
| Application fee | Reciprocal license fees mirror the original salesperson license fee: a License Fee plus a $25 criminal records search fee, a $30 research and education fee, and a $30 recovery fund fee (recovery fund fee set by Ala. Code 34-27-31). The License Fee is prorated within the two-year cycle (roughly $85 partial to $170 full per the Commission Candidate Handbook). The reciprocal exam fee is paid to the testing agency (Pearson VUE). Exact current total could NOT be confirmed on the official AREC fee page (arec.alabama.gov was unreachable from the research environment). | $75 (License fee $50 + Real Estate Recovery Fund fee $25 = $75 paid to AREC. Plus a $75 Pearson VUE exam fee (Arkansas Law portion for reciprocal applicants).) |
| Processing time | AREC does not publish a fixed processing time; the complete application and fees are due within 90 days of the exam date. | AREC does not publish a fixed processing time; the score report and fees must be received within 90 days of the exam. |
| Licensing authority | Alabama Real Estate Commission (AREC) | Arkansas Real Estate Commission (AREC) |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — Arkansas sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Confirm Arkansas's current requirements on the Arkansas Real Estate Commission (AREC) website (linked below) — rules change.
- Submit the reciprocity application to the Arkansas Real Estate Commission (AREC) (application linked below).
- Arrange license verification from your current state.
- Hold a current same-level (salesperson) license in another state.
- Submit an official license history from the current state.
- Complete State and Federal (FBI) criminal background checks.
- Pass the Arkansas Law portion of the salesperson examination.
- Submit the score report and fees within 90 days of passing the exam.
- Pay the fees ($75 (License fee $50 + Real Estate Recovery Fund fee $25 = $75 paid to AREC. Plus a $75 Pearson VUE exam fee (Arkansas Law portion for reciprocal applicants).)) and allow AREC does not publish a fixed processing time; the score report and fees must be received within 90 days of the exam..
Official links
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does Arkansas accept a Alabama real estate license?
Yes — Arkansas has a reciprocity arrangement covering Alabama license holders. Apply to the Arkansas Real Estate Commission (AREC) under its reciprocity/endorsement track; typically you skip the national exam and complete state-specific requirements only.
Which exams will I take moving from Alabama to Arkansas?
A salesperson licensed in another state at the same level may request a waiver of the GENERAL portion of the exam and take only the Arkansas Law portion, provided they passed a uniform/general/multi-state exam elsewhere (minimum passing grade 70) and remain licensed in that state (Commission Regulation 4.2(d))..
What does the move cost?
$75 (License fee $50 + Real Estate Recovery Fund fee $25 = $75 paid to AREC. Plus a $75 Pearson VUE exam fee (Arkansas Law portion for reciprocal applicants).) (License fee $50 + Real Estate Recovery Fund fee $25 = $75 paid to AREC. Plus a $75 Pearson VUE exam fee (Arkansas Law portion for reciprocal applicants).).
Can I keep selling in Alabama after I'm licensed in Arkansas?
Yes — real estate licenses stack. Keep the Alabama license active (renewals and CE continue separately) and you hold both; many border-market agents do exactly this.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-07-21.
- AREC - Reciprocal States (list of 15 reciprocal-agreement states) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- AREC - Real Estate Applicants (60 classroom hours; out-of-state general-exam waiver, Reg. 4.2) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- AREC - Frequently Asked Questions (exam fee $75; license fee $50 + $25 recovery fund) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Ala. Admin. Code r. 790-X-1-.18 - Reciprocal License Requirements (official Alabama Administrative Code text via Cornell LII) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- AREC - Become a Licensed Real Estate Professional (salesperson 60-hour prelicense; retrieved via Internet Archive) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21
How we verify · All sources · spot an error? [email protected]