Need of a License: A real estate salesperson must be licensed by the state of Arkansas to represent clients in the sale or purchase of real estate that is located in Arkansas.
Who Grants a License: Licenses are granted by the Arkansas Real Estate Commission (“AREC”).
Qualifications to receive a License: A candidate must complete 60 clock-hours of study at an post-secondary school or AREC-approved real estate school (search AREC-approved schools here), pass a school-administered final exam, and pass a state exam. All candidates must submit a full set of fingerprints on a fingerprint card supplied by AREC, and pass a background check. All candidates must be at least 18 years of age. Candidates who are licensed in another state might be eligible for a waiver of a portion of the required education and/or state exam. For more information about qualifications and waivers, see Licensing | New Applicant webpage in AREC website.
Applying for the Exams: Candidates should apply to take the state exam through the Pearson VUE website scheduling page. Before applying to take the exam, all applicants are required to obtain a Certificate of Examination of Eligibility from AREC. For more information, see the State of Arkansas Real Estate Candidate Handbook.
Test Content: The Arkansas state real estate licensing exam is comprised of two separate tests, the general test and the state-specific test. Those who pass only one test must retake only the failed test within 6 months. Five questions on the national test and ten questions on the state-specific test are considered "experimental" questions and are not scored. Both portions are comprised of multiple choice questions with four answer choices provided for each question. Test takers are allotted four hours to complete both portions of the exam. A scaled score of at least 70 is required to pass. The exam is presented in a computer-based format, but accommodations for paper-based tests and/or oral testing can be provided with special arrangements.
The national test consists of 80 scored questions and tests the candidate's knowledge of general real estate concepts, including the following subject areas:
Real property characteristics, definitions, ownership, restrictions, and transfer
Contracts and relationships with buyers and sellers
Property conditions and disclosures
Federal laws governing real estate activities
Financing the transaction, and settlement
Leases, rents, and property management
Brokerage operations
The state-specific test consists of 30 scored questions and tests the candidate's knowledge of the state-specific concepts, including the following subject areas:
Duties and Powers of the Real Estate Commission
Licensing Requirements
Statutory requirements governing the activities of licensees
Other statutory requirements
Agency Relationships and Disclosures
How to Apply for the License: The license application is issued by the testing company upon passing both portions of the licensing exam. Candidates must provide AREC with the following documents: (1) completed application and application fee; (2) original Arkansas state real estate licensing exam score report. All of the required documents must be submitted to AREC offices in Little Rock within 90 days of passing the exam.
Fees: AREC charges a license application fee, background check fees. These fees are itemized on AREC website, here.
Who administers the test: AREC and Pearson VUE.
License Renewal Requirements: An Arkansas real estate licensee must take six credit hours of continuing education (either online or in the classroom) from an AREC-approved provider every year. Further information is provided on AREC website, here.
Applicable Regulations: Real estate licensees in Arkansas are regulated under Title 17, Chapter 42, Real Estate License Law and the Arkansas Administrative Code (search Arkansas Administrative code here.)
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