Becoming a REALTOR®

1. Pre-license Course: The first step in becoming a Realtor is taking your Pre-License course so you can take your Real Estate Exam and get your Real Estate license. We have a partnership with The CE Shop that offers a broad range of classes and everything you need to get and maintain your Alabama Real Estate License.
2. State License Test: Once you pass you will be given the application for Temporary Salespersons license.
3. Join HAAR, AAR, NAR, and ValleyMLS.com (if applicable).
4. Attend HAAR/ValleyMLS.com Orientation.
5. Post License Course: Completion of the 30-hour post-licensing course is required for salespersons within the first 6 months of licensure for active licensees and within one year for inactive licensees. Individuals must also apply for an Original Salesperson License and have it issued before the expiration of the first 6-month period. Note: There is no post-license requirement for brokers.
6. Continuing Education: Every two years you will renew your license with AREC which includes completing 15 hours of Continuing Education.

To become eligible to obtain a SALESPERSON LICENSE in Alabama, an applicant who does not hold a current real estate license in another state must:

• Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident alien or legally present in the U.S
• Be at least 19 years old
• Show proof of bona fide residency in any state in the U.S.
• Show proof of high school graduation or the equivalent
• Not have been convicted of a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude
• Not have had a real estate application or license rejected or revoked in any state within the past two years.
• After meeting the education and/or experience requirements, pass the licensing examination.

Additionally, a salesperson applicant must:

• Prior to taking the state exam, successfully complete an approved 60 clock hour pre license course. Applicants have 6 months to pass the state exam after completing the course. If these deadlines are not met, the course must be retaken.
• Complete a 30 hour post license training course within the first twelve months of licensure in order to be issued an original (permanent) license. Further, the course must be completed and original license issued within the first six months in order to maintain an active license.

To become eligible to obtain a BROKER LICENSE in Alabama, an applicant who does not hold a current real estate license in another state must:

• Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident alien or legally present in the U.S
• Be at least 19 years old
• Show proof of bona fide residency in any state in the U.S.
• Show proof of high school graduation or the equivalent
• Not have been convicted of a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude
• Not have had a real estate application or license rejected or revoked in any state within the past two years.
• After meeting the education and/or experience requirements, pass the licensing examination

Additionally, a broker applicant must:

• Successfully complete an approved 60 clock hour pre license course.
• Must have held an active real estate salesperson license in any state for at least 24 months of
  the 36 month period immediately preceding the date of application.

A company is defined by the Alabama Real Estate Commission as any sole proprietorship, corporation, partnership, branch office, or lawfully constituted business organization as the Legislature
may provide from time to time, which is licensed as a company under Articles 1 and 2 of this chapter.
An applicant for a company or broker license shall maintain a place of business. If the applicant for a company maintains more than one place of business in the state, they shall have a company license for each separate location or branch office.

A company license shall become invalid on the death or disability of a qualifying broker. Within 30 days after the death or disability, the corporation, or the remaining partners of the successor
partnership, if any, may designate another of the officers, members, or salespersons to apply for a
license as temporary qualifying broker.

The original fee for each company license shall be $85 per year for each year or portion of a year
remaining in the respective license period, and the renewal fee for each license shall be $85 dollars per year for each year of the license period.

Every license shall expire at midnight on September 30 of the final year of each license period. This applies to company licenses as well as salesperson and broker licenses.

If you hold an original current license in another state, you may obtain a RECIPROCAL LICENSE by doing the following:

• Complete a six‐hour course in Alabama real estate law as specified in Rule 790‐X‐1‐.18 and take and pass the corresponding Alabama portion of the licensing examination
• Submit with the application an official “Certificate of Licensure” form (license history) showing you hold a current license in another state. This certification can be obtained from the Real Estate Commission Office in that state. This certification must have been issued within 120 days of our receipt of your reciprocal license application. Exam candidates will receive an application for licensure at the test centers upon passage of the exam.
  • All reciprocal applicants should follow these links and thoroughly read Section 34‐27‐32(b)(1) and Rule 790‐X‐1‐.18.